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New York Sports Club

Eric of New York NY (04/12/09)
Effective 5-1-09, NYSC is now charging 7.50 for any visit during peak hours to your non-home gym. No holidays, no flexibility, just 7.50 if you clock into the gym during lunch, if your not at you main gym.

We paid the extra up upgrade our membership to NYC rates, but I can't go to both my home gym or my gym near work without being extorted.

Elizabeth of Beijing China, OTHER January 19, 2009

Elizabeth of Beijing China OTHER (01/19/09)
In February of 2007 I signed-up for a year membership with NYSC. I provided my credit card information as they would take a direct debit from account (approximately 90 USD per month for the membership fee). In March of 2007 my company with whom I was working relocated me to Beijing. I met and spoke with a membership manager there who said I could freeze my membership while gone depending on how long I'd be in Beijing. During the freeze period the membership fee is reduced to 15 USD. In April of 2007 it was determined I would be permanently relocated to Beijing. I again contacted NYSC (248 West 80th Street) saying I must cancel my membership as I was no longer utilizing club services and had been relocated permanently.

They agreed that due to the fact that I was at that time abroad they would cancel my membership. In short the membership was never canceled, I have never set foot in that fitness club since March of 2007 and have asked them repeatedly to cancel my membership. I was charged for every month (after they took off the freeze)--90 USD per month for 1.5 years. I was not full aware they had been charging my account every month as the debit card was for a checking account I utilize back in the states and only check periodically with statements online. This fall (2008) I called the health club four or five times when home in the states after returning from the states in order to cancel my membership and attempt to receive some renumeration for the fees incurred due to NYSC never taking action to CANCEL THE MEMBERSHIP.

The last time I spoke with the manager there (John)--it was promised they would submit the complaint to corporate but reassured me the membership would again be cancelled. I just checked my bank account statement as it was unusually going down too rapidly again--and lo and behold...once again, a 90 USD debit to New York Sports Club. At this point, I am being robbed. I am outraged and have never received this level of disgustingly poor customer service. Not to mention the fact that given our economic climate--I, like many others out there, sincerely cannot afford to lose 90 USD per month to some imbeciles who cannot handle a simple cancellation procedure. I attempted to locate a corporate head to whom I could go to directly but thought I would first start here. Please help.

approximately 1500 USD (or more) has been lost to NYSC due to their ineptitude and inability to cancel my membership when first requested and when it was first promised more than 1.5 years ago.

Grey of Brooklyn, NY January 9, 2009

Grey of Brooklyn NY (01/09/09)
I called the Park Slope branch of New York Sports Club and was treated to outrageously rude behaviour by the person answering. She was unhelpful from the beginning, talked over me, cut off my questions and shouted me down when I tried to speak. Predictably, she hung up when I asked to speak to a supervisor. When I called back I was given the same treatment, and hung up on again when I insisted on speaking to a manager.

Apart my frustration, the main consequence is that I am cancelling my NYSC account immediately. I did not pay membership dues for 5 years to be treated like this.

Matthew of Brooklyn, NY November 6, 2008

Matthew of Brooklyn NY (11/06/08)
I left NY in October 2007, put a freeze on my account. Was supposed to be charged 15.00 per month, rather than the full price. Discovered in May that the freeze was not in effect, and that I had been paying 90 full amount. I called and was reassured the money would be credited to my card, and the freeze put in effect. Later discovered that the freeze was NOT put in effect AGAIN, and have since run up another 400 in full membership payments. I have not even been in NYC in over a year and have effectively paid the full amount for this entire time, despite being assured TWICE that the account was frozen.

NYSC claims there's nothing they can do about it, that I don't have 'proof' that the account was to be frozen, and without a 'name' of the person I spoke to the money is simply theirs. I cancelled my membership. They said they will send an e-mail confirming the cancellation. So far I have not received it.

Almost 800 in unnecessary payments to NYSC. I am starting a business, am in debt and cannot afford this rip off.

David of New York, NY October 9, 2008

David of New York NY (10/09/08)
I had gone into new york sports club about 8 months ago to sign up for a monthly membership. They had told me that I could not sign up for just a month, but I could sign up for a year, and cancel whenever I wanted, so that is what I did. Just a few days later I found out from friends and colleagues that they do offer a monthly plan, and I was decieved into signing a contract locking me in for a year. I went back to the nysc and tried to cancel but there were heavy fees now to cancel.

I only went to the gym in the duration of that original month, and have not gone back since. They have been charging me every month which I have paid in full. About two months ago I was forced to close my bank account after I lost my job. I have no money, and they are still trying to charge me and put me on collections. I was tricked into signing their contract, and have already paid them for about 6 months of non use. I just want them to do the right thing and let me out of this contract without any further charges.

about 600 and counting.

Liz of Brooklyn, NY September 7, 2008

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