Bally Total Fitness A.K.A. Rip Offs Balley Total Fitness Charged Me $1581.35 When I Cancelled My Contract Before I Ever Even Went ONE DAY!!!! Dearborn Michigan

I had a run in with Bally's years ago and had the same problem. Sold me inflated contract said I could cancel anytime. They had me in one room high pressure selling me and my girlfriend in another room doing the same thing to her. We signed the contract and had a falling out and I thought screw them I'm not paying until I went to buy a house and low and behold there they were on my credit report.

I negotiated them down to 700.00 from 1400.00 and they sent me a letter that I paid the account in full. I bought my house and held onto that letter. 3 years later I get a notice from another collection agency saying I owe them 700.00 plus interest on the remainder I owe on the Balley's account.

I told them I don't owe anything I have a letter stating the account is paid in full. The guy is irate saying the letter is no good, I hung up. I called back a few days later and spoke to a sympathetic secretary who informed me I was lucky I saved that letter, a lot of people didn't and were having problems with leans and being reported to the credit agencies. The guy called me back over the course of the next few month's threatening me with ruined credit etc. if I didn't pay.

I laughed at him getting into character and all worked up. I asked him if I could borrow the money off his mother to pay him with (you should have some fun if you have to endure this).

I dont know what the laws are in your state, but in Ohio you have three days after signing a contract to go back and cancel it legally. Otherwise a contract is binding and since you either didnt read the information or didnt understand it, its not the clubs fault. The contract was a promise from you to them to pay a certain amount over a certain period of time, whether you used the facilities or not. When I was 18 I stupidly signed a contract for a 3 year membership and regretted it since. It took me almost 6 years to straighten out and pay off, but it was indeed an expensive lesson learned and it did a number to my credit report.

Just realize that that's how these clubs make their money. They sweet talk you into it by acting like they care about your health, and you believe them thinking, wow, only $40/month isnt bad....until you quit paying and they send you a bill for the rest of your plan. Im sorry to say, but you will not recieve any money back, but re-read through your contract, since you should have a copy. It should detail any exceptions to the contract that would allow you to cancel. Mine stated that if you moved out of town and were atleast 30 miles or more from the club or any of its partners that they would cancel the membership. Its something to look into~