Issue with PT (Dublin)

RojaStar

I'm having issues with a PT I signed up with and would like to know if anyone else has experienced this and if so, how they dealt with it.

I signed up with this PT back in March. Long story short, after a series of sessions with him I paid up front for a second series and for reasons I won't bore you with I was driven to request a refund from him as he was an absolute nightmare to deal with.

He appears to have had some sort of "illness" shortly after this and despite attempting to reassure me with several long winded excuses that I would eventually get my refund he is now completely ignoring me. He has left the gym that I was seeing him in and essentially gone off the grid, although I see that he has recently become active again on social media.

I did try to be understanding at first due to the illness element, but it's completely unprofessional regardless. I am extremely upset as he owes me quite a substantial sum, and I believe I'm not the only one in this position. I'm not looking for legal advice as I have already spoken to someone, but would love to know if anyone has heard of something like this happening and how they approached it.


Thanks

frag420

Call him out on social media...a bit of publicity should wake him up!!

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RojaStar

No receipt of course! But it was an online bank transfer so I have it on record.

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RojaStar

Yes, and that's the plan, even though I'd rather not have to. I've notified him of this plan but got no response!

I'm just baffled at how any professional could behave this way.

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RojaStar

You're right! The rage has built up quite gradually as I actually did believe I would get it back eventually!

Thanks for your input .

....... wrote: »

Why would you rather not have to? Itll cost you 15 quid and youll get your money back.

The mere fact he is ignoring you should spur you on all the more.

The point is - he ISNT a professional.

frag420

In this instance it's fair to say the letters PT stand for pîss taker!!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

bet his social media is shut down

Reps4jesus

RojaStar wrote: »

[Snipped]

[snipped] I reckon i know who you are talking about. Surprised by his actions in this case, had heard positive things about him. Defo calling him out on social media could be a good way to get his attention and your money back

Misguided1

I would politely remind him about the refund and let him know that your next request will be on social media

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Misguided1 wrote: »

I would politely remind him about the refund and let him know that your next request will be on social media

And allow him to block you before you can...oh no.

IR1SH RANG3R

I know you can't name him because of the rules etc. but to be honest I think in cases such as this that's a stupid rule. To name him and warn others about his shady actions would be doing a public service in my opinion. But that's just my opinion :P

Mellor

IR1SH RANG3R wrote: »

I know you can't name him because of the rules etc. but to be honest I think in cases such as this that's a stupid rule. To name him and warn others about his shady actions would be doing a public service in my opinion. But that's just my opinion :P

Who should verify that it's true? Or do we believe every poster at face value.
What happens when people exaggerate or make up lies to harm competitors?



To be clear, I'm not suggesting the OP is lying. I'm pointing out why posters shouldn't be allowed to name and shame unchecked.

Adini

I'm pretty sure I know who you are talking about. If I'm correct his partner is also very well known within the industry - I had huge issues as a client of hers and it seems to be a running theme I'm hearing from others. I don't have much advice unfortunately, as its so easy to block you on social media if you call him out directly. He's active on Instagram lately so maybe call him out on your own profile and use the standard "fitfam" hashtags that are used around Dublin so its harder for him to ignore?

RojaStar

Yep that's the guy! Interesting to hear that you had issues with her. I gather he has stuff going on in his personal life but who doesn't. We still have to behave like adults and fulfil our obligations.

I'm so pissed off as I actually sought him out myself based off his reputation. Absolutely kicking myself that I signed up for a second set of sessions when I was already having issues with him.

Alf Veedersane

Pretty sure I know who you're talking about and his personal problems haven't stopped him training people in the gym I train in of late.

Nervous Wreck

Sometimes PM me who this hooligan is!

Blacktie.

Nervous Wreck wrote:

Sometimes PM me who this hooligan is!

Ditto

Autochange

Threaten to have 2 big eastern European types visit him

Transform

i might point out that many people make the decision to work with a trainer based purely on how they look.

Social media status is NOT always a barometer of quality and just because someone has managed to get themselves into shape doesnt mean they can transfer that on to clients.

Lets hope this gets resolved soon

Personal Trainers today (many, not all) = They want to be the noun without doing the verb, want the job title without doing the work. (stolen from Austin Kleon)

RojaStar

You've hit the nail on the head there! Best to go with an actual recommendation from someone in the know when signing up with a PT.

RojaStar

He's currently touting for online clients on his social media, please do not under any circumstances sign up with someone you see doing this!
ETA: I should clarify that I mean before getting actual recommendations first. Obviously lots of people recruit clients successfully online.

Four Winds

RojaStar wrote: »

He's currently touting for online clients on his social media, please do not under any circumstances sign up with someone you see doing this!

Who is this guy?

Edit. Sorry just saw the note in the opening post.

Adini

He pitches for clients every few months with a "special offer" for coaching - I've noticed a trend of him disappearing from social media every few months and then reappearing with a big influx of posts (his other half does the same thing). I wonder if its a case of laying low from unhappy clients. Unlike most successful trainers, he never posts updates/testimonials from clients which in itself is telling

Again, my only experience is with his partner (who whilst very well known in the fitness industry actually practices in another field - but follows a similar pattern in how she runs her business)

RojaStar

It seems that way, I've been hearing lots of not so good things on the grapevine in the past few weeks from people in the industry in Dublin.

SB_Part2

RojaStar wrote: »

It seems that way, I've been hearing lots of not so good things on the grapevine in the past few weeks from people in the industry in Dublin.

There's also a lot of people who just want to tear him down. I wouldn't believe everything you hear.

Adini

SB_Part2 wrote: »

There's also a lot of people who just want to tear him down. I wouldn't believe everything you hear.

The fitness industry in Dublin seems on the whole to be fairly supportive of each other - not sure why you think there would be an intention to tear him down specifically

SB_Part2

Adini wrote: »

The fitness industry in Dublin seems on the whole to be fairly supportive of each other - not sure why you think there would be an intention to tear him down specifically

Sorry I have to disagree. There is so much bitchy and cattiness in the industry. A lot of it relates to the 'online' business.

RojaStar

I'm sure there's no shortage of bitchiness and back stabbing in the industry, but considering my experience was offline and where I was directly impacted by his actions myself I feel it wouldn't be undeserved in this case. The guy owes me (and I believe several other people) a few hundred euro and has gone off the radar, there's no two ways about it.

Transform

SB_Part2 wrote: »

Sorry I have to disagree. There is so much bitchy and cattiness in the industry. A lot of it relates to the 'online' business.

Alot of it does NOT solely relate to online business but trainers doing a very poor job in general or offering advice from an under qualified or recently qualified position with zero experience.

Overall I dont really care and i think let the customer decide.

tomwaits48

also training with a guy in D2.....could someone PM the name of this fella please? cheers