Bally Total Fitness Contracts

My husband accepted an offer via email to restart his membership. He did this with the intention of adding our two adult children for the same annual fee of $99.99 as stated in the original email offer. We tried adding them online and were unable to do so. When emailing Ballys about the problem, they replied via email saying it was because my husband's membership number begins with 00. We then called Ballys and were told there was no such offer. My husband then went into our local Ballys and was told the same thing. They called "corporate" and said again there was never such an offer. My husband showed them the written offer and they still did not honor the offer.

I had a contract with Bally's a long time ago. In 2006 I received a letter from Professional Recovery Systems LLC from Denver requesting a payment. The total amount due was $633.26 but they settled for $166. If I remember correct, I gave up going to the gym and did not cancel the contract or I cancelled my credit card. This happened in 2004 to 2005.

I sent them a cheque for $166. Now I am being harassed by another company; I do not know the name but it is from Phoenix, Arizona. They call me at work, at home and the lady called Jaclin, a debt collector, keeps saying that I am not willing to settle my account, that I did not pay the account and if I did, I need to sent proof. I tried to call Professional Recovery System and they are out of business. How many companies are there trying to collect money on behalf of Bally's? She told me that they outsourced.

I have asked her to send me a letter stating the total amount that they claim I owe you and that I will see what I will do. She kept saying that's what am I going to do. To whom I am going to complain? I told her that I am in Canada and not the US and I already paid this bill. She told me I could not prove it as her company has not received the payment. I said that I did not pay to her company and I will not fax confirmation to her. Can this collection agency do this? What if I do not pay? What is going to happen? Not be able to cross the border to the US? For me this is a scam and someone should be doing something to deter this people.

On 1/3/2012, I went to the Bally Total Fitness Gym in Rosemead, CA after returning from my holiday vacation and was notified that Bally (in So CAL) was bought over by LA Fitness. I have been a regular member at this gym for the last four years since I relocated to CA from New York. Unfortunately, this buy-out has affected my five and half years as a Bally Member (enrolled date: 9/22/05). As soon as I checked-in at the gym, an LA Fitness staff member notified me that I need to contact Bally's headquarters (866.402.2559) because my membership needs to be transferred to LA Fitness. In addition, my member information is not in their database because I opened my account at the Kew Garden branch when I lived in New York back in 2005.

I called Bally's headquarters and spoke with Juan. He claimed, as of a couple of weeks ago (December 31, 2011), Bally is no longer transferring Bally accounts to LA Fitness. He gave me two options: give my membership to someone else (for a $20 fee) or get a refund for my account as of December 1, 2011. I can not express the anger and frustration that I currently have with Bally. Why should I be affected by this buy-out? I paid my dues like everyone else. I'm not looking for any special treatment. I simply want to continue going to the same gym that I've been going to for the last four years.

So, unfortunately, I requested a refund. I spoke with a Bally's customer service rep from member support center earlier this week. She told me the credit was submitted and there's nothing that she could do and please contact my bank. She also sent me a copy of my Bally Membership Transaction History file which displayed a refund amount of $97.44. I contacted my bank and the representative told me they have no records of such credit on file. I'm still waiting for my refund. Ugh!

In November I was shocked to notice that Bally Total Fitness had deducted a membership fee of $129.00 on 11/29/11. I did not authorize this transaction. Attempting to call and speak with a representative has been to no avail. Automated voice center states call back later due to high call volume. I had every intention on going to the Bally center located in Dallas, Texas Red Bird mall area where I once attended and haven't since June 2011. Today I visited the facility in the Red Bird area of Dallas, Texas and discovered they are closed for business and I have been able to make a connection neither on the telephone nor on the website. I am requesting a full refund form Bally Total Fitness as well as an additional fee of $35.00 of insufficient funds fee charged by negative balance caused by the unauthorized transaction in November 2011.

Bally's contract is not being accepted by 24 Hour Fitness and refused to allow me to enter the club. Let's file legal actions! Fax me at **.

Bally Total Fitness recently sold 171 of its locations nationwide to LA Fitness, including the one in lake Grove, NY. I had access to multiples Bally clubs which I can not longer go for my workout because they claim I am no longer a member. Now, I can't travel 50 miles to a L A fitness location and they are still charging me my membership dues. How they can sale memberships to other clubs without their members agreement?

Bally Total Fitness Inc. has said my membership has been transferred to LA Fitness Inc. LA Fitness will not honor my contract, as it was written. Anyone, need members to help put together a class action against Bally/LA Fitness, get in touch. With enough members, we could have a case.

I recently purchased a membership with Bally's where I was paid ahead for the next three years (or so I was told). In the meantime, Bally's filed bankruptcy, went out of business and turned my membership over to LA Fitness. LA Fitness is now honoring only 2 of the 3 years that I purchased and allowing me only single club access. I feel that Bally's should have been more up front about their actions. I feel that either LA Fitness should allow me the 3rd year or my money should be reimbursed per pro rate. I am searching for information online to see if any type of action has been filed against Bally's.

In 1987 I entered into a lifetime Olympic Gold CH membership with Bally's Health & Tennis Corporation. All was good until recently. The club that I utilized in Bayshore, which was a Bally's Total Fitness Club was closed down recently and replaced by a Bally's Sport just down the road. When I signed this contract, my membership allowed me to utilize any Bally's facility. All was good with my membership, as I utilized several other Bally's gyms other than Total Fitness, until I attempted to utilize the Bally's Sport fitness club in Bayshore and was denied entry. I called Bally's and their representative informed me that I would have to pay a yearly fee of up to $400 to utilize the Sport club and that my Olympic Gold was only valid in the Bally's Total Fitness Clubs. I then informed the representative that when I signed my contract in 1987, the contract was with Bally's Health & Tennis Corporation and it had no such clause limiting me to Total Fitness clubs only.

This appears and smells to be a deceptive practice because now Bally's or their new parent company is most likely going to bulldoze all of the existing Total Fitness facilities and open new Bally's Sport facilities in an attempt to run and hide from their contractual obligations of their long-term members.

I've been a member of Bally's for more than 15 years and rarely had complaints. However, now as I try to cancel my account, I find their practices complex, costly, and ridiculous. They have little customer service through their sites, and to get anything done, there is an excessive fee. I have to cancel in writing and it's going to cost me another month's fees. They'll probably tack on more fees once they cancel. Don't walk away from Bally's, but instead, run. Find a club that appreciates its members and has clear and simple policies and at least some customer service. I discourage anyone from joining Bally's Fitness.

I have been a "happy customer" of Bally's for the past 2 years. When I signed up, I stressed the fact that I needed to have access to the Kid's Club. I was told that my membership would be 36.99 instead of 29.99 due to the add-on of the Kid's Club. I agreed and thought it was a great deal. I changed my boyfriend's membership last week. He has been a member for 4 years and we changed him to a full use versus the 3 times a week deal. Since making the appointment to switch his membership, I have received several phone calls a week and sometimes twice a day from the 800-515 number.

When I pick up they just hang up on me which is really frustrating. I finally tried to call back to ask them to please stop harassing me as I am a member in good standing with their company and quickly realized this wasn't going to be an easy task. I finally decided to call my club and explained what was happening, the girl who picked up named "Rosa" told me "maybe it's an ex boyfriend trying to get you upset" (seriously? that is so unprofessional and not funny) then I was told that the only way to stop the calls is to change my number in the system? I find this hard to believe!

Then she looks at my account and exclaims "Why are you paying so much per month? " and then explains their promotion of the month and how if I cancel this membership and sign up for a new membership it would be so much more cost effective, etc. etc. I explained to her that I paid that much due to the Kid's Club option and she then tells me that I don't have access to the Kid's Club under my membership. Needless to say, I am very upset and don't understand how I all of a sudden don't have that option when I've only been using it for the last two years.

She then tells me that the new manager is "cracking down" on members who are using the Kid's Club without "paying" for it and that I will have to pay 3 dollars every time I use it. But if I sign up for the national contract for only 24.99 a month I will have access to the kid's club, etc. I don't feel the need to pay for a new membership when according to them I am overpaying anyway. Why can't I just have "free" access to the kid's club and not get harassing phone calls and be happy once again with their services? I am really considering canceling my membership and leaving it at that.

Sixteen years ago, I joined Bally's in Tampa, Florida. They were running a special 30 day introductory offer which I signed up.

About week three, I received an offer to move to Indiana for a beer job. I spoke with a representative inside my local Bally's and they stated that they did not have a Bally's anywhere near me and that the best thing to do was cancel. I said great, and moved on. Last week, I received a call and a letter from a collection agency stating that they are trying to collect $1833.43 on the Bally's account. They also stated that they would settle for $366.69.

Today, I called them again and stated that I was disputing this claim and they stated that they would settle today for $290.01. Again, I stated that I would not pay until I spoke with a representative form the company who purchased the account from Bally's. The representative for the collection agency stated that there is a clause in the Bally's contract that if there is not a Bally's within 30 miles then the contract can be cancelled but there would be a $50 cancellation fee. I do not remember, when having the cancellation discussion with the Bally's representative, a discussion of this fee because I was still in the 30 day free introductory period.

I then stated to the collection representative on the phone that I would be willing to pay the $50 fee and clear this up although I feel that I owe nothing. They stated that they would only clear the account if I paid $290.01 today to which I replied that I would not pay $290.01 for absolutely nothing. What a scam! They force and intimidate people into paying hard-earned money for absolutely nothing. In this economy and with people losing homes, jobless, struggling to make ends meet and they are scavenging 16 years later and intimidating me into paying some third-party. I say No!

I am waiting for someone from Bally's or Asset Acceptance Corporation to contact me. I made an offer, the ball is in their court and if not, then they take me to court. They will have to prove that I owe this money and they will have to state that they refused my offer to pay, and they will have to answer to the courts why they are acting in a predatory manner sixteen years later.

Bally's Prices and Contracts are thieves! I signed up for a plan that is supposed to cost $12.99 billed twice a month. Of course, when you sign up for them it says "No activation fee, no hidden fee, etc". I guess down in the teeny print somewhere it says they get to charge a $29.99 "annual fee" three months into the membership. That unexpected charge just appeared out of nowhere today for me.

I bought my Premium Plus membership maybe 15 years ago from a gentleman, and I originally signed up in Rockville Center, NY. I was told that my annual membership would never increase. I always like Bally's, because they were nationwide and I was welcome at any Bally's gym whenever I traveled or wherever it was convenient for the day.

I have used the Bayshore Bally's for the last 10-12 years due to its proximity to my home. Now, I am told that the new Bally's Sport in Bayshore is requiring me to pay $299.00 per year, and I would have to relinquish my original Lifetime membership. To boot, all members who originally signed on in Bayshore have been "grandfathered in." That's discrimination! I hope all long-time members cancel their membership! A class action lawsuit could not make me happier. P.S. One equally unhappy member told me that Lake Grove and Copaigue Bally Sports are in the works.

I took over a lifetime membership from someone in Copaigue. I have been going to Ballys in Bayshore for 12 years or so, paying in full every year. I paid $159 for the year. They shut down Ballys in Bayshore and opened Ballys Sport. I cannot use this gym unless I upgrade for double the amount I am paying now. When I called, I was told I can't have everything I want just because I have been a member for a long time. When I asked to cancel, they said I would not get my money back because I paid the full year. Copaigue is 25 minutes from me and Lake Grove is 30 minutes. They are a ripoff. The customer service is terrible and not helpful at all. I was not told that Ballys Sport even existed when I signed up and there weren't any on long island at that time.

My membership expired at least 6 to 8 months ago. I just had the amounts of $29.99 and $19.99 deducted from my bank account without my approval and without renewing my membership. This amounts to robbery. This was not an accident. And this represents illegal business practices. When I tried to call them about the matter, there is no direct phone number accessible. All phone numbers accessible on internet contain only automated recordings for payment with no access to personal complaints.

I was in a three year contract with Ballys Total Fitness. In the month prior to the end of the contract period, I contacted member services to review the process of cancellation. I was given specific instructions and an address to send a written cancellation letter. I immediately sent the cancellation letter per instructions.

I had a Bally Total Fitness Membership that was on a 3-year contract. I called Bally's on 6/10/2011 to see if I could cancel my contract early because of loss of job. I was told that I could cancel my membership. I recently received a phone call from Alliance collection agency trying to collect $189 on a membership to Bally Total Fitness that had been canceled.

10-12 years ago, I joined Bally's in Glen Burnie MD. I was post spinal fusion and after a few visits, I wasn't able to continue my membership. The reasons are as follows: I was told that I would work with a personal trainer. My expectation was to strengthen muscles in order to strengthen my back. The few times I went, they didn't have anyone to work with me. Secondly, I am permanently disabled and it was too painful to go up all the steps, the gym was not equip for handicapped people. I called and wrote letters. I sent proof of disability 4 times and they claimed nothing was ever received. This happened along time ago and it is still on my credit report.

I have been charged several times. And nobody in Bally's customer service has a good explanation about where the charges come from. I have called several times. After waiting for 55 minutes, they hung up. Finally, after 2 hours of trying to communicate, a supervisor took his time and tried to workout the matter.

I've been working with Ballys for a long time, and I now discovered they are taking twice a month the amount of $89.00 for yearly renewal. I wish I never signed any contract to renew without my authorization! I need to speak to someone from the corporate office. Here is my information if they still can call me to refund my annual fee they charged me without authorization.

I purchased a Premier Plus Bally's membership, which is a lifetime membership; it is transferable once, and from a gentleman in Knoxville, in 2002. I had regularly been using my Bally's membership throughout 2002-2010 at various locations in Chicago and Los Angeles. I attempted to use a local Bally's which I had been attending for four (4) years running a few weeks ago, and was told that my membership had been cancelled. I was surprised; I had not cancelled the membership myself, and it is a lifetime membership. I was told to contact the Bally's customer service line after the weekend. I did, and after three calls and disconnections, I was told that the matter had been resolved.

I again went to use my card, and was told again that my membership was cancelled. I contacted Bally's and was told two different stories. One was that the account had been in default and prior to the transfer, which I stated should have been resolved prior to allowing the former member to transfer his membership. I then was told that because the membership was through Knoxville, and Bally's had sold off the properties there I no longer had membership with Bally's. I had to go to the clubs with the new ownership. I tried to explain that the membership I purchased was Bally's at the time that it was transferred, and I could understand if I was told that I could not go to the clubs they sold off, but since I had been on full member privileges to Bally's, this selling off of the original clubs should not affect my overall membership. The customer service agent agreed. She stated that she cannot resolve this, and the only person who could was not available for six days, or four business days.

I waited and no one contacted me as promised, so I called them on the seventh day. They stated the information again that the Knoxville clubs had been sold. I stated fine, but I had never attended these clubs and had purchased the membership as a Bally's membership. The customer service agent stated that they needed to review this further. I stated that I had already waited a full week for this to be resolved. He told me that they would contact me. I asked for a time frame and was told 24-48 hours. This brings us to a Friday, and they are not available over the weekend. I am still waiting for some sort of response.

My guess is that because they cannot make any money from my lifetime membership, they are trying to cancel it. However, since I have never been a member of these Knoxville clubs that they claim are no longer theirs, and the membership I purchased clearly states it is a Bally's membership. I am unclear as to how to proceed, but they continue to deny me access to the clubs with my membership.

If I had been able to reach a live customer service representative over the last two weeks of attempting to contact Bally's HQ, it would not have been necessary to register a complaint here. As a long time member (15 or so years), until recently, I have had a rather positive experience at Bally's Total Fitness. Most of the staff members are friendly and helpful and I enjoy working out in exercise classes, swimming and weightlifting. I have over the years brought several family members to the club to become members as well.

