Charter Fitness, formerly Cardinal Fitness ABC Billing merged with Charter Fitness Called to cancel membership and was given the run around Orland Park, Illinois

Charter Fitness used to be Cardinal Fitness has merged with ABC Billing. I called to cancel my account today and was told I can only cancel my account by writing a detailed letter explaining why I want to cancel and sending it either overnight with signature or registered mail. Told the supervisor (she refused to give me her last name, corporate headquarters address or corporate phone number sighting company policy) that she should consider my phone call to be final notice that I do not wish to be a member of their club and that I would be contacting my bank to have the automatic payments stopped. My contract is month to month.  

Was informed that this would be fine, they (ABC Billing) will bill my home address and if I don't pay they will send me to collections.  When I signed up with Cardinal fitness I was told that I could cancel at any time by placing a phone call or coming in to the gym.  ABC billing informed my that was incorrect and that I must follow the above procedure.  I asked if I would be reimbursed for the extra expense and time it would take to follow their dubious policy and was met with a laugh and a no.  

Was also informed that when Charter Fitness acquired Cardinal Fitness they acquired all the former members as well.  This is a scam, they are trying to make it impossible to cancel a membership.  I signed up for a month to month plan specifically because I wanted to be able to change gym's without any hassle should I become dissatisfied.  Stay away from Charter Fitness and ABC Billing who's mentality seems to be, we bought you and now own you, jump through our hoops or else.  Once your in, your in, and they won't let you go.  It was easier to go through screening at a major airport, get a tooth pulled or have open heart surgery than to deal with ABC billing.  The news channels will be hearing from me next.