My advice regarding this chain of fitness clubs is don't touch them with a barge pole. Yes, their premises are clean, well-equipped and worked in by some excellent fitness instructors. However, apart from British Gas, they are the worst company I have ever done business with. Check out the BBC Watchdog programme website for more information on their scams and dishonesty.
I joined their London Islington club four years ago. The guy who did the initial assessment appeared fine, however he told me some lies that were to have huge consequences and costs later on. Incidentally he was nowhere to be seen a week after I joined.
First lie was that the membership fee was non-negotiable and had to be paid by everyone joining the club. After a few months I discovered this was not the case. Regrettably, this was after I had encouraged a couple of mates to join as well.
Second lie had to do with how a person closes their membership. I was concerned because, as I told him, I could find myself being transferred to a new location by the employers. He told me that there was a one month notice period, but that they were very casual about it. He told me that they were understanding in such a situation.
Two years later, on my way in for my workout, I told them I was being transferred from London and needed to end my membership. The receptionist told me there was a three month notice period. I told her that I had discussed this when I took out membership. She then informed that I had signed a contract and I would be sued if I broke it. Alarm bells went off in my head. To add insult to injury she told me that my notice had to be in writing. Verbal notice would not do. I opened my backpack, took out a journal I carry with me, tore out a page and wrote out my notice. That evening I got a call from their “membership manager” who told me that I could transfer my membership to my new town. I told him I would not do that, not only because of their receptionist's stalinist attitude, but also because they did not have a gym in my new town. I was a thirty minute drive away. He told me he would get back to me in a few days. He never did.
I did not argue over the three month notice period. As far as I was concerned, I had been a fool to sign a contract I had not read. However, on checking my bank statement after four months I discovered they had taken a fourth month's direct debit out. I went to the bank and cancelled it, wrote to them and heard nothing until a letter from a debt collection agency was sent to me. I immediately contacted BBC watchdog and was told they had a number of such complaints.
I decided not to communicate with them on the phone as past form suggested that everything should be clearly recorded. I emailed the debt collection agency and threatened to report them to the police for assisting in an act of criminal extortion. I then sent a letter by recorded delivery to the centre manager in Islington, saying that unless I had the stolen money returned to my account by the end of the month I would take legal action. They haven't even had the manners to reply to my letter. I am now taking legal advice on the best way forward.
In my experience there is a culture of dishonesty and bullying in this organisation. They bullied the wrong man when they bullied me!
If any of their executives are reading this, there should be enough information in this review to make my identity clear to them. Bring it on. Just try to deny the truth of one of these claims.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Good enough if you don't mind having money removed from your account against your will Disadvantages: Similar to the disadvantages of being mugged
Advantages: Good enough if you don't mind having money removed from your account against your will Disadvantages: Similar to the disadvantages of being mugged
Jun 16th, 2007
very helpful by (50%):
helpful by (50%):
