I am already very dizzy reading tons of ripoff reports about LA Fitness both on this site as well as on others.
I had my own nasty experience yesterday to file. Here it goes:
My company asked me to provide dated proof of payment to a fitness club in order to get reimbursed. So, I went to the front desk at this location and asked for one, The girl turned around and talked to another gentleman behind her about my need. She came back and pressed some keys on the computer, went to the printer and came back with a sheet of paper. I thought wow, it couldn't be quicker than this!. But, read on, this is when the whole trouble started. She held out the sheet to me and said "here you go". I looked at the sheet. It is a normal A4 white sheet with a table with few columns ( with headings Transaction Type, Date, Description, Credits ) printed on it that had multiple rows with each row describing a single payment detail for every month that I paid for since my membership started.
I turned to her and said "This detail I too can get from my credit card statements. What I am looking for is a proof of payment in the form of receipt or something similar, that clearly shows I made the payments to you"
She truns around again and talks to the same gentleman who was few steps away. He comes to me.
"Yes, may I help you?"
"yes, I am looking for a proof of payment to submit at my work for reimbursement purposes"
"Yes, this sheet has all the transaction details". He points to me at the sheet that I was holding on the front desk. You dumb ( or smart) a*s, do you think I am blind or illiterate that I cannot read what was on the sheet?
I go "Right, it has the details, but it is a plain white sheet with a excel table printed on it and doesn't make up a proof of payment."
"That is how we maintain the records in our system in a spreadsheet and we printed that for you."
You dumb*ss...Don't you understand why I am here?. I am not here to know how you keep your accounts in the system. I am interested in getting a valid proof of payment!
"It doesn't prove that I paid the money to you. Even I can open a spreadsheet and create such table and print it"
"So, You are looking for a sheet with our logo and this information printed on it."
You smart *ss, don't tell me you don't understand what is a proof of payment.
"Yes, something like that...I hope you understand what I am asking for and why I am asking for, right?"
"I don't have sheets like that."
"Can you provide anything similar to that?"
"How about I attach my business card to the sheet. If they have any questions they can contact me ".
"I don't think they will accept that"
"But you haven't tried it yet.."
My patience started wearing thin. You dumb*ss, you think my company recruited a person specifically to make hundreds of calls to verify each employee's payment is valid?. Moreover, it is easy to print business cards with some phony names and phone numbers on it. You simply want me to get off of your back!
"I know they will not accept it. It is surprising to know that you don't provide receipt for a payment. It is normal to get a receipt when you purchase goods or services. Isn't it simple"
"We already talked about it few minutes ago..I told you I don't have it. No point in repeating your question...What else can I help you with"
I am agitated now and raised my voice a little bit.
"Yeah, but that is what I am here for. You are not providing any meaningful alternatives either...."
"This conversation is over."
He turns around and expects me to leave after he said that. But I stuck to the ground.
I say " Ok..."
He turns back and "Yes?"
"How about you stamp LA Fitness seal on this sheet and sign it for me. I think they may accept it"
"I don't have a stamp and I am not an officer of the company to sign it"
Dumb*ss!, You thought I don't know who can sign on behalf of a company?
"I myself own a company and I know that one doesn't have to be an officer of a company to sign a sheet. Any authorised manager can do it"
"I am not authorised"
I am furious.
"Ok. I would like to talk to your senior."
"I am the manager of this facility...There is no more senior person here"
"Ok, Can you give me in writing what you said just now?"
"No"
"Alright, I want to cancel my membership"
"You can go online and ask for a cancelation on our website."
Shocked, amazed how lousy and cunning these assholes are, I hit the road. I am going to try to cancel my membership online and hopefully don't end up with another story.
Ram
Stamford, Connecticut
U.S.A.
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