Gold's Gym ripoff misleading contracts and atrocious customer service Calgary AB

I've been a member of many gyms over the past 30 plus years, and I'm a fair person, but cancelling the Gold's Gym membership I had for nearly 8 years has proven to be a nightmare I could not have imagined.

Obviously as an active member of the gym, I saw no problems, but when I inquired about cancelling and was told I could fax a letter and my membership would be cancelled within a week to ten days, was when the nightmare began. I did not get a response to my request and ABC Financial continued billing. When I inquired, I was told by ABC Financial that my account was closed and I owed nothing. I then received a letter a week later stating that I was past due on my membership fees and was being charged late fees. I contacted the local gym manager and was told that my membership was "pending" cancellation, and that I needed to pay the fees until it was cancelled. Over six weeks after I cancelled my membership, it was "pending" cancellation??? I contacted Gold's Gym's corporate office and spoke to a liason with the franchise owners, who did nothing, but was pleasant. The owner never responded to my voice mail after 2 weeks, and I contacted the gym, and was told he was in. He screens all his calls and finally took my call, but without giving me a chance to say hello, he verbally assaulted me on the phone. I chose to keep my integrity and to pay an additional month's membership ($80), but advise anyone to be cautious with dealing with this company, their franchisees, and ABC Financial, the company who deals with their billing. I feel that it was their intent to delay my cancellation to continue billing me for as long as possible. My annual contract ran out years ago, and I was on a month to month contract.

I am only writing this to provide support for the original posting that someone felt the need to discredit. As I told the personnel at Gold's Gym, I can live with mistakes being made, but their inability to return my phone calls and then to not even allow me the time to say hello before becoming irate with me, and I had never spoken to this individual before, is a practice that most business owners do not practice, thankfully. Mistakes happen, own up to them and move on... Failing to own up to mistakes only leads to failure...

Shortly after this report was filed I had the opportunity to talk with the management of this club. They were very understanding and accomodating and all the problems were quickly and easily resolved. I would like to retract my grievence submitted earlier, as it was easily taken care of when discussed with the right person. I don't want to sour anybody's opinion of this company based one problem I experienced with one employee. Overall my expience with this club was good. They do have good equipment and service for the most part is quite good. Problems such as the one I experienced can easily be solved by reading your contract thoroughly .

I have been a member of GOLDS GYM for over three years now, and feel that joining this particular club was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The staff is always willing to help us, if not on the spot, with a curteous apology for any delay and reasonably prompt assistance. Not only do I feel great physically, because of all the fun aerobics classes and exercize equipment; not only do have a fun social experience, because of the movies, the smiles from staff and other members, but I feel like I get my money's worth and some. I LOVE BEING A MEMBER OF GOLDS! I would recommend it to any one who wants to improve the condition of their body and relieve any stress they may have and have fabulous fun at the same time!

I'm sorry the people reported have had negative experiences, but as far as contracts are concerned, we should always read and assure clarity before we sign. As far as the waiting is concerned, that's just a realistic part of life, besides, a little patience never hurt anyone.
Best of Love,