Bally's Total Fitness $1,400 for WHAT? ripoff Copiague New York

In October of 2002, I visited Bally's Total Fitness, in Copiague, NY. I toured their facilities and decided I was interested in joining. However, I expressed my concern to the sales associate that I might not be living in the area once I finished my semester at school. The sales associate told me that this was not a problem - that if I moved to an area where there was no Bally's location - I could cancel my membership at any time if I sent proof of residence along with a cancellation letter.

With this information, I purchased a Platinum Rapid Rewards Membership that came with 3 free sessions with a personal trainer. After 3 visits with one of their personal trainers, I was horrified enough to never return again. He was very predatory, highly unprofessional and my experience there, was a bad one.

Once the semester finished in December, I moved back home with my parents who live in Chautauqua County. Being that I lived more than 50 miles from the nearest Bally's location, I sent Bally's a cancellation letter, along with a copy of my driver's license and a bill with my current address.

I received no phone call, no letter - there was no attempt made to contact me until a year later, in December of 2003. I received a phone call at my parents' house from a "Mr. Phil" (which means they had to have received my letter, in order to have my parents' home phone number) inquiring as to why I had not paid my bill. I explained to "Mr. Phil" that I had cancelled my membership and had not been attending Bally's for over a year. He told me he needed me to send another copy of my driver's license and a bill with my current address and assured me that the matter would be taken care of. I sent the requested information again and I received no further contact from them.

It is now January of 2005. I received a call from a "Mr. Craig" telling me that I owe Bally's $1,400 and that I am expected to pay this amount immediately. I informed him of the situation and he claimed that he has nothing to do with Bally's, that he's merely a collections agent and there's "nothing he can do to help me."

I find it odd that 3 YEARS from the time I cancelled my membership - they suddenly materialize, claiming that I owe them all this money. They provided no service, they delivered no goods. (All I got was a few sessions with a pervy "trainer" who kept licking his lips and calling me "mami." I don't think that's part of the job description.)

What is it that I should be paying them for? I sent in the appropriate documents. I was assured that this matter would be taken care of. What's even more surprising to me is how a company with a track record such as Bally's can remain in business. If this many people are being scammed - why isn't this scam being taken care of? There's no reason for so many people to be victimized by one company. This needs to be stopped.

I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and have heard nothing as of yet. Eliot Spitzer is my next stop.

Amy
farmingdale, New York
U.S.A.

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