Bally's Total Fitness Contract Fraudulent/Dishonesty Arlington Virginia Maryland

In January 11, 2007, I signed up for a free 30 days trial (3 years contract if not being cancelled within the trial period) with a Bally's Total Fitness representative (William Conaway, General Manager 301-441-8300) at NBC4 Health Expo. At the time of signing up, I was advised by William that I would need to meet with my personal trainer at least once and have to work out at least 1 more time before I can cancel my free trial. The sign up required my information such as credit card information, my driver's license, etc. for background/credit check.

After sign up, the manager took the contract with my information and claimed that he would have to send it into the corporate office for processing. After completing all the requirements, on January 30, 2007, I've called the customer service to cancel my membership.

However, at the time of cancellation, they said that they cannot cancel it because I would need to work out at least 11 times before I can cancel (which is not correct because according to Willam at the time, he said only 1 time is needed). I then requested for a copy of the contract to prove it, the representative said I will receive my copy of the contract that I signed within 10 days (since the original contract was taken back by William for processing).

On February 9, 2007. I still have not received any contract. I called the customer representatives once again and request to have my membership to cancel, they still refused to cancel my membership since I have not met the 11 times of working out. When asking to provide me the copy of my contract, once again, they said I would have to wait another 10 days. I tod the representative that it would be past my 30 days period of free trial (thus, will automatically sign me up for 36 months of paying membership) and ask to have it fax to me, they refused to.

Please help me to resolve this problem since I feel that I have been ripped off by a company since at the time of sign up, their representative told me one thing and when trying to cancel, I get a totally different thing. When asking to provide me my copy of the contract, they seems to delay the process to buy them time to pass the 30 days of free trial and automatically sign me up for 36 months of paying membership.

Giang
Hyattsville, Maryland
U.S.A.