Under very different financial circumstances, I joined a gym last winter.
Lifetime Fitness.
The monthly rate was inexpensive enough for me to afford on my measly little hourly wage so I thought what the heck. Plus, a bunch of my girlfriends work out there so I’d get in an hour of sweat and gossip a couple of times per week.
Then, pay cuts happened. A salary that could , at one time, barely maintain a families living wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Concessions needed to be made.
So, I decided to cut out the gym. It made sense, too, because I’ve rarely gone since the beginning of summer. It’s now fall. Rid the membership and use the money for important things like groceries. Or mani/pedis.
I called Lifetime and spoke to a girl with a diaper voice. She told me that as long as I come in before the 5th of the month, I won’t get charged and my membership would be easily dropped.
So, I ran over to Lifetime today.
I tried to drop my membership after explaining the financial hardship our family is encountering.
They didn’t care, business is business. And…not only do I have to pay for this month but, according to my particular membership, I have to pay for November too.
The last day of November, the membership will be cancelled but feel free to use the gym until then because, well…you are still paying for it.
EXCUSE ME?
I just told this woman that this money needs to go towards groceries to feed my babies. And she pretty much told me “fuck you” they gym comes first.
I don’t think so.
Yes, it seems that Lifetime will be withdrawing my membership fee from my account today, against my consent and despite my request.
Fine.
But next month too?
After there was a lady sitting on the other side of that desk (me) baring her financial woes and worries to the manager and a sales chick, there is nothing that can be done, fuck you very much?
Lifetime, you need to get with the economic times. If you have a member that is quitting because it’s more important to keep the electricity on in her house or she needs to feed her children, you need to start respecting that and revise your membership agreements. Fine, make the gym quitter bring financial woe proof…which, I have!
Otherwise?
You’re just a bunch of money hungry, unfeeling, greedy bastards and I hope those $10 gyms put you out of business. Because that’s where I’m headed.
$10 is much more affordable. And if you want to quit, they don’t have any rules hidden between the lines.
YOU SUCK, LIFETIME.
Try to find my account in November when you go to charge me.
Just hope that the $10 gym doesn’t sign up with one of those “We Will Service Your Customers” sites – because then all those nice, easy, loose rules they have? go right out the window.
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This is precisely why I got out of my contract with Bally’s. Remember Bally’s? What was I paying for there anyway? To stand around endlessly waiting to get into a class or on a piece of equipment. I go to a small, month-to-month payment gym. It’s perfect. Call the HQ of LIfetime and plead your case. Good luck and sorry about your circumstances.
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Ugh that’s bullshit. I would have demanded to speak with a manager.
If you are going to do something like close an acct or something similar to try to avoid paying your fee, it won’t stop them from trying to collect it.
You may get bills in the mail, then those bills could go to collection and be a ding on your credit report. I know it sucks. And I know it’s the principle of the matter. But is the $xx worth the hit your credit report might take? If you signed the contract, they pretty much have you by the nipples. (I’ve been there, except in my case, I was moving….but not far enough away.)
Hence why they’re called “Lifetime Fitness” – they’ve got ya by the short n curlies for a lifetime…
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Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think about if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its field. Amazing blog!
How about availing free trials first? That would help you decide if they are good before signing to any contracts.
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