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First experience of Kingfisher hard sell! Phew!

  • 18-03-2009 3:52pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭


    Good Lord, all I wanted to know was the membership price!

    Talk about trying to pull teeth!

    BIG pressure to come in and look around. He said about four times would I like to come in, whilst evading any talk of money whatsoever.

    I kept asking but all he'd say is "Well it works out at around 9 euro a week".

    Eventually I had to say (trying to say in joking manner through gritted teeth) "Sorry love, I'm not going near you until I hear a number!".

    So he had to tell me then (€499). That's actually 9.50 a week I said, looking at my handy calculator. "Yeah, like I said, around 9 euro or thereabouts a week".

    So I said thanks I'll think about it and get back to you if I'm interested.

    BIG pressure then to come in an look around. Practically begging at this stage.

    Me: I'll think about it and get back to you.

    Him: When would you be thinking of coming in?

    Me: Oh God I dunno - like I said, I'm going to think about it.

    Him: Would it be this week?

    Me: I DON'T KNOW!

    Him: Would you like me to take your mobile phone number?

    Me: NO!!!!! Thank you. Goodbye!

    *click*


    Sooo, despite all that, what do we think? Good value? Could I do better?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭Xiney


    You can definitely do better.

    Tell him you had been meaning to spend 300. Ask if there's any wiggle room (there is)

    If he won't budge, walk away. I'd say in the current climate you should be able to get membership for 350, easy.

    They won't sell you membership over the phone. You will have to go in. They will show you all their impressive (?) stuff. Do not act impressed, don't give any "buy" signals. In fact, I'd visit a few gyms and visit the one you'd prefer to join last - just to be able to truthfully say you've shopped around and "this is what the other places are offering me".

    However, it's good to be friendly, smile, joke. This will make bargaining easier - people who like you will offer you a better deal. So when I say, don't be impressed, I don't mean, be derisive. I just mean, don't go, ORLY? U HAS SAUNA?!


  • Posts: 8,647 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I got it for 250 euros.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 318 ✭✭fago


    Well I think they have gone over the top on the pricing for using the pool only in the public hours.

    We used to go, bringing 2 kids to the kids pool. So typically we're only there for 40 mins or so.

    Recently the prices went crazy: 9.50 per adult + 4.50 for the one child over 2. So 23.50 for the kids pool. No mention of a family rate, the fact you use none of the other facilities sauna/steam room. Pool only used to be at a cheaper rate, but no more.

    So across town to leisureland from now on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭Xiney


    I got it for 250 euros.

    how'd you manage that? student discount or something? (I don't know much about the kingfisher, it's not on my side of town)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭trio


    Yeah, was just gonna ask if that was a student rate, Dazzler.

    I'm unemployed and so I personally thought that 499 was a bit much, which is why I wanted to put the phone down and ask around before setting a date to come in.

    Mind you, I told him I was unemployed and so wanted a special offer, but it was still 499 he quoted me.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭Fionn MacCool


    I'd love to hear how they justify €2.00 for a bottle of water when they charge €1.50 for a Coke/Sprite/Fanta. I think people who buy bottled water are mugs anyway, but that's just ridiculous.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭gary82


    How would €299 sound instead? :)

    Got an iBuy booklet of vouchers in the door and there's one for €200 off Kingfisher, I assume that's off the full adult membership.

    You can print the vouchers off the website!
    Here's the link: http://www.ibuyvouchers.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=65&Itemid=13

    Or print this;
    74_Kingfisher.jpg

    [big rant]
    Yeah €250 is the student discount. Which is outrageously expensive in my opinion. It's meant to be our college gym and they've sold out to Kingfisher. The old gym was €150 (no pool though) and they charged us a couple of hundred extra in a levy to build the new centre, saying membership would be just a nominal fee (€50 max maybe?), then Kingfisher got it after us paying the levy, and decided their own prices. Even to get to our college sports dept people we have to explain to the kingfisher guys why they should let us though the turnstile. We do club training in there and we have to get money from the college funding - to pay kingfisher - so we can use the college pool which we payed to build!!! Craziness. Ok, that's it all out of the system!
    [/big rant]


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 453 ✭✭pandamoanium


    I had a years membership before - about 3 months *before* my membership was due to expire they kept calling and harassing me demanding to renew my membership.. They were getting abusive and nearly shouting down the phone at me and got really pissy when I said that I wasn't interested in renewing.

    They seriously hounded me for a while, kept ringing my landline number, mobile, it was ridiculous.

