Crunch Fitness Annual Fees charged after 3 Months with No Notice Oakland Park Florida

Crunch Fitness has been rapidly expanding in South Florida and aggressively advertising their $9.99 monthly membership.  I went into the gym and was talked into the $19.99/ month membership as it would allow me to use other Crunch gyms.  At the time, it was explained to me that the total cost would be the enrollment fee plus the first month's membership.  They had me sign all the documentation via electronic pinpad.  For two months, I noticed that they debited the normal $21.00 for the monthly fee.  I never had a chance to use the facility because of family matters but knew it was my responsibility to cancel as this was a month to month membership.  Then, in November, I was slapped for $42.00 and then another $21.00.  I called to find out why I was essentially charged three times and was informed of an annual fee charge.  I said that this was never explained to me and then asked why an annual fee after three months?  I was told that they do this to offset the cost at enrollment.  In other words, our sign-up advertising is not exactly the truth.  Gary, the franchise manager told me that he did explain that when he signed me up and it was all in the paperwork I signed electronically.  I told him that I did not receive that paperwork and he said he sent it again to my email.  I still do not understand or have been communicated as to how a month to month membership enables an annual fee.

The  Problem:  Gary never entered the email address correctly at the time of signing me up or took the time to ensure it was correct.  Therefore, I never received anything.  Instead of offering to find a mutually agreeable situation, he was adamant about documents that I had to sign on a pinpad without being assured of ever being able to review them because of his keypad data entry errors.  Bad Customer Service.

Lesson:  Do not sign anything electronically through a pinpad without being given original paperwork.  I was not offered paperwork and was forced to trust the data entry skills of the manager.  That manager will not refund despite me now having a bad taste in my mouth and I have to go into their facility to close my account and prevent any further debating by Crunch Fitness.