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Golds Gym Is A Nightmare
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO -- Golds Gym is a nightmare, I signed a 1 year contract in which I would make quarterly payments of $96.95, and supposedly after the year it would be my membership would be voluntary. I used the gym for about 6 months with no real problems, except for the staff being quite rude.
I stopped using the gym after I received a back injury. I decided I would not renew my membership with Golds Gym after the year was up. I did not go into the gym for the following 6 months. I went in to make my final payment and cancel my membership. The guy at the desk told me my payment was late. I made the last payment of 96.95 and that completed the yearly contract. I told the guy I wanted to cancel my membership, he said I could not do that without paying for the next month. I told him I hadn't been in the gym for 6 months and that I was not going to pay for another month. He then proceeded to tell me that If I would have made my payment on time that I could have canceled my membership then. I said I hadn't received a bill or late notice, then he said "Oh you did, you probably just tossed it!" I asked to speak to the manager, and they would not let me. I don't think there is a manager there daily. I was angry, but before leaving I asked for a copy of my payment history, he printed me 4 receipts for $96.95.
I was really upset about the whole issue, I didn't want to go back in there because I felt like they had degraded me. I went home and looked at my contract for a corporate number. I looked online and there was nothing. I decided I wasn't going back in there, I just wouldn't pay it. I fulfilled my contractual obligation and I had my receipts to prove it.
I hear nothing from them for a year and a half, so I thought it would be OK to throw away my receipts and my copy of the contract thinking it was all over. After almost two years I come home to hear a message from the manager at Golds gym, she said that this was her final attempt to contact me regarding my account and that she sent my account to collections.
I pulled my credit report and found that in January of 2004, I was report to collections, almost two years from the time I tried to cancel my membership. I refused at this point to give them a dime. I have been harassed by 2 different collectors, calling my home phone, my cell phone, and by mail.
I would like this taken off my credit report. Golds Gym has no number to call, everything is done at store level and you cannot talk to anyone. They don't care about you all they care about is getting your money and getting more of your money.
UPDATE..... To save my credit I contacted one of the collection agency's and paid the balance. I'm still very annoyed with this company, in fact the guy with the collections company told me he has handled a "lot" of collections for Golds Gym and in most cases it was over a thousand dollars, they were claiming in past due membership fees. It seems as if these days, these big companies, can just charge you whatever they want and if you refuse to pay it then they'll just turn off your electricity, or withhold your medications, or try to ruin your credit. How does the little person fight back?
And How long are we going to let them get away with it?????
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justUNbelievable on 06/02/2004:
So far there are quite a few complaints about these guys. You can bet I'll never bother with them! I bet everyone involved gets an incentive or commission whenever they can gouge your wallet!! There is a "contact us" on the web site from my search attempt: http://www.goldsgym.com/contact.php Good luck!
justUNbelievable on 06/02/2004:
Also here: Gold's Gym International, Inc*
358 Hampton Drive
Venice, CA 90291
Alina on 10/06/2004:
Gold's Gym just bought out Lifestyles in my area. I have a lifetime membership with lifestyles with a $2 annual due. It was due August 20 but I waited to pay it until I heard what was going to happen with the buyout. Towards the end of September I gave up on them and called them myself. They sent me on a wild goose chase to their corporate offices. Once there I was told that since I was past 30 days they weren't going to honor my membership and I was out of luck. I'm just glad there are other gyms. I would much rather pay a $17 monthly fee to get good treatment that to pay $2/ year for crap.
littlebit2 on 01/22/2005:
I agree with you. I have been having the same problems with Gold's Gym in Charlottesville, VA. They illegally took money out of my checking account without my permission back in November. I contacted my bank and they said they see this all the time from companies who will steal money from you and hope you will never notice it. I agree this needs to stop. Companies as large as Gold's Gym get away with abusing it's members. I will never join another Gold's Gym or recommend them to anyone.
mama3385 on 09/24/2006:
I had a problem with my gym membership when my husband and I moved from Utah to Texas. I called the gym company and they gave me the run around. I complained to the Better Business Bureau and the company said they were not going to do anything. so I called my prepaid legal lawyer and the lawyer sent them a letter threatening to sue and the gym company refunded my money,apologized and canceled my membership in good standing. The membership is only 36 dollars and month and the letter the lawyer sent was FREE!!! This membership is awesome If you need some help go to this website www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jasondickens
and watch the presentation Good Luck!
KAVjuly14 on 01/24/2010:
I work for a gym and if you are injured, moving, out of work, just come in and tell us, most of these problems are because people sign stuff b/c they are in a hurry without reading it, there are no hidden terms and conditions, they are all right there, just take the 10 minutes to read them before you sign, gym memberships aren't based on usage either, do you get a refund when you lease an apartment for a year and you don't use it for a month, no, also what s wit the 1 month free trail, you get 20 minutes to test drive a car, you don't need 1 month to find out if you like the gm or not
Pam on 10/02/2013:
I just realized that they don't cancel your membership. They took money from me for 5 years.
