National Fitness Center, National Fitness Center, Inc. Gym Bought in Bankruptcy Voids Current Contracts and Changes Fees Without Allowing Opt Out Spring Hill Tennessee

Let me preface this report by saying that my wife and I have been a member of this gym since 2005. I have been two times and my wife has been about ten times. I never had time to go due to working towards my doctorate and my wife actually started work with a trainer at her home. Why have we kept the membership, you ask? Because I was paying $15 per month for gym and tanning bed access and my wife was paying $10 per month for gym access.

Here is my complaint...

I received a letter informing me they were changing my fees from $25 per month for my wife and I to $60 per month. That was crazy and couldn't justify paying that for a service we don't use. So, we decided we would just cancel. That is my second complaint. We couldn't cancel when we went to the gym. Read my letter to this insance company...

MY LETTER TO THE COMPANY=================================

I recently received a letter stating the contract I have is being voided and my new price is going to be $29.95 per person per month for my wife and I. This is not the contract we have nor is it a contract we agree to. We went to the gym to cancel membership and were told to contact you - the "home office." My wife called this morning to cancel our membership and was told you couldn't cancel it without a letter via certified mail.

We did not receive a letter by certified mail telling us you were voiding our current written contract, creating a new contract for nearly triple what we currently pay, and requiring us to honor this new contract without agreement on our part. Neither my wife nor I have signed anything agreeing to a price increase, nor will we. I do not have the original contract in front of me, but I cannot imagine I would agree to a contract with an adjustable rate.

Not only will I jump through this ridiculous hoop, but I also will share this experience in casual conversation from day-to-day. With a brand new recreation center here in Spring Hill, I will be surely looking elsewhere when I decide to return to the gym in a month or two and will recommend others do the same.

You are probably asking why I am venting in this e-mail or why I even felt I should send you an e-mail. The truth is your company has left a very bad taste in my mouth and it could have completely been avoided.

First, had you sent me a new contract and explained you were changing the prices and given me the option to re-enroll or cancel membership by not returning the contract, I would have considered sticking with your gym and would have no problem with your business.

Second, had there been someone onsite who was able to actually sell me your service explaining why I would want to now pay triple what I was paying last month I would have considered it. Also, if there had been someone onsite who could either cancel my account or have offered to send in the request to cancel, I would not be as upset as I am at the moment.

Finally, while completing my PhD, I have not had a chance to visit the gym since it was owned by Worlds Gym. I had thought I would retain my membership and return to the gym when I had completed my dissertation. I have willingly been paying my monthly dues for several years now with only the benefit that I could go to the gym. When they completed the local Recreation Center, I was tempted to change for access to the pool but decided I would stick with my current gym membership. I am appreciative for the shove to reconsider because I did more research and found that I can get a family membership for $225 per year which includes: fitness center, sitting service, indoor pool, outdoor pool, ACTUAL locker rooms, indoor walking track, racquetball courts, tennis courts and a game room. To contrast what you offer, I am looking at paying $719 per year for a fitness room and tanning bed (if it is still there) nothing else. Thanks, but no thanks.

Hope to see you at the next Chamber meeting.

Needless to say, I want nothing more from this idiotic business. I am going to go with the Recreation Center. To me, the funniest part is that I was paying this company $25 per month for nothing more than holding my ability to come to the gym if I wanted. I never went to the gym and I never had time to go. They are giving up $300 a year for no reason but greed.

Ben
Spring Hill, Tennessee
U.S.A.