Complaint Review: Custom Built Training/Affiliated Acceptance Company

In my quest to get healthy, I made an oversight that has cost me greatly. In July 2006, I signed up at a local health club for personal training assistance. I was new to the club and not familiar with the equiptment. I agreed to pay $210 monthly for training.

3 months later, I had some health problems and my cardiologist mandated that I quit such rigorous exercise. I sent a certified letter to Affiliated Acceptance who bills for Custom Built. A copy of the letter was put in my gym file. Id did NOT have a gym account and could not have taken part in the services rendered.

Unfortunately, I assumed that would be the end of it. My husband took over paying the bills and he did not recognize Affiliated Acceptance but thought it to be our car payment of the same amount. They continued to take funds from my account for the next three years. $4581 worth of funds. Fraudulently.

When I realized what had happened, I worked with the local gym to contact Affiliated. Unfortunately, they had just gotten tired of the poor service their clients were receiving and ended their relationship with Affiliated and Custom. Affiliated would not talk to me on the phone but after 2 months of calls, ceased billing me. But would not deal with the past-collected funds.

I began calling Steve Dow, the President of Custom Built in Atlanta. Initially, he seemed concerned and said he would look into the matter. I called him weekly for about 3 months. Every time, he promised he'd look into it or would have an underling call me back who still said there was nothing they could do.

Bottomline, now 4 years later, I am still owed these funds. I followed thru and cancelled my membership as stated in the contract. I did not belong to a gym and could not have used the services. I feel I am reasonable in asking just for the funds taken from my account to be returned. Interest would also be appropriate as they have had my money for 4 years. And damages are now also appropriate as this has been a very big issue for me and my family and increased my stress to the highest limits.

I want this resolved. I am filing in small claims court but have also talked to some television Judge-Judy type shows as I believe that when they read thru all the reports listed here, Custom Built would look like an idiot and also would likely have to pay me damages. And maybe some of you can pursue the same. I don't want to profit - I just want what is owed to me and to end this matter. Steve Dow had the ability to do so in any one of the 20 or more conversations we have had...and he clearly does not care. But I do!