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Golds Gym- Deceptive Practices
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MAGNOLIA, TEXAS -- Just wanted everyone to know what problems we are having with Goldâs Gym, so it doesnât happen to anyone else. I am just going to say beware of Golds Gym. We are signed up in Conroe, TX. So anyway we were happy with the Gym after signing up. Then my wife suggested I sign up with a personal trainer. So I talked to their personal trainer. I told him I would like to sign up for a month, 2 times a week. I told him I had to wait till my tax return comes. So when my tax return came I talked to him again and he said if I do the 8 sessions I can get it for $320, plus with other fees it would come out to $370. So I did it, we had to go to the computer, he said I needed to sign on the computer pad, to say that I agree with the 8 sessions, another signature to debit the amount, and then lastly my initials saying that the 8 was none refundable. So OK, thatâs it I am signed up for 8 sessions, that was on 2/16/2012. So, nothing was said about a contract so I wasnât thinking anything about it. On 4/18/2012, I checked my March statement, which became available on 4/16/2012. I was charged 320 on 3/16/2012, so then I checked online banking and again charged 320 on 4/16/2012. What the hell. I called up the gym and asked for a manager. I was told he wasnât there. So I talked with the sales manager. I told him I bought 8 sessions on 2/16/2012, and I was being charged monthly. He told me to wait. So I waited and then he said I signed a contract. I told him NO, I signed up for 8 sessions. He said I signed a contract for 8 sessions a month for a year. I said no I didnât I was told only 8 sessions and that the personnal trainer had clicked off the reoccurring monthly charges, so Iâd only be charged for that month. So, me and my wife went in to Goldâs Gym in Conroe, TX to see if the manager was really there or not. He wasnât, talked to the same sales manager, and he said the same thing, that I signed up for a year. I again stated I only signed up for month, and that I didnât have any contract. So, he disappeared and went to the printer. He gave me 2 pieces of paper, it was a contract with my signature. This is the FIRST TIME I ever saw this document. So anyway we left. I called the next day from work, and got their manager. He said I signed a contract but would talk to corporate about it. I got a call the same day from saying that they couldnât do anything about it because I signed a contract. I told him that the first time I saw a contract or even knew anything about a contract was on 4/18/2012 when we went in on the day we first complained. We requested they called the personal trainer to see what he said. They absolutely refused, saying he no longer works for the company and they canât contact him. There is something going on when they wonât call the person that signed me up. So, now, Iâm going through the BBB, which they are no help. They just relay the emailâs between us and them back and forth, thatâs it. Everything is at a stand still. So all I can do is warn everyone else. They are cheats and liers. Stay away from GOLDS GYM. CHEATS all CHEATS
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Cwazychicken on 05/14/2012:
Gyms tend to do this a lot. Did you read the whole contract or just trust their word? always look at everything you sign so they cannot sneak things into the contract that you may not be aware of.
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Avoid Signing Up At This Gym At All Costs - Go Elsewhere
Posted by
Story Editor
LOS ANGELES, CA, CALIFORNIA -- AVOID SIGNING UP AT THIS GYM AT ALL COSTS â GO ELSEWHERE
I forgot how much gym salesman are like car salesman until I went to Gold's Gym after I got one of those 30 day free trial membership ads in the mail. So I decide to go in on the very last day before it expires, the day before Thanksgiving. Of course, this is the day they are having their âbig saleâ that they only have once per year, offering âthe best prices all year long,â or at least according to the person I spoke with on the phone. So I need to get home to my girlfriend because pizza is on the way, and who likes cold pizza. So I figure I can probably get through this in about 30 minutes. Boy was I wrong.
My very first question to the sales representative Braille was, âDo I have to pay anything up front for the 30 day free trialâ and he answered âNo.â And my second question was, âDo you offer a month-to-month planâ and he said âYes.â I went onto explain I have a history of joining gyms and getting bored after a couple months, and while I'm hoping to change that, I want only a month-to-month contract. I made it very clear throughout the entire time he showed me around the gym, and once we sat down for his high pressure sales tactics that I only want a month-to-month contract.
So Braille sits me down and the high pressure sales begins. He says the normal rate is $79.99/month, they usually offer a deal of $59.99/month, but today, and today only, he's going to give it to me for $39.99. I also tell him I want to sign up my girlfriend, so he says normally it would be $49.99, but he'll take $10 off and give it to her for $39.99 as well. So I think, OK great. And he said, if I decide I don't want the memberships, I can call him during the 30 day trial, and he will "rip up" the memberships. So then he asks me to sign the computer (a little signing mechanism), and he never showed me a contract before signing.
BEWARE: At no time did Braille tell me I was being locked into a 12 month contract for a total of $479.88, that there was a $100 cancellation fee in the first six months, or a $50 fee in the second 6 months, nor a $29 facility fee due on July 5.
So he prints out the contract, hands me a folder, and I seem to be almost on my way, except he needs to charge my credit card $1. Just wanting to get out of there and home to my girl, and pizza, I say OK. While he's gone, I start reading the contract and notice these fees. So I ask him about the cancellation fee, and he says, oh, you just have to give 30 days notice, you just pay a month ahead, and you get to work out for that month. So I asked him about the $100 fee in the first 6 months, he acted like he didn't know what that was, and preceded to tell me not to worry about it - I even crossed it out in front of him on my contract.
So I get home and start thinking about it, and realize, wait a second, we had an oral agreement when I signed the computer, which was month-to-month and no cancellation fees. From what I understand, oral contracts in CA are enforceable by California civil code 1620. So I write Corporate and Management at that gym a letter saying all those fees are null and void. And Friday, when my girlfriend and I go to the gym to work out for our 30 day trial, the Director of Sales, and the General Manager, Brian F. sit down with me.
