Pure Fitness Membership cancellation makes fitness look easy Tempe Arizona
Well, this should be entertaining for at least one person besides me.
I am presenting this case to inform anyone that is considering a membership with Pure Fitness, so they know in advance what to expect when the time comes to cancel. At the most, a normal person will only be out $25, but it still matters.
I left the state of Arizona late last August with the intention of returning a few months later. For this reason, I did not feel it was necessary to cancel my club membership, especially since I did not want to pay another initiation fee upon my return. The cost of eating a few months' dues was far cheaper than eating another $200+ to get back in the door.
For the record, I assure everyone that I am not a s****.>
When it became apparent that I would be spending more time out of state than I originally planned, I called Pure Fitness to ask if my membership could be placed on hold since I had been in Washington for over two months. I was told that option was not available and that I could simply use any club located within this state while I was up here. I explained the fact that the nearest club was on the other side of the state, 300 miles away, but that didn't seem to register as an unreasonable distance to the person on the phone.
I then bit the bullet and said I would be canceling my membership as of that moment but I was snubbingly told I could not do it over the phone. Nor could I do it within any reasonable amount of time, I was informed.
I had deliberately called a week before my bank account was automatically debited because I did not want to be charged for another month of membership while I was not using their serviceI had already eaten two months of dues.
I was told that I must send a formal letter stating the fact that I wish to cancel my membership, that it must be sent by certified mail, that it would NOT be processed before the next billing cycle, AND I must wait until after the FOLLOWING cycle before it took effect. This meant I would be forced to pay for two more months of memberships if I followed their rules. When I asked for the address to send my request to, I was told to look on my original application even though I had called the exact club that I joined. My application was still in Arizona, so I had to get the address online.
If I had gone along with their plan, my membership would have been done and over with at the end of December. Instead, I sucked it up in the hopes that I would return to Phoenix by early spring and be able to forget about the whole ordeal. As it is, I will probably cancel my membership as soon as I get back because this whole experience has been nothing worth enjoying. They might get six months of unused dues out of me, but I plan on living a lot longer, to no benefit of theirs.
Maybe I am the only person that thinks I should be able to freely cancel my membership for reasons that are obvious. This is what I know I had to go through to join:
1) Hand over the cash
2) Immediate membership
This is what I was told to go through to cancel:
1) Write a letter of intent, with my signature
2) Send it to the club by certified mail
3) Wait for my checking account to be billed
4) Wait for my checking account to be billed again
5) 40 days and $50 later, I would be free from Pure Fitness
I don't recall having to send in my application by certified mail before they accepted me. I don't recall having to wait through two billing cycles before my membership was activated. I don't recall anyone being rude, unsupportive, or impatient over inquires when I joined. It is easier and so much more joyous to quit AOL than it is this placewhich is painful to admit. Now that I think about it, I didn't even have to pay to get in the door; I had a free week pass. Now I want out and they still want me to keep paying. I wasn't renting an apartment from Pure Fitness, I don't think they need a month's notice from me.
By offering a clean, pleasant, and enjoyable environment for people to make their lives healthier and happier, Pure Fitness is in no way guilty of operating a detrimental establishment. If not for the fact that they employ a totally annoying cancellation policy, I would never have wasted my time writing this. I could have just as easily sat down and wrote a two-sentence request, mailed it off and been done with it but I simply don't agree with the practice.
The only reason I can see to have this policy is to exploit the helpless people that pay dues month after month without ever using the facilitythey aren't motivated to work out, so they sure aren't going to be motivated to sing and dance to cancel their membership. There may be people that are in need of a policy that is difficult to escape at a moment's notice because fitness is not always easy. Quitting, and quitting NOW is. However, I am of complete sound mind and I want to stop paying for a service that I have not been within 1,200 miles of for five months. I don't want to stop paying in a few months. I want to stop now. It's not that easy.
This is just something to be aware of if you are considering a membership with Pure Fitness. Plan on canceling two months before you want to. Or keep paying for it in the futile hope that you will someday be able to return. I didn't think I was asking for too much
Pure Fitness Member
For No Reason, Washington
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Victor
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
What about us disabled/issues getting in
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, March 18, 2004
I am also a member(month-to-month), I signed up with my company via the website only to be doubly charged. Since I joined, i have had the worst service.
