Lady Of America (Carmen - Manager) Contract double bills you for the first month.. Miami Lakes Florida

I signed a 3 year (36 month contract) on Aug 2, 2005

I was charged $324.05 for membership beginning Aug 2, 2005

$99.00 Registration
$49.00 Processing Fee
$15.00 Card Fee ($5 x 3)
$139.85 First month's dues
$302.85 Sub-total
$21.20 Sales tax (at 7%)
$324.05 Total

Contract states that $324.05 was paid

Agreement for payments notes:

Monthly payments of $141.95 for 36 months = $5,110.20 starting date 090205

I cancelled my membership 6 weeks before the end of contract which I was told was Sept 2, 2008 and final payment was Aug 2, 2008

I notice that I was charge on Sept 2 and when I called the gym to dispute I was told that my contract ended 090508 and therefore I was charged as per agreement...I argued that 36 months from 080205 was 080208 and manager argued that initial payment was for registration and that membership fees were charged monthly as stated...

Since when do gyms collect membership dues at the end of each month? And what about the first month's dues charged on Aug 2, 2005...the manager gave me a lot of double talk and nothing was resolved.

Tried calling their head office and cannot get anyone on the phone. There contract is misleading and one does not realize that they are charging you twice for the first month...36 months is 36 months...

Maria
Miami Lakes, Florida
U.S.A.