The Director of Sales extremely apologized and said she gets âvery emotionalâ about these things, that her reps are supposed to disclose all fees before signing the contract, and she doesn't understand how this happened. I stay strong saying I want a month-to-month for a year with no cancellation fees. Of course they both say the contract comes from corporate and they can't alter it, but that she'll cancel it as of now, still give us the 30 day trial, then if we want, we can sign on their terms (not the terms of the oral contract we had). She says the contract is for 11 months continual, as stated on the bottom of the contract. She pulls out a calculator, and lo and behold, $39.99 x 11 is only $439.89, not $479.88 as said in the contract. So I get home and realize, there's something truly funky going on here. Even the Director of Sales and the General Manager can't make the sense of their own contract.
This whole ordeal took over an hour, my girlfriend got upset at me, and I got home to cold pizza. Anyhow, I am left with this thought, which I believe to be legal - Braille an employee of Gold's Gym and I had an oral contract when I signed the computer, that did not include any cancellation fees or facility charges. Therefore, I have a right to a month-to-month contract with no cancellation or facility charges - and this is what I plan to fight for. I see there is someone else on Yelp who had this similar situation â a salesman lying to him about cancellation fees. If you have experienced this at Gold's Gym, please contact me so we can discuss a class-action lawsuit against them. Also, if you are a lawyer, let's discuss a class-action lawsuit against them.
----Yelp up to here.
As of now, I've sent numerous emails to the Dir. of Sales and Brian and neither of them answered me. I directly asked the Dir. of Sales:
âBy contract or practice, was I able to cancel our memberships within the 30 day trial, or only within the 5 day rule? What I mean is, let's say I never wrote that letter and we never spoke and called Braille (or any representative there) on December 24 and said my girlfriend and I don't want to do the contract, that I want to cancel. Would he (or someone else at your gym) have canceled the contract, or told me I was locked into it?â
And she of course never answered my question and actually had the audacity to have Braille call me to answer it. Um, why would you have the salesman who outright lied to me call me instead of handling the situation yourself. The Dir. of Sales is clearly incompetent as a Director of Sales and was clearing lying herself when she said, âI get so emotional over these things.â If she was truly âemotionalâ then she would uphold what Braille told me and offer me a contract with no cancellation or facility fees; she would get on the phone with Corporate, explain the situation, and make that happen â or Brian would. Neither have because they clearly uphold what Braille does and clearly train their sales reps to lie and do whatever it takes to get you to sign that contract and make their commission (I believe I saw a computer screen that said Braille made $22 commission off of both of us for signing those contracts).
Salesman and Management - high pressure sales tactics, liars
Gym itself - quite nice, great selection of machines
SUGGESTION: I'm sure there are better gyms around, since we know these guys use high pressure sales tactics and outright lie to your face, avoid them and spend your money elsewhere.
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Membership Fee/Lack of Customer Care
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Attached is my complaint letter to a district manager of Gold's Gym. It is quite long because I had a lot of complaints. In summary, Customer Care does not exist with Gold's Gyms. In addition, the managers I encountered did not return my emails or did not follow through on anything they said they would do. I had canceled my membership at one Gold's and signed up at another Gold's, only to find out - months later while I was in Europe - that they had not canceled my membership and had continued to bill my canceled credit card. Therefore, I was paying for two memberships. My attempts to have the manager of the initial gym or Customer Service address the issue while I was in Europe were futile.
After the district manager received my letter, he called up a few days later to say that Gold's would refund the $140 they had charged my canceled credit card after I had canceled my membership. However, I received no apology for the incompetence of the managers involved or the complete lack of customer care that I received. The manager said that he "bent over backwards" for me because he "understood that I was upset." I wanted to take issue with his response, which made it seem like he was doing me a favor for returning the money that Gold's owed me. Needless to say, I will never join another Gold's Gym. If you do, do not depend or rely on statements made by the managers and never expect any help regarding billing from Customer Care.
Here is the complaint, with names deleted:
Mr. ****: (Anil of Customer Care - please file this complaint, too)
I signed up with the Rockville Town Center Gold's Gym on January 27, 2008. During the second week of June 2008, I moved from Rockville, Maryland to Baltimore, Maryland. I then signed up at the Dundalk, Maryland Gold's Gym. I spoke with the manager at Dundalk, *****, about transferring my membership from Rockville to Dundalk. Ms. **** told me that she spoke with *****, a manager at Rockville, who said that I could not transfer memberships. The reason for this, according to ***** (the manager of Dundalk), was that **** (the manager of Rockville) said that Rockville was a corporate gym and Dundalk was a franchise. Therefore, I needed to go to Rockville, in person, and sign a cancellation form and then sign a new membership form for Dundalk.
***** (the manager of Dundalk) also informed me that ***** (the manager of Rockville) said that I had an outstanding balance at Rockville. What had happened was that I lost my credit card in March from which the Rockville gym had been using to deduct my monthly membership fees. Therefore, I had an outstanding balance of $79.98 for April and May of 2008 at the Rockville gym. On June 13, 2008, I went to the Rockville Town Center Gold's Gym to pay my balance and cancel my membership ("Relocation" being the reason for cancellation). *****, a manager at Rockville, filled out my cancellation form and took my $79.98 payment from my new credit card. In addition, it was agreed that I was still owed one month's membership. ****, *****, and ***** (another manager of Rockville) were all standing there and agreed that I was owed one month's fee after a short discussion. **** assured me that I would "receive a check in the mail" from the corporate billing center. The reason I was owed a month's membership was that on January 27, I paid $79.98 (first and last month's fee of $39.99). In February I paid $39.99. In March, I received a credit for signing up a friend. In April and May, my canceled credit card was charged. On June 13, I paid $79.99 to cover April and May (which was my last month). Therefore, it was agreed I was owed $39.99 because I had paid the last month (May) and was owed the $39.99 that I paid on January 27 as the last month's fee.
