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  • Report:  #106989

Complaint Review: Life Sport - Lennox Lewis Health Club - North York Ontario

Reported By:
- Toronto, Ontario,
Submitted:
Updated:

Life Sport - Lennox Lewis Health Club
North York Empress Walk Basement, Yonge Street North York, Ontario, Canada
Phone:
416-222-7933
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
I terminated my relationship in person with the manager David Ryzinski. We both signed a copy of the membership termination form.

For the next year and a half, money continued to be taken from my account. David Ryzinski even called my house asking me why I had no money in my checking account, acting like I never cancelled any membership.

I then went to my bank and payed for a stop payment service that continued for 12 months, where the money was put back into my account. After 12 months, David Ryzinski / Lifesport continues to ILLEGALY withdraw money from my account. Not just that, because I have cancelled my membership, they are ILLEGALLY holding my banking information.

I called many times and had no reply. I went down there in person, and was told he was in a meeting by the receptionist. Then I asked what time he'd be done, and the receptionist said she didn't know. Isn't that HER JOB to know? If it isn't, then its MY JOB to find out? What a joke!

I tried calling the downtown branch to make a complaint, the other branch said they'd call me back and I've never heard from them since.

Lifesport has no website. I don't know why, I can't find anything on the internet about them except another person's testimony of how they ripped him off.

Who knows, maybe they ripped off Lennox Lewis's face from a magazine too. Because I don't know why a famous, respectable boxer like Lennox Lewis would endorse some small time gymn run by some small time manager who can't get his numbers to break even and the only way he could is to rip people off and take money from people's account illegally.

The amount is of 65 Canadian a month. Enough to start building up after TWO YEARS, but not enough to sue for anything. Isn't that lame?

Kevin

Toronto, Ontario
Canada


25 Updates & Rebuttals

Lisa

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesports team Martin and kerry stole my money

#2Consumer Comment

Wed, September 07, 2005

I purchased a membership at Lifesport and was happy for about 3 months when another member convinced me to hire a trainer named Martin who she said helped her to lose 100lbs(which was a lie latter found out it was her boyfriend)I ended up paying up front for 300 sessions and Kerrys boyfriend Martin the trainer also sold me about $500 worth of vitamins which I never recieved...Then the gym closes I lose money there tooo....


Peter

Toronto, Canada,
Ontario,
Canada
charges will soon be laid

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, March 03, 2005

It appears the provincial government - CBS ministry - is reviewing the Life Sport file and charges will soon be laid.


Patrick

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Follow up have missed anything

#4Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 18, 2004

Has anyone heard anything from the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Investigations usually move pretty slow but I am wondering if I have missed anything? BTW: It appears that David Rysinski, the Life Sport manager originally cited at the beginning of this thread, has started posting on other, more recent Life Sport threads on this site. Check it out. He definitely does not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. The real question, of course, is where is Mother Hen - Jasmin Dennis???


Patrick

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Follow up have missed anything

#5Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 18, 2004

Has anyone heard anything from the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Investigations usually move pretty slow but I am wondering if I have missed anything? BTW: It appears that David Rysinski, the Life Sport manager originally cited at the beginning of this thread, has started posting on other, more recent Life Sport threads on this site. Check it out. He definitely does not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. The real question, of course, is where is Mother Hen - Jasmin Dennis???


Patrick

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Follow up have missed anything

#6Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 18, 2004

Has anyone heard anything from the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Investigations usually move pretty slow but I am wondering if I have missed anything? BTW: It appears that David Rysinski, the Life Sport manager originally cited at the beginning of this thread, has started posting on other, more recent Life Sport threads on this site. Check it out. He definitely does not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. The real question, of course, is where is Mother Hen - Jasmin Dennis???


Patrick

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Follow up have missed anything

#7Consumer Suggestion

Thu, November 18, 2004

Has anyone heard anything from the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services. Investigations usually move pretty slow but I am wondering if I have missed anything? BTW: It appears that David Rysinski, the Life Sport manager originally cited at the beginning of this thread, has started posting on other, more recent Life Sport threads on this site. Check it out. He definitely does not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. The real question, of course, is where is Mother Hen - Jasmin Dennis???


Paul

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Deep in the Hole

#8Consumer Comment

Wed, October 06, 2004

I viewed the documents on the website of the Sup. of Bankruptcy. Life Sport Inc. has assets of approx $475K and liabilities of over $4 million. Life Sport Health Clinic Inc. has similar liabilities but only $12K in assets. Given how they treated customers, it is no suprise that Jasmin Dennis & Co. ran their business into the ground.


John

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
WHERE TO CONTACT THE LAWYER

#9Consumer Comment

Tue, October 05, 2004

Hi, I'm a previous member from YEARS ago. I don't know why i received a letter from this inc's lawyer but i will pass on his contact info. Members who were ripped off can contact him for a package to reclaim lost monies. re: Life Sport Inc bankruptcy Estage Number: 31-438560 Lawyer: Paul M Casey 416.643.1957


Patrick

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Worst gym ever - agreed!

