Premier Fitness Clubs CLAIMING OUT STANDING PAYMENTS 8 MONTHS AFTER I CANCELLED MEMBERSHIP Saint Catharines Ontario

I received a letter stating my gym membership (which I cancelled 1 year ago) is eight months in arrears. I had put a stop payment on my account and now they are claiming I have breached my contractual obligations and will "destroy my credit rating" if I don't pay by December 10, 2008. Did I mention I received the letter December 5th? I explained that I only signed a one-year membership and paid monthly dues for over two years. Eighteen months ago I verbally told them I had moved out of the city and asked them to cancel the membership. They told me I had to request this in writing, so I faxed them a letter. I finally put a stop payment on my account because the fees were still being debited from my account. Now they are trying to collect after eight months of stop payments! I asked them why they did not contact me earlier, they said "they are too busy" and "it is not their responsibility, I should read my contract". The collections lady did mention that because she has received so many complaints due to the delayed audit, that she would be willing to extend my membership or just collect half of the outstanding balance. I told her it was no longer the money issue, it's the principle, and I am not willing to pay a single dollar!
I should have figured them out in the earlier days, when I was paying full price dues and the gym wasn't even half completed. I joined because of the indoor pool, it was well over a year before they filled it with water, and then within a week they emptied it for safety reasons. It finally opened again weeks later. Then there was the ladies side...oh yeah, I didn't get that benefit; it was closed off for over a year. Or how about the fact that water leaked from the roof on to the treadmills and other cardio equipment. What ever happened to the "suggestion cards" or "complaint cards" I filled out? Has anyone fixed the thirteen "out of order" machines that my friend and I counted on one day? What are the odds of getting a towel? I know, "they are in the dryer".
I am so angry that this "so called" company has the nerve to ask me for money and then threaten to ruin my credit rating if I don't comply. I think they should be sued for misrepresentation and intimidation tactics. When has extortion become legal?
I am compiling a list of complaints from other members and sending it to the Bettter Business Bureau if anyone would like to add to this.

Penny
St Catharines, Ontario
Canada