On July 1, 2008, I traveled overseas for three months.
Complaint against ***** (a manager at Rockville):
I emailed the Rockville gym at the end of July through the online email form on Gold's Gym's online website regarding the fact that I had yet to receive my refund check of $39.99. ***** sent me a response on August 31, claiming that he would "direct his attention to this matter as soon as [he] got back." ***** never bothered to get back to me.
On September 16, 2008, while I was overseas, my father received a forwarded notice in the mail from a credit collection agency stating that I owed Gold's Gym $139.97. The reason for this was that, for some reason, Gold's did not cancel my membership on June 13, even though I filled out a cancellation form. Therefore, Gold's had continued to bill my canceled credit card.
On September 16, 2008, I emailed ***** (same manager at Rockville) regarding this issue, asking him to tell me what had happened and to address the issue. (email attached). Again, **** did not respond.
On September 21, 2008, I emailed ***** again asking him whether he had received my previous emails and whether he was addressing the issue. (email attached). Again, I received no response from *****.
Complaint Against Gold's Customer "Care":
I also emailed Gold's Customer Care regarding the $139.97 that I was charged. I emailed them through the online email form provided on Gold's Gym's website. Not surprisingly, I received no response.
I then called Customer Care, long distance from Germany, and spoke with ****. I told her of my problem. Her response was that I needed to fax her my copy of the cancellation form from the Rockville gym. I told her that that was impossible as I was overseas and my copy was in the states. That was the end of the "customer service." She refused to call up the Rockville gym to speak with a manager to determine what had happened. She claimed that Customer Care did not have any contact with Gold's Gyms affiliates. They just dealt with billing issues. I had to ask myself then, why is it called "Customer Care" when all they do is deal with money issues? She also did not provide me with the phone number to the Rockville gym, claiming that she did not have numbers for the gyms. When I asked her if she could look it up the number on the internet for me, she claimed that no one in Customer Care had internet access.
I also had to ask myself where the original sheet of my cancellation form was. Did Rockville have it? Did they send it to Texas? Why couldn't someone, like Customer Service, determine where it was, find it, and confirm that I had cancelled my membership?
As far as I understand, the originals from the cancellation forms are sent to Texas. Why is it that someone at Customer Care, in Texas, cannot take the time to find the original and help someone like me resolve my billing issue? Too much trouble? I guess it is easier to force the customer who is overseas to fax his copy of the cancellation form. If he or she cannot, or if he or she no longer has it, then too bad. Gold's will continue to bill him.
I returned to the states on October 14. I faxed **** at Customer Service a copy of my cancellation form on October 16. On October 17, I called her up to determine if she had received the fax and to see what actions she was going to take. She claimed that the reason I had been billed after June 13 (and was continuing to be billed!!) was because the billing department had not received any evidence of relocation with my cancellation form. I told her that ***** at the Rockville gym did not ask for such evidence. (I did not bother to try to discuss with **** (of Customer Care) that it made absolutely no sense that I would want to pay membership fees at two gyms). I asked **** why I was being charged for a mistake made by Gold's Gyms' employees. She apologized that I did not know the procedure, but that I was not going to get a refund because she did not have some evidence of relocation. And, until she did, I would continue to get charged.
What kind of customer service is that? What business has the policy of forcing its customers to pay for the mistakes of its employees? What business tells its customers, in essence, "Sorry our employees made a mistake, but you should have known better"??!! Unbelievable.
Then ***** (of Customer Care), after I was able to make clear to her that I cancelled because I went from a corporate (Rockville) to a franchise (Dundalk), said that I should have filled out a "D. C. Alliance Transfer Form." She then apologized that Gold's employees did not inform me of this, implying that it was just too bad ( i.e. my fault because I did not know) and stating that I still owed the $139.97 and all subsequent charges because I was "still under obligation," although she had a copy of my cancellation form in front of her.
I hung up, totally frustrated and in complete disbelief.
Complaint Against **** and **** (managers at Dundalk Gold's Gym):
I informed **** in the middle of June that I was going to be overseas for a few months and asked her whether I could put a freeze on my membership. She said yes. I told her, in person, that I would be gone July, August, and September. On September 27, I sent her an email to confirm my membership freeze. (email attached).
I checked my account during the first week of August and noticed that my account had been charged a monthly fee for July and August ( i.e. no freeze was put on my account). On August 14, 2008, I emailed ***** again, asking her what was wrong and to take care of the problem. (email attached). ***** did respond, claiming that she would "be back in touch with me Monday [sic] to let me know how they plan to resolve this issue for me." She never got back to me.
As an aside, I asked ***** in an August 15 email if she had any suggestions as to what recourses or actions I could take regarding the monthly membership fee owed me by the Rockville gym, as Customer "Care" and **** (manager at Rockville) were either too lazy or did not feel it worthwhile to respond to my emails. Again, I received no response from ****. I guess it was not her problem.
On September 17, 2008, I sent **** yet another email regarding my membership freeze because I had just been charged for September. (email attached). **** did not respond, but her colleague, ***** did. (email attached). ***** said that she had refunded my account for September and had put a freeze on my account.
On September 19, 2008, I emailed **** and thanked her. I also told ***** about my problem with owing the Rockville gym $139.97 and asked her if she had any suggestions as to what recourse I could take, as Customer "Care" did not care and **** (manager at Rockville) did not bother to respond to my emails. Not surprisingly, **** did not respond. I guess it was not her problem either.
