Retro Fitness

My 15 year old son went in to get information about the gym. They let him fill out a gym membership and started to take money from his account. Now this is on his credit report. I would like his money to be returned to him and that you remove this off his credit report.

People like the owner/manager Michael Padula are tools. Let me define tool. A tool is an apparatus or a (person) to get something done. To some, the word tool may have a much stronger derogatory meaning, but to me, it's an oversimplified sort of person. My contract with Retro Fitness was terminated because Padula got complaints from his staff and clients. I was not notified that I had such a caustic effect on some of the folks in the space. Padula is a tool, and tools like Padula think very 2 dimensionally. There is no reason why a gym should be run by a tool. I am the gregarious/friendly sort. One very unique trait is I am bluntly honest. Most people cannot handle my level of complete transparency. Padula, members of his staff, and some clients are just too narrow-minded and ignorant to enjoy their surroundings, and the people around them. Live, love, enjoy!

I called the billing company to cancel contract at contract's end in 1 week. I was told I had to go to the health club to fill out "paperwork" to cancel. The health club manager insisted I needed to send a certified letter requesting termination. The contract specifically states written notice need to be provided 60 days prior to "auto renewal" I was told. This is in direct violation of New Jersey code 56:8-42 in regulating health club contracts that states "A health club services contract shall not obligate the buyer to renew the contract."

By violating the laws governing the contract, the said contract becomes null and void according to NJSA 56:8-45 a. states "Any health club service contract entered into in reliance to fraudulent or substantially and willfully false or misleading information, representation, notice or advertisement of the health club is voidable at the option of the buyer of the contract. Any health club services contract which does not comply with the applicable provisions of this act is voidable at the option of the buyer of the contract. b. Any waiver by the buyer of the provisions of this act is void.L.1987, c. 238, s. 7."

I am seeking full refund of the membership dues paid. I paid last year (without signing a new contract) and never used the facility. The contract is one year due to expire on Feb 8th 2010. The only contract I remember having signed was in 2007. I was billed $21.39 for last 12 months. When I told billing company that I wanted to terminate my credit card authorization at end of contract, I was told they had to remove it by law, but that I would be submitted to collections and have marks against my credit rating.

I was offered and signed on for a comprehensive personal training program that included my past, present and future fitness goals, strength and endurance training and a diet program for weight loss. Upon my second visit I was informed that I would not be given a diet plan as they were not dietitians. I had informed the trainer that I had a low back and shoulder injury however he continously instructed me to perform exercises and/or lift weights to heavy for my fitness level. I recieved no endurance program, and when asked was told that I looked like I knew what I was doing.

I spoke with the manager of the gym and requested a refund of my money for the aforementioned reasons, he provided me with the number for corporate headquarters. When I called corporate I was told that they were not going to do anything for me and if I didn't like the training it was my problem. When I asked the first gentleman his name he refused to give it to me stating I don't have to tell you who I am. Then next gentlman called himself the director of customer affairs, he was equally as rude and no more helpful, also stating if you don't want the sessions don't use them.

I have lost $336.00, and do not feel that the trainers in this gym are adequatly trained.

On November 28, 2007, my 17 year old daughter entered a one year agreement with this gym. She had her monthly amount of 21.39 deducted from her checking account. On September 4, 2008, we sent a letter requesting that her membership be discontinued due to her attendance at college. We sent the letter certified mail, return receipt requested, as required on the contract. However, the letter came back to us stating there is no such address. We double-checked the address on the contract and it was clearly sent to the right address.

My daughter came home from college to hand-deliver the letter to this facility on November 9, 2009. She produced the original letter showing the September 4th date. The clerk at the counter took the letter and stated that the company should honor her 60 day written notice. She also requested that we be contacted if there was any problem, which never happened. The clerk took and kept the original letter with the certified mail label. We assumed payments would cease after the November payment was paid, however, her bank account was again charged on December 2, 2009 which caused an overdraft to her account. (She is now a college student with no income.)

On December 3, 2009, I contacted the gym by phone and was instructed to come into the facility in person to handle this. I left my job in Philadelphia early to do this. During my visit, I explained the situation. The manager then produced my daughter's contract with the hand-written note she came in with, but without the original letter which she also produced to show that we had requested the membership be discontinued within the 60 day requirement.

The manager stated that her 60 day notice began from the time she came in on November 9, 2009, not from the date of our letter which was September 4, 2009. He said it was our problem the letter came back and that we should have called once it came back. I explained that my daughter was away at college and that was the reason for the delay. I showed him the address on the letter and asked him if it was the same as the one on the contract. He said it was, but that I'd have to take the issue up with the post office. I am very disappointed that this company did not handle themselves in a professional manner. They should not have told my teenage daughter that our letter would be honored, when in fact, it wasn't. Now her account is in arrears $53 due to this charge.