As more companies have become involved in the lucrative fitness industry, problems with health spas in Missouri have grown. Some health and fitness centers have closed without warning members while others never opened for business after taking consumers' money for memberships. The Attorney General's Office receives hundreds of complaints each year about health clubs suddenly closing or not providing promised services and facilities. To fight back, the office has filed lawsuits against health clubs in Missouri that have taken consumers' money and then closed.
Consumers have three days after signing a contract with a health spa to cancel the agreement.
Health clubs are required to refund consumers' money within 30 days if the contract is canceled within three days. Contracts can be canceled if the buyer becomes permanently disabled or dies. Consumers may cancel if their contracts don't contain provisions informing them of their right to a three-day cancellation period, cancellation due to death or permanent disability, and a freeze period. All money collected before a club opening must be held in escrow until the health club opens. Consumers are not responsible for the balance due on a health club contract if the club has closed and failed to provide alternative services within 10 miles of the spa's original location.