    Kingfisher definitely not the best gym around by miles - and seriously dirty too imo!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Anyone tried the Galway City Gym? Last time I was there they had a fee per session - no stupid memberships and they were really friendly/helpful in there and even made a routine for me (free of charge)

    I'm guessing it's still the same?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 494 ✭✭trio


    Fair play gary82, I actually got that ibuy booklet through my door too.

    Terms and Conditions apply though, god knows what that means.

    Still though, probably worth a visit with voucher in hand. Mind you, I dread having to talk to Dave the Desperate Salesman again.

    That reminds me - you know the Days Hotel on Dublin Road? Over 600 yoyos per year I was quoted this afternoon for their leisure centre! God knows who'd pay that these days.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭ronnie3585


    The Radisson is over €1,000, last time I looked anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,288 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Sadly the pressure-sales-crap is pretty standard world-wide. I'm surprised you got a number out of him without visiting at all.

    I kinda feel sorry for the staff, suspect they're getting hounded pretty hard to follow the company guidelines and make sales these days. But I don't think they do themselves any favours sometimes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 956 ✭✭✭Mike...


    I joined the Radisson, nice spot, my first time in a gym and its not as crowded as the rest


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,160 ✭✭✭✭banshee_bones


    *mono* wrote: »
    I joined the Radisson, nice spot, my first time in a gym and its not as crowded as the rest

    yep me too. i joined back last October, slyly joined with a friend so got it a good bit cheaper than you usually would! Indeed A smaller gym but its quiet and no where near was crowded as the rest which is great and worth paying that little bit more for if you dont like packed gyms.
    The instructors are also really friendly and helpful, all classes are complimentary and discounts off the spa downstairs aswell. Its also very close to where i live, reckon i wouldnt go half as much if i literally wasnt a stones throw away! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    Anyone tried the Galway City Gym? Last time I was there they had a fee per session - no stupid memberships and they were really friendly/helpful in there and even made a routine for me (free of charge)

    I'm guessing it's still the same?

    Aaahh GCG the home of Champions, and thats a fact, sound guys up there too really helpful. Always hav time for that place and its a no nonsense Gym you know, get in and do what ya gotta do.:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭thecountessp


    The difference between student prices and general public is because NUIG students have bee paying €100 p/annum into the gym for the past couple of years.
    Not sure how many people have signed up for the gym in NUI, but I'd be thinking it wasn't as many as they hoped and that's the reason for the recent sales pitch fever...
    My fella's had about 6 phonecalls (asking him to come in and look around) since I put him down for a week's free trial.
    Will say, it's a damn nice facility though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    What's the story with student membership @ NUIG gym if you're a student, but not a student from NUIG?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭gary82


    99% sure the discount is only for NUIG students.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    But did you go in for a look or not?!

    Surely if your unemployed there are much cheaper ways to stay fit. I can only see someone absolutely needing a gym if they're in training for something.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭thecountessp


    Pretty sweet swimming pool though - much better than that nasty old sea. I've got a dodgy back, so I think the place is worth every cent.
    0225_water_polo_image.jpg

    I say go in and haggle - you never know, they might knock a bit off. They're chasing people up for a reason!


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 583 ✭✭✭xp90


    I must say, the hard sell isnt a recent idea of theirs, back in September i got the same treatment on my first day on campus!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 emwem


    JohnCleary wrote: »
    What's the story with student membership @ NUIG gym if you're a student, but not a student from NUIG?

    Its around the €400 mark if you have non NUIG student ID


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    lovertits wrote: »
    Pretty sweet swimming pool though - much better than that nasty old sea. I've got a dodgy back, so I think the place is worth every cent.
    0225_water_polo_image.jpg

    Been there and didnt like it, IMO as a very good swimmer i find it a rather warm pool and that makes you not want to train much, i use leisureland and the pool is slightly chilly so gives you that kick for you to stay moving to keep your heart rate up to generate body heat.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,275 ✭✭✭Fionn MacCool


    Saw some lad giving the drink machine a gentle rocking the other day and getting 3 free Powerades for his troubles. I encourage everyone else to try the same and show Kingfisher they're not the only ones who can play the daylight robbery game.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 221 ✭✭corribdude


    Steyr wrote: »
    Been there and didnt like it, IMO as a very good swimmer i find it a rather warm pool and that makes you not want to train much, i use leisureland and the pool is slightly chilly so gives you that kick for you to stay moving to keep your heart rate up to generate body heat.

