The Zoo Health Club Winter Springs Shady Billing Practices Winter Springs, Florida
My husband joined this gym based on a flyer advertising $10 a month. He comes out with a one year agreement for $20 a month as it turns out the $10 a month is for extremely limited hours that no one wants to work out during. The old bait and switch. Fast forward to May. We are billed a fee of $29.95. A call to the 1-800 number states an annual fee IN ADDITION TO the month fee called an "Annual Enhancement Fee." What's that? Apparently it's to "pay for maintenance and upkeep of the gym." Gee, I thought that's part of what the monthly fee is for. The rep proceeds to let me know my husband agreed to this in the contract (I will check this when I get home) and that it's "common in the industry." Here's where I'm calling bullshit. We have both been members of gyms all our adult lives - YMCA, LA Fitness, private gyms - hell, I worked for Gold's Gym in the 90s selling memberships - I know the game - I have NEVER heard of such nonsense!
In reviewing other complaints about various locations, I can see the MO is for the owner of the particular location to rebutt accusing the reviewer of either working for the competition or being a disgruntled employee. Let me just pre-empt that here. I can assure you I am neither.
Oh, and trying to cancel early? You will owe 75% of the balance. Fair enough, but don't expect anyone to re-up with you after the year. I dealt with this crap working for Gold's: You can either go for the grab early on and piss your members off to the point you are constantly struggling to sign new members in order to keep your business afloat, or you can treat people right from the get-go and the business will take care of itself. Seems this company will have to learn the hard way.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
SunshineDeeds
oviedo,Florida,
*read* before you sign.
#3General Comment
Fri, August 09, 2013
I have nothing but good to say about Zoo as a current member there. It is in the contracts that there is a yearly fee for maintenance. This is a common practice as I have been a member of two other gyms with the same yearly fee in addition to your monthly dues. Basic membership covers "normal gym hours" and yes, if you want to use the gym after hours, it is their right to charge you that additional fee. Welcome to America.
Please, learn to read before you sign and file complaints against someone or a company for your errors.
You may want to file a complaint for your cell phone company, who will also charge you an early term fee.
tc
Winter Springs,Florida,
United States of America
Learn how to read
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, December 02, 2012
I have been a customer of the zoo since they opened and found the staff to be completely honest and forthcoming with the rates and fees. My entire family of four gets 24 hour access to the gym and my wife gets all the free classes she wants for a total of only $81 a month. If you read and understand your contract before you sign it, maybe it won't be such a surprise when you get the bill.
There were no shady tactics, all rates and fees were disclosed openly. For approx. $20 a month each the zoo is $400-$500 cheaper per year than other alternatives and there are no salesman trying to aggressively sell training classes and other extras like other gyms. Great gym, great people, read your contract thoroughly before you sign it.