In December, 2013, Target had a breech of their credit card accounts. We had used our cards at their facility and online for purchases during the breech. As a courtesy, our card issuing company sent out new cards in case our information was compromised. Unbeknownst to my husband, his card was on file with Lady Fitness, although he never approved them to do so and I never signed for automatic payments. Because they were taking the money out monthly and now the card they had on file was no longer valid, payments for the membership were declined.
In March 2014, the payment for $10.65 was declined and a $15.00 fee was added. They tried again to take payment in April for yearly fees of $21.25 and monthly fees of $10.65. Both were declined and fees assessed gain on the 22nd. They, National Fitness who is the billing company, sent out a letter April 23rd notifying us for the first time that payments had been declined and/or returned. At this point, three fees were placed on the account before notification of the first non-payment.
Upon receiving the letter, we called right away to find out what was going on. The rep for National Fitness, I believe her name was Rose, said they couldn't do anything more than lowering the fees to half of what was charged. My husband respectfully declined and stated we would contact Lady Fitness and speak with their management personnel and try to find a solution. We called and spoke with Kay Marie, one of the managers, explained the situation and how we have no problem paying for dues, but didn't believe we should have to pay for fees when we weren't notified of them in a timely manor nor responsible for what the card company chose to do.
Kay Marie said she would speak with the owner, Sharon, and get back to us. This initial phone call was on 05/20/2014 at 8:00 PM. After not hearing back from Kay Marie for more than a week, my husband called to inquire as to the conclusion of their discussion (call made 05/28/2014). He was told by the worker that Kay Marie wasn't available. He again called on 06/04/2014 at 1:04 PM looking to speak with Kay Marie. The worker he spoke with this day claimed she hadn't been in and wouldn't until Friday 06/06/2014 and this is why she probably hadn't called back. The worker also said she would leave a note for her to call.
After not calling back, He called again 06/06/2014 twice, once at 5:10 PM and right behind it at 5:12 PM. Kay Marie said the owner was sending an email and we should know something the following day. Monday, 06/09/2014 after once again not hearing anything back, He called and spoke to Kay Marie again at 5:30 PM. He was reassured they would contact him the following day with the decision. Today, 06/24/2014, He called again at 4:58 PM and spoke with Kay Marie. To this point, nothing had been reconciled and we had even paid all dues owed as a good faith on 06/14/2014. Kay Marie now informed us there wasn't anything they could do and we'd just have to take it up with National Fitness. We were charged another set of fees and now owed $55.00. $35 in fees for a national company is nothing.
They chose to jerk us around for more than a month, more fees were caused and now we had to pay the fees before we could cancel. Lady Fitness and National Fitness chose to charge fees for an extenuating circumstance caused by the card issuing company and a national retailer which was looking out for our best interest. We paid the fees as to not have anything pressing on my record, but do not agree with the manner nor conclusion of the actions by either company. They have wasted time, money and caused a lot of unnecessary stress because of not wanting to fix something very easily fixed.