    If its a cold pool you're after go to NRG Bohermore, so cold most members dont even bother with it and its the reason Im not renewing my membership.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Steyr wrote: »
    Been there and didnt like it, IMO as a very good swimmer i find it a rather warm pool and that makes you not want to train much, i use leisureland and the pool is slightly chilly so gives you that kick for you to stay moving to keep your heart rate up to generate body heat.

    Are you talking about the NUIG pool? My main reason for joining a centre will be for swimming, don't want to go into the pool and fall asleep


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,474 ✭✭✭Notch000


    NUIG sport centre is a great set up, on the off chance does anyone know if i can cancel my membership direct debit 6 months in as im moving out of galway


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    JohnCleary wrote: »
    Are you talking about the NUIG pool? My main reason for joining a centre will be for swimming, don't want to go into the pool and fall asleep

    Absolutely. I go to Leisureland in Salthill and as i go 7 days a week the €40 a month swim membership really works out well and 3 swim lanes 1.slow 2.meduim 3.fast.

    Times for Leisureland Public sessions mon-fri are very reasonable:

    8am-9:30am
    12:30pm-2pm
    5:45pm-7:15pm
    8pm-10pm

    And the staff there are sound and a good Gym there too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭ronnie3585


    JohnCleary wrote: »
    Are you talking about the NUIG pool? My main reason for joining a centre will be for swimming, don't want to go into the pool and fall asleep

    It's not that warm. I'd probably swim about 4-5k a week in the pool and I don't really notice it.

    The NRG pool in Bohermore will freeze the nuts off you however.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Steyr wrote: »
    Absolutely. I go to Leisureland in Salthill and as i go 7 days a week the €40 a month swim membership really works out well and 3 swim lanes 1.slow 2.meduim 3.fast.

    Times for Leisureland Public sessions mon-fri are very reasonable:

    8am-9:30am
    12:30pm-2pm
    5:45pm-7:15pm
    8pm-10pm

    And the staff there are sound and a good Gym there too.

    Can you pay by month? And no contract? That would suit me down to the ground when I move back to Galway for the summer as i'll be off on me travels come winter


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,092 ✭✭✭pseudonym1


    Yep check out their website. I paid €69 for 1 month gym and swim!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    pseudonym1 wrote: »
    Yep check out their website. I paid €69 for 1 month gym and swim!

    Thanks for that - sickener on the price though, aah the good oul days when I used to get the gym in NUIG for €120 a YEAR :eek:

    Pool is priority to me though, more important than gym really


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    JohnCleary wrote: »
    Can you pay by month? And no contract? That would suit me down to the ground when I move back to Galway for the summer as i'll be off on me travels come winter

    Yup €40 a month for swimming, it's brilliant. No contract all you get is a card with a barcode on it and you just scan yourself in.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 6,337 Mod ✭✭✭✭PerrinV2


    Slighty off topic but has anyone tried moving there membership from one kingfisher to another?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 301 ✭✭keezer


    Got the hard sale by Dave in renmore, He said the college deal was finished (GMIT Gym and Kingfisher Renmore, 9 Months €200) Wanted another €100 so basically he wanted €300 for the 9 months, not a hope. He just said why didnt you come earlier, i was like cos i was busy. Then he said would i join for €250 if he could do it, i said ill have to think about it and im not sure yet. He then said leave it with me and left the room. Suposingly talking to the boss he was, he then came back and said that i could have it for the €200 and if i know anyone else to join before the friday and they will get it for €200. Supposingly they extended it. Been 3 times this week since i joined and so far so good. Big pool nice gym and never that busy.

    Dont get fooled by the hard sale, you can bargain. I got the kingfisher in breaffy for €250 before so it can happen.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,414 ✭✭✭kraggy


    keezer wrote: »
    Got the hard sale by Dave in renmore, He said the college deal was finished (GMIT Gym and Kingfisher Renmore, 9 Months €200) Wanted another €100 so basically he wanted €300 for the 9 months, not a hope. He just said why didnt you come earlier, i was like cos i was busy. Then he said would i join for €250 if he could do it, i said ill have to think about it and im not sure yet. He then said leave it with me and left the room. Suposingly talking to the boss he was, he then came back and said that i could have it for the €200 and if i know anyone else to join before the friday and they will get it for €200. Supposingly they extended it. Been 3 times this week since i joined and so far so good. Big pool nice gym and never that busy.

    Dont get fooled by the hard sale, you can bargain. I got the kingfisher in breaffy for €250 before so it can happen.

    Is that a student rate?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 301 ✭✭keezer


    kraggy wrote: »
    Is that a student rate?

    Yeah it was the student rate


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