#10Consumer Comment

Mon, October 04, 2004

For over two years, I had great difficulty contacting/speaking with numerous Life Sport general managers/company officials (Trish, Fred, Ruby, Annette Daniel, Kerea, Jasmine Dennis) about two specific issues: inconsistent use of air conditioning at the King Street location and the cancellation of my membership. They - all of the above mentioned officials - simply did not respond to voice mails, e-mails, mailed letters, hand delivered letters or faxes. On the air conditioning issue, I finally contacted Lennox Lewis' business manager in NYC and the situation was resolved quickly after that although no one ever did contact me. The Ministry of Consumer and Business Services has been investigating Life Sport for quite some time (I met with them) and the investigator plans to press charges even though the company has gone bankrupt. For more information or to add your claim to the action, please contact investigator Tammy Smith at the below-pasted address: Smith, Tammy (CBS) [[email protected]]


Driques

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
I'm beyond upset at this point

#11Consumer Suggestion

Sat, October 02, 2004

I did get a letter regarding the bankruptcy of Life Sport on Friday. It contains a copy of the letter that is on the door of Life Sport, some forms and a list of its creditors. The meeting is on October 18th at 10am and I will be there. I wonder if it will make a difference if the members go as from what I have heard with these things the creditors who they owe the most money has priority, like, the banks. And so we the "little" people may not see a dime. I'm in for a lawsuit. David Ryzinski and Jasmin Dennis are a bunch of manupulative theives who ran the company in to bankruptcy but unfortunately we have to suffer for that. It's too bad they cannot be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted.


Tara

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Mad as Hell at Life Sport

#12REBUTTAL Individual responds

Fri, October 01, 2004

Had cancelled my initial membership at Life Sport because they were starting to charge me an amount not initially agreed to and they continued to pull $63.13 a month from my AMEX Account. I tried contacting Dave at Empress walk repeatedly (10 times to be exact) but got no response. I went directly to the manager at King street location and I was hoodwinked into thinking that the problem would be solved but instead they pulled 426.13 from my account for a membership to start in January 2005. In total from the time my previous membership stopped they have taken $679.45 from my Amex account for services I have not gotten. I contacted Amex to put a stop payment on the charge but they told me they could not do it. I asked if cancelling my account would help but they said the payments would still go through. And I'm guessing Life Sport scammers will still try this even after bankruptcy was filed. In fact, they filed on Sept. 22 and another 63.13 was pulled from my account on Oct. 1st. Amex told me to fax in all the information and proof that I have and an investigation would be put in place that would take around 6 weeks to follow through. I'm afraid that Life Sport will still be pulling money from my Amex account and that I will continue to be fleeced by this organization. I'm absolutely fuming and feel completely violated by their actions. I will never, never join a fitness club again!!!!!


F

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport Bankruptcy Letter sent out?

#13Consumer Suggestion

Fri, October 01, 2004

I called the company of receivership. No one answered calls, but their voice mail stated that the bankruptcy proof for Lifesport has already been sent out. Has anyone received it?


F

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport Bankruptcy Letter sent out?

#14Consumer Suggestion

Fri, October 01, 2004

I called the company of receivership. No one answered calls, but their voice mail stated that the bankruptcy proof for Lifesport has already been sent out. Has anyone received it?


F

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport Bankruptcy Letter sent out?

#15Consumer Suggestion

Fri, October 01, 2004

I called the company of receivership. No one answered calls, but their voice mail stated that the bankruptcy proof for Lifesport has already been sent out. Has anyone received it?


F

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport Bankruptcy Letter sent out?

#16Consumer Suggestion

Fri, October 01, 2004

I called the company of receivership. No one answered calls, but their voice mail stated that the bankruptcy proof for Lifesport has already been sent out. Has anyone received it?


Tammy

North York,
Ontario,
Canada
Life Sport is full of liars and thefts. Worst club EVER!!!!!

#17Consumer Comment

Fri, October 01, 2004

I also prepaid for my membership thinking that I was getting a great deal. I had only been a member of Life Sport for a month, when I started hearing rumors that the club was going under. When I signed up, I was told by the sales rep (Clark), that the club was in good financial health and that the club would never go under. He even told me that I was entitled to at least 40% of my gym membership fee if it did file for bankruptcy. When I spoke to the trustee, I was told that that they lied and that it was not true. I am not getting any of my money back. Life Sport is full of liars and thefts. Worst club EVER!!!!!


Len

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport at Empress Walk

#18Consumer Comment

Thu, September 30, 2004

You can count me in, A lawsuit filed by as many victims as we can, would certainly work so we can all split up the legal fees. I paid $350 advanced cash for a 15 month membership, but only got 4 months out of it before the place went Chapter 11 on all of us. They took my money and went into hiding. The boxing instructor there told me that they jipped him off his pay numerous times and now he's found himself without a job. There is even surveillance footage provided by security of David Ryzinski and his girlfriend stealing one of the punching bags!!!! Can you believe this guy? He inside jobs his own gym!