Last week, I had a terrible, humiliating experience with the new manager, Gendry Deaza. On Tuesday, I brought my mom (a 10-year member) and my non-English speaking grandmother to the club with a 7-day guest pass I had received a few months ago. I was first told that the pass didn't count (even though there was no expiration date on it) and must pre-register online. When I explained that its takes a great deal of effort and time to get my 91-year-old grandmother ready and bring her to the building, I was asked if she had ever visited a Bally's in the past as then she could not have a guest pass. Even though I said she had not been to a Bally's ever, the manager insisted on spending several minutes looking her up in the system. I pointed out that even if she had ever visited the club in the past, text on the guest pass stated "Limit 1 pass redemption per person in any 6-month period" which meant that she would be entitled to another trial if it had been over 6 months. He ignored me. He did not find record of my grandmother having visited the club in the past. At that point, he asked for my grandmother's ID, which, as a non-driver, she was not carrying with her, so we agreed to return the next day instead with an online-registered pass and her picture ID.

On Wednesday, we returned to the club, and handed over an online-registered 7-day guest pass and my grandmother's picture ID. The woman at the front desk graciously recorded the information and indicated we could go through. The manager, upon seeing this, came over to us, and demanded that he get to see the guest pass to make sure it was legitimate. He scrutinized the pass and my grandmother's ID, and claimed my grandmother had been a member of the club in the past (this was not true), so would not be allowed a guest pass. He looked up her name in the computer and a woman with the same name appeared in the registry. The photo did not look like my grandmother, as indeed it was not her. But this manager seemed to think that all Indian women look alike and insisted it was her. When the woman's address did not match my grandmother's, he had no choice but to concede. Then he ordered me to read the guest pass thoroughly because "you obviously did not read it." When I asked him to just tell me what he wanted me to know, he rudely repeated that I should just stand there and read it, and then he went on to help someone else, leaving my elderly disabled grandmother to continue standing on her painfully arthritic joints.

He continued to treat us rudely and with contempt. He grilled my grandmother about when she was going to become a member and when I tried to reply, he told me to stop talking. He claimed that before my grandmother could enter the club, she "has to have a tour and needs to sit over there quietly and wait." Eventually, after harassing us for several more minutes, he said that instead of 7 days, he is only allowing her 2 days in which to make a decision. "She has to come back on Friday at 11am and let me know if she wants to be a member or not." I don't know if the manager was on a power trip or simply discriminating against the elderly, but this was so blatantly out of line and insulting that my grandmother will never deign to become a member of Bally's after this.

i was in Chicago for couple of months for my project where i joined Bally. Before joining i ask lady, can i cancel my membership if i have to move from chicago? she replied me yes and i can do easily. It has been 2 month i moved from chicago to Tennessee. In Tennessee there is no bally so i called them for cancelation even i call they are still charging me, this doesnt make any sense of calling and cancelling.

One of the worst thing i came to know is that i have to write the letter for the cancelation with reason at washington DC. Isn't this stupid? if they can make a membership in any bally center why can't they do the cancellation on any bally center? They are giving hard time to customer for cancellation and i know i will not join bally center anymore. there are many other center who can serve far better than bally. i was refer by my family member who are still with bally i will tell them the inconvenient that i have to face from bally. i will surely do the cancellation of my family membership too and we will find new one.

lack of information to employees

Bally's is opening up a new facility less than a mile down the road from the older one and calling it Bally's Sport in Bay Shore, NY. They are closing down the old one which is a half mile away for me to travel.

There was no notice sent out and nothing on the door telling customers this was happening. You pay your yearly dues then learn the one close to you is being shut down? Now they want more money for the Bally Sport just down the road. Or, expect you to drive for 45 minutes in NY traffic to get to another location that is within a 25 mile radius.

Only those who joined at the Bay Shore location will be grandfathered in. Where I purchased my membership in 1993 has been shut down also and where I will be moving in the next year or so has also been closed down, in Tulsa Ok. They want me to pay $324 a year. New members will pay $35 a month with no contract or $425 a year, so new members who have no contract pay just $10 more a month and can cancel when they choose? I have to pay up front for the year and they continue to increase yearly dues.

Thier offer...$89 a year plus the added payment for the new Sport facility...restricted to two days a week. Now they are saying that was never offered to me.

Today I went to the Bally's Gym in Costa Mesa. Today I was denied access. I pay month to month its two days before the end of the month.The general manager denied me access.His name is l: Carlos Hernandez. The gym was Ballys Gym in Costa Mesa,Calif. To me month to month is until the end of the month. His phone number is:(714)557-3550. I asked him for a grace period until the first.He indicated rudly and arrogantly no. How is this customer service ?

I filled out a chance to win a free membership at Bally's and well, "I won." Anyhow, that was all smoke and mirrors. The real game of it jumps off when you arrive at the club.

It was supposed to be a 2 week free pass. I gave them my information: License and Credit Card, "just in case I decided to continue with a regular membership." They informed me that I could cancel the contract anytime no problem if I decided to continue. See, the 2 weeks really becomes a membership. You sign paperwork for membership "in case you want to keep working out there." That's where the game is. They are con artists and they train the salespeople to use shady tactics to sign people up.

Well, I worked out there for about 2 months. There was a problem: the place was small and I could not get to the machines. I tried to keep going, but I was frustrated. I work out regularly. So I cancelled my membership. They still kept on charging my credit card. Luckily, I did not provide my main card. That was just a side-card. I simply cancelled the card.

Then 2009, the calls start. They called my parents house non-stop for days. I called the collection agency and they told me it was for Bally's. I told them the problem and explained that I do not agree with the bill. They were charging me $800! I was informed I could settle the account for $600! Ha ha. I said no.

Now here it is 2011 and the calls start up again...at my parent's. Calling day and night. My parents are up in age in their 70's. I call the number and guess what? It's about Bally's Total Fitness. The bill is now supposedly $1300, but they will now settle for $300. I told the person very plainly that Bally's Total Fitness were con-artists and should be ashamed. I told him do not call my parent's house ever again. I was very firm. I told him, if you want to contact me, you call this number. I said goodbye and hung up the phone.

I became a club member back in the 80's under Sports Connection. During the mergers and acquisitions era of the 90's, I was forced to Bally's and had been paying my lifetime dues since day 1. I understand that there was an option to get 24 hours fitness since I had the Plus account but that option was never given to me.

Bally's has moved from South Orange county and did not send any notice to any local member. When we found out, we called and we were sent to the Tustin branch that is a 45-minute drive taking a toll road. Their services had always been below what I was used to at Sport Connection in Santa Monica. Now I lost everything. What do you have to say about that? I understand that both companies are owned by the same investment group. What would your shareholders say about your customer care?

I received a letter from Bally Total Fitness on 5/1/2011, stating that they will be charging (automatically) my credit card on file $140 for a year of membership service (5/28/2011 to 5/28/2012). They said that if I don't want to be charged, I will have to have to notify them about that changes that I want done to my account.

I called their offices on 5/13/11. After spending 20 minutes on hold, I told the customer service representative that I did not want to be charged for the next years' service because I want to cancel my membership. Instead of canceling my membership, the representative said that I have to write a letter, stating cogent reason for why I want to cancel my membership! He said that that's the only way I can cancel my membership. I thought we lived in a world where we're not forced to buy things we don't want. Apparently, that's not the world Bally wants to promote. It's a complete scam.

I attempted to cancel my membership on 01/25/2001 via telephone call as a result of medical leave initiated 02/04/2011. I am not under contract, however I was instructed to send a cancellation notice via U.S. mail which I did immediately. My credit card continued to be billed so I called again 05/11/2011, and was told that, conveniently, my cancellation letter had not been received and "as a courtesy", my credit card would no longer be billed but I would not receive a refund. I have not used the services since I sent the request and am very upset.

I joined Bally in 1997 in Fort Worth, TX. I moved to Fort Smith, AR in 2007 and have been trying to cancel my Bally Membership for the last 4 years but they continued to debit the monthly fee from my account. I cannot understand how a company can continue to steal from my account for a membership that I'm unable to use, considering Bally doesn't have a gym in the city where I live. Be warned, Bally is an unethical business that has organized crime affiliations.

Hello. Thanks for reading. I don't know where else to turn. I have been harassed by Bally Total Fitness for the last year. I was misled into signing a 3 year contract with Bally Total Fitness. When I attempted to cancel this membership (and asked to pay cancellation fees) back in 2009, I was told by management at a gym in New York City that "Bally's doesn't like to make cancellations easy for their customers. You have to call to cancel and they don't like to take your calls."

At which time I placed several calls and was put on hold for up to 45 minutes. Out of frustration and needing to deal with other things in life, I contacted my bank and explained to them my problem. They investigated and found that Bally's would not return their phone calls either so had to rule in my favor to stop payment to Bally's. After I stopped payment, I never received anything in the mail from Bally's that the membership was still valid and accruing debt. Almost a year later they cancelled my membership and sold my debt to a collections agency who has been harassing me non stop for the past 5 months. They have violated the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act multiple times.

I have received several phone calls at 6 am. Phone calls to my office and down right harassing scare tactics. I filed a complaint with the FTC, after that they finally stopped contacting me. Mind you this debt collections agency never sent me anything in official writing that I had a debt owed until after many many requests. The case has now been handed off to a law firm. They have now contacted me twice without any written notification as to what is going on. I have requested something in writing but fear this is going to get ugly and I'm just a regular person trying to get by.

I know that since 1994 Bally's has been struggling legally with these type of allegations as well as financially. They have filed for bankruptcy multiple times since 2007 . The state of Texas has very recently filed suit against them for charges of unlawfully attempting to mislead its former customers into paying past due membership fees they do not owe. In addition to this recent 2010 suit, the SEC has filed financial fraud charges against Bally Total Fitness. I just can't believe a company like this is still operating and ruining the lives of many consumers.

I thought this was a health club, not a club that makes you so stressed out you have to see multiple anxiety and stress doctors, as I have. I have also read that you, Consumer Affairs, have stated that "We get so many complaints about Bally Total Fitness, it's a workout just to sort through them." I just hope I might be in that stack of sorting that doesn't get lost in the clutter. If I'm going to give anyone $1,925.46 I would rather give it to people or charity in need. Please help me.

I came to Bally Total Fitness, and asked to be signed up as a member. Bobby gave me a tour of the Gym. We went into an office where he offered me a membership. He said I needed to pay a $ 50.00 down payment. He said I would pay 24.99 a month. He needed a credit card. I borrowed my daughters credit card, and returned the next day. Bobby said it would be his day off, so Kevin would finish the transaction. I returned today Tuesday, June 22, 2010. When I got to the Gym, I asked for Kevin. He introduced himself. I gave him my name and told him Bobby had put my information in the computer.

I told Kevin that Bobby offered me a fitness package, and it would be $50.00 down, and 24.99 a month. Kevin said "There has been an error, we are not offering that package anymore. You have to pay $64.00 Down and it will be 29.99" I explained that I am on Social Security, that I cannot afford that package. He refused to give me what I was originally offered. I am very upset, I won't be able to reach my goal of losing 40 LBS for my niece's Wedding. I am on a 1,300 calorie a day eating plan. If I don't exercise 3 times a week I will not reach my goal. My niece is getting married in October. I have not been treated fairly, and would like to have the original offer.

Don't bother trying to get a free 7 day pass that is offered on their website, they just bring you straight into the office and try to pressure sell you a membership, all the while never mentioning the free 7 day pass. Of course they use the info on the online form for the pass to contact you repeatedly. I got to work out that day and the whole time the guy would come out of nowhere and ask "ready to sign up, how about now?" Bally's 7 day free pass is a scam!

I recently reinstated with Ball's (January 26, 2010) as a new member. I was approached by a sales person to help bring in new members by completing a list of friends/family etc.

Please cancel my account, Howard B and John C. This is my last attempt to contact Bally on my own. This week, I will be sending my concern to the supervisor of Redford, Senator Martha Scott, State Representative Burt Johnson and my attorney alone with US Senator John Conyers.

Keep in mind that this was my first day working out in two years or more an opportunity to work on improving my health. The sales person approached me as I entered the building (I didn't get the tour of the facility I requested). It was all about the sale. He was given by me, my credit card/list of prospective customers (my family, friend & associates) and while I worked out he could recruit new members by using the list that was given to him by me and he informed me that I would pay the first month $20 fee for that person and after 6 months, I would be given a free 1 year membership.

Prior to leaving Tuesday, I spoke with this sale person and only two (2) persons were agreed upon for a $20 deduction off my credit card! I signed off on two Howard B and John C. He informed me that no other transactions would be done on my card number and gave me my card back. Well, four (4) other transactions occurred without my knowledge or approval (criminal). I did inform him prior to using my card that my card was an unemployment card, Michigan UI (DEBIT/VISA). He stated, he understood.

Due to unlawful withdraws (two $60 transactions) on January 30, 2010, my card was deactivated and my bills did not get paid and overdrafts occurred. This is unacceptable and immediately this is what must happen in order to keep the law out of this matter.

Immediately, repayment for all transactions you completed on my card must occur today, $120.00. Please destroy my card number after I took it back the first time no further transactions were agreed upon or signed for you to withdraw funds, that's criminal and never, never ever should it be use without my consent or I will make a report to the federal government. After calling my bank regarding the deactivation of my card, Chase Bank reported my card as stolen card. This situation is unacceptable, time consuming and frustrating!

Cancel all agreement regarding any new memberships for anyone including Howard B and John C immediately and you tell them why! These individuals are not interested in joining Bally! How many other individuals are going through this situation with Bally's?

As of today, several attempts have been made to this day and no one is respectfully trying to help me with this matter. Immediate attention and a refund are needed to this matter!

I signed a contract with Bally about 2 years ago and got a copy. I asked the gentleman if I needed to cancel my account for any reason, how I would do that. He stated that I had a 2 year contract and the only way I could cancel is if I had a doctor's note.

So about 2 months later, after I had been attending the gym, my doctor didn't want me attending the gym anymore because of my pregnancy issues that had arisen. I faxed the Bally the doctor's note and called to verify that they received the note. The rep verified with me that they got it and would cancel my account and they wouldn't take the money out of my account.

Come the following month and 2 months after, they still continued to take my money out and they said that they never received my doctor's note. My bank did something so that way Bally could no longer take my money out of my account. They referred me to a collection agency which was a complete joke. They harassed me day and night, 3 or 4 times a day for the past few months. I made a complaint with the Attorney General office because of their threats and they stopped calling me for 2 months and the harassment then began again today 02/12/10 and the man was very rude and threatening me again! What started off to be $40.00 a month is now at $2,000.

Read the fine print! I joined Bally's 25 years ago when they merged with two other fitness clubs. I paid $450 for three years with a guarantee of $2 a month for life. About five years later, it went up to $5 a month and I didn't complain because it was still a good deal. Over the years, it has crept up until they wanted $179 a year and I could add a family member for $199 a year. How did it make me feel to know that someone new could join for just $20 more, when I had been a loyal member? I was screwed for believing their promises and not reading the zillion page contract that went with the bogus offer. I quit! Complaints went unanswered. Do not trust the sales pitch.

I signed up for a prepaid one year membership. At the time of purchase, I asked the salesman to make sure that this would not automatically renew after the year was up. He explained that it would not automatically renew. Well, after my one year was up, I noticed that I had been charged for four months for a membership that I did not agree to. So I called the corporate office. They said they couldn't refund any of my money and that I needed to write in to cancel the membership, which I did in many forms. I called the office again. On the sixth time I called, they could magically do it over the phone now! Well I doubt that. I am waiting to see if I get the letter in the mail proving my account is canceled because I am sure they will try and charge me again next month.

My mom was here to visit me for the last two months. One day, she went out for an easy walk. The next thing I knew she became a member at Bally Total Fitness, which is about 2 miles away from my home. She can not understand any English. But she got a card! With my name and her photo on it and a contract! The contract is ridiculous, with my name, my school address, my credit card info and one telephone number I believe should be one of the employee's at the club.