I became sick right away and kept the membership hoping to get better. I also suffer from severe social anxiety and makes it hard to get out sometimes.
I want to stop my membership but was told to come in. I asked if I could get some info on what I would need to cancel and was told "i dont know and everyone else is too busy to help".
I work the oddest of hours and still get sick quite a bit. what are we that are shut ins and disabled supposed to do? now i have to try to make the time and based on past reports, this will take more time and energy that I want to. But the knowledge from others is helpful so i am fully prepped for the challenge.
My litigation experience will help me and i will review my contract and make sure I am well versed. If any problems, trust me they will hate me afterwards.
Maxine
Tacoma,Washington,
U.S.A.
started cutting locks off lockers left overnight ..if you really need to join Pure Fitness DO NOT Prepay.
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, March 16, 2004
I too have encountered shady business practices while a member of pure fitness. A week ago they changed policy mid stream and started cutting locks off lockers left overnight well i lost my key, I told the receptionist what happenned and she stated she would make sure my lock was not cut. The next day i come in and my lock is cut, No big deal it was part of the policy. No where in the policy did it state that one's personal effects would be donated to charity and not placed in the lost and found. Amazingly Pure Fitness Renton could not furnish the charity that my Jacket and designer toiletries were given too.
Also Getting out of the contract with them is a major hassle and if you prepaid for the year like I did you are out 300 dollars.
My advice is if you really need to join Pure Fitness DO NOT Prepay.
Robert
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
nothing anywhere that stated I must fulfill a two year contract
#13Author of original report
Sun, February 01, 2004
You are genuinely amazing. For starters, you managed to conclude all on your own that I was bound by contract to remain a member with Pure Fitness for a set amount of time. I never implied that, and in fact, I could have cancelled my membership the same day I joined without further penalty.
Where you came up with the idea that I recklessly signed my life away is a complete mystery. You've totally not grasped the concept that my membership is month to month, not unlike most internet services, newspaper subscriptions, or cable television. There is nothing anywhere that stated I must fulfill a two year contract, or even two days for that matter. I paid $200 to join, I could have quit five minutes later and not been charged another cent. Your know-it-all, you-get-what-you-deserve, look-before-you-leap attitude is not only incorrect, but it is also uninteresting.
If I had to make assumptions about you, I would say you make a habit of giving advice or voicing your opinion often because you enjoy concocting facts that aren't relevant, yet sound convincing.
Yes, if I had signed a two-year contract, I would have nothing to complain about. But that is obvious, and somehow you feel righteous for pointing it out. Thanks but no thanks, there was no contract. I requested a hiatus, but didn't expect it. I expected my request to cancel to be honored as friendly as the membership was implied when I joined. I never fished for the clause that would allow a hiatus and I would have been just as happy with a cancellation.
You should also know that I've gotten over laughing at your advice to be more responsible with my next business dealings. Should I think a little further into the future next time to see who is going to have a stroke, become dependant, or die? According to you, yes.
Listen to the facts.
1) I can quit any time I want to.
2) I will not be penalized for choosing to do so.
3) I am bound by nothing.
4) My only complaint is that Pure Fitness was completely uncooperative when I elected to do so.
5) For this reason, I have chosen to exercise the use of this website.
6) Your input is of absolutely no value, since I am merely reporting the way I was treated when I elected to terminate my membership.
I don't know how else to state it, I am a member of Pure Fitness that had a difficult time canceling my membership. According to you, I am irresponsible and have no right feel a little chapped. I am simply expressing my experience with the gym. Maybe you should keep this in mind next time you feel like responding to someone that is reporting a situation.
Paul Pickle
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Were you asking to much? Well, YES!
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, February 01, 2004
Were you asking too much? Well, YES you were! Apparently there is no clause in the gym's contract where they allow members a "hiatus" as you desired. Had you read the contract and/or inquired about this prior to signing, you would have known this. You cannot expect ANY company to honor something that is NOT agreed to in a contract. Just because your CAR INSURANCE allows you a "hiatus" every now and then does not mean that your health club works the same way. Next time, just be a little more responsible with your business dealings and you will not run into a similar problem again.
Robert
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
I'm not a s****.>
#13Author of original report
Sat, January 31, 2004
To answer your questions as briefly as possible, I'll start out by saying I had no idea that I would be leaving Tempe, much less Arizona when signed up for my membership. I joined the club in early 2003 but left the state in September. Even when I left, I never intended on being away this long, and in fact will likely be returning in March. To say I knew full well in advance that I would not be able to use my membership for an extended period of time is nowhere near the truth.
