Pure Fitness False membership Glendale Arizona

Dec. 4th. 2008 I had stopped by Pure Fitness 91st. Ave. & Northern to check out their facility. At that time I was looking for something closer to home. The facility was not ready to open and was under construction. I met with a fellow named Shane. He took me through the building and explained the programs. At that time I told him all I was interested in was the use of equipement as I had already been through the programs at Golds Gym. At that time I explained that it was to close to the holidays and that my credit card was over its limit. We filled out a membership form and I told him at the time I was not ready to join and would come back after I paid down on my card. He asked for twenty dollars to hold the membership discount. I charged it, not even knowing if that would be accepted. It went through. I left there with the understanding that I would return later after the first of the year to join. For a couple of months I had put this project on the back burner. Money was still a problem, I had just retired and was having a hard time making ends meet. Feb. 2009 I placed a hold on my card to curb my spending habbits. Shortly there after I receive a notice from a collection company, ABC Financial Services. At first I thought it was just a mistake and threw it away. The following month the same, I called them and told them that there was some kind of mistake and that I wasn't a member of Pure Fitness. The following month again, and again I called and explained the above Dec. 4th. outcome. May I started getting calls from ABC, everyday, none stop. This time I went to Pure Fitness and told them to get it cleared up. At this time there had never been any mention that I was a member. I never received a notice in the mail or a card of membership. I had previously understood this would be taken care of later at my choosing. I had never stepped into Pure Fitness since 12/4, or used any of their equipement. This should have sent up a red flag for these people and contact me, nothing. Last week the straw broke the camels back, one to many calls from ABC. I went back through my credit card records and was amazed to find that 4 weeks after 12/4 they charged my card. The 20.00 on 12/4 to retain the discount cost, another 174.30 on 12/31, 2/06 another 25.28 and again 2/16 10.28. I went back to Pure Fitness and told them I never gave them the OK to go ahead and that at the time (12/4) I told Shane I would come back later. They told me there was no notations on the membership form and that I had signed it, and they were in there right to do so. 4 weeks later? I told them we could resolve this by refunding those charges. They told me no way. I believe their rep went ahead with this membership to claim a commission at my cost. To this date, June 30th. I have never used any part of this facility from 12/4. I had never been told that I was a member or received anything in the mail to such. Had I been notified early on I probably would be using this this Fitness center and we wouldn't at this point. In face of this I wouldn't use this facility even if
they gave me a free lifetime membership, this is appalling.

William

Glendale, Arizona
U.S.A.