Yes, I do give a credit card to my mom for her grocery shopping. Later when I try to cancel it, they say there are only two ways: you moved and there are no clubs within 25 miles or you have health problems and not be able to work out. My mom is now back to China, no clubs around, but how to prove it? Besides, the contract is under my name. If I can not cancel the membership, I do not see an end.

At 1:17 pm on October 20, 2009, I received a text message to my cell phone from 514-21 advertising the following: "Look & feel great this holiday season! Reply to this msg w/ your zip code & get a FREE 7 Day Pass to Bally Total Fitness. C U at the gym, Txt STOP 2 optout"

This really makes me angry because it was texted to my cell phone which I'm going to be charged for this message which I never requested. What makes me even more angry is I tried to call to talk to someone at the company and all I could get was an automated system with no apparent way to speak to someone directly!

In january 2009 i signed up at ballys total fitness phildelphia pa on walnut drexel street. I spoke with a representative and stated more than once that i was a freshman in college and did not have the financial sources to pay for more than a five month contract and asked about my options. The representative assured me that this was possible and mislead me to sign a 3 year contract with me under the interpretation that it was a five month contract.At the due date of what i believed the contract to be up ( may 18 2009) i went to ballys and asked to pay the last monthly fee and for my contract to be finished. they gave me a number to their headquaters in california (po box 1080 norwalk) and told me to speak to a representative.I called the number and spoke with a representative and was assured that everything was handeled only to get a call 2 months later in august 2009 that i owed bally over 900 dollars if the contract is cancelled if i dont pay the initial fees from when i signed up till now which would be an amount of near 300 dollars. Based on the contract language i was mis-reprented into signing a 3 year contract. They are now threatening to tarnish my credit record.

I went to club on a one day pass. I met with Gabe who claimed to be the manager. I asked if I could just work out and see if I liked the club. He stated that was not allowed and he would have to guide me through the club amenities and equipment. Fine. I started on warming up and he said he needed (5) minutes and he would return. I saw what I considered the staff strategizing in the back room. He came out and I told him I just wanted to join the club and that I have belonged to clubs for 15 years and new my goals and did not need trainers, etc. He took me to this open office on the workout floor and began to hustle me to join the club "NOW"

After using what I considered "Gastopo" tactics I finally told him I am not interested in joining today and still wanted to just check out the club for a couple of hours. He started to use different ploys to get me to sign, asking for my credit card so they could make an imprint for "just in case later I wanted to join." He then asked for my Drivers license number (which I reluctantly gave), and forcefully wanted me to fill out the contract for when I decided.

This was an unnerving experience and I do not wish this on anyone. This was a 25 year old Salesman trying to make his commission anyway he can. He had total disrespect for me, a veteran 59 year old, who has been hustled by the best in my years. This is a "trap them" into signing operation and they will use any and all un ethical approaches possible. Have you guard up if you get suckered into visiting this operation.

When I signed the contract I was living in Detroit and Bally was the closest gym to my home and the only one that had decent hours. I then moved to Saint Louis, where the closest Bally's is 20 miles away from me, in a terrible part of town and in a state of complete disrepair. I went once, and never returned. Since then I have been paying for a membership that I have never used.

I am a student and though I have always paid my membership fees on time, it has sometimes meant that I have to take out larger loans in anticipation of the additional expenses. The money that I have paid off my Bally membership with will come back and bite me once I am out of law school - with interest.

Natasha is a student in a bachelors program at eastern michigan, she does not work. she had just turned 18 and was taken advantage of by someone that wanted to get a contract that day, She was mislead about why she was signing. I am sure this is happenning to a lot of high school graduates.

When I signed up for a trial membership, they told me that there was no long term commitment and that if I opted to keep the membership it would be month-to-month. One year later, I am attempting to cancel the contract and am being told that it is a 3-year agreement. I am not able to get any response from their website, and it took 7 phone calls and a combined total of at least an hour on hold to finally reach someone. The customer service agent I spoke with told me that it would cost me $10 for them to send me their copy of the contract.

At the Ballys Club in Lowell, Ma on May 21, 2009, I signed up for a $29.99 month to month membership and my initial payment was $69.98 for the first and last month. I was not informed that the club was planning to close down on June 26, 2009, and I did not find out about this until June 22, 2009. Since the nearest Ballys was now 30 minutes away, I decided to cancel my membership and the service representative said that she would stop my monthly billing, but on June 22, 2009 I was still charged an additional $29.99. I was only able to workout for a total of one month, I requested a total refund of $59.98 which includes $29.99 for the monthly charge on June 22, 2009 and $29.99 for the last month payment. I still have not received my refund.

I have been a member for over 20 years at the former Lowell club, this club was recently closed. I was in the process or reviewing my membership and mailed in a check for the full amount due $200 plus dollars. Four days after the check had cleared, I was told by the Lowell club staff that the club is closing due to a lease renewal. I asked the club to return my money paid and they said to call the 800 number.

I called that number at least 35 times before I got a live person. I explained my condition and after 24 minutes I was sent to a managers voicemail (Will, unknown last name) where I left a detailed message and two different call back numbers and have not received a call back. I want my renewal fee back, it's not my fault the club was closed and I am impacted (this is not how you treat a 20 year member). The closest Bally's club for me is 32 miles away from my house, not convenient at all. I am hoping someone can help me get my money back so I can join another club.

I have signed up with Ballys in March 2009, I came in because I wanted their special at the time, which was 19.99, come to find out it was on certain days. So for 24.99, I decided to sign up with the next membership which was an all access pass to all Bally's gyms in the US. Although upon signing an unfortunate 3-year contract, which I did not want to do, I was expecting my monthly membership dues of 24.99, they have charged my account for 29.99. I called the gym to ask them why am I being charged 29.99 instead of 24.99, they said it was not until after the 36 months. This was very deceitful on their part, I was not informed of this.

Not only that, this has been put on my credit report; which I was not informed by the sales person that this would be put on my credit report. I talked to the General Manager, Fred and he said "its not reflecting negatively, but it is an 'obligation' that 'you' owe us. I told the GM, that I was not informed on this. I also called the corporate office, I explained to them this same situation. He said that there was no way for me to cancel my membership.

I also explained to them that every time that I have gone to this gym, I have contracted some kind of illness, whether it is a virus or MRSA (severe staph infection) which I am still fighting off (June 2009). There is no real visible cleaning materials in the gym, or they are not used much.

I went to Ballys during a "No Commitment" promotion. This was in February 2002. It appeared the paperwork was for 3 years and I questioned it. He said yes, but since I am signing during the promotion, I have the option to cancel at anytime. With my crazy work schedule and travel at the time, I think I was able to go to the gym twice.

In April 2002 I went to the same gym, spoke to the same individual who signed me up, gave him my membership card, and told him I wished to cancel. He took the card and said it would be done. Now, the wife and I are trying to apply for a mortgage and now a collection agency claims I owe $4000 for this. I have spoken to Ballys and am being told I was mis-informed and have no proof.

I have spoke to the collection agency and are willing to settle for $2568. But I don't believe this is viable debt. All my contact information stayed the same for the next 3 years and I do not recall ANY contact from Ballys.

Stopped in a bally's to check out their prices, because I would soon be going on a vacation and wanted to get a month of working out in. I told the front desk employee I would like to try the week trial, and later determine if that gym was right for me. A man named Dwight took me into an office, and tried his hardest to get me to sign up for a contract. He stated that if I didn't like it "all I had to do was cancel it." He even flirted with me and gave me a discount, waiving the $150 initial fee for the premium package that included a personal trainer (to really make it seem like I was getting a great deal).

I told him there was no need for that, I have my own routine and would like to be in and out. He was very persistent, pressuring me and so I signed it on the agreement that if I used the gym 17 times within the 60 day promise period, I could cancel. I used the gym about 25 times within that period. I went to talk to someone at the front desk about canceling near the end of the "promise period" and he of course gave me the run around.

I finally got the run around so much, my 60 day period had passed. But that didn't even matter because they told me they only had me down for 7 swipes of my card and I couldn't cancel. It was ridiculous. Yes I had them manually swipe me in a few times because I lost my card but why wasn't in the computer then? He never mentioned that manually swiping in wouldn't be credited as a visit. They make it impossible to get out of their contract, and the more the word spreads the better. They are going bankrupt and if people keep spreading the word, our opinions and voices should be enough to put them out of business for good!

I am only 21 years old and feel totally taken advantage of, especially because I am not a nieve person. After addressing my concerns, I was laughed at by an older man that worked at the front desk. Someone help? please?

In 2003 I wanted to join a club to get in shape. I was a traveling nurse and was on assignment in Baltimore MD. My temporary apartment was in Dundalk, MD. I went into Ballys and explained to them that I would only be there 13 weeks and wanted to just pay for the 3 months I would be there. The representative was nice and convinced me to sign a contract to save money. He showed me the clasue in the contract that stated that If you move and there is no Ballys within 25 miles of your home. The contract would be cancelled.

He told me all I ahd to do was send a letter and to let them know there at the gym that I was moving back home. The representative was aware that there was no Ballys near my hometown and told me not to worry about it. All I had to do was let them know when my assignment was up and send a letter to the company. I did both and they told me they would take care of it. So I moved back home to Tennessee. I had not heard from them until March26 2009. I was served a summons to apear in court for a 1203 dollar bill plus 17% interest and attourney fees. the statue of limitations in Tennessee is 6 years for defaulted contracts. What do I need to do and is this fair?

I signed up with Bally Puente Hills branch as a new member on Nov 27, 2005. Their employee name Jia had made me an offer at that time saying if I pay 3 years membership $558.00 up front, I will get a 'Holiday Certificate' to redeem for my 4th year membership as for they are running a promotion then; he told me to mail the certificate to their corparate office by Dec 31, 2005 so that I will have 4 years membership for the $558.00 which I have paid then.

I mailed the original certificate to their corp office on Dec 28, 2005 and had made a copy for my record. But Bally Puente Hills refused my entrance after Nov 27, 2008 saying that my membership had expired and I have to call their corp office. I called several times but no body answer the phone, so I went back to Bally Puente Hills and have one of the manager there to call for me; the manager has had me waited for couple of minutes while he called the corp office and finally came back to tell me they could not honored my membership unless I could prove that I mailed the certificate on Dec 27, 2005. I showed him the copy I had keep with the mailing date I written on it then, but he said that would not help. So now I turn to your help to resolve this issue. Thank you.

They told me i was supppose to be month to month, but instead the manager of the club signed me up for 2yrs. I would never recommened this gym to anyone.

I went to there store up North.I was told that this would be a 30 day trial. I never went to the gym.They start taking money out of my account. I called to cancel and paid a fee for cancallition fees.

I was sent to Collections three months later. NOthing ever got resolved.

I made a contract with bally for 3 years the employee mentioned above told me that this contract could be canceled at anytime upon my will. I've tried to cancel recently but was told that I can't and I have to wait for 3 years to do that it turned out that the employee tricked in signing that kind of contract. I am not the only one who suffered from that i've been reading on the internet that they did that with many customers. also my friend signed a month by month contract but was also tricked by the same employee into signing a 3 years contract without him (my friend) knowing.

the damage is I haven't been making enough money lately with the recent economy changes and I still have to pay every month for a service I didn't use for months, and they are threating to hurt my credit if stop paying. I was told by the customer service representative We don't care if you go to the gym or not but you still have to pay no matter what

My husband and I decided to join Bally's - huge mistake. We asked the salesperson who assisted us if we could cancel at any time and she said yes. We decide a year later to cancel and are told we can't, we signed a three year agreement. We told them the salesperson told us we could cancel at any time and the response was read your contract. Horrible customer service. We filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Balley's response is we signed a legally binding agreement. They don't care that their employee is lying to customers to get them to join.

charged my account without me ever resigning contract i want my money back and for this not to happen again.

I signed up for a membership at this Bally's location because it was opened 24 hrs. My work schedule makes it impossible to work out during day and early evening hours, so I thought that this being a 24 hr gym I could work out after work. After 12:30 am. My shift ends at 12:30 am. Well, the rep I spoke to lead me to believe that the hours wouldn't change. I had informed him of the reason I had chosen that location because I could work out after my shift ended. After midnight. He informed me that canceling my membership wouldn't be difficult at all. He also made me feel pressured to purchase a 3 year membership. Well, I was unable to begin working out until 4 days later. When I walked into the gym and noticed a sign posted by the front desk stating that the hours of operation will be changing and that they will be closing at 12:00 am midnight.

I decided that I should cancel my membership since I wouldn't be using it after all because the hours didn't work with my schedule. I spoke the the general manager and he stated that he couldn't do anything and that I would have to call the corporate office. That was useless. I caled several times and wasted so much time waiting for somebody to answer the phone only to have my call disconnected without speaking to anybody who would be of any help. At that time, I was so frustrated, that I had contacted the BBB and this was also a disappointment. The best I could get out of anybody was an offer to have my membership cancelled ONLY IF I PAID A TOTAL OF $360.00. This offer was time limited for 20 days (Jan. 1 through Jan. 20) I received this offer on Jan. 10th.

I don't have $360.00 to just throw away. I called to speak to someone and had written a couple of letters stating that I really need to cancel my membership and that I didn't have the extra money available to just hand to them in such a short time. I requested a payment plan on that $360.00. But I don't think any of my letter had even been received. Well, because I couldn't make the 20 day (actually 10 day) timeframe I am STUCK, FORCED TO PAY FOR A GYM MEMBERSHIP THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO USE. What happened to give the customers what they want policy?

If Bally's has no problem treating their customers/clients like trash I don't even want to know how they treat their employees. I hope that the people here at Consumer Affairs can help me and get my membership cancelled and that I wouldn't be stuck throwing hard earned money away on a gym membership that I can't use. PLEASE, if anything, NEVER buy a gym membership from this company and NEVER enter in to any kind of contract with them at all.

I just want my membership cancelled and I want the monthly dues to be removed. I should have to pay for anythin that I'm not using. Nor should I need to fear a ruined credit rating because one business refuses to work with their clients.

Spoke with Jessica regarding my granddaughter joining the gym did advised Jessica that she was only 14 would change her mind. Per Jessica wouldnt be a problem. Would only pay for what my granddaughter use.

Wrote a letter on Oct 9-2008 which my granddaughter joined Sept 2-08. That I would have to cancel my granddaughter since she no longer wanted to go. Was advised that it wouldnt be a problem. Now Im receiving statements staying that I signed a year contract. Jessica never advised me of that. I was never told that I could pay day to day or week to week. Contacted to Ballys to see if I could speak to Jessica was told she quit and that I signed a contract and that they couldnt do anything for me.

I also spoke to Frank the manager who advised me the same Jan 31-2009. I have to contact my credit card company and send them proof. Ballys lied and now they wouldnt let me cancel my granddaughter contract. Ballys keep giving me the run around.

I am a Discovery Health member (1 month). I had the gym tour on feb. 2 with one of [their] employees, we talked about the month to month offer of $19.00. which I didn't take right away because I wanted to double check my schedule of work to make sure I could make it. Then I received a call back from Cristian representetive on feb. 3 he tolk me that his assystem Mananger would be expecten me to make a better offer, the same person told me they don't have it and that deal that cristian offer was the best of the best wish i did not believed anymore.

this person was playing games with me. First he told me they didn't have it anymore, then that i would never be able to joint the bally. I have never be treated like this before by any business. My only conclusion is that he didn't like my English accent. People like this make a lot of damage to any company. I think if the company have an offer should be clear about it and not play games with the costumers, this is not professional.

well for your information the answer is simple. i did not sign up.

It was november 2006 and I was interested in getting healthy and fit so my friend gave me a 5-day free pass to ballys we went there and they made me wait for a person who could talk to me about contracts, so i waited and ended up signing a contract which seemed ok at the time because i was determined to use the gym, i also added a member, my husband, thinking it would be fun for both of us. Unfortunately my husband disliked the club and never went. At the time of signing the contract they had told me i could add and remove members as i liked, just $15 per person every month, I went to get him off the membership and they said I couldn't because in my contract its the $45 for me (and extra $5 to use any club) and the $15 for the 2nd person which apparently I now couldn't remove but I could add up to 4 more people.

