Anyone have trouble with Gold's Gym?

[broganreynik]

A year ago I had won a "free VIP membership" to Gold's Gym, but when I went to redeem, it was for a day. So I had to fill out some form for my free day with a trainer, blah blah blah. So long story short, that one day, somehow turned into a year and I tried to cancel (keep in mind that I had never even signed a contract to begin with) but they said "oh the paperwork is already filed, you have to call our corporate office". So I did. Conveniently nobody answered or returned any of my messages. I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau, at that time, they said I had a signed a 2 year contract. So what was originally one day and not even a contract somehow grew to a 2 year contract. Now I've been receiving phone calls about the debt and saying I owe 800 and some dollars for the membership, even though I never signed a contract, nor did I ever use the gym. I call the gym and asked "why wouldn't you tell me about the supposed delinquency a couple months or so after it started, not a year later" to which they said, after looking up my account, "you never came in even once". Well no crap! I didn't sign a contract, why would I go to a gym where I shouldn't have had a membership?!? Now they say they are going to garnish my wages or checking account if I don't pay. Anyone have any advice or know any other options I have than paying?

[stockstar1138]

make them so legal documentation of anything that could possibly link you to a 2 -year deal with them otherwise contact your attorney general.

[stockstar1138]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/health_clubs/golds.htm

[broganreynik]

Thanks, looks like I'm not the only one they tried to screw over.

[ZackL]

I can definitely understand them doing this. Large gym chains are notorious for their shadiness and willingness to do whatever it takes to get you into a contract, even if they have to trick you or falsify documentation. How does the gym have credit information though? I would have figured they would have needed a bit more then your name and address to start threatening to garnish wages and affect your credit.

I would have just stuck in a fake name and information for the free day... but then again ive experienced this. I'd say keep fighting it, but it may just be better to either bite the bullet for sake of your credit or if you continue fighting then keep the BBB and any other representation you can (for free) involved.

[ZackL]

This sounds just like your story (unless it is you!):

Tanesha of Taylorsville UT (10/15/08)
I walked inton golds gym under the impression that I had just one a free membership from a drawing at papa johns. When I arrived I was told that I had to fill out a survey and then I would get the grand tour of the facilty. The salesman did not say anything about a one year contract and I was never presented with a contract to sign and that after the first free membership that if I wanted to continue then I would be responsible for the monthly fee.

Well, that never happen just after three months I was being harrassed by golds gym of a membership fee. I responded and told the customer service rep that I never signed a contract and this was supposed to be a free membership, she told me that if I wanted to cancell I would have to pay $150.00 dollars or they would turn this over to the collection agency. I paid the money and was told my membership had been cancelled, that was not the case, because just after 6 months I was then being harrased by United collection to pay 1200.00 dollars on a debit that I did not sign into.

They have damaged my credit until I dispute back in August 08, my health and severe frustration and rage.

[stockstar1138]

wow! i found this on wikipedia, this company is bad news.

"Numerous customers have reported Gold's Gyms acting in dishonest and unscrupulous fashions. They have reported advertised deals not being honored, billing irregularities and problems canceling accounts or relocating. Gold's Gyms have a policy of signing long term contracts that are very difficult to get out of. The gym's websites do not give membership rates and the gyms will usually not tell customers the rate over the phone, asking instead that you come to the gym to have a tour and talk about it, which often includes a heavy sales pitch. Some Gold's gyms require "fitness assessments" before supplying a membership, costing hundreds of dollars, but of dubious value to the customer. Gold's gyms have also been described as having an intimidating environment for inexperienced customers."

[CobraComander]

I joined in May of this year, PT for my fourth knee surgery...I'll keep this in mind when my contract is up.

[broganreynik]

Yeah, I didn't give them any more information so I don't know how they'll garnish my wages and such. I actually just looked at my free annual credit report and there are no collections on any of the 3 credit bureau reports. I think they were saying that to scare me, which is a violation of Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by ZackL

This sounds just like your story (unless it is you!):

Tanesha of Taylorsville UT (10/15/08)
I walked inton golds gym under the impression that I had just one a free membership from a drawing at papa johns. When I arrived I was told that I had to fill out a survey and then I would get the grand tour of the facilty. The salesman did not say anything about a one year contract and I was never presented with a contract to sign and that after the first free membership that if I wanted to continue then I would be responsible for the monthly fee.

Well, that never happen just after three months I was being harrassed by golds gym of a membership fee. I responded and told the customer service rep that I never signed a contract and this was supposed to be a free membership, she told me that if I wanted to cancell I would have to pay $150.00 dollars or they would turn this over to the collection agency. I paid the money and was told my membership had been cancelled, that was not the case, because just after 6 months I was then being harrased by United collection to pay 1200.00 dollars on a debit that I did not sign into.

They have damaged my credit until I dispute back in August 08, my health and severe frustration and rage.

Nope, that's not me, but I thought the same thing, it sounds exactly like my case.

[ZackL]

Originally Posted by broganreynik

Yeah, I didn't give them any more information so I don't know how they'll garnish my wages and such. I actually just looked at my free annual credit report and there are no collections on any of the 3 credit bureau reports. I think they were saying that to scare me, which is a violation of Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.

I would not be too worried then. Your account or credit card has not actually been linked to them... I might be wrong but don't they need to have some sort of financial link to actually attack your credit and go to collections?