Complaint Review: LA Fitness

I purchased weekly personal training session for my father who is older. He only wanted to work out on Saturdays in the morning. They understood this and things were fine for 4 or 5 months until Thanksgiving weekend when they didn't have a trainer for that Saturday morning. They called the night before and tried to change it to 2:30 pm Sat. and my Dad said he would be too tired by then. They said fine, he could make the session up another time. Note: they owed us one session from this day.

Then in December I told them I would be out of town the weekend before Christmas (he only works out if I'm there), and we would not be working out Saturday - Christmas Day (they're closed anyways) or New Year's Day (the next Saturday). By this time my Dad had been coming in almost every Sat for 5 months and they all knew us. Kim at the front desk knew his situation. Miyagi- the manager -knows us very well. His cell phone number is programmed into mine.

Kim, Miyagi and our early Dec. trainer (I don't remember which one - maybe Omar) knew we weren't coming in for 3 weeks, but they billed my credit card for all those weeks even though they said they wouldn't. Every time a new charge would appear, I complained to Miyagi and he verbablly promised it would stop next billing cycle. We were all on very friendly terms and I hated to ask for anything in writing (it would have seemed overly-paranoid and untrusting - silly me).

So LA Fitness continued to bill be me for his training all through Dec and into Jan 2005. Then they finally stopped it. I filled out a form on their website to get it stopped. Calling the number they print on my credit card bill is a huge waste of time - they never picked up and there's no way to leave a voicemail (which seems dishonest to me - why print a number that you don't answer). Also they don't respond to emails to the address they print on their emails as their return address - which also reeks of dishonesty. Only the form on their website got a response and there's no way to really know what email address that goes to. I suspect the email address they give out is never even read.

The employees in the gym seemed equally frustrated with their corporate office. I don't really blame them in this. They should have an easy way to stop the credit billing if they have to, but they don't. They also told me THEY have trouble getting in touch with corporate.

The company has nice gyms and equipment, but seems much more interested in expanding than in tending to the customers they already have. This is at odds with the employees who are sincerely trying to be nice to the customers.

Another note: we went through many personal trainers in the last 7 months and have seen many different faces at the front desk. I had all kinds of people claim they were the "this manager" and the "that manager". Unreal. On the plus side it's too crowded like some other gyms. There's the personal training manager, the general manager, the supervisor, etc. etc.

We managed to get 3 of the 4 missed sessions made up. We went in today and had to start all over again from the beginning with our personal trainer Laney and the new manager Dan what was going on. There were no notes in the computer about this apparently (hardto believe). Laney was looking at me like I was lying. I've paid them over $2000 in the last 7 months and don't deserve to be looked at like a liar when I come in.

Aside from that, I still blame their management for this mess. I will never buy personal training again where they automatically bill you whether they are there or not. I never filed this with Visa, although I think I might for the last Jan. 10 charge because I don't want the 60 day limit to pass me by on that.

Be sure to look at all the other reports where the same kind of thing occurred. Also note: I'm a busy computer professional and charge alot by the hour. I've spents HOURS and HOURS at LA Fitness, sending emails, called Corporate, etc. etc. At $200 /hour x 5 hours I've spent = $1000 I should be able to bill them. Next time I sign a contract I'm bringing one of my own counter-contract (my pre-nup so to speak) for them to sign.

Nancy
Long Beach, California
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on LA Fitness Body of Change

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.