I was upset but at the time i could afford $65/mo. and i could just drag him along occasionally. Another thing was I found out later that week that my work offered a discount to ballys and i talked to the staff asking about getting my monthly discount and they said you have to do it over the phone, so i preceeded to call, speaking to that representative they stated i had to do it at my particular gym, which then again i got the run around. So i decided ok my bad.

Than about 4 months in I became pregnant obviously not being able to take advantage of any of their equipment except for the pool, which didnt seem worth it, so i tried to call up and cancel. They said the only way i can cancel my contract was if I got a doctors note saying i would never be able to exercise again or was handicapped, which to me was ridiculous, I called them twice trying to cancel, with no luck what so ever, they only offered me the option of paying in full my 3year membership to quit, then why would i quit if i still have to pay so I stayed a member.

Now the last straw for me, I just recieved an urgent gram from ballys saying in the first sentance, We have made numerous attempts to resolve this matter, yet your continued failure to honor your contractual obligation had forced us to report your delinquent account to several national credit bureuas. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS? I have never recieved a statement once, and i never recieved a late statement neither, no phone calls, no voice mails, nothing, now my credit looks bad. I will admit I have been late by 2weeks or so, due to the no we cant mail out statements policy, but I paid!

Loss of discounts which I could of used, also lack of options for contracts, late fees incured due to no monthly statement, false report of delinquincy to the national credit bureaus.

I went to the gym with my friend just to try the gym out once and they told me to join the gym. They said that i can cancel this gym membership at anytime that i wanted to. When i decided to go and cancel the membership, they told me that i have to pay about 1200 dollars. Otherwise, they will send to collection agency, which will make my credit score bad. Can you do anything about this company?

On 5-31-06 2 of my children signed up for a summer student special promotional, basically a 3 month membership at a cost of $156 each, at a local Bally fitness center in Wyncote, PA. They recall multiple attempts by the employees to get them to extend their memberships, but they explained that they were going back to college in the fall and would simply use their college facilities, and therefore declined. My son even recalls getting a phone call when he was back in college in California, trying to get him to join a membership in California. As far as we understood, the summer promotional was a limited 3 month membership that had a defined termination date. The fact that they were repeatedly asked to extend their memberships further reinforced this understanding.

What we did not realize until recently, when I was scrutinizing my credit card records for a different issue, is that starting on 9-28-06 Bally starting automatically billing my account $39 x 2 ($78 total) each month. That means I will have paid a total of $2184 in membership fees because I did not realize my children had essentially been tricked into signing a longterm contract.

When I called Bally yesterday (866-402-2559), I was told the contract could only be cancelled by telephone or in writing, and therefore they were allowed to bill for the accounts because we never actually cancelled them after the summer of 2006. They would now cancel the accounts, but were under no legal obligation to refund any of the money. I demanded to know to whom I could complain and was given a correspondence address.

I have paid $2184 in unwanted membership fees, because my children were misled into believing they were signing up for a limited 3 month membership. At no time were they advised that they would have to actually call or write to Bally to officially terminate their accounts, and that simply declining requests to extend their membership did not actually close the accounts. The fact that my son was even solicited by telephone in the fall to extend his membership in California suggests that perhaps even the employees of Bally did not realize the billing practices of the company included fine print that allowed them to continue to bill for unwanted membership extensions.

While I take responsibility for not paying greater attention to my credit card statements (I had assumed that perhaps my daughter had been going to Bally in New York), it was not until she recently signed up for LA Fitness that I questioned her about the Bally account.

On April 22, 2008, I decided to go to Bally Total Fitness to get a membership. I spoke with the L. Bellevue about opening a membership with Ballys and he didnt discuss any other membership option but the one I signed up for. He told me that the second best membership and I was going to have access to Nutrition information and that I would only be paying $60/month til March 2009 and at that time it will turn into $19.99/month. I took his word for it, especially since he was being very informative about the whole membership. So since I felt informed about the whole membership and since I knew I was able to afford $60/month til March, I agreed. I didnt think it would affect me as bad.

Now, with the economy the way it is, I am unemployeed and Ballys will not cancel my membership because im unemployeed. How am I going to pay? I have been current on all my payments and not only that, but since I found out that I was lied to about my payments chaning on March 2009, I stopped going to the gym. So there is record that I havent gone in a long time. Not only that, but I went last week to the gym that I subscribed at to take out my account from automatic withdraw. This week, I looked in my account and realized that they didnt do it.

I contacted the corporate office and they said that since they didnt see any notes on my account that I went in that day to take my account out of automatic withdraw, they cant help me with my overdraft charge. Im in the verge of losing insurance coverage on my vehicle because of this reason and I have to pay rent this month and im going to have to get a money order in order for me not to have to pay my overdraft fee that is in my account at this moment.

At the moment im trying to find every way possible to cancel my membership and the only options that I have, which I have herd about a million times, is to either bring a bill with an address that is 25 miles away from a bally total fitness or a doctors note. None of these are an option.

My husband and I did renew our contract with Bally last year (2007). We have been the members since 2003. Back then it was Pinnacle. Now our gym is closing down and we wanted to cancel our membership. My husband was told by the club manager 'Dan' that we could cancel the contract. He gave us the corporate phone number. We called and were told to write a letter. We did that on Dec.1 because we didn't want them to take out $55 from our checking account for this month membership.

On Dec.15, Bally still took out $55 from us. My husband called again and this time the representative was very rude on the phone. She kept saying that we can not cancel because there is another club in the next town. When we renewed our contract last year, we signed a contract that only allowed us to work out at Walnut Creek location. Since the club is closing down, we should be able to cancel. They still would not let us.

Bally rep. kept arguing with my husband. Finally the lady said if we wanted to cancel, we would have to pay $75 for the cancellation fee. My husband thought it was the policy that applies to everyone. Plus we didn't want to have to continue paying Bally each month for the remaining 2 years of contract.

Well, I spoke to my friend tonight. She canceled her contract the same way we did but she did not have to pay the $75 cancellation fee. Plus her December membership would be prorated. We are very upset that Bally did fool us and didn't treat us in the same matter. We want to have this month membership of $55 plus $75 cancellation fee refund.

When I first joined I was told that I would save 25% off my membership. I handed Nick my deposit and he told me I had 3 days to cancel. The next day I went to the gym and Nick told me that there was something wrong with my card and I need to get another one. So I did. A month later when I recieved my bank statement I noticed that Bally's had taken out more money than what we agreed on ( $61.49) they had withdraw 74.69. So I went to the gym and brought the bank statement with me.

Nick than said that the 25% off was only on the day I originally signed up for. I stated that you told me there was something wrong with my card. He claimed he had never told me that and what he really did was rewrite my contract. I could not believe what I was hearing. So I called corporate and they were extremely rude.

I ended up paying the 3 years off, by the way I thought I had only signed up for 1 year. I am just so discussed. The bathroom are gross, most of the equipment is broken and most of the time when you go to a class that's on there schedule your lucky if an instructor shows up. I wish I had read these complaints before I had joined because I would have taken my business else where. I hope more people read these complaints before they join. I know I tell everyone about Bally's and how they are the worst gym I have ever joined and don't give them a red scent of your hard earned money.

I was tricked into a 3 year plan and I was told it was at 25% off and it cost me $1789.00 later.

We bought our son a membership to Bally's based on the fact that the gym is right by his highschool. We explained to the sales rep that he needed a place to workout that he could walk to and from home or school to as he is 16 and does not have a car. Our sole reason for picking that gym was the location. After being a member for 3 weeks of the 3 year contract the location by our home closed. We were told he would have to go to the gym 12 miles away and that the contract could not be cancelled. After explaining again to them that he does not drive so 12 miles does not work for him they again told me I had to pay out the contract.

The contract is $800.00 and we were only able to use the gym three weeks. I feel that we were lied to and that they should have told us when we signed up they would be closing in a matter of weeks. My son no longer is able to go the gym and I can not afford to pay this membership and buy him another. There is no possible way that the Corporate office did not know when they sold us that contract that they would be closing. I feel that should have been brought to our attention so that I could make the choice of if we wanted to join a gym across town. They really could care less about their customers well being it is all about the money to them.

However when I brought the note up to them they stated only that, We don't do cancellations here, we only sign contracts. Take ANOTHER number here and FAX your note plus a letter to our cancellation dept. And so now I must FAX my note/letter to their cancellation dept. which most likely will somehow mysteriously become lost, or burned, or explode, or some kind of unnatural cause that will impede me from cancelling my contract. I'm hoping that Bally Total Fitness has the decensy to play by their own rules, but I am not betting on it.

Bad credit due to missleading information, lost time trying to sort through Bally Totall Fitness bull ****, small debt, asthma.

I signed up for a 3 year membership in May08 and told the sales rep that my company was potentially going to change locations and asked him if I would be able to cancel the membership in such an event to which he said yes. Sure enough after only using the gym a handful of times my work situation changed and I have not been able to use the membership since June08.

When I have called several times to cancel i was told this was not possible b/c another ballys was less than 20 miles way. I have repeadily stated the dishonesty on behalf of their sales dept and would like to stop paying for a service that I do not use and that was misrepresented. I have tried numerous times to resolve this issue with Ballys with no resolution. Their position is that I must pay regardless b/c of the contract terms.

I enrolled my 16 year old sister to a plan since they told me that I could nto take her as a buddy one day that I went to the gum on Sept. 18, 2008. When I enrolled her I had asked on numerous occassions what is the cancellation policy since I was not sure that my sister would commit. After I signed up, on Sept. 22, 2008, Kristina from the gym called me that the limited 3 day plan and only for the Kentlands location for $24.99 was getting better because I could change it to unlimited access to any gym nationwide for the same price. I went that day and changed the plan.

The next day, Kristina called me again and told me that she had accidently signed me up to the plan instead of my sister and she had to change it, so I went to the gym again the next day. A few weeks later, I called Kristina to tell her that I wanted to cancel the plan because my sister was not going to go and she told me that I had to complete the 17 days work out according to the promise within the next 2 months. I had not recalled her telling me that but told me that it was noted on the contract, which it is and then she apologized to me for maybe not mentioning it to me.

I then took my sister to the gym and then I got a letter stating that I missed the 2 months payments. I went to the gym on October 8, 2008 and paid for the months since I was also told that I would not be able to cancel the membership either if I had not paid. To make the long story short. I have not been able to cancel the membership because according to their records I am missing 1 more visit to the gym. Kristina told me to just swipe the card when I came to the gym pretending that my sister was going just so that I can get the 17 visits and while I had been doing that.

Now I am told that I have not met the requirement. I don't believe that their system is 100% accurate and that they stand by a flawed system just to get people into a contract. On several occassions, their machine did not accept the card and they let me in. I am told that I should have asked the attendant to record my visit as if I am supposed to know that they are not doing that. I am supposed to make sure that the card works. I don't recall applying for a job at Bally's for me to be watching and making sure that their employees are doing their job. After I had paid the 2 months membership that I am required to pay.

My step-dad had taken my sister to the gym and since she did not have her card and just her id, they made her pay 1 full month again which I had all ready paid and have receipts to prove it. Now tell me, if their system is not flawed then how can they say that I am missing 1 more day of gym visit and not allow me to cancel the membership. A membership that it's not going to be used since I have my own.

The concequences is that due to them saying that I did not meet 1 more day of visit to the gym. I will be stuck with a 3 year membership and will be forced to pay approximately $800 total.

In Feb.2008 I went to a Bally's on a week trial membership. I was hesistant to get into a contract because my husband is military and we are always moving. The person I spoke with there assured me that if I moved and there was no Bally's within 25 miles, I could cancel my membership, no problem, no fees. My husband got orders to move in June, to a city where there is no Bally's, at which time I called to cancel my membership. The first woman I spoke to told me that the cancelation fee would be waived because it was a military move. I was provided a fax number to send a copy of the orders along with a bill. I was told it could take up to 30 days so, since my account was being automatically drafted, I left my bank account open to ensure there would be sufficient time to Bally's to cancel my account.

When my bank account was drafted again in July, I called and was told the paperwork was never received. Again I re-faxed it, this time to a different number. My account was drafted again in August and September and each time I called I was told the fax was not received and that I shold re-fax it. After incurring over draft fees due to Bally's, I mailed the paperwork in September. Now it is november, and I am getting phone calls all day long from an automated system telling me that my account is past due for the amounts of October AND November! When I called extremely upset that this would now be affecting my credit, the person I spoke with Nicole, kept cutting me off every time I started to say this situation was unacceptable. I was told that I needed to speak with the "cancelation department" and when I asked for a number was told the only way to contact them is via mail.

I am now waiting on a "manager" to call me back!

In March 2008 I went into Bally's for a trial membership. I never followed through on the trial memberhsip. In fact, I through away all of my paperwork because I had not followed through and had no intention on utilizing the club services. Unbeknownst to me, I actually signed a contract for membership - which was not how it was actually presented to me.

Now months later, I find that Bally's is pulling $42 per month from my checking account. I have sent several communications for Bally to cancel my memberhip and cease the unauthorized payments from my checking account. However, Bally fails & refused to respond to any of my communcations to them. Bally's tacts are misleading, fraudulent and they downright lie to get you signed up to their gym. How can I get out of this fradulent contract?

Just had a baby and bought a new house. Told the Sales Rep that we are building a gym in our house and will be done in a month so will need something short term to lose baby weight. Sales Rep told me they have a month to month plan and signed me up. Manager came in and reassured me too so I just signed paperwork because my baby was getting fussy. It was only $19 a month so I thought it was great and I could cancel when our gym is done!

Well, it came time to cancel and could not! Went to talk to the Sales Repo but he doesn't work there anymore. Spoke to the manager and he acted like he's never seen me before and didn't do anything! Said I signed a contract. I went to that gym twice! It's been 2 1/2 yrs and $600 later and I still can't cancel until '09. I've always been a gym member but never been lied to or treated like this ever! Calls to corporate does nothing!

I was taken advantage of because I brought my new born with me to inquire about gym membership. The sales rep and manager noticed how emptional I was (since I just had a baby) and took advantage of that! I am paying for something that I never use and I didn't even had a chance to get a memeber ID! How can this be a binding contract when they have all that on record?

On April 9, 2008, I visited the Ballys Fitness Center located at San Jose, Ca. with the intent to gain information about joining a gym. Joining me on this visit was my Abir (daughter) and Farhan (her friend). When I entered Ballys Fitness Center, Samuel R, a salesman, provided us with information about the fitness center as well as a tour of the facility. When we discussed the contract, the General Manager, Tony C, joined our meeting. Before signing a contract, we confirmed with Mr. R and Mr. C that we could cancel our membership without cause at any time after signing the contract. Both R and C assured us that we could cancel at any time for any reason without being penalized or having further consequences, all we would need to do is pay a $50.00 fee per member. Abir signed the contract as the primary member, with Farhan, my other daughter, Rayanne, and me as members under her contract.

In August of 2008, Abir, tried to obtain a credit card and was denied for credit because there appeared to be fraudulent activity? on her credit report. Her credit report revealed that Ballys membership was showing up as a two loans on her credit report which is considered fraudulent activity.

On September 8, 2008, I called the Bally Center in San Jose and asked that this matter be corrected. They told me that they could not help me and that I should call the billing office for Ballys Fitness Center. I called the billing office and spoke with Damian in Customer Service and eventually the Billing Manager Megan. Neither individual could explain exactly why I had two accounts, they could only speculate that it had to do with a California law that they could not quote or give me more information about. Megan referred me to the General Manager, Tony C.

I called Tony Chew on September 17, 2008, and declined his offer. Tony then offered to cancel the two contracts. He also gave Abir and Farhan the option of signing up for a month-to-month contract if they chose.