On October 15, 2008, I had to write yet another email to **** and **** informing them that I was still owed money for July and August. Apparently ***** (my initial point of contact at Dundalk) did not follow through and tell **** (who was supposed to refund my money) this or **** did not read any of my many emails that **** (the initial manager) claims she forwarded to ***** (the person in charge of billing), which clearly stated that I required a refund for July and August and not just September.
In sum, ****, I am owed $139.97. Rather, my father is owed that amount because he had to pay it while I was overseas, fearing that the collection agency would ruin my credit. I also believe, as did **** and ***** (managers at Rockville), that I am owed $39.99 from Rockville for a month's membership that I overpaid.
I also want to formally file a complaint against **** (ROckville manager) for not bothering to respond to my emails. Because he did not take the time to address my issue and help me resolve it, I have wasted a lot of time and money. Perhaps ***** was too "busy" and thought that I would just go away if he ignored the issue. Perhaps most people do go away. A manager needs to have some work ethic and sense of responsibility.
**** and ***** (managers at Dundalk) need to follow up on issues. If something is still wrong after a couple of months, they need to follow through on the issue and make sure it is resolved correctly. They also need to update customers on what is going on, especially when they say they will give the customer an update. I have been running after **** and **** for four months, trying to get them to email me back about my issue. Sometimes they have, only after I nag them enough. They should take the initiative to follow up and communicate with me what is going on. Why am I the one begging them to fix a problem for four months?
***** was gracious enough to offer me two free months membership for all of my troubles. However, I canceled my membership today and will not be needing those two free months. I must say that ***** and ***** have been better in the last few days in emailing me and letting me know what is going on (probably realizing that I will not go away and am annoyed). Although I think they could have done a better job the last few months of following through on this issue and keeping me updated, it seems that the real problem lies with Gold's billing office.
The problem, however, lies not just with ***** (managers of Gold's). Customer "Care" at Gold's is a joke. I call up a representative, ****, and am told that, although Gold's employees have made a mistake, I am the one that has to pay. That is ridiculous. What kind of business is run like that?
These are not isolated incidents. It seems many people have had issues with Gold's Gyms' billing policies. (see http://www.my3cents.com/companyOverview.cgi?code=250). I am also going to add "my 3 cents" to that website. My impression is that once Gold's has your credit card number, the customer service stops. The overbilling occurs and most people probably just pay it to forgo the hassle of dealing with managers who don't care or don't know what to do and a Customer "Care" department that washes its hands of matters. I have been a member of Gold's for many years in PA, D. C., and MD. However, I will never join Gold's again. I will never recommend it.
I am sure all of these people are nice, sweet individuals. However, I am spent countless hours writing emails, making phone calls (some international calls), and hours driving back and forth from Baltimore to Rockville, taking care of these various issues. There is a systemic problem of lack of customer service. Managers need to address issues that their customers bring up instead of ignoring them, hoping the customer and the problem will just go away. Customer "Care" needs to care and make an effort to resolve an issue rather than just shrugging their shoulders and saying that the customer will continue to get billed unless the customer takes the time to fix a problem caused by Gold's employees. Furthermore, managers need to do what they say, i.e. email a customer back when they say they will and follow through on something until the issue is completely and correctly resolved. I understand people can make mistakes. However after numerous emails from a customer regarding an issue and the issue is ignored or not properly addressed, it is no longer an honest mistake or an oversight. It is just incompetence and/or laziness.
*****, please inform me what actions you are going to take regarding this email, most importantly regarding the money that I am owed. Attached are my Rockville cancellation form and my Dundalk membership form that **** said she required to transfer my Rockville account to Dundalk (back in June - but for some reason the D. C. Alliance Transfer Form was not used then).
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Gold Gym's Scam
Posted by
I bought a membership at Golds Gym. I asked repeatedly for a trainer to help me set up a program (Part of their advertisement ) .
No Trainer was ever there. At least that is what I was told..... They were not available.
So much for a training program. There was never anyone that could even show me the different machines. The classes were always full a half hour before the class began. I asked them if why they didn't have more classes. They told me that they were going to start more (not)(just another lie).
The pool was gross..... and the locker rooms filthy. So my husband and I contacted them 30 days prior to our contract expiring. My husband had to call 5 different numbers before he found anyone that he could talk to. The girl said sure she would process the cancellation (another lie).
In Utah a verbal contract or notice is just as good as a written one in a court of law.
(not in their opinion) So if you don't know how to write legal notices to them it is best not to join. Since your cancellation is determined on their own understanding.
My husband notified the bank to stop the automatic withdrawal. Then we got bank charges billed to us. My husband called again. Agreed to mail the amount for the last month.... They said great...... (don't believe that one either, just another lie).
Long story short....... Don't join.... there are lots of other honest gyms out there that value their customers and they actually communicate with their customers unlike Golds Gym...
The main line that I have heard from Gold's Gym is that you have to put everything in writing. So the Question is..... Why do they even have telephones? Except to lie to their customers.
If you want to hear a good lie.... just give them a call. They are experts. You could possibly hear them tell you three different things all in one conversation, so don't believe any of it.
Instead... just pay the bill and post all of the nasty posts that you can. I figure if I keep one person from making the mistake of joining their gym, like I did..... It is worth my while. If you are so unfortunate to have a membership... first... I am sorry.
But, remember think ahead and before you reach 30 days before your contract is up..... Send them a written notice to not renew...... (don't forget to send it registered mail, so that you can get a nice signature of receipt) Then..... stop your direct deposit.... you can even supply the bank a copy of your nice notice and a copy of your contract so they can put it in their files too. (as documentation of your closing your account with Gold's )
Then, if they try to remove money from your account.... be sure to keep any information and documents of their attempted transaction... And mail it, fax it, etc... to the Attorney General... they love fraud scams.
