- Report: #541699
Complaint Review: Aspen Fitness-Lancaster Ohio - Lancaster Ohio
Reported By:
Jay -
Lancaster, Ohio, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Aspen Fitness-Lancaster Ohio
1259 N. Memorial Drive Lancaster, 43130 Ohio, United States of America
Phone:
740-652-9200
Web:
www.aspenfitnessclubs.com
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Business Rating:
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Aspen Fitness-Lancaster Ohio Will not stop charging fees, will not return repeated calls Lancaster, Ohio
I signed up for a new club in Lancaster, Ohio called Aspen Fitness, not to be confused with any other Aspen Fitness clubs in Central Ohio, the Lancaster Ohio Aspen Fitness is apparently owned by a guy named Steve who apparently stole the name and logo from the Newark/Heath location.
I signed up for the membership approximately 6 months ago and for work and travel reasons never made it into the club once. Not once. I was being billed $21 per month for the membership. About 3 months in I decided to move out of the area. There was a clause on the membership agreement that if you move a certain amount of miles away, you can cancel your membership at no cost. Apparently that clause did not apply to me.
I came into the club and luckily got to meet with Steve. For someone who owns a business and should be trying to get respect and referrals, etc. this guy was an absolute a*****e. I have never been treated so rudely and condescending by someone at a business, let alone by the owner. For some reason I did not qualify for the free membership cancellation because I moved, which I did not really question. I was told I would have to pay a $50 cancellation fee. After some negotiation, we agreed I would put my membership on "hold" and only accrue a $5 per month hold fee, which was acceptable to me.
Next month in November, I looked at my bank statement to see the full monthly charge of $21. I called Steve at Aspen to find out what was going on. Steve was not in. Over the next week I called Aspen at various times to talk to Steve at least 10 times, leaving messages every single time. After that week I got busy and forgot about disputing the charge.
I just looked at my December bank statement and saw a charge from Aspen for $53.78, over double what a monthly fee is. I called to talk to Steve again, of course he was not in, and I don't expect a call back either. Kind of funny the girl who answered the phone knew who I was. When she answered the phone and I asked for Steve she said "hang on a minute" like he was there, but when I said my name she said, "he's not in yet".
Anyway, this is the most unprofessional business I have ever encountered and I am still trying to get to the bottom of what is going on. I would highly recommend avoiding Aspen Fitness and Steve in Lancaster. There are plenty of other gyms in Lancaster where you are treated with respect and like a friend. If I can dissuade at least one person from joining Aspen I will be happy.
I signed up for the membership approximately 6 months ago and for work and travel reasons never made it into the club once. Not once. I was being billed $21 per month for the membership. About 3 months in I decided to move out of the area. There was a clause on the membership agreement that if you move a certain amount of miles away, you can cancel your membership at no cost. Apparently that clause did not apply to me.
I came into the club and luckily got to meet with Steve. For someone who owns a business and should be trying to get respect and referrals, etc. this guy was an absolute a*****e. I have never been treated so rudely and condescending by someone at a business, let alone by the owner. For some reason I did not qualify for the free membership cancellation because I moved, which I did not really question. I was told I would have to pay a $50 cancellation fee. After some negotiation, we agreed I would put my membership on "hold" and only accrue a $5 per month hold fee, which was acceptable to me.
Next month in November, I looked at my bank statement to see the full monthly charge of $21. I called Steve at Aspen to find out what was going on. Steve was not in. Over the next week I called Aspen at various times to talk to Steve at least 10 times, leaving messages every single time. After that week I got busy and forgot about disputing the charge.
I just looked at my December bank statement and saw a charge from Aspen for $53.78, over double what a monthly fee is. I called to talk to Steve again, of course he was not in, and I don't expect a call back either. Kind of funny the girl who answered the phone knew who I was. When she answered the phone and I asked for Steve she said "hang on a minute" like he was there, but when I said my name she said, "he's not in yet".
Anyway, this is the most unprofessional business I have ever encountered and I am still trying to get to the bottom of what is going on. I would highly recommend avoiding Aspen Fitness and Steve in Lancaster. There are plenty of other gyms in Lancaster where you are treated with respect and like a friend. If I can dissuade at least one person from joining Aspen I will be happy.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
akortis
United States of AmericaContract
#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, June 06, 2011
I have been a member of Aspen Fitness in Lancaster since December of 2009. When I signed up it was a $10 a month membership fee. I did not get charged any other sign-up fees. I did know about the $29 yearly charge in December. I also signed a yearly contract, so if I cancelled my membership any time during the first 12 months I would have to pay a fee. After the 12 months I was on a month to month contract. However there were stipulations that I could trasnfer my membership to another gym associated with Aspen if there was one in the location I was moving to. If not I could cancel my membership free and clear. This information was stated in the contract. I know this because I read the contract.
In the contract it also says that if you want to cancel your membership, you need to submit in writing that you are cancelling your membership. My suggestion is that you submit a letter to the gym stating that you are cancelling your membership, the date you want it cancelled, and the reason. If there is a clause in the contract that allows you to not pay a cancellation fee, I would submit a copy of your signed contract with that portion highlighted and any other evidence you think you may need.
My other suggestion is to read contracts before you sign them, carefully. If there is something in it you don't like then don't sign it. I would stop calling because apparently the manager is not going to call you back. And if he did not give you anything in writing signed, then you have to go back to the original contract. If he did give you a new contract signed, then you have grounds to sue for breach of contract.