On September 18, 2008, Abir and Farhan met with Tony C and he told them he would not cancel the two previous contracts unless they signed up for a month-to-month membership immediately. This is not what he had told me. They then felt that they were being framed and cheated so they refused to agree to any kind of membership. I then contacted Tony C again to proceed with the cancellation of both contracts, and confirm that we would not pursue a month-to-month membership.

At this point he became angry and started telling me that he never offered to cancel the contracts, that I was delusional and had selective hearing and only heard what I wanted to hear. He was rude and lied to me again by telling me that he never said that we could cancel our membership anytime we wanted. He told me that I could complain to all of the people that I want to, including the Better Business Bureau, file a claim in the court of law, but nothing will be done to cancel the contracts. I asked for the Regional Managers phone number in order to contact him about this issue. Mr. C gave me the phone number of the corporate office and a false extension number.

It appears that Ballys Fitness Center makes its living by entering into false promises to perspective customers. Numerous amounts of claims have been filed against Ballys Fitness for a multitude of different promises that they have made and not carried out. Their business acted unfairly in the most scandalous fashion. It sends a negative message to young people such as Abir who are trying to establish financial foundation.

I would like to cancel Abirs TWO contracts without further penalty or consequence, based on the fact that they have misled, disrespected and lied to us about the facts surrounding these contracts.

I was told that with joining Bally's, 3 year contract that I was going to receive 5 free physical training sessions, and during my first session of training the trainer told me that I was mislead and that I only have 2 training sessions. He stated that they say that so people can sign up. The manager was no where to be found, so that I can discuss this matter. Also, when I called to inquire about a membership before I joined they told me just bring a letter proving that you were a student and you get a discount. I have yet to receive one.

I feel horrible because I thought I was joining the right place. The gym is dirty, water leaking from the ceilings, the pool is filthy, why am I paying 63 dollars a month just to workout in filth. This needs to be taken care of. Another matter is that when I signed up I told them that I do not want electronic payments, I do not want them to take money out of my account. I wanted to pay myself every month.

I signed up in August 2008, and I paid for September, but they took another 63 dollars out of my account when I had told them not to, and this was early September, and I still have not yet received my refund for the $63 dollars, I know this may sound like I am cheap, but with the economy the way it is and gas prices I need that $63 dollars. I work full time and go to school at night, and I don't make that much money right now, but now I don't even want to go to the gym, it makes me sick.

There is no economic damage as of yet, but who knows if I have to keep paying 63 dollars a month for the next three years, when I don't even want to go to this gym it is going to be a financial burden.

I was doing my internship in Crossgates Mall January 2007 and a Bally's Fitness person approached and said I could join the gym for just $5 down and $20 per month for 2 yrs. So at first I said I'm not sure I would think about it. The guy said oh this deal want be here tomorrow. So I said ok he took my picture and that was the last I heard from Bally's . I never used the gym or ever swiped the membership card not once.

A collection agency is sending me notices for $1700 saying I owe that for Bally's because I signed an agreement. So after leaving messages at the corporate office and getting no answer, I am stuck with this affecting my credit.

In July 2006, I went to Bally Total Fitness with my now fiance to take advantage of a membership deal they were running. The deal was for $5 you could try out the gym for 30 days, and if you were satisfied and wanted to continue with the membership, you would then be charged the regular monthly fee of $70. (The membership fee was $35 a person, and there were two of us.)

After about two weeks, my credit card was charged $70. I called to dispute this charge, and was told that we owed the $70 for the first month. We did not ask for the money back, but we did send a letter of cancellation within 30 days of signing the contract. That was the last time we heard from Bally Total Fitness.

On January 10th, 2007, I was getting my credit reports for an apartment lease I was applying for. I saw that Bally Total Fitness reported I was past due 90 days for $290, with a Credit Limit of $2520. To date, we have never received any notification of this debt, nor have we received a notice saying that our cancellation was denied. We have disputed this with the credit agencies and Bally Total Fitness themselves. Each time, the credit is determined valid, but we still have heard nothing from Bally.

We legitimately canceled our account as we were instructed. I do not understand how they can continue to ruin my credit. Not only that, but they mislead us when we signed up with them. We were NOT told that we would be signing a 3 year contract and that they would take a loan out against us for the monthly payment. That in itself should be illegal. What we were told was that all we would have to pay was $5, and if we were dissatisfied with the membership we could cancel within 30 days.

My credit report has been significantly damaged by these allegations of debt. It is the only negative on my credit report. I tried to take out a loan for a motorcycle, and was only able to get a loan with a 20% interest rate. This could potentially effect my ability to buy a car or house in the future, and it has already cost me significantly higher interest payments.

I Entered into a contract and had several people around me distracting me from Ballys while this Chris guy kept trying to talk me out of the 3 month intro package and talked me into signing another package that would offer more and would cost less and I could include my boyfriend in it for just a few dollars more. They told me it was only good for the Ballys in Deptford NJ but if I paid more it would include other Ballys throughout the U.S. I chose to just stay at Deptford NJ but they said if I moved more than 25 miles away from the Ballys in Deptford I could cancel with no questions asked.

In March of 2008 I moved to Kansas and it is many miles from Deptford NJ. I told them in March that I was moving and they said when I get there to send them a letter with my address and a copy of a letter with the forwarding address on it with my new address in Kansas and they would cancel my contract. I mailed it as soon as I arrived the first week in April 2008. They have since harrassed me to the point of ridiculous.

They call me 7:30 in the morning on Sunday mornings, they call me at work they call me constantly,even though I explain the situation and tell them do not call me and harrass me again. They continued to take money out of my bank account every month dispite the fact I did everything that was required. They said they got my letter for Sandra the Owner of the contract but not for Sandra the Member??? I am pretty sure we are the same person.

I told them to make a copy of the first letter and they would have it for the both of me. Then they said they had a letter for my boyfriend but not for me, then they said can you resend it? I know when I am being ripped off. I had my bank stop paying these people and what do they do now but double up on the harrasing calls at work and eary sunday morning. They even had the nerve to send me a payment book addressed to my address in Leavenworth KS which proves they have my address and know that it is more than 25 miles away from Deptford NJ. I know what harrassment is, I know that they tricked me into a 3 yr contract and lied to me about being able to cancel. They also owe me money for 3 months that they continued to take my money out of the bank. I also had 6 more lessons of a trainer that I paid for that they owe to me. in the past 3 days 08/01/08-fri, 08/02/08 sat and 08/03/08 sunday I have received 5 harrassing phone calls from them.

Ms. P. of Bally's Total Fitness lied to me about holding a good membership rate for me $5. She said that I did not have cancel my membership and I would not be charged if I did not wish to continue. I stupid took her word at face value and signed a contract without reading it. A month later I was charged $50 dollars. I will never do business with them again. I was tricked into a contract that I did not want.

I tried their 60 day promise program. The salesman told me I had to go to the gym 17 times, take a fitness test and cancel within 60 days. I took the fitness test on the first day and continued going to the gym. I noticed halfway through they sometimes the employees would not scan my card and would just waive me through. I sent an email asking how this would affect my attempt to cancel. They sent an email back which didnt address this problem.

According to my calculations I went to the gym minimum 22 times. After about 58 days I faxed them a letter canceling my membership. I got a letter back from them saying that I only went 14 times. I called and explained that I went more than enough times and it was because of their employees that I wasn't scanned. They said that it only counts if the card is scanned and I should have known that because it was in the contract.

I told them the salesman never told me this, plus it should be the policy to make people get scanned to go in. They continue to bill my account and refuse to cancel my membership.

I went to ballys to find out inforamtion - the man who talked to me talked me into joining. I explained I had not jobs and had some medical issues that was causing me issues getting a job soon. He said if I could not do it come in anytime and just say I can't do it. My mom was in the hosptal once she came home and was able to look at the paper work she called. They said I had to cancel with in a few days.

She explained the story and they said there was nothing they could do . My medical issues have caused me more issues and I am away until Aug 16 I can not go to the facily 17 times to cancel. MY mom ahs a note from my doctor explaining. The money was taking out of my account - I have no money my mom had to put the money in to cover so I didnt get a bounce check. Please help

My husband and I signed what we were told was a 2 year contract with Bally's. (it has now become 3, looking for our copy and have requested one from corporate). Initially stated that we did not want to join until a few months away as my husband was going out of the country for work and goes back and forth on occasion. the sales guy Pete, said no problem as we can join up and then freeze his part of the account anytime and then activate it once he's back. 3 weeks later my husband left for Mexico and we were told that you can never freeze an acct.

When I confronted Pete, he said that at the time we signed the contract we could but Corporate changes their policies at will and he cannot be held accountable for it. about a year into the member ship our club began to charge for classes. $5 per class and I take 4-5 per week, my husband (when he's here) 3 which adds up to another $100+ a month for what I was told was included ( I asked and was told Bally's never charges, that's what makes us different from the rest.)

Lies, Deceit, Horrible Customer Service (when you can get it) along with some of the dirtiest shower rooms, floors (carpet in the Aerobics room?!!) and broken toilets and showers is what I think makes them different. Numerous complaints over 2 yrs has not changed or improved anything. I'm sorry I was naive enough to believe that this company stood by their word and had a strong business ethic. My mistake and now we're paying.

I was in an accident in 8/05 and had joined the gym to help myself with returning to health during and after 4 surgeries, spinal injections and knee injections. Disability has run out and it a financial hardship just to come up with the $55 per month that we were told we could cancel at anytime, in writing. It has added to our anxiety and are worried that they will never stop taking the money out as we have read, and heard, so many horror stories about Bally's. Our credit has always been good (my score is always in the 700's) and am worried that this could ruin it all.

I joined a membership at Bally's Saddlebrook NJ with Jason 3 yrs and additional money for 9 personal trainning sessions. The personal trainer was Ayman I worked with him about 2 times. I advised him I was interested in more trainning sessions so he hounded me litterally for me to sign up for the additional 32 sessions. He called me at home and on the phone at least two to three times a day on my home and cell phone to come in and sign up for the additional sessions.

I canceled my membership in writting on June 18 2008 showing as of June 6th when I was able to get out of bed and see my doctor. I canceled due to medical reasons. I did not use the nine sessions when I canceled but because I signed up earlier for the additional private sessions they deducted additional funds from the $1,776.00 I paid ffor the 32 sessions extra. They are only refunding me $1336.00. Chargeing me $400.00 toward the additional 32 sessions. When I call the customer service number to complain which it took them till today 71408 to come to this decision.

They received my letter on June 20,2008 I have requested to speak to a supervisor or manager and they tell me someone will call back but they don't. Since July 6 I spoke with Patricia in customer service I have called once a week to find out about my refund. They would not have gotten the down payment of $592.00 on 4/14/08, another payment of $592.00 5/15/08, and $592.00 on 6/16/08 on 7608 I stopped them from taking the last payment of $592.00. I feel I am entitled to my $1,776.00 but they as I said are chargeing me $400.00 of the $1,776.00 besides the money I paid for the 9 sessions.

I purchased a membership with Ballys in 2005 for myself. On the same day, my friend Nicole also purchased a membership for herself. I used one of my checks for her deposit. Ballys has since put her contract in my name, making me responsible for her debt.

My contract is paid. Her contract went to collections, putting a mark on my credit. I have since moved out of state & this is cause for me to get out of this contract according to the Bally contract. I have wrote to the NJ Attorney General today also.

Bally uses trickery & deceitful sales tactics. I have copies of both contracts & yet they say they have my signature on Nicoles. I feel that they have fudged the contracts to their liking. When this first happened, I made arrangements with collections to make monthly payments. I keep seeing the amount going up. I will no longer make any payments since my credit now has a Ballys mark on it. I wish NJ would file a class action lawsuit against them.

I went in with a 30 day free trail membership coupon i recieved from my credit card company. In order to use the coupon i was for forced to sign up for one of their plans even though i told them i didn't want to pay anything up front , just wanted to try them out for 30 days like the coupon stated. The sales associate brought in their sales manager & they tagged teamed me with various packages and reasons why i had to pick one of their packages now & i would only have to spend $5.00 now to lock in the low price they were offering on any one of their yearly contracts.

I was told if i don't like it there for any reason i could cancel after 30 days if i do these things; 1.)Take a New Member First Workout with a Bally's Personal Trainer. 2.)Visit the club 12 times total during the first 30 days. 3.)Make the first payment of$41.02. 4.) Send in a written notice postmarked within 10 days following the first 30 days of membership. Anyways, i did all that to the dot. They say they never recived my written request for termination so i now wasn't eligible for that perticular cancelation policy or any other & i didn't qualify for any other unless; 1.) I moved 25 miles away from any Bally's & couldn't transfer the membership to any other comparable club. 2.)Death or Disability. 3.)Other . which i didn't qualify for ie; club closes, they fail in providing what was in contract.

I talked to my local Bally's associates several times on the dirtyness of the facilities & how unhappy i was when i came there. I told them i was not going to come back on several occasions due to this. I was always told they we're sorry, they were in the process of getting new cleaning help, but in the mean time they would address the issue, but it never happened. After my first 30 days, over 12 visits total, i couldn't stomach the dirty lockerrooms, floors, showers, scum filled sinks, dirty countertops and such. I always went in the mornings, always complained to the am staff members, i even called in the evening just to get hold of the General Manager, who was never there till later in the day.

After complaining 10 times to various people i was done. I never went back, and followed my contract Our Promise To You. I called Bally's Corporate Office and complained that i was still getting charged once the 2nd payment was taken out of my account. I had to ask for a manager when the associate refused to help. The Manager refused to help also aftertelling her all the reasons why i left & that i followed my contract instructions and i was still being charged.

My bank was continouslly charged $41.02. Bally's wouldn't stop charging me even after my complaining phone calls. i had to go to my bank and change my account, my bank cards, refute the charges. They damaged my credit rating by putting up no pays/late pays. Which didn't let me refinance my house. They sold my account to Asset Acceptance LLC which is now hounding me.

I went to a Health Fair Expo. Bally's Fitness had a exhibit stand there. I was approached by a Salesman from the Bally's Gathersburg, MD Fitness Ctr. I have no name. He told me and my finance that if we pay $5.00 each we get a pass to club for two weeks and then decide if we want to join. He collected the money and ask for my credit card for confirmation. I filed out a credit card form. We did not do a contract at the Health fair in January 2008 and we never went to the club because I had to care for my daughter who is terminally ill with cancer. I had no time.

I just recently learn that a account was opened in my name unauthorized since Jan.2008 and I contacted Transunion and disputed the account. A month later a collection company called Asset was assigned to collect 2449.00 from me as a debt. This collection is going to destroy my credit. My finance was placed on this account also without my permission. I never rec'd invoices,bills or notification for any overdue payments or nothing that gave me any indication that I had a active open account with Bally's. I just so happen to check my credit with Transunion and learned that this unauthorized transaction happened and I was mislead and I suspected that a act of fraud took place.

I called the california main corporate office and was told to send a photocopy of my drivers licenses to compare signature and they will get back with me in 6 weeks. I called the local bally's in maryland and spoke with a manager and was told that he will get back to me, which never happened.

My credit is going to be destroyed. I was billed 2449.00 for a club contract that I had no knowledge of. Which I can not afford and have no free time to use, due to my daugther's high grade spinal cancer. I am highly stressed out and can not believe that someone will commit fraud a a well know fitness club.

I joined ballys 2 years ago and shortly after my enrollment i was involved in an automobile accident . as a result i had to have knee surgery. as there is permant damage to my knee that restricts my ability to walk at times i have reached out to bally as i have requestes to cancel my membership explaining the reasons to them. in return i was told i have to submit medical proof of my surgery that would include my disability which i had done.

Finally the phone calls have stopped for payment but reviewing my credit score the is a collection against me for nearly 3,000 which is destroying my credit

on 3/2007 i signed up for a month to month acct two months later i learned that the guy signed me up for a three year contract .. i contacted the main office they stated that i can bring a guest each time i come and each time they give me a hard time i was wrongfully placed in a contract.