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jajabinks on 08/06/2007:
I just went through the same issue with them. I had paid my final dues 8 months before my membership was set to end. I moved away and suddenly 9 months after I made my last payment I got a bill (actually a late bill). I complained to them, and they said they would only cancel if I paid that overdue amount. Yeah right. I told them if they really wanted it I would contact the state attorney general, the Better Business Bureau and get a lawyer. They charged me again!!! You'd think that first contact complaining about the first charge would have counted as written notice of cancellation (it was via email) but no. When I contacted them this time they said the same story but said actually it was three months at this point, because I moved I get forwarded mail really delayed. So, I kept my promise, contaced the attorney general, and the Better Business Bureau. In less than a week I got an email from Gold's Gym saying all charges were removed and my membership was cancelled retroactive to the date it should have been, because the BBB contacted them, and also because they had noticed I hadn't used my membership with them in 9 months, so clearly my last payment so long ago was intended to cancel my account. I am letting everyone I know about their fraudulent business practices!!! I wish I had done this research prior to signing up with them though.!!
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Golds Gym does not have Cust Service, only wants your $$
Posted by
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA -- This is why I'm so upset. On June 4th 1999, a representative from Gold's Gym West Boca FL entered my workplace to solicit new memberships. The rep, Craig, wrote up a contract for me, and said that the contract was a three year contract. The monthly payments were scheduled to debit from my credit account. What he DID NOT tell me, is that by using this service, after three years the services would automatically renew and would continue to debit, even though the contract states "You are guaranteeing to pay Monthly dues of $31.75 per month for a period of 36 months." AND "according to Florida Statues, this contract shall not exceed a term of 36 months." Of course this automatic payment renewal is listed in the contract, the fact that it's the oh so tiny print where it states this, I was never made aware of this fact...of course I take full responsibility that I didn't read the contract. However, I think that important tiny writing of this nature should be made available to the member without trying to hide it.
After August 2002, I noticed my credit card was still being charged the monthly fee from Golds, which I had not approved, so I called up my credit card company to file a complaint. For two months these charges were dropped by my credit card company, because I had not authorized the extra charges. As a secondary measure I called Gold's, who informed me that I had to cancel what should have been an expired three year contract. So I sent in the cancellation.
In July of 2003, I received a letter from a collection agency on behalf of Gold's Gym for $389.00!! Basically, they said that since I was in default for the two months I did not authorize on my credit card, I had to pay: the two months, late fees for those two months, cancellation charges and each month up to June of 2003 (the new renewal end date). So here I sent in a cancellation letter for nothing - I ended up getting a bill for the entire renewed contract!
After trying to work with the collection company rep, whom I found to be rude and unprofessional, I walked into Gold's Gym and spoke with Craig. He agreed to try to resolve the issue and even said that I was not charged correctly. Since my contract had a no cancellation clause written in, he said I should only owe the two months of which I did not pay.
Later that week, when I spoke to him he said that he couldn't work this out with his billing dept because it was "a legal issue and once it's in collections, they can't change anything." I then called the unprofessional and rude rep at the collection agency who told me that he COULD in fact change the charges and billing, but he probably just didn't want to and was forcing me to work with her. She also said that if I got something in writing from them, she would reconsider the charges. So I called Craig back. After letting him know what the collection agency rep said, he said that although he agrees with me that I was incorrectly billed, he didn't think he could put that in writing (hello- why not??), but he would check with his boss and see what they could do for me.
That was Thursday. Today is Monday. I called him to follow up with him and see if he could put the billing in writing. I got the front desk receptionist, who put me on hold, then came back on the line to say "Craig says he's already done what he can, and doesn't wish to speak with you." And with that, she hung up on me. So here I've been jumping through hoops for Gold's Gym and they can't do a thing for me at all! I guess they have my money, so what does it matter to them to help resolve a billing issue? Where's the customer service??
For the record, I'm a member of the facility at Boca Raton, FL.
Now it looks like I'm out $400. Don't let it happen to you!
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Anonymous on 09/16/2003:
I have been a member of Gold's Gym in Virginia for almost 3 years now. A rep came to our office, waived the initiation fee and gave us the option of month-to-month contracts. I have been very happy with my membership and am able to use any Gold's Gym within a 50 mile radius; there are three I regularly use. I have also taken advantage of the travel option and have used Gold's Gyms in several other states.
My experience with Gold's has been mainly positive. The gyms do vary greatly from state to state, even gym to gym in the local area. For people reading these reviews, before writing off Gold's Gym completely, I would check out the particular gym you intend to join. Before signing the papers, during the two week free trial period we were given I went to the gym at various times of day, including the times I intended to work out. I talked to customers and asked them what they liked and did not like about the gym.
Sometimes the facility starts to get shabby, the locker rooms not so clean, etc. Usually once I mention it to the manager, within a week or so I see an improvement.
One thing I really like is the access to unlimited group classes.
I was uneasy about the automatic charges, but I have had no problems, even though I switched the account I have them taking charges from a couple of times.
My monthly rate is very reasonable; I use the gym 5-6 times per week ... including several classes -- I don't think they are making much profit on me!