Driques

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Life Sport's predicament has been due to years of terrible management

#19Consumer Suggestion

Thu, September 30, 2004

Is providing proof of bankrupcy to the bank the only way to stop payment? I think Life Sport had this coming. I have heard so many horror stories of how they have treated their members and employees. Unfortunately, I only heard after I joined them. I cancelled my membership in March and to this day I'm still being billed. I spoke to the manager David Rysinsky who was rude, and I left a message for the president. No-one was trying to remedy the situation. I even emailed Lennox Lewis in July...I was desperate. He endorses the gym, He ought to know what goes on. And now this !!! Bankrupcy!!! and I'm still being billed. Unbelievable.


Tony

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Bankruptcy Notice for Life Sport

#20Consumer Suggestion

Tue, September 28, 2004

The bankruptcy notice is available from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada. This should be sufficient for the credit card companies or the banks. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inbsf-osb.nsf/en/h_br00000e.html


Len

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Lifesport at Empress Walk... owned by Lennox Lewis

#21Consumer Comment

Tue, September 28, 2004

This is bad news for me because I paid $348 cash in advanced for a 15 month membership because I thought it was a great price and Purcill assured me that I the company won't go under because its owned by Lennox Lewis. Also, I thought this would be a good way to avoid having my card overcharged. But boy was I wrong ! I've only been a member for four months and now this happens. What do I do now? They took all my money and left! The boxing instructor there told me that he didn't even know about the bankruptcy and now he's out of a job. Plus they screwed him big time on all his paychecks. It's obvious that these people deserve to be in jail for taking our money. Should we try to call the police? I want my money back!


Kevin

North York,
Ontario,
Canada
Law Suit... They are breaking the law by holding my banking information after I have cancelled my membership.

#22Consumer Suggestion

Tue, September 28, 2004

What we don't know is the name of the owners of the Life Sport chain. What we do know are some of the names of the managers invovled in this scam. For 65 dollars a month, its not a lot, to be ripped off for 2 years, its a lot. However for such a small amount its impossible to hold anyone accountable. Are there any of you that think that a lawsuit launched by all the victims would work? They aren't only breaking the law by taking money illegally. They are breaking the law by holding my banking information after I have cancelled my membership. It is illegal for them to hold any information about me without my consent, especially my financial / banking information. Anyone know anything about this? Thanks,


Joshua

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Someone should open a gym in the St. Lawrence area before we all migrate elsewhere..

#23Consumer Comment

Tue, September 28, 2004

You can call the trustee to request a copy of the report filed under the bankruptcy act (see notice on Life Sport doors for contact info).. really shouldn't need it though. I spoke to CIBC Visa this evenning and informed them that a charge had been made to my card by a company that has ultimately gone out of business. I also requested that a stop payment be issued for future charges from Life Sport Inc Toronto. The CIBC Visa support rep asked if I had already pursued a refund with the merchant directly. I informed him that all Life Sport offices had been shut down and that the phones were offline. Next step was to request an investigation against the merchant and the charge against my account. Comments can be appended to the investigation w/ regards to preventing further charges from the merchant against my account.


Joshua

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Sketchy outfit

#24Consumer Comment

Tue, September 28, 2004

With regards to the Life Sport Bankruptcy, Megan, I was also in on the evening of the 21st for a fitness assesment Keri followed by a workout. Keri sold me a personal trainer package which I have already placed a stop payment on w/ Visa. At my request, Visa is also investigating the initial membership payment made on my account on the 15th for first/last and a personal locker rental. My primary concern at this point is my locker contents (shoes, sweats, winning Loto649 ticket, etc..)


F

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
CIBC VISA and bankrupted Lifesport

#25Consumer Suggestion

Mon, September 27, 2004

I have called CIBC VISA regarding the Lifesport bankruptcy and they told me that they will let the monthly payments continue to go through unless I provide proof of bankruptcy, such as the notice on the window or newspaper article. Apparently many people have called CIBC VISA, but they are insisting that EACH person has to provide his/her own proof, even it's a well known fact, and they have the proof from someone else. I cannot tear the notice off Lifesport's window nor can I find the newspaper article. I was so fed up that I threatened to cancel my card, and they told me to go right ahead, but the payment will still go through my cancelled card. I would appreciate it if any Lifesport victims out there can post any proof of bankruptcy they have.


Megan

Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Life Sport Exercise & Health Centers - bankruptcy

#26Consumer Comment

Fri, September 24, 2004

I was also a member at LifeSport at the King Street location. I was informed today (September 24) that the gym has "gone bankrupt". I called each location of this supposed "health center" and was unable to get anyone on the phone. I immediately put a "stop payment" on my account to avoid being debited for services which are no longer available. I am asking that anyone who was a member attempt to put a "stop payment" on their accounts. I attended a personal training session on September 21st, and there was no indication that the gym would be going out of business. I am certain that many people have been scammed. I am also asking that anyone who was a member please add a comment at this site. I haven't been ripped off yet, but in retrospect, I should never have signed up with a gym that employed people who would be unable to find their a*s with both hands.

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