From: kckbxr@next09csc.wam.umd.edu (Robin Hood)
Subject: Re: Bally's Health Club 
Organization: Workstations at Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 00:28:32 GMT

> If you want to blow some steam, blow it on Mr. Carpel at NRS
> 1-800-638-1007
>
> Any similar experiences out there in the fitness world?

  Yeah, I've had a similar one.  Awhile back, my best friend and I stopped  
in to check out the local Bally's Holiday Spa in Greenbelt, MD.  Well, the  
salesperson/trainer did a good job "selling" a "discounted" membership to  
my friend and myself.  He said that if the two of us could come up with  
$100 that day, he could reserve a special membership (gold) for each of us  
that day.  We went through the usual "I don't know if this is right for  
me" conversation to lower the prices and everything and to try to get out  
without purchasing anything.  Well, as things continued, he told us about  
all of the "benefits" of the "GOLD Membership."  oooohhhhhhh   
aaaaahhhhhhh.  Again, he needed an answer at the very moment and kept  
harrassing us into getting a membership.  After awhile we decided we'd get  
the $ and give it a temporary try.  He even followed us home  
(harrassment?) to make sure that he got the money.  Talking about  
persistant harassment!  After awhile, my best friend had to move to  
Illinois (for school) and cancelled his membership.  They charged him for  
an additional 3 months after he notified him of his move (and was actually  
living in IL at the time).  
  As for myself, I originally had a direct withdrawal deal set-up with my  
bank.  The problem was, is that, they would arbitrarily withdrawal the  
agreed-upon amount 5-6 days before/after the agreed-upon date for  
withdrawal.  For awhile, this screwed-up my checking account and I decided  
to be billed through the mail.  When my car needed some major engine  
repairs, I figured that I may not be able to make three monthly payments  
and called them to let them know in advance.  I called them to explain  
that I would have to miss a few payments and that I would be able to take  
care of things as soon as possible.  so much for customer service and  
understanding...all they could say was "send the money now or use your  
credit card."  Some customer service company I'm dealing with!  They  
continued to harrass me via mail and phone calls.  At the bottom of one of  
the letters I received, it said I could discuss the situation with a "Mr.  
Howard" (with a Baltimore, MD phone number), so I decided I would call  
him.  It turns out that there was no such person as a "Mr. Howard" or any  
other real names given to "customers."  Isn't this a really great policy  
for their customers?  Hell, now you don't know if you're talking to a real  
Bally's representative or some person trying to steal money from your  
checking/credit card accounts!
  Two friends of mine, joined under their $15/mo. "pay as you go" plan and  
were also ripped off.  After awhile, they decided they no longer were  
interested in the "services" that Bally offerred and contacted Bally's HQ  
(and local office/gym) to cancel their memberships.  Three months later,  
Bally's is still charging their credit cards.  They both just sent  
certified letters to the company.  Maybe they'll hear from them in another  
three months.  I guess in order to cancel YOUR membership, you need to  
send a certified letter or shove it into a VP's face to get some real  
customer-service.
  Also, I'm also pissed at their floating membership rates.  One week it's  
one cost and the next week it's a totally different cost.  With floating  
costs, such as the ones they have, the potential for discriminatory  
pricing/memberships exists too much.  Has anybody heard of some legal  
problems that Bally's (pretty sure) had a few years ago?  I'm curious to  
see if this is enough grounds for a discrimination lawsuit?
  Finally, if anybody out there is really interestred in a Bally's Holiday  
Spa Gold Membership, feel free to email me as I need the money for school  
and not to support some fucking, lack of customer-serice oriented,  
money-grubbing, contractorial-prioritizing-over-customers' satisfaction  
bullshit health club such as BALLY'S HOLIDAY SPA in GREENBELT, MARYLAND.

bill






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