I could understand this statement if I suddenly left Arizona as soon as it got 110 degrees, but I left in the fall for Washington where it hasn't been above freezing for two months. Believe me, I would have much rather been in the 70's over this winter. This was not some kind of planned strategy for me to live in the best weather available. Arizona in the summer and Washington in the winter is not the way it goes.
Once again, I had no intention of canceling when I joined the club. Inquiring about the policy was something that wouldn't have mattered to me. The last thing I would be thinking about is yeah, well what if I have to leave for four or five months, then what? Moving across the country just isn't something I think about every time I sign my name on a $20 contract.
I've never denied the fact that I signed a contract. I'm not even denying the fact that I can get out of it by informing them a month and a half in advance. I am simply irritated that the information I requested from them at the appropriate time was less than courteous or complete. I will return to Arizona, I will find a new gym, and I will end my membership with Pure Fitness. That is the most effort I will put into it at this point.
Until then, they will continue to get $23 out of me every month because am not interested in sending them certified mail that will not be processed for weeks. I am positive I could walk in and say something rude or loud enough that would terminate my membership on the spot, but I don't understand why my request can't be expedited if I am polite from four states away.
All I wanted was for my account to be placed on hiatus until I returned. Even my car insurance company has honored this request. Was I really asking for too much?
Robert
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
I'm not a s****.>
#13Author of original report
Sat, January 31, 2004
To answer your questions as briefly as possible, I'll start out by saying I had no idea that I would be leaving Tempe, much less Arizona when signed up for my membership. I joined the club in early 2003 but left the state in September. Even when I left, I never intended on being away this long, and in fact will likely be returning in March. To say I knew full well in advance that I would not be able to use my membership for an extended period of time is nowhere near the truth.
I could understand this statement if I suddenly left Arizona as soon as it got 110 degrees, but I left in the fall for Washington where it hasn't been above freezing for two months. Believe me, I would have much rather been in the 70's over this winter. This was not some kind of planned strategy for me to live in the best weather available. Arizona in the summer and Washington in the winter is not the way it goes.
Once again, I had no intention of canceling when I joined the club. Inquiring about the policy was something that wouldn't have mattered to me. The last thing I would be thinking about is yeah, well what if I have to leave for four or five months, then what? Moving across the country just isn't something I think about every time I sign my name on a $20 contract.
I've never denied the fact that I signed a contract. I'm not even denying the fact that I can get out of it by informing them a month and a half in advance. I am simply irritated that the information I requested from them at the appropriate time was less than courteous or complete. I will return to Arizona, I will find a new gym, and I will end my membership with Pure Fitness. That is the most effort I will put into it at this point.
Until then, they will continue to get $23 out of me every month because am not interested in sending them certified mail that will not be processed for weeks. I am positive I could walk in and say something rude or loud enough that would terminate my membership on the spot, but I don't understand why my request can't be expedited if I am polite from four states away.
All I wanted was for my account to be placed on hiatus until I returned. Even my car insurance company has honored this request. Was I really asking for too much?
Robert
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
I'm not a s****.>
#13Author of original report
Sat, January 31, 2004
To answer your questions as briefly as possible, I'll start out by saying I had no idea that I would be leaving Tempe, much less Arizona when signed up for my membership. I joined the club in early 2003 but left the state in September. Even when I left, I never intended on being away this long, and in fact will likely be returning in March. To say I knew full well in advance that I would not be able to use my membership for an extended period of time is nowhere near the truth.
I could understand this statement if I suddenly left Arizona as soon as it got 110 degrees, but I left in the fall for Washington where it hasn't been above freezing for two months. Believe me, I would have much rather been in the 70's over this winter. This was not some kind of planned strategy for me to live in the best weather available. Arizona in the summer and Washington in the winter is not the way it goes.
Once again, I had no intention of canceling when I joined the club. Inquiring about the policy was something that wouldn't have mattered to me. The last thing I would be thinking about is yeah, well what if I have to leave for four or five months, then what? Moving across the country just isn't something I think about every time I sign my name on a $20 contract.