A month ago I took one of my friends, Corinne with me as a guest to my gym. At the end of our time there the sales person by the name of Damien insisted that we sit with him in his office and he go over existing offers. One of the offers sounded with in reason but the price was only good for that day. My friend Corinne had to check with her health insurance company first to see if she would be eligible for a reimbursement and if she was she may be open to applying for a membership. Damien insisted that the only way he could offer us the same price as that day was if we left ten dollars and that if she decided not to apply for a membership after speaking with her insurance company that he would refund her the ten dollars, but that this was in no way contractually binding.

Corinne called Damien the following day to let him know that she was not interested in a membership after all, but he was not there. So she left a message. He called her back while she was working and not able to answer the phone, and left a message indicating that it was Damien and that she could call him back. Before ever speaking to Damien again she was notified by Bally Total Fitness that 53.00 were due for membership fees from me, Natalia C. I didn't apply for a contract. So I called up their financing dept after speaking with Damien, who was not helpful in anyway and then after speaking to his mngr Brandy who was unresponsive.

The financing department is insisting that I am contracted to a membership and that I owe 53.00. I don't know why he assumed that I wanted a contract or that Corinne wanted a contract under my name when no one ever confirmed that. And instead of just cancelling the contract and admitting that they did something unethical and moving on with our lives they are trying to hold me to it. And if I don't pay it, it will be reported to a credit agency. I am very dissappointed in the way they conduct business.

In October of 2003, I had recently been discharged from the United States Marine Corps and was looking for a gym to keep me in shape. There was a Balley's down the street from where I was staying so I decided to go and sign up. While signing up, however, the young sales guy forgot to mention that the contract was for a full 36 months and that I could not cancel unless I paid the full amount of $736. He told me to sign here, here, and here, and said Have a nice day.

So here I am, (just about 5 years later) and I have a collection agency in the form of a legal office threatening to take me to court for the amount of $909. They also threatened to apply interest, Attorney, and various filing fees to the total. Oh yeah, garnishing of wages was thrown in there too. I think I had used this membership 10 or 15 times at most. Not worth anywhere near what they're trying to get from me. Balley's is ridiculous. They need to stop signing people up under false pretenses, cut their losses, and move on. Month to month contracts are the best way to go. Everybody's happy and no one gets hurt.

I joined Bally Total fitness 8 months ago, and was assured by the reps that I could cancel anytime with a 25$ per account cancelation fee. I never used it, and tried to cancel about a week later, they want to charge me for 3 yrs. for something I have never used or will use. There were two reps, including the manager who LIED to me.

1908$ Min, lost for services NEVER rendered.

My spouse gave me a Bally's membership for Christmas. I called and made an appointment to go in for my first visit. I asked if it would be ok to bring my 17 year old daughter and the Ballys representative said yes. She proceeded to schedule me for a 3:15 pm appointment and when I arrived there, I was told by another representative that my 17 year old could not be my guest, nor could she work out with me unless I signed her up for a membership and signed a liability form. I asked if I could just sign the liability form and take the responsibility upon myself if she was injured and not sign up for a membership and Ballys said no.

I was appalled and needless to say, I was very upset because I had driven all the way over there and with gas being over $4 dollars a gallon, it was a big inconvenience, bad customer servicenot to mention giving out wrong information to customers is simply bad business. I was told that there are two sets of liability forms, one if you are a guest and one if you are a member. In order to use the facility if you are 17, you MUST sign up for a membership and the parent must sign off on a liability form.

Why can't Bally's just offer the one liability form and leave it to the parent to make that decision if they want to take responsibility of their minor child or not especially if they already allow 17 year olds to work out under the parent membership anyway? Why make them sign up for a membership? This is an attempt by Bally's to force and boost their sales which is totally unethical and discriminatory.

No one has contacted me from Bally's and I feel that with the economy the way it is, if people boycotted this facility for a month or two, they will change their policy epecially toward minors.

In June of 2004, a group of friends and I went to the Capitol Expressway Bally location to obtain a membership. We were told that we could get a cheaper rate if we all signed under a family plan together. We informed the salesperson that we wanted a membership that we could pay month by month. Being 18 and naive at the time, we did not read the large stack of papers that made up the membership contract, and signed up.

After one of my friends decided that he wanted to quit working out, we went back to the salesperson to cancel our family plan. It wasn't until this time that we discovered we were trapped in a 3-year contract and would have to continue paying the family plan fee for five members regardless of whether or not they attended the gym. After countless phone calls to the customer service center, each of which involving a hold time of no less than 30 minutes, we always got the same answer: You signed, too bad.

In addition to this wrongdoing, they neglect to inform you that they are in fact FINANCING you the balance of the contract and you are paying a boatload of interest on top of the membership fee.

Back in 2003 i was 20 i am 26 i moved to houston texas and i thought of getting a gym membership to get in shape. i walked into ballys and the guy pitched something to me and said i needed 70.00 dollars to get started i remeber signing up but i never realized i was signing a contract i was young at the time and never had a membership i did not know that you have to cancel a membership . i know that every month for years they charged me and of course i never paid because i only went to the gym maybe 3 times.

when i moved out of houston i had no idea that i owed the gym they kept charging my check card but i had no money in the bank so they kept billing me when i moved i never recieved a bill from them then in late 2005 i get a random call stating i owe ballys 2,525 dollars and im outraged i did not understand if they do not have any information of me going in and using my membership at any location why would they continue to charge me all those months i used the membership maybe 3 times the first 2 months or so i had the membership now this is on my credit and will stay there

I am on my own ever since my mom died who was a single mother i have had to struggle and when your young and you do not know how to manage your money or no one teaches you this you just dont know . i owe them 3,000 now or so its with some collection company called asset acceptance and i cant afford this i can barely make it as is

She is now employed part time at a food service business, making barely more than minimum wage, and has fallen far behind on her payments to BTF. She now owes BTF several hundred dollars on the membership contract, and any money she puts into her bank account is immediately taken by BTF. Meanwhile she is not allowed into BTF because her payments are overdue.

My daughter should never have signed a contract she could not afford. But neither should BTF agree to a contract without proof of ability to pay. We requested in writing that BTF reduce her contract, and they sent back a copy of the contract and a payment booklet. Is that cold or what? Options for getting out of the contract are: (a) Move somewhere where there is no BTF, (b) become totally disabled, or (c) die. Maybe she could declare bankruptcy. It seems like if she doesn't pay, they should just cancel the membership. Done deal. But that is not how they work. They are going after every last dollar of the contract.

Back in October of 2007, a personal trainer gave me a 1 month free pass and so I went. He put me through a workout for an hour. After that hour ended he and his manager was convincing me to sign up for a $200 a month, 3 year contract which I didn't agree to. Then they lowered it down to $20 a month. They wouldn't let me go until I agreed to signing a contract. They even said that I HAD to put some money down for a down payment.

Every excuse I made to try to get out of it, they kept smart mouthing me. They wouldn't take NO for an answer. So they talked me into it more and I agreed so they would let me go. They held onto me for an hour!! It felt like a citizens arrest. They stood in front of me so I wouldn't just run out the door.

I canceled it after a couple of weeks because my lawyer said it was unethical and they tricked me into signing a contract.These people are well-trained and would manipulate you to say what they want to hear.

My friend is an employee at Bally Total Fitness in NY. My friend is a sales associate and was told to open new accounts for members who had past-due membership fees. She would tell the members that they would cancel the membership but you would not have to pay the past-due fees and would be able to open a new membership, void of any prior fees. The membership would never be cancelled and this resulted in the member being taken to collections.

This resulted in the old membership being sent to collections and the member having their credit ruined. This also led to Bally Total Fitness having multiple complaints filed against them, 200+ members at this one gym, and then this led to my friend and other employees being reprimanded and threatened with termination if they did not sign a waiver saying that they were responsible for their own actions.

BAD SERVICE - I saw a TV ad for a free 2-week trial to use the Bally's facility. I walked in to the Bally's located on Cumberland St in Chicago, IL. The manager Rome refused to give me the free trial. He was extremely rude and persistently offered me their membership options. When I declined, he turned into a nasty low life and started to insult me.

Judging from the fact he's still working late into the evening, I am convinced that he's had numerous failed attempts in converting potential clients and has become desparate. I feel nothing but pity for this man and for this company. The advertisement is vague in stating that in order to take advantage of the 2-week free trial, you'll HAVE to sign up for membership. Make sure you go with your checkbook. If not, just leave unless you're prepared to handle insults.

i sign up for bally in the mall. the rep told me i have 10 day if i decided to change my plan. i have sign up for 3 years plan. on the third day i went in balley office to change my plan. the manager told me that only the person i sign up with could change my plan. when i contact the rep on tues day ( the next day) she told me she cant meet me until thursday. on thursday i wasnt able to meet her in the mall. i then call on friday. i talk to the rep. i ask her if i could meet her at the office. she said no the only place is at the mall and she doesnt know if she could meet me. she said shell talk to the manager and call me back which never happen. saturday and sunday she wasnt there. on monday the 10 day of my membership. she had said that thursday was the only day that i could of cancell it and because i miss it then i have to remain in a 3 years contract.

worse of all is the way they treated the situation. the manager fail to call me back and comunicate with me about the problem after 4-5 calls. another manager told me to come in and discuss it. when i came in an assistent came to talk to me when i requested the manager. she told me the same thing that there is nothing they could do since i miss that thursday.

I went into the Bally Fitness center on 1/19/08 for my complimentary workout, which was great. I was impressed w/the facility (although it was just the temp one) and the person I was dealing with. That same night I ended up in my local ER because of pains I was experiencing. Due to the nature of my ER visit I was told that I would be unable to do any type of strenuous activity (including exercising). Being that this was a Sunday and I have given them a post-dated check for that Wednesday, I called on Monday morning to explain my situation and was told everything would be taken care of.

Well, my check was deposited on Wednesday and my account debited for the enrollment fee. Let's just say that from that day on it has been a total nightmare. I have 2 pages of notes where I have been calling both my local club and the toll free # for customer service to get my cancellation and refund processed. The manager at the local club just avoids my calls and when I call cust svc I always get told something different. I faxed over the paperwork from the hospital on 2/25/08 and I was told it was received and forwarded to the cancellation dept on 2/26/08 and to allow 2-4wks for it to be taken care of (that's what I was told on 3/11/08). On 3/10/08 the manager at the local Bally told me my acct status showed medical cancellation, which I am now learning was a complete lie. Then on 3/26 I was told that my paperwork wasn't received until 3/11/08 and the young lady was supposed to email her supervisor and call me back (I'm still waiting to hear from her). The first contact I received from them was the call I received today to tell me my account was past due. I have talked to so many people and heard so many things today that it is unbelievable. The last thing I was told today was that my paperwork was NOT received and I need to refax it. I just want this resolved but from reading other people's complaints I'm not very hopeful.

After showing my pass at the local Bally's (I read the fine print of the pass, there were no loopholes), I was told I'd have two months free, no obligations. I thought sounds good and went on to meet with an employee in one of their rooms. I was then told that I'd only get one month for free, and the other month would cost $37. A red flag should have gone up right then and there, but all I could think was, That's really cheap. I was given a contract, I read it thoroughly, and asked several times No matter what, all I will be charged is $37, right? I was told yes several times. I asked to make sure I was reading the contract correctly, and with their assurance, I signed the contract. I found out later they had no intention of charging me just $37, they were going to charge me every month.

I still figured it would be no problem, I'd just cancel via the Bally's Promise, but that soon became a problem as well. I didn't get a job I was promised, and after much searching, nothing else came up. I then had very little money and no car as well. I wrote to Bally explaining this to them, and that I didn't have the time nor the resources to fulfill their Promise but still wished to cancel since I was under the two month mark, and expected that to be that. I wrote them a month ago, and they just got back to me. They denied my request, charged me the money Omar PROMISED wouldn't be charged, and now the only way out of it is to move.

Obviously they've taken the money I really needed for food (I had to return laundry detergent just to have enough money in my account so I wouldn't be overdrawn if they took MY money). I simply cannot get to their gym and they are not being understanding at all. I may have to move to Nevada with my father just to get a job, but even if that happens, they said they'd still charge me $50 cancellation fee and need proof of my move. The only thing I could provide is a bank statement, but I do banking online, so even that is out. I just don't know what to do. There is no reason my cancellation should have been denied, and I cannot afford further payments. I was lied to, and I signed the stupid contract based on those lies. I thought they were telling me the truth!

My fiance and I moved from New York to Texas. While in Dallas, we signed up online for 2 weeks free trial at Bally's. We received a call, both went and were forced to deal with the sales people. This was not a "free trial" but a sales tactic. The specific location was very nice, with a pool and all new up to date equipment.

We sat down with the sales guy and were convinced to sign up for what we thought was a 14 day trial period. We told him that we did not want to sign anything because we were not sure where we would be living, and might move somewhere with no Bally's Gym. He told us not to worry that we would only pay $5, and we could cancel after 12 visits. We fulfilled our 12 visit minimum.

We ended up moving to Phoenix and went to the nearest Bally's gym. We were outraged and confused as to how the location we signed up for could be so amazing and this location was so mistreated and not up to date. It did not have a pool, one of the main reasons we chose Bally's to begin with. We called to express our disapproval and cancel our trial period but were told that just because the facilities were not the same was not a valid reason to cancel the contract.

First of all, I did not know I was in a contract (3 years to be exact). Secondly, how can you charge the same for under par, dirty, out of date facilities that you do for state of the art, up to date, pool included facilities? My fiance and I will be paying $68 every month for a membership we never knew we were signing up for and will never use, nor want to use, for the next 3 years. What a shame.

I recently relocated to another area and found a competitor's gym that was much more conveniently located to my new home. When I first signed up with Ballys I knew I would not be in the area for longer than 2 years so I made specific requests for a 1 year contract only and then for it to go to month to month - this is what I signed and wanted. NOW - 2 years later I go to cancel and BALLYS claims I signed a 3 year contract and I can't cancel it. I WAS INFORMED AND SIGNED A 1 YEAR Contract - NOW they claim they have my signature on a 3 Year contract - How does that WORK?

To cancel their service is going to cost me $$$$ - a service I didn't even sign up for!

I enrolled at Bally's on 2/19/2008.The manager there had given me a special to join the club. I specifically asked him if they had discounts for Harris County employees, and he said no, the special he offered me was the best that he could do for me. Approximately 3 days later I phoned him to tell him that I actually felt pressured into joining Bally's. He said, well too bad, I had already signed a contract. So I went ahead and told him that I was going to cancel my membership after 2 months which is stated in my contract.

I recently found out that Bally's does offer discounts to Harris County Employees, I received a flyer through my job stating that Bally's has an offer that has a $19.00 down and $19.00 a month. I want to know why I was not informed of this special. I would like to receive this special. I am a Harris County employee and I feel that the manager at this location was deceiving by not informing of me this. I gave him a call today to inform him of this special and all he could say to me was that no one held a gun to my head to sign a contract. This was very up setting to me, what kind of training does your company give these people? Do they train them to tell their customers that no one held a gun to their head? What kind of people would actually tell potential customers this? I hope that Bally's can correct this problem without me having to do something else. I will have this problem resolved one way or another. What I want is the special that is offered to Harris County employees, $19.00 down and $19.00 a month. Is that too much to ask for?

I was invited by a friend to a workout class at Ballys Total Fitness. When you are visiting the gym, they ask you to tour the gym with a sales rep. After the tour, he asked if I wanted to join and I said no, that I was already a member of the gym through my current employer. He had me to fill out and sign some paperwork advising me that it was their policy in case of injuries while exercising. He said that I could pick it up before I left the gym. There was also a $5.00 charge to use the gym.

Upon leaving, I asked for the copies that I signed and he said that he would shred them. He walked into another room, and returned with nothing in his hand. My friend and I left.

