am i over reacting?

[pinkkitty]

When i first joined my gym i paid extra for their "get results" programme, but was not happy with the instructor they assigned me as he was racist and really offended me. When i complained, it was just laughed off and told it was "just his way" He's also only a level 2 qualified instructor, but was assigned to me for personal training (PTs have to have a Level 3 qualification) i refused to train with him anymore, and they didn't offer me an alternative. Then i dislocated my knee and had to have 2 months away from the gym while my knee healed. A lot of people told me i should cancel my membership on medical grounds, but i kept it open so i could go back as soon as i felt fit enough. My physio told me i was ready, and for more than a week i tried to get an appointment to get a new programme done, and everytime i phoned there was no-one there (who the hell was running the gym?!) and left messages, but no-one ever called me back. after leaving at least 6 messages i phoned really late and insisted someone book me an appointment then and there. got my appt booked for 9:30 this morning. turned up on time and was told the instructor was with someone else already and was asked to wait in the lounge. After more than 30 mins no-one had come for me, so i went out to reception only to find there was no-one on the desk and loads of people waiting, so i came home, and cancelled my membership payments. When i phoned and asked to speak to the gym manager, i was told he was out (surprise surprise!) and the girl was quite reluctant to tell me his name. The way i see it, I'm not paying them for a service they have blatantly not provided. Am i over reacting?

[Whickerman]

No, you've paid for a service and didn't get it.

BUT - gyms have a handy little device that they usually pull out in cases like yours, ie the contract you signed on joining. I'll bet you there's a clause in there about 12 months membership regardless of use, and also a cancellation fee. I'll have a fiver with you here and now you'll get a letter in the next few days. BTW - cancelling the membership doesn't cancel your direct debits - get on to your bank asap. Good luck with this - there are a huge amount of unscrupulous gym chains that seem to ride roughshod over their customers.

[pinkkitty]

hi whickerman

have cancelled my direct debit via online banking. My contract is on a 3 month basis, so you're meant to give 3 months notice, basically, anf if they don't hear from you they just refresh your membership on a rolling basis. Legally, of course, i know i don't have a leg to stand on, but I'm so furious with them right now, I'm past caring!

[Beads]

Not at all. I would have shot round there with a brick and cancelled it via a note attached to the brick through the window!!

He he, just kidding but a nice thought as they've peed you off. They have a right cheek.

[toby99]

"Racist" is a terrible accusation �what did he say or how did he act to make you feel that way?

[Whickerman]

pink kitty - you do know your profile's showing you as an 86 year old man...?

Sounds like you'd be better served elsewhere. That's the best way of complaining, take your money to someone else.

[beryllium]

Hi Pinkkitty,
Which gym is it you belong to please? as I think with the treatment you've recieved a letter to the CEO would be a good start.
Bypass the monkeys and go to the organ grinder.

[pinkkitty]

Lol - Whickerman, I'll change my profile in a mo.

Toby99 - The instructor was totally racist. He was showing me round, when an Aisan man squeezed past us. He did say "excuse me" but then accidentally bumped into the instructor with his Gymbag, and apologised. This prompted the instructor to say "i hate them, don't you?" and i said "hate who?" and he said "them. P.a.k.k.i.s they think they're better than you" and i said that i had lots of Asian friends, and didn't think that was the case, so then he went on to tell me about times he and his Hell's Angels friends had gone "pakki bashing and picked fights with Asian teenagers in the street, just for being Asian. Obviously i was totally disgusted and like i said, when i complained, no one gave a damn.

Beryllium - i belong to fitness first, so quite a big chain, but if you phone them you get routed to your nearest branch, where i still can't reach the manager. Have e-mailed head office, though.

[beryllium]

is that in Bournemouth? the headquarters? because all the company house registration numbers seem to be for Bournemouth.

http://www.do-business.net/CompanySelect/ukd.a spx?key=c7f31297-ed8a-4045-a8b8-e89a33346157

[beryllium]

Kitty.... why don't you deliver some monkeynuts to the staff there??? do you think they'd get the hint?

[123everton]

I was once with Fitness First, I thought they were quite a shabby firm also (nothing as bad as your experience), get in touch with B.B.C. Watchdog they did a piece on Fitness First (they may do follow up article). I had bother getting shut of them, so I doubt you've heard the end of it.

[pinkkitty]

what makes me most sad was that this guy is in his mid-late forties, and still feels the need to go round picking fights with teenage lads, especially over something as trivial as the colour of their skin.

am still waiting to hear from them...

[beryllium]

oooh..... me thinks a newspaper might be interested ;D

[toby99]

I wouldn't just cancel my DD, I would ask them or a refund!

[Miss Random]

Hi pinkkitty,

You are not alone with your problems with this company..read here..

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:Q2sej4SsQycJ: www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/1035/companyname/Fi tness-First.html+fitnessfirst&hl=en&ct=cln k&cd=7&gl=uk

Best of luck

Missy
xx

[pinkkitty]

wow! who knew so many people hated FF?! I am NOT looking forward to getting into a fight with them over my membership!

[DottyH]

has this been posted before? it reads so familiar

[Miss Random]

I'm sure it must have been Dot, but with this Chatterbank heading there is no way of checking previous similar posts.

Judging from the number of people on the blog link I posted I think it was good of pinkkitten to tell us about it.
I was considering joining, but wont bother now.

Hope you get it resolved pinkkitten, think you may have to go straight to the top of the company for any results or even the BBC! I think they would be particularly interested to hear about the racial prejudice in one of the branches.

Once again, good luck.

Missy
xx

[DottyH]

seriously, this has been asked before, i am sure, i know this scenario has been asked before, ask Rubyrose!!!

[pinkkitty]

well, this is the first time i have ever had this problem personally, and my first post on this subject, but I'd be really interested to find someone else who has had the same sort of problem.

[Miss Random]

Dot!! (deep slow breaths, and keep your head back - or you'll blow another blood vessel)

As I said, I dont doubt that it has been asked before on AB - what I was trying to say (albeit unsuccessfully) is that when you post a question on CB there is no checking page to see if a similar question has been asked before.

On Body and Soul I used to get reams of suggested questions with similar key words, but ED must have decided in CB that didn't apply.

But, like I said before, I am glad pinkkitten has brought this up.... It wouldn't have occured to me to check other categories for Fitness First before joining them.

Missy
xx