I've never denied the fact that I signed a contract. I'm not even denying the fact that I can get out of it by informing them a month and a half in advance. I am simply irritated that the information I requested from them at the appropriate time was less than courteous or complete. I will return to Arizona, I will find a new gym, and I will end my membership with Pure Fitness. That is the most effort I will put into it at this point.
Until then, they will continue to get $23 out of me every month because am not interested in sending them certified mail that will not be processed for weeks. I am positive I could walk in and say something rude or loud enough that would terminate my membership on the spot, but I don't understand why my request can't be expedited if I am polite from four states away.
All I wanted was for my account to be placed on hiatus until I returned. Even my car insurance company has honored this request. Was I really asking for too much?
Robert
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
I'm not a s****.>
#13Author of original report
Sat, January 31, 2004
To answer your questions as briefly as possible, I'll start out by saying I had no idea that I would be leaving Tempe, much less Arizona when signed up for my membership. I joined the club in early 2003 but left the state in September. Even when I left, I never intended on being away this long, and in fact will likely be returning in March. To say I knew full well in advance that I would not be able to use my membership for an extended period of time is nowhere near the truth.
I could understand this statement if I suddenly left Arizona as soon as it got 110 degrees, but I left in the fall for Washington where it hasn't been above freezing for two months. Believe me, I would have much rather been in the 70's over this winter. This was not some kind of planned strategy for me to live in the best weather available. Arizona in the summer and Washington in the winter is not the way it goes.
Once again, I had no intention of canceling when I joined the club. Inquiring about the policy was something that wouldn't have mattered to me. The last thing I would be thinking about is yeah, well what if I have to leave for four or five months, then what? Moving across the country just isn't something I think about every time I sign my name on a $20 contract.
I've never denied the fact that I signed a contract. I'm not even denying the fact that I can get out of it by informing them a month and a half in advance. I am simply irritated that the information I requested from them at the appropriate time was less than courteous or complete. I will return to Arizona, I will find a new gym, and I will end my membership with Pure Fitness. That is the most effort I will put into it at this point.
Until then, they will continue to get $23 out of me every month because am not interested in sending them certified mail that will not be processed for weeks. I am positive I could walk in and say something rude or loud enough that would terminate my membership on the spot, but I don't understand why my request can't be expedited if I am polite from four states away.
All I wanted was for my account to be placed on hiatus until I returned. Even my car insurance company has honored this request. Was I really asking for too much?
Paul Pickle
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Interesting dissertation!
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, January 26, 2004
A very interesting dissertation, indeed. Please tell us, however ...
1- Why did you join the club, knowing full well that you would not be able to use it for an extended period of time?
2- Knowing that you would be out of town for a period of time, why did you not inquire about the specific cancellation policy BEFORE SIGNING your contract in the first place?
It seems to me that all of this could have been avoided, had you been a responsible consumer and simply READ the terms and conditions to which you hastily affixed your signature.
Paul Pickle
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Interesting dissertation!
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, January 26, 2004
A very interesting dissertation, indeed. Please tell us, however ...
1- Why did you join the club, knowing full well that you would not be able to use it for an extended period of time?
2- Knowing that you would be out of town for a period of time, why did you not inquire about the specific cancellation policy BEFORE SIGNING your contract in the first place?
It seems to me that all of this could have been avoided, had you been a responsible consumer and simply READ the terms and conditions to which you hastily affixed your signature.
Paul Pickle
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Interesting dissertation!
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, January 26, 2004
A very interesting dissertation, indeed. Please tell us, however ...
1- Why did you join the club, knowing full well that you would not be able to use it for an extended period of time?
2- Knowing that you would be out of town for a period of time, why did you not inquire about the specific cancellation policy BEFORE SIGNING your contract in the first place?
It seems to me that all of this could have been avoided, had you been a responsible consumer and simply READ the terms and conditions to which you hastily affixed your signature.
Paul Pickle
Raleigh,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Interesting dissertation!
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, January 26, 2004
A very interesting dissertation, indeed. Please tell us, however ...
1- Why did you join the club, knowing full well that you would not be able to use it for an extended period of time?
2- Knowing that you would be out of town for a period of time, why did you not inquire about the specific cancellation policy BEFORE SIGNING your contract in the first place?
It seems to me that all of this could have been avoided, had you been a responsible consumer and simply READ the terms and conditions to which you hastily affixed your signature.