Bally Total Fitness lying ripoff and unfair business practices Chicago Illinois

Hi Holly, I must ask you, did you sign up for your 30 day free trial at the Expo at Navy Pier on Jan 22/23, 2005? I am curious.

I signed up there. I had considered signing up so I can work out with a friend who is already a member. But once I took the contract home and looked at it closer, my eyeballs were as wide as saucers. It took me a while to cool off and put my head together on this one.

Thinking back to my encounter, I don't even recall the salesperson even telling me about the 12 visit requirement. I read about it after I got the contract. Then I also remembered that when the salesperson was filling the paperwork out, I asked twice what it was for and he would not answer me until it was completed.

I discovered later through my own research that these people not only locked me into a 36 month, high interest loan, they stuck me with one of the most expense plans they have without ever telling me about their other less expensive plans.

Lastly, I was also told (by the salesperson) that cancellation would not be a problem and if I needed to I could contact him. He gave me his direct phone number to do so, even though the contract specifically states that club personnel cannot cancel contracts. Go figure, either they are scamming people by not following their own contract, or don't know how to do their jobs. Given the complaints I have seen about Bally, I am willing to bet it's likely the former.

When I could finally get it together, by the next morning after signing the contract I read it much closer. Then I saw it--BINGO. I had three days (Bally days) to cancel for any reason. This right is also state law for this kind of contract. I ran, not walked, out the door, photocopied my documents, and mailed a cancellation letter with the documents they requested to their California office as instructed on the contract. I did this, my contract was cancelled, and I received back my money ($5) that I paid when I signed up. Now, as for a collection letter...I am curious if I will still get one. I have heard of people who legitimately cancelled only to get collection letters YEARS later. This seems like a perpetual nightmare for many.

I am very grateful for my apparent success at this point. I wish you a lot of luck. In your case, you can try to dispute it with your credit card company, but it sounds like you may not get far with them with not proving you actually went to the club. Perhaps the best route for you may be to contact the Attorney General's office.

During the course of my complaint, I also contacted my credit card company about the possibility of future charges that would be applied inappropriately by Bally if they didn't cancel like they said they would. The C-card company told me that they could reissue me a new card (if it's lost or stolen) with a new account number to prevent further charges. I was told however, that by doing this, it will not be possible to have the charges already applied credited back to the card (because the merchant is declined outright). If you need to declare your card lost or stolen, you may be out some money, but at least you can stop the charging.

I wish you all the best, but sadly, it sounds like your in for a long haul with this one.