He called me several times asking if I had changed my mind about joining. I told him that I would not be back. Then I received a letter stating that I was in default of a contract and owed over $1200!!

I never used the gym after that day. I went to speak to the manager about the contract and he advised that I was entered into a contract for $45 month!

I never received any membership information or membership card. I never gave them any payments except the $5.00 that was required for that one day. The manager told me that I gave the sales rep $25 in cash (of course a form of payment that could not be traced). The manager suggested I write a letter saying that I moved out of the state or have a doctor write a letter saying that I was not physically fit to exercise, then they would let me out of the contract. But when I refused he asked me to write out a statement of what happened and said he would have the contract canceled. The next thing I know, I have a rep calling me from an attorney's office saying that they were going to sue me.

I think I got bait 'n switched. The ads say no enrollment fee this month - January, but you don't get the monthly rate shown in the flip book they make a presentation with. $37 for a Californai membership and $150 enrollment waived turns out to be actually $41.16. I'm effectively paying and financing the enrollment fee. They hide the number of years committment with misleading flip-book statements that only state the rate after three years; doesn't say you are signing for three years. No totals shown.

Cancellation was represented to me orally as possible, but its not anywhere in the contract. I could buy a lot of equipment for the $1,400+ they are charging. I asked for debit payment and it was put on the credit of a joint use card. I was told the contract could be rewritten during the next ten days and the first billing would be at the end of the first month, not true, they put the credit card payment through immediately. I can't use the Studio City facility; no parking and always crowded. These unregulated contracts effectively discourage the public from exercising even though we've shown our interest and paid money. There ought to be a law since this is a public health issue.

When I signed up the one sheet agreement showed me a 24 month contract. Before I signed, the rep told me that I would get the complete contract on the mail, which I never got.

Because of my new job, it is almost impossible for me to go to the nearest Ballys so I called them to find out when my agreement was supposed to end. They said by April 2009. This was a big surprise, because it was supposed to be 2 years, not 3 years. I checked my original one-sheet contract and on one side shows 24 months, and the other side shows 36 months.

So I called Ballys again, requesting the contract they were supposed to send me. That was my second surprise: It cost $10 dollars to get the contract!

I went to Bally's with a friend as a guest. I was told I had to talk to a sales rep in a private room before being allowed to use the facility. I did not want a membership, they tried to talk me into a trial membership, which I finally agreed to after being badgered for an hour. The next day they called to make an appointment with a personal trainer and I cancelled the trial membership. I never received a membership card or bill, then 3 years later I get a bill and they take me to court. Unfortunately, I accidently missed my court date and they won a judgement against me. They want to garnish my wages and or income tax return. I want to take them to court on principle alone but don't know what to do.

Bally's won a judgement to garnish my wages and receive any income tax refund I recieve. Also, they call me many times a day harrassing me, trying to set up a payment plan. I REGRET EVER GOING THERE AND I NEVER WANTED A MEMBERSHIP THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I originally signed a contract under a promotional deal in IL in 2006. With this promotion I was told my monthly rate was $29 monthly plus $10 per month per each additional person I added to the plan, up to 5 people at a time. I was told by the sales rep I could add or subtract people off the plan at any time at no charge.

I initially signed up for myself and 2 co-workers so the plan was $49 per month. I later added my roommate so the plan was $59 per month. I moved to Georgia in January 2007 and called Customer Service to remove my friends. At this point I was told they could take them off but I would still be required to pay the $30 for them because of how the contract read. I was misled by the sales rep.

Eventually, after countless hours of dealing with Customer Service and local branch managers, a manager in IL conceded to allow me to sign a new contract in Georgia for myself only and cancel my former contract. Unfortunately, the contract was never canceled.

I have now been paying on 2 contracts totaling over $100 per month since May of 2007.

I went to the Bally's closest to me and asked if I could join on a monthly basis. I was told that if I fulfilled a certain number of visits in the first 30 days that I could then cancel my membership at any time.

When I started shool and realized I was not going to have time to visit the gym for awhile I called to cancel my membership and was told that it would cost me $1500 or so.

So I guess what I do is try to get the best settlement possible and that will probably require putting up with some harrasing phone calls until they offer an amount I can deal with.

Our first contact was with an employee named Ron. Long story short, he told us that a trial membership would ultimately cost more than a regular membership because sessions with a personal trainer were included with a regular membership and, with a trial membership, they would have to be paid separately and at a higher cost. He promised my daughter that there would be no problem cancelling the membership after a month if she felt disatisfied in any way. He provided us with a paper and even underlined the applicable instructions.

After a month, she sent a letter, registered mail, to Bally's headquarters as instructed. The cancellation instructions were followed to the letter and the request was postmarked well within the time allowed. Now, 3 months later, my credit card is still being charged monthly and Bally's refuses to cancel my membership.

I was approached by a member of Bally's in a popular mall in Chicago and told you get 30-days free at any Bally's. Good deal? No.

Two months later I started receiving a bill. I specifically asked if I had to pay for anything and was assured I didn't.

In fall of 2002 I went in to Bally's for a consultation. I was simply inquiring about the different programs and costs. The rep asked for my information and I asked him if I would be charged even though I was not opening a membership. He guaranteed me that no charge would show up on my account.

Later that month there was a charge on my credit card for $100. I was told it was a consultation fee and that I would be reimbursed, which never happened. I went back to Bally,s and asked why I was never reimbursed and was told that the matter had been transferred to the main office. They wanted a copy of my drivers license or a state issued ID in order for them to reimburse my account, which I did not have at the time.

Soon after I started to receive bills and phone calls claiming that I owed them close to $2,000 for services that I never used. Now they are saying that I owe them $2,800. They have garnished my check, frozen my accounts, stopped all of my bill payments and my mortgage payments.

When we originally signed up for the National Body Challenge and were given 8 weeks free at Bally's. We went to Bally's for the orientation and to sign up for the 8 weeks. The guy kept pushing a contract on us and I said we just want to use our 8 weeks free and he said yea this is what this is for. So we went ahead and signed up. A week or so into our working out, we decided we no longer wanted to go to Bally's because we noticed they were continuing trying to get money from us by saying we needed personal trainers that cost about 200 an hour. So, I called the Corporate office in Norwalk, CA and was told that we could not cancel our contract. I asked why, he said it was a month that day and we should have each gone to Bally's a total of 12 times each. The reason we quit going all together was because I kept getting physically sick. So, I said what do I need to do so we can get out of this contract, he said we needed to either move in an area where we were more than 25 miles from a Bally's or one of us needed to send in a doctors note stating that we could not work out at a gym. I specifically asked him, do both of us need the doctors note and he said no, just one of you. So, I overnighted to them a doctors note and a letter explaining why we needed to cancel. For two weeks I kept calling them trying to find out what was going on then Today I called them and the representative said she couldnt even talk to me. She said I wasnt the main person on the account. I told her that I had been calling for the last few weeks almost daily and everyone else was willing to talk to me, so I requested a manager. The manager came on the line and told me that I had been taken off the contract but my boyfriend had not. I said I wanted the whole account closed and he refused. When I told him that the other manager had told me that we could close it with a doctors note, he doubted me and said they need a doctors note from each one of you.

I signed up for a pay as you go membership with my room mate. They made it sound like this great thing. We signed the papers, took a tour, and the next day I went back to work out and wanted to talk to a trainer. According to my contract I got one free and could pay for more if I wanted. When I went to book with them they were all booked up, for the next 3 months!

It was so obvious that they only had a few slots a week for those of us who were getting a free session with them. They were also very rude to me when I asked what times I could come in because I had a strange time frame I could come in at. I decided to quit because I felt like I was wasting my time. Thankfully, my contract was canceled just fine and I don't have any horror stories about that like many other people. However, it did take maybe 10 trips back and forth and many phone calls to get all the information I needed to quit.

In 1998. My best friend and myself were persuaded into signing a 2 yr contract with Bally's Total Fitness, on the basis that we had 3 days to come in or call in to cancel our contracts. I was pushed away both times I went into the location to cancel. I tried calling the store as well as visiting, only to be met with every excuse you can imagine, basically he was never available.

Bally's harassed both me and my family,by phone and mail for the following 3 months. In May of 1998, they sold my debt to the 1st creditor, who continued the harassment Bally's started.Now, almost 10 yrs later I'm still receiving letters from creditors. I have never been able to get my own car, I've had to pay higher rates on everything my entire life, my credit has been bad of $4,000.

I gained membership of Bally’s Fitness Club. The second week of January 2007 I got a letter from collection agency that I broke the contract of Bally’s some other location. After the third week I got a letter from debt collector about the case. I am still I am trying reach management to show them a situation. This is coming on my credit report they asked me to submit my signature sample which I did but matter is not solved.

I have been a 100% disabled veteran since 1993. I went in to this Bally's to support my wife and the guy working there says that if I have any problems physically with working out that all I have to do is provide them a note from my doctor. Getting an appointment with the Dr.s at the VA isn't the easiest thing to do and Bally's has called early in the morning (8am) and late at night (9pm). I have trouble sleeping from chronic/severe pain in my legs due to a service-connected injury.

I have told them over the phone that they are not to contact me over the phone anymore, to use the US mail only. Well, that NEVER worked. I have my degree in paralegal, and know that in Texas, unless the law has been changed, once a bill collector has been told to stop calling and correspond ONLY by mail, they must do so. I have lost a great deal of sleep over these A**es calling me at all times of the day that I'm thinking about suing them for psychological harassment. I have PTSD, a broken back, two hips replaced, nerve damage down my right leg and anxiety disorders to name a few and these people are only exacerbating my problems. I'm now seeing a psychiatrist to deal with the PTSD and anxiety.

As I said, I'm losing sleep, my sanity. My hip and right leg pain worsen when I don't get any sleep from them calling. I have gone to bed early only to be awoken at 8:30pm by their glib and extremely rude employees. They may look at it as a job, but this is my life. I can't get a note from the doc until I see him and I can't just do that in a day's time. I can't move around as fast as they think I should and I have had numerous anxiety attacks from their phone calls telling me that they're going to do this or do that. I can't believe they're not required to go through any sensitivity training in this day and age. What's going on in this world?

After seeing advertisment for 0 down to join the club I decided to set up a appt. I spoke to Brian who agreed to meet with me even though I didn't have a credit card or checking account. When I met with him he went over the regular prices and then broke down what the specials where now. I was advised that they were waving the normal $150 down and only asking for first and last months which would boil down to $75 down. When I told him I didn't have $75 and came on the premise that I could use the 0 down I was told that it was just way to get people into the office to sign them up. I find it dispicable that a company like Bally's needs to use scams like that to take advantage of people.

My son and his cousin (ages 17 and 18, respectively) entered into a contract last summmer with Bally Total Fitness. They were mislead into the contract with the verbal promise that they could simply cancel the contract at the end of the summer by paying a $50 penalty, which they did.

Bally began demanding further payment even after we received a written cancellation letter from them.

It is my contention that my son, who was a minor at the time of the contract, is not legally bound by it. I also believe that my nephew is also excused from this contract now by virtue of the fact that he has moved away to attend the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS (closest club is 30+ miles).

Bally is demanding remittance of $326 under the threat of a collection agency and the resultant negative effects on the applicable person's credit history...

I went to Bally Total Fitness a month ago to sign for a membership. I was asked if I wanted to include someone in the membership and I said NO. The club manager asked if I had a boyfriend or husband and I said yes. Then he said "why don't you ask him if he wants to be in your membership". I told him that he works all the time, and then the manager said, "just ask him, without any obligation and let me know".

The next day I told the manager that my husband was not interested and he said that was fine, that it was only me who was going to be in the contract. I signed for a $36 monthly membership.

I got the first charge for my membership last week and they are charging me $60. When I called customer service they said that I signed for me and my husband and that they could not do anything about it!!

I called the club manager and he said that it was not his fault, that he took my husband out of the contract.

I made a lot of phone calls to this company and nobody is doing anything at all to help me.

I initially signed on for a 3-year contract with Bally's gym at $34/month that granted me use of any northern california Bally's Fitness Center... or so I was told. I specifically asked the sales rep and clarified that my particular membership would NOT be limtied to only ONE gym site. I was told by Crystal that there would be an upgrade fee only if I were to choose the option of using the nationwide Bally's locations.

After several months of using the gym and after having to ask several times to have a membership card made, I finally received one. The card, membership, AND contract they had me sign was for a ONE CLUB MEMBERSHIP. After attempts at using the Los Gatos, CA locations, I was told access to this club would no longer be allowed.

The salesperson who sold me the contract outright lied to me. When I attempted to correct this problem, I was told that it was taken care of, however it has been several months and I am still being denied access to other Bally's clubs.

I signed up in 2004. Upon signing the salesman told me all additional membership fee's would be waived monthly. ($12/mo). When I was billed, they were included. I complained and he promised to correct the situation but never did. Eventually he stopped taking my calls. I stopped going to Bally's and stopped making payments on my contract. I was then reported to the credit bureau and have been harrassed by collection agency after collection agency but no one was willing to handle, or even discuss, the original complaint. Today I recieved a call from Todd Johnson at PRS informing me that unless my account was paid in full I would be sued and my wages would be garnished. No one still was interested in resolving the original complaint.

My credit report has been damaged and I had to take a loan to pay the debt to avoid legal action.

In June I went to Bally and spoke with Thomas about a $10.00, 10-day trial membership. I signed a contract and Thomas verbally explained that I could get a low rate if I came back to the gym within 10 days to sign a new contract. I was led to believe that the contract that I had just signed was a temporary 10-day contract. I gave my debit card number for the $10.

Unfortunately, I did not read the contract entirely because Thomas said that he had explained it all to me. What he failed to tell me was that I only had 5 days to cancel the membership. So, in effect, I actually signed a 36-month contract at the rate of $45.86 per month. This was extremely misleading.

After the 10 days, I thought that the trial membership was over and I actually threw my copy of the contract away. Since then, I noticed that my bank account was debited for $45.86 on 7/28/06. I called the gym and spoke with Thomas. He said that he gets calls like this all of the time because, and I quote, "you people don't read the back of your contract."

I take the blame for not reading the contract entirely. However, I was greatly misled and misinformed and I consider this a blatent lie and false advertisement.

I decided I wanted to try a gym and went to Bally's because that's where my friend at the time went. I went in and talked to a guy named Nick (I believe) I asked him about a deal they had going on for $25 a month cancel at anytime. However I was told the offer was $32 a month and after 3 years the price would be $7 a month for life, but I could cancel at any time. I DID NOT Sign a contract, the only thing that I signed was a paper with my bank account information on it saying they would deduct it from my account every month.

When I went to cancel my membership, they said I could only cancel it if I moved 50 miles from the nearest Bally's anywhere, a doctor's note, or if I died. I asked them to send me a copy of a contract that I supposedly signed. The Bally's in West Seneca said they no longer had my contract but told me to contact the main headquarters. The main office took my name and address and said I should receive it in 3-5 days! Nothing ever came. This was in 2000. They have yet to show me proof of a contract.

They are haunting my credit report, and I am constantly getting bills in the mail. When I did credit counseling and told them that I had a bill with Bally's they told me to keep fighting it because I didn't owe them anything if I didn't have a contract. I've come across a few people in the years that have had the same problem and they signed up within 1999 like I did. I want to know what I can do to get these guys off of my credit report without having to pay for something I didn't agree to!

I signed up with Bally's at the end of the year and told them I just wanted the 30 day membership. They said I could cancel at that time.

I called 2 weeks before the end of the 30 day limit and told them my intention to cancel. They gave me the instructions - to send in my cut up membership certified mail to the California office. I called the second week in Feb and they told me that I would get my initial deposit and my refund by check.

Keep in mind that everytime that I call they pull up my membership on the computer. I called yesterday, both the head office and the South Philadelphia office said that I would be unable to cancel because I went to the gym 10 times not 12. In the beginning when they suckered me into joining, never did they tell me that I had to go 12 times.

