My gym membership rip off!

anamcarame

Hi, just thought i'd throw this one out there to all you people who frequent the gym scene to see what you think of this. I recieved a letter from my gym in August claiming that if I renewed my membership before Aug £1st I would get it at half price of €278. As my membership wasn't up till sometime in sept I decided I didn't really have the cash there and then so i left it for a while. I then got a flyer telling me about a one day special on Sept 12/13th which was for half price membership so I decide to enquire about this. ( this was still before end of Aug) the girl confirmed the special offer and I said I was already a member and would just be renewing my membership. I made sure to state I didnt intend to renew it till it was due and her reply was that I would still get it half price as I was renewing a membership.So no panic and it gave me a week or two to get the €278 together. My membership ran out on Sept 13th. I went ot the gym tonight to renew it and was told it would cost €555. I nearly died. no reduction for existing customers never mind the half price which I had been lead to believe I was getting. The manager was not very nice about it either and just wanted to know who I spoke to which I haven't a clue about. No apologies for the mistake/misunderstanding or no offer of ringing me tomorrow with an offer, just no. I asked if she could justify charging €555 for the facility which tbh, is a make shift gym in about 6 large portacabins wiht very poor and dirty shower facilities with one toilet. Not the standard expected for €555. She answered with 'I cant do anything about that'. Thats the price. I explained that as I wasn't even sure when my membership was up until tonight and that maybe I would have availed of the special offer had I not been lead to believe that my membership would be renewed at the special price anyway. She just said sorry. Even though I had almost €300 in my hand to pay there and then. So now they are one lees customer, €300 less and more as my children used to swim there when I went to the gym. Should I just accept this or should I write to the real boss whoever that may be as I reckon that these girls working as managers are paid buttons and have absolutely no business training? I though most gyms etc would be trying to keep their business?

anamcarame

Sorry for waffling on a bit. I should have paragraphed that. lol

that's a bit mad

still, if you're anywhere near carlisle (duno about the related gyms) it's about 250 for the year
sounds better than a few cabins anyway, and it has a pool too :eek:

EileenG

There's bound to be a better gym around that won't mess you around. Particularly if you go in with cash in hand.

anamcarame

Actually, thats the problem. there is nothing close by. I am in Wicklow Town and the nearest is Greystone and as I work full time I need something on my door step so to speak. I hate this gym as it is really poorly managed and very dirty, wiht wobbly portacabin floors but I have no choice. Looks like I will be walking the road through the winter in order to stay trim.

I just dont know if I should stand up to them and bring it further.

EileenG

Just a thought. Why not buy a barbell and bench and some weights of different sizes and do it at home? You could buy a few small dumbbells and let your kids work out with you. My youngest has better from on lunges and squats than I do.

anamcarame

Well actually I have all the equipment but uits out in the garage and is freezing cold in the winter. I don't have room in the house and well I will admit I enjoy going to the gym to get away from the kids. I would hate to do my work out wiht them, its ME time. I know, thata awful but true. But I think I might be putting a heater out in the garage this year. lol

squod

Stuff like this happens, you definately should get in touch with the real boss of the place. Tell him/her how you feel. In the meantime I'd consider looking out for a pay-as-you-go gym near where you work. This will tide you over 'till the boss comes to his/her senses.

I regularly wait for gym deals this way and buy longer when the price is low.
I was once signed up for 15 months after talking to my gyms owner, he gave me a free month just to get the extra cash in. Good luck with it.

the_syco

Going by the price, I'm taking it's Coral Leisure? It seems only Arklow would be the only other one, if you count out Graystones.