Columbia City Fitness Center Took money and never provided any services Seattle Washington

Buyer beware - shady AF. 

After checking out a few gyms, looking to get back into powerlifting, I went to meet the male co-owner at his new gym on Jackson.  Great people - seemingly very welcoming.  I was told and sold what good he does for the community, how he gives back, how they are a nonprofit with over 800+ members and the fees are so low b/c they don't need the money.  I met the team, nice ladies.  

So, I signed on 11/13 (for a year), and set my 1st *training session* for 12/01.  On 12/01, I texted sadi male co-owner telling him I was on my way and excited to get started again.   20 minutes later - he texts me back.  Emergency at work - will call tomorrow to reschedule.  12/02 Friday a little after 8 am, I called to reschedule.  He was with a client.  Said he'd call back at noon.  Never called back on Friday. Never called on Saturday. 

[NOTE:  I have paid $107.96 to "join" with $58/month + tax to be debited 1x a month for a year.]

Meanwhile, on Saturday 12/03, I spoke with my family and they asked me to come home (3k miles away) to help care for my ailing mother. 

Reminder: the 1st session was blown off due to emergency - no calls returned to reschedule.  They have $107.96 of my money. I have ZERO services, and now am being called back east. 

I read the contract.  I come in and hand deliver a letter stating why I need to cancel a membership that: 
a. Has not been used. Not once.
b. My 1st training session was canceled with no callback.
c. Requested that they offer me grace - SINCE I NEVER STARTED -  and cancel the entire thing, and return my $107.96.    I cc'd my CC company. 

Nice older gentleman that signed the contract with me tells me not to worry, "these are good people and they will do the right thing."  I BELIEVED HIM!   The male co-owner even shed a few crocodile tears talking about the importance of family... (now I know - all smoke and mirrors.)

I spoke to my CC company.   CCFC did not provide me ANY service, I had a family situation that led me to have to terminate the contract.  CC company blocks the charge b/c LEGALLY one does not pay for a service that one does not receive.

The $107.96 was reversed on my card.   Because it happened so quickly, I thought that CCFC did the right thing - returning my money and canceling the contract b/c they NEVER PROVIDED ME ANY SERVICE.  

I make my move - life goes on. 

Until 02/04.  

The female co-owner sends me an invoice for $259.   Excuse me?   For what?  You provided me with NOTHING.  NOTHING.  And 2 months later?  Child Please. 

We go back and forth.  She is very wordy in her communications, attempting to sound intelligent.  (By the way, "therefore" in the context used in your communications has an "E" at the end of it.) grammarist.com/usage/the… 

Not to say that she's not smart.  Oh, she is SUPER SMART when it comes to workin' the system.  This woman has legally found a way to financially rape people by "sticking to the contract".  And her "extending me grace" is changing it to a month to month - STILL making me pay for a service that I never had the opportunity to use.  

AGAIN - FOR WHAT?  You provide me ZERO services. I was canceled on.  IT WAS a training appointment.  The male co-owner later hedged and said it was an "orientation appointment". BULL.  And you know it. 

This is a false debt.  We never started.   You are taking advantage.

The HUMAN thing to do would have been to refund me the $107.96, and call it good - knowing that an unfortunate situation has occurred and that life happens.   Doing this would have shown compassion, respect, integrity and character, and would have supported the pile of BS I was sold about you people.

No, no... make no mistake: the CCFC thing to do is NOT the human thing to do. The CCFC thing to do is to bend someone over financially, and stick to a wordy 8pt font 2-page legal contract (which covers their shady behaviour) and screw over someone who is having an already difficult time KNOWING full well that they didn't provide ANY services. 

CONgratulations CCFC.  You stuck to your books.  You hid behind a contract.  And you showed me what con-artists look like.  You'll get your money.  And I get the opportunity to pull the mask off and show any current or future members what soulless humans you are. 

While there aren't many bad reviews on here - the ones that are are consistent. Lack of communication, shady business practices, and issues with the owners. 

Signing up at either gym - don't say you haven't been warned.  This woman would sell her kids if it was in the contract.