Observer
Lancaster,Ohio,
United States of America
Be Aware
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, March 17, 2011
Awhile back, I received an invitation to join the Aspen Fitness Club in Lancaster. The advertisement was very specific stating that the enrollment fee for the lowest level membership was $10 and there was a renewable monthly membership fee of $10 per month. There were no ifs, and, or buts compromising this membership description.
I visited the club and was told that the $10 enrollment fee was really a $90 enrollment fee, but they would reduce it to $40 out of the goodness of their hearts. Second, I was told that there was a $30 annual fee not explained in any way, shape or form in the advertisement. Third, I had expected a $10 enrollment fee and a $10 monthly membership fee precisely as advertised (a total of $20 plus applicable taxes), but they presented me with a contract for well over $200. Why? The contract included the enrollment fee, the annual fee, and monthly membership for twelve months rather than a one month membership that was renewable. Wow!
Since I was expecting a month-to-month arrangement as indicated by their advertisement, I asked how the contract would be modified to accomodate my wishes if I wanted to cancel after a couple months? That is when I learned about the "termination fee" of $75 if I cancelled prior to one year. Holy cow - that's certainly not accomodating to me, only to them! Are there any other fees not disclosed? Oh, yes, processing fees. I continued the discussion with them to learn more.
If this is standard procedure for fitness clubs, perhaps they should be investigated.
Are matters like this actionable causes?
Is this substantive false advertising?
Does it qualify as fraud?
Lisa
Lancaster,Ohio,
United States of America
Aspen Fitness Customer Service is lacking!
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, February 20, 2011
Sounds like the 1st rebuttal may be the owner of Aspen Fitness...
I am also having issues with Aspen Fitness. Every time I call to speak to a manager, either he had JUST left (what a coincidence) or it's his day off. How many days off does a manager get? Also, when I call I always ask when the manager will be back in, and then will tell me the date and time, and yet when I call at that time it's his day off.
Wow, it is evident that customer service is something to be desired with this place!
Nick B
United States of AmericaThe annual fee
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, February 05, 2011
It seems as if this annual upgrade fee things is very common, I am a member or I guess I should say trying to be former member of the one isReynoldsburg.My family went in this morning for the first time since 12/10/2010 and was denied entrance becausse of the fee not being paid. When speaking to Ken when I signed up since I paid in advance for my membership this was to be waived but with me being a trusting person I did not get this in writing nor review it fully and he wrote nothing to say it would be waived. My fault I get it. Funny how the document was ready to show people with information highlighted, circled and starred. This must have happened alot.
However anyone else having these issue please post a reponse and we will all meet and go in at the same time. We are trying to build Reynoldsburg back into being a community of choice and if this is how you want to treat people in the community then we will not support you, we will simply look for other choices and make sure the demand is there for other choices.
Again, any other issues please post and we will work together to make sure Aspen Fitness knows this and maybe this is just a random incident and can be solved quickly and easily.
fitnessguy10
USAFrom a knowledgable customer
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, January 10, 2010
I'm going to comment on these items in order.
First, I am in the fitness industry and I understand how health clubs work, as well as billing and membership agreements/contracts. I am also knowledgeable with the Aspen club in Lancaster.
Now, onto the topics listed
First, Aspen Fitness in Newark/Heath does have a different name, Aspen Fitness Centers, vs. Aspen Fitness Clubs. Also, for all you know, they could have some kind of agreement allowing him to use the name for a certain compensation, or the owners could know each other. This often happens because most people in the business know each other. So make sure you know exactly what the situation is prior to making these accusations.
Secondly, your problem with being billed while not using the club is your fault. Aspen fitness either uses month to month agreements where you pay per month and as long as you don't cancel, you continue to be billed, however, you have the right to cancel at any time for no charge. OR The membership may be set up on a contract platform, where you are obligated to commit to a term period where you will be billed for a certain number of months. So either way, even if you don't use the club, you will be billed. Now, for the clause of moving out of the area, it will specify this right on the agreement. Which, if it did and he wouldn't let you cancel, you could sue him. However, it will also specify a certain distance from which you must move out of the area (usually 25 or 50 miles). Generally, you must provide some type of proof that you actually moved, whether it be a new utility bill or whatever. So it just depends on everything in the agreement, which should specify this.
Next, onto the freeze option.. two things. First, you must fill out paperwork to do this, in which you would also get a carbon copy specifying the arrangements. So if it is not frozen, take the copy into the fitness center and demand a refund. Secondly, it can take some time for the freeze to take place because of how club billing works. However, usually no more than a month. So the fact that you were billed your regular dues the next month is no suprise, but, the month after it should have been frozen, so you have a right to be angry.
Now, you are being quite dishonest when you accuse them of more than doubling your billing. Everyone who is a member at the Aspen club in Lancaster pays an annual Club Enhancement and Rate Guarantee Fee of $30 on December 16th. Which is why your rate was higher in December. They have a membership checklist that states all the rules of the club, in which you initial off beside every clause. The $30 fee is stated in this checklist, so you put your initials right beside. Yet, in ignorance, you accuse the fitness center of ripping you off.
Also, as an owner of a gym, you are often not in all the time, so that could be why he isn't calling you back, often times that is the job of a manager. Your best bet would be to stop calling in because usually front desk staff are clueless on what to do with these situations. Go to the facility and talk to a manager or the Steve guy. Demand an answer or a refund. Just find out all the facts before you start bashing a company on the internet without providing all the information.