Anonymous on 10/09/2003:
hi... I work with a local news organization.. and am interested in doing your story... do you have a copy of your contract? please email me. firstname.lastname@example.com
mama3385 on 09/24/2006:
I had a problem with my gym membership when my husband and I moved from Utah to Texas. I called the gym company and they gave me the run around. I complained to the Better Business Bureau and the company said they were not going to do anything. so I called my prepaid legal lawyer and the lawyer sent them a letter threatening to sue and the gym company refunded my money,apologized and canceled my membership in good standing. The membership is only 36 dollars and month and the letter the lawyer sent was FREE!!! This membership is awesome If you need some help go to this website www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jasondickens
and watch the presentation Good Luck!
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Very Upset I Didn't Know That Golds Gym Can Be Involved in My Private Life
Posted by
HURGHADA, ARKANSAS -- I am member since 01/01/2013 with member no. 1279.
I love and prefer your gym, its great and I feel good when I am there and its my gym and always recommended to all my friends and relatives and was helping the sales by give them my contact to be all together and I already brought my cousin with me but I found that I can't be there anymore.!!!
My membership for one year and was a payment promotion on three payment times, every three months,, and before the second payment I tried to pay it but I found out the sales department don't want taking and every time they say to me later!! You can play anytime, and then!! The sales manager told me we can't accept you anymore here cause I had private problem with one of my neighbor and we went to to make police report with her and the problem with totally outside the Gym and Gold`s gym was not involved at all in this problem!!
But the sales manager and his name Amr [snip] refused to renew my membership and the reason that problem & the second party in the problem asked him to do that & in same time she still a member in Gold`s Gym!!!
I was so wondering why gold`s Gym involved in that problem!?
And how come any member can control who can be a member and who not!
I am really upset from the manager attitude and the branch policy.
I was believe your company so professional and have rules and one policy in all over the world, not every branch running the branch by their rules, or friendship too.!
So I still waiting the manager call since few days till now and no answer from his side, so I want to know I have to find new Gym!?? cause there is many gym and they are good competitor and less money.
yasser Sharaf
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Old Timer on 07/27/2013:
This was written by an attorney? I would really like to see all the facts from both sides. This looks like a great story.
trmn8r on 07/28/2013:
As an proclaimed attorney, I assume you can identify whether any discrimination or other action outside the terms and service occurred, and act accordindly. Identifying yourself as an attorney will simply put Gold's on notice that you may be filing some kind of legal action.
CU on 07/28/2013:
If someone else can make any sense out of this, please publish a comment explaining the post.
BigAl on 07/28/2013:
CU> What we have here is one side of a story. This is my take: The Op had a confrontation with his neighbor that had some form of violence associated with it. It seems the neighbor is a female and the OP a male. The police were involved. The neighbor who was a member of Golds Gym was upset that the OP was now a member of the gym and voiced her concern with being around the OP while at Golds. Golds decided that they rather have the neighbor as a member than the OP. The OP feels that whatever happens outside the gym should have no influence on their decision. My take on this may be totally wrong but I bet it is close. To answer the OPs question ( "I have to find new gym?") Yes you do.
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Billing issues
Posted by
I purchased a trial membership in Gold's Gym, Arlington, VA in March 2008 and paid by credit card. I cancelled the btrial membership in August of 2008 and subsequently credit charges ceased. My last payment to the Gold's Gym was August 25, 2008. I used Gold's Gym facilities 2 times only in March 2008. Sometime in 2010 the relevant credit card expired, no additional charge for Gold's gym appeared before the expiration of the credit card with which I made original payment. on August 2, 2011 I received a letter from Gold's Gym claiming that I owed an additional $32.99 in charges. on August 16, 2011 First Credit services, Inc. sent me a correspondence indicating that I was indebted to Gold's in the amount of $57.99. I contacted Gold's by phone and was told by one Lisa Johnson, a Gold's employee that in fact I owed "hundreds of dollars" and that my payment of $57.99 would not be sufficient to eliminate my "debt". On September 30, 2011 I received a new letter from First Credit Services indicating that I owed Gold's Gym $267.92. All the correspondence actually asked for new credit card information, savings or checking account numbers noting that Gold's had tried to run the charge described in their correspondence of August 2, 2011 through the credit card I had paid my 2008 invoices with. They are aggressive on the collection effort which may or may not be based on some cancellation fee that Gold's gym never invoiced me for. On the other hand since this was a "trial membership" a cancellation fee would be poor business practice. The telephonic claim of much larger additional debt may be a collection scare tactic, an employee mistake, or part of a scam to collect additional charges since 2008. Is a complaint to the Virginia State Police Economic Crimes Unit a consideration? Many people suggested that we should get together for a class action lawsuit.
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lexophiliac on 10/06/2011:
I would suggest you find out what the cancellation policy in place at the time of your membership was before proceeding with filing a legal complaint against Gold's Gym. If you still have a copy of your contract it should be stated there, or you may be able to find the information on their website. I would also ask Gold's why you had not received any notice regarding the charges in 2008 and are only now being notified in 2011.
Kris10 on 10/06/2011:
OP, the statute of limitations may have run out if you received no notice of these charges in a timely manner. Check with your local laws to find out.
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Golds Gym Magnolia - Horrible Customer Svc, a real nightmare!
