Comments on: Boston Sports Club Keeps Charging Me

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:45:09 +0000

I am in a very similar situation. We moved from GA to PA on June 1, 2007. Before we left we told them we were moving. No money was taken from our account in June or July. All of a sudden we were charged in Aug, Sept and Oct. We called to tell them we could send a copy of our new lease from here in Pa and they told us that moving didn’t matter. We didn’t provide them with 30 days written notice and so they will not refund us our money. The amount is $180!

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:44:50 +0000

I am a very similar situation. We moved from GA to PA on June 1, 2007. Before we left we told them we were moving. No money was taken from our account in June or July. All of a sudden we were charged in Aug, Sept and Oct. We called to tell them we could send a copy of our new lease from here in Pa and they told us that moving didn’t matter. We didn’t provide them with 30 days written notice and so they will not refund us our money. The amount is $180!

By: More Boston Sports Club Membership Problems | Consumer Battles

More Boston Sports Club Membership Problems | Consumer Battles — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:39:06 +0000

[...] Back in late October, I mentioned that Boston Sports Club kept charging me. I had figured it was over with the call that I made later that day. In fact, just last week, I got a check for the whole amount that they over-charged me. [...]

By: » Personal Finance Week in Review on Blueprint for Financial Prosperity

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 14:55:43 +0000

[...] Lazy Man and Money, who will be hosting the Festival of Frugality next week, writes a brief post about how Boston Sports Club keeps charging him even though he’s moved and went through the pains of canceling in the first place. [...]

By: lazymanandmoney

lazymanandmoney — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 03:09:58 +0000

I was thinking of mentioning the Friends’ episode. When I was told that the accounts’ person was in a meeting, I asked when she would be out of the meeting. The response was an hour or an hour and half. I said that I’ll call back in two hours if I don’t get a call first and if action isn’t initiated today, I’ll look to the state attorneys general. I ended up getting a call in about 12 minutes.

By: David B.

David B. — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:42:00 +0000

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about gym memberships, it’s that they’re not easy to cancel. The gym will do everything possible to go out of their way to make it inconvenient for you to cancel their membership. Everything from needing certain documents to having to deal with the “accounts” person who only seems to be at the facility at odd times during the day. Sometimes, they’re only at the facility a couple of days out of the week. It’s much more of a hassle than it should be. You know, there’s a great Friends episode about cancelling a gym membership. I’m sure some will know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out. That’s enough for now.

By: lazymanandmoney

lazymanandmoney — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:35:37 +0000

I can see why they want some proof. I did sign a year agreement (though I’m not sure that was really explained to me, it could have been, but since I had no intention of moving it didn’t important). I think there’s a federal law to get you out of such agreements if you are moving. With gym memberships people often quit before they finish the third month, so they give a better rate for the 1/yr agreement over the month-to-month plan. It’s really not much different than cell-phones.

By: Savvy Samurai

Savvy Samurai — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:51:57 +0000

It seems ridiculous to me that you have to show proof of moving in order for them to cancel your membership. Why isn’t it sufficient to just telling them you want to cancel? I’m glad that you are getting your money back. I would consider writing a complaint if the sportsclub has a feedback page on their website or else use something like planetfeedback.com

By: lazymanandmoney

lazymanandmoney — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:48:52 +0000

I called them this morning and it seems like they lost the paperwork for the move. As you have been able to tell, I was a little upset about it, so it was difficult to try to be polite. However, they got back to me quickly and professionally. Looks like I’m on my way to getting my money back.