AnyTime Fitness - ABC Financial Services If you receive a door hanger from AnyTIme Fitness for a One Month Free offer its a scam. Read the fine print very carefully. Sherwood, Arkansas

On September 8^th, 2009 I visited the Anytime Fitness located where I live inquiring about receiving the free month door hanger at my residence at. There I met with Karrie, the Club Director of the facility, and after touring the facility was handed a contract to sign. I was told that my first month was free, and that I was required to pay a $49 deposit for the Key Fob and this deposit would be returned to me when the key was returned. I was also charged a $1 processing fee. I was then given a contract to sign. I left with the impression that I had a free month trial, and could cancel during that time. I agreed that I would try the facility for a month, and if I felt comfortable I would begin the 24-month membership contract, I was given. I thought that this was not such a bad offer, as I could try it for a month and see how things went.

I visited the facility about 6 times over the course of about 2 weeks (about 2-3 days a week). Then about a week later, I made the decision that I could not continue. So on October 5^th, 2009 at 7:50 am I returned to the Anytime Fitness Location and having no one there to contact, and on my way to work, I slid the key inside an envelope and a letter detailing my wish to cancel. This was still within the timeframe of my trial membership, as I believed from the start.

When I returned from lunch around 12:00pm, the following message was on my answering machine:

Hi Patricia, this is Carrie calling from Anytime Fitness and I just wanted to let you know I found your note and any cancellations or questions on cancellations need to be directed to our billing department  that number is 888-827-9262. But, that being said, we do not have a 30-day trial period, so I am unsure why you would think we do. You do have a 3-day option to cancel but after that you can only cancel according to policies on the back of the contract which would be moving or inability to exercise with a doctors note. If you want to try to give ABC a call, that is our billing department, once again that number is 888-827-9262. End of Message [Message posted as October 5, 2009 at 9:58am]

I called Carrie back and informed her why I felt there was a month free trial and she again reiterated that they do not. She was unwilling to assist me and referred me to their third party billing center, which I called.

Then I immediately called ABC Financial Services. I spoke with Jasmine who indicated they are only the billing company and I must cancel per the terms on the contract. The issue with the free month was something I have to take up with Anytime Fitness. They only handle the billing. She also indicated I was set to automatically renew at the end of the stated contract terms they received, and per this agreement, I owe them $840 (2 year contract), which is after the $50 I initially paid. It seems they are showing this as a down payment and not a deposit for the key. However, the initial down payment was supposed to be $49 deposit for Key Fob and $1 processing. I was smart in that I made the initial payment with my credit card.

I called back again, to speak with someone else, and was connected with Mackenzie,. The same information was repeated. I was told the only way to cancel was to be moving (to be proven with a utility bill or lease agreement signed by both parties) or for medical reasons with a signed note from a doctor. I was given a fax number of 501-992-0802 to send my documentation in.

I began to write the letter to the company requesting my cancellation; despite the fact that I felt I had a one month free trial membership because the situation felt hopeless. I did not believe that I was in a contract until after my free month. Moreover, I still do not, but felt that trying it their way would get this resolved faster. After realizing I did not have a copy of the contract or the contract number, I called back to acquire this informion.

I talked to Vickie who indicated that they require 30 days notice to cancel memberships, and that I again should sent documentation for either moving (a utility bill, drivers license, or lease agreement signed by all parties), (but FYI: if you are moving you better make sure there is no AnyTime fitness facility within 30-40 miles, or they will make you switch your membership to that one, as it turns out it happened to a friend of ours) or medical disability with a doctors letter. I notified her that I have cancelled my credit card and she indicated she would change me to statement billing, otherwise it would be sent to collection. I also informed her that Carrie at Anytime Fitness has my key for the facility, and I have not attended their facility since September 19, 2009, and would not have access. She indicated that she could not cancel my membership, but had changed my billing to statement. She also said the balance on the contract is $839. I was told to fax over the documentation for my request to cancel, and I was instructed to request a confirmation email to be sent back to me indicating that the documents were received. She said once faxed I should receive an email in 3 days.

I have faxed over the documentation as of yesterday, and not heard anything. Bas ed on other comments on the Web, they probably shredded my documents (but aha, I have faxed confirmation). I will also be sending them certified mail with a delivery confirmation reciept.

I have filed a complaint with the Michigan Consumer Protection Division, and am hoping they can help. But we will see.