On Sept. 11, 2005 I went to Bally's to seek a membership. I spoke with David who explained the programs. I chose 36 mos. @ $33.00 per mo. with a $75.00 membership fee.

After selecting this membership he asked if I might have friends or relatives that might be interested in a membership. I gave him 4 names.

After signing the contract David pointed out that there would be an automic deduction of $33 per mo. directly from my checking account. Before leaving I asked him again "how much will they be deducting from my checking account?" and he said $33 per mo. I started my membership and really didn't notice the amount they deducted from my checking account.

One day the ATM ate my card and I had to order a new one not knowing that this would effect the deductions of my membership. Bally's started leaving recorded messages - I thought it was probably just promotional. Then in Dec.2005 I received a call from Bally's saying that I owed $300.00+. When I asked the representive why, she said that I was paying for myself and 4 other people! They had not received a payment, due to the ATM incident.

I work a part time job ($7.25 hr.) and also go to college. Why would I pay for 4 of my friends who, by the way, were never notified they had a membership or stepped into Bally's.

I signed a contract with Bally's in May of 2003. On July 29th, 2005, I called my father and asked him to look at my contract to see when it expires. When he looked my "copy" he saw that many essential spaces were left blank. He sent this information to Bally's "team correspondence" to find out why my contract copy (actually it's in original ink - not a photocopy) had so many blank spaces and he was told that they would send a copy of the original to him.

He received the copy of the original and it's very different from the "copy" I have. For example, on my copy the date is 5/8, but the year is left out. My copy is not initialed in several places (where I was to agree to the terms of the contract) however the Ballys copy has all these "blanks" filled in. The interesting thing is the Ballys copy is initialed as "PW" not "RW". It's obvious that someone else initialed the blank spaces on the Ballys copy, as those places are blank on mine and my initials are RW.

Now, it's August 18, 2005, and we have not heard a word from Bally's even though we have called them four times.

In May of 2004, I bought a membership to Bally's Gym. At the time I thought it was a good idea because I had just had surgery on both of my knees, however I did this without consulting my doctor. After conferring with my doctor, he thought it was a bad idea because of my health problems.

I have never been in a Bally's facility since I got the membership. I inquired if my membership could be changed over to my wife, so at least she could use, but I was told this could not be done. I was told I would have to pay the contract out whether I used it or not and I could not transfer the membership. To me this is a gross injustice.

In January 2005, with guest pass in hand, I went to the Bally Total Fitness with a friend. The customer service agent led us to his office. When I said I wanted to join the club on a month-by-month basis, with no contract, he said there is such a plan and it costs $35 a month. He said I could cancel it at any time. He took my personal information, my ID, credit card, and said he would charge me the first months fee of $35. He then asked me to sign on the receipt for the $35 charge.

The second month, I received a bill of $2,530. I was very confused and phoned customer service. They told me that I had signed a three-year contract with the club. I asked them for a copy of the contract. They mailed me a three-page contract with my personal information and signature on it.

I didnt see any contract when I was there, and neither did my friend. They copied my signature from the receipt I signed. Two months later, a collection agency began to phone me about the bill.

I signed a 3-year contract, with promise that after the contract was complete, the fees would drop from $27/month to a "sweet deal" of $6/month for at least one year. However, the $27 payments continued. When I realized how much was coming out of my checking account it had already been three months.

I called Ballys and was informed that the price would actually only drop $3 per month (to $24 per month) regardless of what the local office had "promised" at contract signing.

It gets worse - during part of my contract my credit card expired and even though I was issued a new credit card Bally's could not use the it for auto-payments because of the change in the expiration date. However, they did not contact me for five months resulting in a huge ding on my credit report.

Damages: Biggest hit is to my credit report. I'm not as concerned about not getting the "sweet deal" after contract fulfillment that they promised me as I am with removing this awful information from my credit report.

My boyfriend and I signed up for a membership at the same time in March of 2005. We both signed a 3-year contract, both for about $32.00 a month with a $12.00 monthly due waived (making the payment $20.00 per month). We both signed up for automatic payments.

When I received my statement I was being charged $44.00 and the monthly dues had not been waived. However, my boyfriend was being charged $61.00! Thankfully, he kept his original contract.

He went to the club to ask about it and they said his contract had been cancelled and a new one had been signed. He obviously did NOT sign a contract to pay more money. He requested a copy of this so-called contract, which we received July 22, 2005. His signature was obviously forged. When he called about this, he was asked to fax over a copy of his signature and they would investigate. Im pretty sure how that is going to turn out. We are seeking an attorney.

I won a 1-year membership in October of 2004, through a promotion Bally's was offering. I've been going to the gym since October with no problems at all. In March of 2005, the gym got a new manager named James. Now all of a sudden on July 15, 2005, James called me to say he would not honor my membership because he didn't believe that I had won a 1-year membership.

Although there are employees there that know me and know that I won the membership the manager says that doesn't matter because it all comes down to him. He basically called me a liar and a thief and said he would not allow me to work out in "his gym" ever again.

I told him that I had placed a formal complaint with Bally's membership services and his reply, dripping in sarcasm, was "Oh no, I hope I don't lose my job."

This is what happened to me. I became a member of Ballys on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 7:30 pm at the Hialeah location. After careful consideration, I decided that it would be too great an expense to be a member of the facility and decided to cancel the contract I signed. As stated in the contract there is a three (3) day grace period wherein cancellation is allowed without any penalties.

I went in person to the Hialeah club on May 16, 2005 and met with the employee that sold me the membership on May 13, 2005. After listening to him try to negotiate another contract with me, I explained I did not wish to be a member no matter what kind of deal he gave me. He called in the manager of the facility, Romel.

Romel said, Dont you care about your health or the way you look? I responded that I was healthy and could not afford the membership at the present time and needed them to cancel it. He told me he would cancel it. I requested they give me written proof but they said they couldnt, instead they signed their name in a highlighter marker. I also gave them a copy of my letter dated May 16, 2005, asking for cancellation. They instructed me to send a copy to the headquarters office.

On June 14, 2005 I saw a debit in my bank account in the amount of $44.22. I immediately called the bank and they informed me the amount was on hold for an automated payment to Ballys. I called Ballys and was informed that all billing was handled by their headquarters and was told to call them.

Headquarters said that I did not give notice within three days and so the contract was not cancelled. I explained that I went to the facility, in person, within the 3-day period, and was assured the contract was going to be cancelled. They told me to call the Hialeah club.

I called the Hialeah club again and asked to speak with the manager. I was transferred to Luis who asked me to come into the club and speak with him in person saying he would be there until 10:00 p.m. I went to the facility at 6:30 p.m. and was told Luis was not available but Rosa could help me.

I had to explain the entire thing again to Rosa. She told me she could help me, she filled out some paperwork and came back with someone by the name of Lissette, she was the Assistant Manager. Lissette told me the contract would be cancelled and my money would be returned in approximately three weeks. She took my original contract, made a copy of it, and gave me the copy explaining she needed the original so she could send it to headquarters. I was told again I could not be given any written confirmation that the contract would be cancelled and I was told I would have to take her word for it.

Lissette also told me that Romel did not work there anymore and they have been correcting his mistakes since he left.

Damages: I am out $44.22 as well as overdraft fees charged to my bank account in the amount of $60.00.

I was in the mall in Houston when a gentleman stopped me wanting to sign me up for a 30-day trial, for only $5.00, at Bally Total Fitness. He continued to harass me, asking me to sign up, asking for my phone number, etc. Finally I just told him I would sign up for a 30-day trial.

He got my credit card information for the $5 transaction. He wrote down all my personal information. I signed a piece for paper acknowledging the $5 transaction, not knowing a month later they would make me accountable for a 3-year contract at $40 per month.

On 1/25/04, I purchased 20 personal trainer sessions at Bally that I paid for on my credit card. The contract had my name, address, phone number, and membership number on it. A separate paper had my credit card number on it. This information was used to set up four new memberships and charged to my credit card.

I spoke to the club manager who made a copy of my driver's license and signature and faxed it to the main office. I have been credited the amount back but the manager and several other employees are now gone from the gym and they have had access to my personal information, including a copy of my driver license.

While I was complaining to the manager about this, a customer overheard me and I think the same thing happen to his wife except the money was taken out of her bank account. I know of one other person this has happened to so I know we are not the only ones.

Damages: I cant tell you how I feel when I go to sleep at night. These people set up new accounts in my name and have all my personal information. I have reported this to the police, the BBB, the Attorney's General in CA and TX. I am filling out as many reports as I can.

I signed up at Bally's fitness center in Texas. I asked the customer service rep if it would be a problem to cancel and he told me not as long as I did it within 30 days. I had a financial situation arise that would keep me from continuing my membership.

I wrote Ballys a letter stating my financial situation and they wrote me a letter back stating that wasn't grounds to cancel my membership. I spoke with my bank and told them that I wasn't able to afford the membership and they canceled my account and gave me a new one to keep me from having a negative balance.

They finally cancelled my membership after I sent them a letter from my doctor stating I had back pain from a car accident. However, they said I had to pay for the months prior to cancellation that was, by then, five months.

I think this is absurd that I have to pay them $296.00 when I never stepped one foot into their gym to exercise.

I went to Bally's to see about the 2-people-for-1 deal. When I read the contract I told the Ballys rep (Jim, I think) that I could not afford it. I gave him my financial info but explained that I was still in school and only working as a waitress part time. He said we could solve that problem easily.

He assured me that I could sign the "two for" contract to get the better price and also assured me that we could "draw up another contract" once my membership went into effect. I question him several times, but he was so nice and assured me Bally's members can changed their memberships at anytime.

Unfortunately, I think he lied about all of it just to get his commission. He even said that I didn't need a copy of the contract since we were going to draw up a new one in two weeks, so I could just wait and have a copy of that second contract.

I could not get out of this mess for years. They called at crazy hours, screamed and hung up on me. I finally contacted an attorney who sent a letter about the times of their calls and the fact that I was never given a copy of my contract. They never called me again.

I talked to the collection agency and they told me to call Balleys. After 25 minutes on hold, I was told there is nothing they can do for me because it is such an old account. This has messed up my credit report.

I walked into a Ballys Fitness center looking to pay a monthly fee with no long-term contract. I was charmed by a sweet girl who told me I could pay as I go and there would be no long term contract. The reason I wanted to pay monthly because i was currently UNEMPLOYED and had a little cash reserve so I figured I would only go until I couldn't afford it no more or when I got another job.

Time went by and i eventually got a letter in the mail stating that i had signed a 3-year agreement with Ballys and that I would have to pay around $1400. I called and told them I would never pay for something I did not want and they told me it was a binding agreement and that I could not get out of it.

I have been told I will be taken to court and that I will have to pay the amount. I have been harassed by Bally for nearly 5 years. I continue to ask for proof that I signed a contract that said I joined for 3 years. They will not send me proof.

Bally is not required to send Chris proof at this late date. He undoubtedly received a copy of the contract he signed and should have kept that copy for his files. This is why it's important to read everything before signing it. Our opinion: Chris is probably stuck.

Last year I got a membership to a Bally and signed an 18-month contract. I used my membership for approximately five months and due to a divorce in the family I moved. I contacted the cancellation dept. and faxed them over the info that they said they needed, and I never got a reply. I then assumed everything was taken care of.

Now I have found out that it was not when I got my credit check for a new vehicle and I was never cancelled. My credit is very important to me, this is the only problem that has ever affected it. Although I am extremely angry, I do not intend to take it out on the company, I just want my credit report cleared so it does not affect me in the future.

Much as we hate to say it, Derek and several of our other complainants may be stuck. Faxing and calling are not adequate notice of cancellation. Most contracts specify very clearly that cancellations must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The best solution may be to swallow hard, call the collection agency and try to negotiate a settlement.

In June of 1994 I went to Bally to use a two-week free trial membership that they had offered me. After I looked around the facility and tried it out they sat me down and had me sign a contract that they said was policy procedures. This seemed strange to me since I was only there on a trial basis, but the gentleman told me that these were forms that I had to sign to keep my trial membership.

A few days later I got a letter in the mail thanking me for signing up for a three-year membership and that my payment would be over $1000 for membership fees. I contacted Bally to let them know it was a mistake, that I had signed a contract for a two-week free trial membership. They told me according to their records that I had signed a 3 year membership.

I was young and trusting to a professional whom i thought was honest and sincere and I got burned. I learned a valuable lesson from this mistake, and that is always read what you're signing and don't take someone's word.

In April of 1998 my friend and I signed up for Bally. We were told that we had 3-5 days to cancel. I called to cancel the next day for both of us. Since I initially paid for both of us my friend's contract was in my name. I did not know that this was the case.

Bally now claims that I cancelled for myself but not for my friend. This is false, I cancelled for both of us. They have already deducted over $400.00 from my checking, and are demanding $1,434.00 at 22% interest. Neither of us has ever used the gym since we both assumed we had cancelled.

Calling to cancel is not enough. The contract Yazmin signed was written and her cancellation should have been written too -- certified mail, return receipt requested.

times about this.

They asked me to send a them a letter about my situation. I had they head of Onocolgy from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital write them a letter about my condition. I received a letter back stating, sorry but too bad.

I have since stopped my credit card from paying them. They deducted 5 months in payments. My son only went once, the first month. In their contract it states if valid medical reasons are presented they would cancel my account. i guess cancer and not working don't qualify.

and sat on hold two hours waitng for a supervisor. Lo and behold, they said in not so many words, too bad, die.

I signed up with Bally in Chicago with my mother in 1996 in a buy-one, get-one-free. Soon after, she moved to Jackson, Tennessee. I spoke with reps who said that since we signed up together we would both have to cancel.

I last remember the following: 1) faxing to Bally a copy of my mother's lease. 2) Cutting up my card as instructed and mailing it to Bally. 3) Paying a fee of about $87 -electronic check method - directly over the phone 4) Being told that my account was now closed YET, I still kept getting bills and later was told that I never closed the account, NEVER faxed the lease and NEVER sent the cut up cards. This was in 1998.

Last month, I called to try once again, after sheer frustration in the past to re-open this mess. I was told well, we have your cut-up card but we don't know why you sent it to us.

When I signed up for the Bally at North Shore Shopping Center in Beverly over 5 years ago I was told I am locked in for 3 years at the price I was paying monthly. After the 3rd year I could stay there and pay $10 a month.

The three years expired and they raised my dues before I paid $10 once. Then they raied it 3 to 5 more times since then. When I called and complained they mumble a bunch of BS. Now people can join this gym today for the same amount or less than I pay. I have been here for over 5 years and I pay as much as newcomers.

This is bulls. They need to be investigated. The lockerrooms are gross, the showers are worse. There are no papertowels, the hot tub is closed almost every other week, and the machines break and they leave them for weeks before fixing. They advertise how great they are when in reality they are mediocre at best. I would never refer this place to anyone.

On Oct 26,1999 I signed up for their membership and was very confused as to how much of a hazzle the drive would be from where I live which is over 25 miles to their location, so I decided to call the sales manager and try to cancel within hours of me signing the contract, she went on to say I needed to come in and talk to her or send everything thru the mail. I told her I needed to go away for two weeks out of the state and agreed to send everything thru the mail. I also decided to place a stop payment on the check that was for the deposit.

A month later I received a letter stating the amount that I owed and the status of collection. According to the back of the contract the paperwork needed to be sent to the Corporate offices within 3 days of signing. There is one part on their contract that states "Default-You will be in Default if you breach any of this Contract's terms and conditions, if the balance of your downpayment is not paid within 7 days from the date of this contract or if you fail to pay any installment within 30 days after the date when such installment us due. If you are in Default, your membership privileges may be denied and any partial downpayment forfeited."

So tell me first of all I don't have any deposit because I stopped the check from any payments and have not paid over 30 days. What I don't understand is why am I still a member to them and getting charged for two months worth including deposit if I'm in default.

Unfortunately, Zuleika signed the contract and is bound by its terms.