Posted by
MAGNOLIA, TEXAS -- I was working right down the road and stopped in one day to find about about a membership so that I could work out on my lunch breaks. I told the guy that because I lived so far I was not interested in signing a contract. He said that he would put me under a "corporate membership" so that if I ever left or lost my job that I would not be obligated to a contract. Well now three months after losing my job and submitting the paperwork that they requested to cancel, they continue to go back and forth, one minute telling me there would be no problem cancelling, and the next speaking with someone else telling me they will not be allowing me out of my contract. And forget about getting anyone to actually return your calls, I have now made trips up there the last two weeks in a row because I could not get one single person to return my phone calls, even after ten consecutive days of leaving messages. And when you do manage to call enough times to catch someone they are extremely rude. THEY WILL LIE, cheat and tell you anything to get your signature and then their relationship with you is over. Other than the phone call 2-3 times per month asking me if I ever received a guest pass for a free week to come check out their club - HELLO, they still haven't managed to figure out that I have been a member now for the last 6 months because apparently they don't care. Once they get you in the door, any customer service or effort goes out the door! Oh, and as an added warning to mothers, the child care hours are virtually non-existent during the day, which renders a membership completely useless to those of us that have kids at home. Anyway, I hope by sharing this that it will help others to not to get suckered by these awful people and their substandard excuse for a gym.
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b1ackm8tal on 02/02/2011:
Did you get the guy's name that put you down for a corporate membership? This is the reason I haven't gotten a membership to any gyms. They all seem to make it nearly impossible to cancel if you need to. Very helpful.
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Fools Gold
Posted by
Just try to quit and the cut-throats at ABC Financial will insist and not only 30 days notice but also a CERTIFIED LETTER.
Good grief, whatever happed to that cheerful membership coordinator at your neighborhood Gold's.
If you don't comply, ABC threatens to send your account to collection, or maybe recruit some meaty dudes from the free-weights area.
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goduke on 01/25/2010:
Certified actually protects the customer. You know that it was received and exactly when it was received. I always send cancellations certified.
PepperElf on 01/25/2010:
and with return receipt?
or is that included?
but goduke is right - it protects you because every single person who touches your certified letter has to sign for it.
if you ever watch shows like NCIS it's similar to the "chain of evidence" signatures
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This is the indoor fryer with a rotating rotisserie that cooks a crispy, succulent whole turkey faster and without the nuisance of outdoor frying. Using 1/3 less oil than typical vats, this fryer can cook an 18-lb. turkey in a little over an hour. The unit's alternating-rotating spit slowly turns the bird as it cooks, producing a uniformly crisp exterior and moist, flavorful meat. With the rotisserie removed, the cooker becomes a standard deep fryer for family-sized portions of French fries or battered fish. An indicator that lights when the 1800-watt heating element is ready (175� F to 375� F), a 120-minute timer, and an included meat thermometer help to ensure delicious results. The unit automatically shuts off if oil overheats, and a front-mounted spigot makes it easy to drain the 2 1/2-gallon stainless steel reservoir. It easily converts for use as a steamer, big enough for clambakes. With stainless steel vented lid and aluminum cooking basket. Hand wash. 20 1/2" D x 17 1/2" H x 17" W. (22 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Only Indoor Rotisserie Turkey Fryer comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee at no additional charge. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.Should you have any questions, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a product specialist or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to receive a response within one hour.
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(based on 11 reviews)
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(29 of 34 customers found this review helpful)
Not as large as described...
By CJ
from Birmingham, Alabama
I bought this because it was supposed to accommodate an 18 to 20 pound turkey. I bought an 18 pounder and the top of the bird wasn't submerged so I had to "flip" it while it was frying...a little scary... I wouldn't go over 16 pounds for my next turkey fry job.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: Thank you for your feedback. This should be able to hold an 18-lb. turkey. The most important part of the process is for the turkey to be trussed and tied properly onto the rotisserie and spits. This will ensure that a larger turkey can properly rotate in and out of the oil. The lid will fit on the top of the housing during the cooking process.
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(13 of 14 customers found this review helpful)
I would highly recommend this fryer!
By Lean Turkey
from Canning, Nova Scotia Canada
I cooked 2 turkeys at an RV camper show this past weekend and they came out perfect. The color of the skin looked like it came out of a magazine and the meat was succulent! Have recommended this to many at the show! Great job
(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
Excellent Product!
By Tayor0070
from Dameron, MD
We purchased this fryer prior to Thanksgiving to deep fryer our turkey. We tested it first on a large chicken. It turned out perfect on the outside and juicy and delicious inside. I have no worries that our turkey will be just as perfect on Thanksgiving day! This was an excellent buy!P.S. The Demo video was nice also.
(7 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
Recommend for small turkeys ....
By Jim
from Savannah, Ga
The fryer doesn't hold an 18 lb turkey as claimed. My 14 lb turkey bearly made it. Otherwise, I recommend the fryer.
(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)
Waring Indoor Rotissere Turkey Fryer
By HB
from Denver, CO
Excellent product but suggested cooking times for frying Turkey are exaggerated. (I had 12lb...said 3.5 mins/lb... Cooked it for 41 mins...was overdone... should of done 3mins/lb
(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Very pleased with this product!
By Billie
from Houston, TX
Bought this item for my husband, he loves it!
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
turkey fryer
By Hambone
from Bahama, NC
The fryer worked great on the turkey breast. It was easy to add the oil and the frying time was excellent. The cleanup was the hardest part of the entire process.
This is the coolest fryer i've ever see
By Miteymo
from Big Red Country, Omaha Ne
It was a real pleasure using this unit, it worked just as advertised, the dvd was very helpful. the only drawback was cleaning the unit when done, it's a bit bulky but it was manageable.I would recommend this unit all day long !!
Indoor Rotisserir
By muggsey
from windsor,connecticut
power cord disconnects too easily.
Awesome product
By Groddie
from Oceanside,CA
Can't wait to use it for Thanksgiving !!
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