Consumer complaint received 2021-07-02
Company: Aldous & Associates, PLLC
State: LA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
My complaint is a debit that on my credit report that shouldn't be there. The type of problem I am having is I have emailed the company years back about canceling my membership and it's still there. The company was paramount at first and they sent my debit over to aldous associate. So, my complaint is for aldous associate. 

I signed up at XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX, LA. The location was on XXXX uptown in my neighborhood. I signed up on XX/XX/2018. Everything was fine until XXXX. I was told that 2 months into being there they will be closing. That information threw me for a loop. I didn't understand why would they have people signing up for memberships if you were closing this particular location. I'm sure the staff and management knew because one of the staff members told me. I wanted to know when were they going to tell us this like the day of closing! I was so upset. I felt deceived, tricked, and used into signing up for a membership while they knowingly knew they were closing. That's just wrong! On XX/XX/2018, I wrote an email to XXXX about the situation that I am writing to you now. They responded with a automated email saying that Unfortunately, You are still in contract with nine payments remaining and in order to cancel out the contract if you have moved at least 35 miles from the club, We can accept proof of relocation with a {$100.00} cancellation fee. 

Acceptable items for proof of move include those listed below : Currently issued ( after the date of the contract ) State ID or Driver License Affidavit from an attorney Military orders Mortgage note, NOT a lease agreement Utility or phone bill ( not a cell phone ) showing the service address School schedule Gym membership from a new location Currently issued paycheck stub NOW " the gym membership from a new location '' is a new location for me! That was the whole purpose of me getting a membership at XXXX LOCATION because it was so convenient for me to just walk there and workout because I didn't have a car. They basically just told me " they have one in XXXX ''. They didn't even care. They were dismissive and nonchalant. From my house to XXXX location is XXXX miles. With car, which I didn't have and still don't have takes 12 mins to get to and from and probably longer depending on the time of day I went because traffic and accidents always play a part. The bus takes 47 mins to get there depending if the line is early, on time or late also traffic and accidents. Walking takes a 1hr 47mins. That's my workout within itself and 1hr 47 mins walking back home. A XXXX  is $ XXXX {$20.00} a day depending on what day and the time of day because it fluctuates. That would be $ XXXX {$40.00} I'm spending daily going to and from the gym. Which is ridiculous right?! I felt like I was conned into signing up just to get pushed to another location. That was an inconvenience to me and I'm sure everyone else and they didnt care. They were all about the money in the end and still are when I told them my situation. i called them today and I was deny a deletion letter to get this removed from my credit. I found out this has been on my credit for 2 years and 3 months and I owe XXXX. I thought this was a medical bill from XXXX from my XXXX, but come to find out it was the company I'm filing a complaint on. I don't have {$250.00} especially during COVID and taking care of myself, and my XXXX mother. I'm just trying to get this situated to help better my credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation