Westwood Leopardstown

Fireball81

Was a member a few years ago (pre kids), now have my nights back so want to join up again.

Before I get talking to the sales people can anyone advise on the stupid joining fee? It used to be mad money (€499) which I always wondered if anyone was stupid enough to actually pay.

I don't really want to pay any joining fee if possible, I'll either sign a monthly direct debit or pay upfront for a year

Anyone have any experience with Westwood and the fees? Assuming it's still about €70 a month?

silverharp

dont pay it , its just an idiotic sales tactic, you will get the "ill have to talk to my manager" followed up with a "they might change their mind tomorrow if you dont sign now". if they were sticking to their guns wait for the end of the month or end of qtr, they will be more interested in hitting their sales targets , you may end up paying a joining fee of around €70

Fireball81

silverharp wrote: »

dont pay it , its just an idiotic sales tactic, you will get the "ill have to talk to my manager" followed up with a "they might change their mind tomorrow if you dont sign now". if they were sticking to their guns wait for the end of the month or end of qtr, they will be more interested in hitting their sales targets , you may end up paying a joining fee of around €70

Thanks, even €70 is a bit steep for a joining fee....will dig my heels in and see what I can get away with.

helimachoptor

Any idea how much the family membership is per month?

Fireball81

So called in this evening, €79pm with a €499 joining fee!! They seriously have menu cards with the various prices with this included in print.

For January they have a ridiculous 4 day free trial pass, the joining fee starts at €99 if you join on the first day and rises each day to day 4 at €499

FFS

Asked if there was flexibility to waive (have kids in swimming lessons there) and the guy said no.

Said it was nuts, stood up and walked out.

Thinking about what to try and do next.

I know someone who just sat there and kept saying no and they waived it
Was a different time of year tho and different branch

el Fenomeno

Fireball81 wrote: »

So called in this evening, €79pm with a €499 joining fee!! They seriously have menu cards with the various prices with this included in print.

For January they have a ridiculous 4 day free trial pass, the joining fee starts at €99 if you join on the first day and rises each day to day 4 at €499

FFS

Asked if there was flexibility to waive (have kids in swimming lessons there) and the guy said no.

Said it was nuts, stood up and walked out.

Thinking about what to try and do next.

There's a very good chance you'll get a phone call with a better offer in the next day or two, provided they have your details.

500 is utter madness. I joined twice over the years (joined, left, joined again a couple of years later) and never paid more than 70 or 80 joining fee, which is still fairly ludicrous.

silverharp

another tactic might be to try their Sandymount one, its much quieter so their membership person might be more eager. you get access to all their branches anyway so shouldn't matter which one you sign up with.

GSOIRL

Fireball81 wrote: »

So called in this evening, €79pm with a €499 joining fee!! They seriously have menu cards with the various prices with this included in print.

For January they have a ridiculous 4 day free trial pass, the joining fee starts at €99 if you join on the first day and rises each day to day 4 at €499

FFS

Asked if there was flexibility to waive (have kids in swimming lessons there) and the guy said no.

Said it was nuts, stood up and walked out.

Thinking about what to try and do next.

Join a different gym.

Fireball81

GSOIRL wrote: »

Join a different gym.

Thanks for that....

Don't mind paying a monthly fee but how can steep joining fees be justified, especially as doubt anyone pays €499 but if you were stupid enough to pay it, they would gladly accept.

Royale with Cheese

I got a text from them sometime before Christmas about signing up for a €31 joining fee, from what I'd read online this is usually as low as they go.

I'd missed the deadline for that by a few days but went down anyway, the girlfriend was a lot keener to sign up than I was. I got the usual, it's €500 but if you sign up now blah blah. Eventually went out to "ask her manager" if they'd honour the €31 price. I think she went down to about €90 in the end but wouldn't budge. I had no interest, told her that and got up and left. To be honest the whole experience rubbed me up the wrong way.

Fireball81

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

I got a text from them sometime before Christmas about signing up for a €31 joining fee, from what I'd read online this is usually as low as they go.

I'd missed the deadline for that by a few days but went down anyway, the girlfriend was a lot keener to sign up than I was. I got the usual, it's €500 but if you sign up now blah bkah

Now €31 I'd pay to join, suspect December is a slow time for new sign ups.

Found out today, a work colleague knows someone in the gym sales department so they're going to see of they can cut me a deal.

GSOIRL

Fireball81 wrote: »

Thanks for that....

Don't mind paying a monthly fee but how can steep joining fees be justified, especially as doubt anyone pays €499 but if you were stupid enough to pay it, they would gladly accept.

Sorry, I can see how my message might of come across as a smart ass answer but my genuine advice would be to look for another gym. Their whole way of going about their business should show you how they are. Don't show prices on the Internet, won't tell you prices on the phone, make up things and pressure sell people who come in. If I was you I'd stay well clear. If you can't trust them now and the point of sale how do you think you'll be treated down the line.

What exactly are you looking for in a gym.there are loads around that area that aren't as difficult to get a straight answer from.

Fireball81

GSOIRL wrote: »

Sorry, I can see how my message might of come across as a smart ass answer but my genuine advice would be to look for another gym. Their whole way of going about their business should show you how they are. Don't show prices on the Internet, won't tell you prices on the phone, make up things and pressure sell people who come in. If I was you I'd stay well clear. If you can't trust them now and the point of sale how do you think you'll be treated down the line.

What exactly are you looking for in a gym.there are loads around that area that aren't as difficult to get a straight answer from.

No worries, only reason I want to join that particular one is I was a member years ago (pre kids) and have kids in there doing swimming lessons now so I know what I'm signing up for.

There are others nearby by but none with a pool and I like to swim.

Am a member of a non pool gym at the moment and tried a local council pool at Meadowbrook for the swimming as a PAYG user but it's a pain in the arse as there are only certain free slots for lane swimming a day (often 9pm-10pm), sessions start on the hour when you can get in only for 45 mins. They're not open bank holiday weekends either.

Will look at Gymplus in Rathfarnam (has a pool) a few km further than Westwood, no idea of pricing though.

Plenty of options for gyms without pools but for me a pool is what I'm looking for.

Fireball81

A little further away (2kms) in opposite direction but €500 a year (silver membership) less than Westwood and that's before any joining fee...

Interestingly you can bring a kid to swim for a fiver, think Westwood was a lot steeper.

https://secure12.clubwise.com/Rathfarnham/pos.asp

Mmmmmm

ted1

Fireball81 wrote: »

A little further away (2kms) in opposite direction but €500 a year (silver membership) less than Westwood and that's before any joining fee...

Interestingly you can bring a kid to swim for a fiver, think Westwood was a lot steeper.

https://secure12.clubwise.com/Rathfarnham/pos.asp

Mmmmmm

Is it a 25m pool ?

Fireball81

ted1 wrote: »

Is it a 25m pool ?

Doesn't say on website, am going to have a look at the place, they do a free day trial pass too.

silverharp

As a sidebar, my wife is in Riverview and she said they have a waiting list, parking is mental there they have people dedicated just to oversee parking , so I could imagine Westwood Lep might be a second choice as there aren’t many good family centres.

The Davestator

Firstly, there is no comparison between gym plus and WW. There is very little to compare to WW Leop but it largely depends on what you want.

For those not in the leisure industry...

Joining fees have a couple of purposes, but the main one is to stop people chopping and changing gyms. If you pay 100 euro, you are less likely to leave as you know you will have to pay another 100 to re-join in the future.

A lot of clubs also use joining fees to pay commission to the sales team. if the sales person goes below a certain number, they don't get their commission so the sales person doesn't bother. (I don't know if WW do this)

January is not a great time to haggle! Sign up to their social media accounts as they often post deals there.

Tip;

If you pay in one go, you don't pay a joining fee at all and usually get some months free. In fact, it's cheaper to get a cheap credit union loan or even credit card to buy the annual membership and pay the loan or credit card back monthly.

asteroids over berlin

don't pay it, they usually have promotions, 50 max should be the limit otherwise leave it, i think there is a flyefit in Stillorgan and definitely in Dundrum, not too far

Fireball81

asteroids over berlin wrote: »

don't pay it, they usually have promotions, 50 max should be the limit otherwise leave it, i think there is a flyefit in Stillorgan and definitely in Dundrum, not too far

Thanks, neither have a pool so it looks like Gym Plus is where I'll be going.

Re above and membership fees pay commission to staff, that's not really my problem....

The fact is gyms make their money out of people who sign up and don't go. It's pure chancing their arm to charge joining fees and is not to stop people from chopping and changing. The 12 month contract at €79pm (in this case) does that.

The Davestator

Fireball81 wrote: »

Thanks, neither have a pool so it looks like Gym Plus is where I'll be going.

Re above and membership fees pay commission to staff, that's not really my problem....

The fact is gyms make their money out of people who sign up and don't go. It's pure chancing their arm to charge joining fees and is not to stop people from chopping and changing. The 12 month contract at €79pm (in this case) does that.

I know it's not your problem, but I know what a joining fee is for and it is to stop people chopping and changing. Contracts are worthless as you can cancel any Direct debit (and with SEPA, can actually claim back the last 2 months fees)
I have been working in the leisure industry for more years than I care to remember so I do know what I am talking about!

ted1

The Davestator wrote: »

I have been working in the leisure industry for more years than I care to remember so I do know what I am talking about!

Maybe it’s time to reasses their thinking as I know many people who walked away as they were not willing to pay the joining fee.

Good facilities that are clean and well kept should stop people chopping and changing.

If large amounts of people chop and change then that reflects an issue with how the gym is run

The Davestator

ted1 wrote: »

Maybe it’s time to reasses their thinking as I know many people who walked away as they were not willing to pay the joining fee.

Good facilities that are clean and well kept should stop people chopping and changing.

If large amounts of people chop and change then that reflects an issue with how the gym is run

I dont disagree with any of that - i was merely pointing out what a joining fee was.
In most retention studies, a joining fee is the number 1 single driver of retention but obviously lots of other factors are in play too.

caviardreams

In fairness - joining fees are standard. Sure, some places may not have them but westwood are not unusual. Flyefit charge a joining fee - even if you pay for a full year up front and commit - and they market themselves as a very flexible gym. A joining fee of 50 euro or thereabouts is acceptable imo and I can understand the reasoning in terms of stopping people cancelling at the drop of a hat - once it starts getting into 100+ it starts getting a bit OTT though.

Fireball81

caviardreams wrote: »

In fairness - joining fees are standard. Sure, some places may not have them but westwood are not unusual. Flyefit charge a joining fee - even if you pay for a full year up front and commit - and they market themselves as a very flexible gym. A joining fee of 50 euro or thereabouts is acceptable imo and I can understand the reasoning in terms of stopping people cancelling at the drop of a hat - once it starts getting into 100+ it starts getting a bit OTT though.

Westwood want €499 to join - jokers

MilaM

I was member of Westwood in Clontarf and I have to say they are well worth the money. I am thinking of joining again, after moving to stillorgan. Is it easy enough to walk form the central park luas station to westwood? I have teen who would be using the gym too

I never pay over 50 joining fee but the 79 after that per month is non negotiable. Say no, I am not going to pay over 50 joining feee, take it or leave it. The will take it after talking to the manager

They added my husband to my membership without any joining fees over the phone too!

Try different branch

I am trying to decide between flyefit in stillorgan and westwood, stillorgan is so near me I don't care for things as showers etc I am only looking for classes.

Pablo_Flox

Westwood Leopardstown have buckets all over the gym floor to collect drips from a leaky roof. It has been that way for at least 6 months (maybe closer to a year) so it doesn't look like something they are fixing... Take that into consideration when you join. It was state of the art at one point, but its a bit run down now. Sandymount is a much nicer gym

MilaM

Sandymont is bit harder to get to, I may give flyefit Stillorgan a try

Fireball81

Went elsewhere - refused to pay £499 joining fee (I'd pay up to say €100l but they were not interested.

caviardreams

MilaM wrote: »

Sandymont is bit harder to get to, I may give flyefit Stillorgan a try

If classes are your thing, Flyefit Stillorgan isn't great and varies a lot depending on the instructor, and aren't great at the best of times imo.

Westwood do the Les Mills classes which are on the better end of group ex imo - maybe try a day pass or two in Flyefit and see how you find the classes?

Pablo_Flox

Pablo_Flox wrote: »

Westwood Leopardstown have buckets all over the gym floor to collect drips from a leaky roof. It has been that way for at least 6 months (maybe closer to a year) so it doesn't look like something they are fixing... Take that into consideration when you join. It was state of the art at one point, but its a bit run down now. Sandymount is a much nicer gym

Not great for the price they charge...

GSOIRL

Pablo_Flox wrote: »

Not great for the price they charge...

Never mind 6 months. That has been happening for over 10 years in Leopardstown.

Looks grim

Fireball81

bluewolf wrote: »

Looks grim

For €75 a month and steep joining fee...yep

JustAThought

Fireball81 wrote: »

Went elsewhere - refused to pay £499 joining fee (I'd pay up to say €100l but they were not interested.

Fireball - I went to join westwood & was told that if I’d ever paid a joining fee before & my membership had lapsed I would not need to pay it again. Surely their policies are ubiquitous?

Also - go online and request a ‘free’ 5 day pass - its actually a pass with a pressure selling technique built in - of you join on day 1 of your free pass its e100, on day 2 its 200 etc. Apparently they are inundated most of the email requests dont get respnded to but email them anyway from their website and then cLl a few days later and ask where yours is - they’ll get tou in and ‘offer’ you that deal.

I’d ring forst and ask about rejoining having already paid a joining fee - get they guys name and go from there. Try Clontarf for your question.

Then again, given the bucket scenario, it might be worthwhile shopping around. Flyfit & others have changed the fitness landscape considerably,

Fireball81

JustAThought wrote: »

Fireball - I went to join westwood & was told that if I’d ever paid a joining fee before & my membership had lapsed I would not need to pay it again. Surely their policies are ubiquitous?

Also - go online and request a ‘free’ 5 day pass - its actually a pass with a pressure selling technique built in - of you join on day 1 of your free pass its e100, on day 2 its 200 etc. Apparently they are inundated most of the email requests dont get respnded to but email them anyway from their website and then cLl a few days later and ask where yours is - they’ll get tou in and ‘offer’ you that deal.

I’d ring forst and ask about rejoining having already paid a joining fee - get they guys name and go from there. Try Clontarf for your question.

Then again, given the bucket scenario, it might be worthwhile shopping around. Flyfit & others have changed the fitness landscape considerably,

Thanks, yes the trial guest pass route but it made no difference.

Clearly there are enough clowns paying the joining fee or part of one - went elsewhere, very happy, more money in pocket and unlike the photos above no buckets to collect leaking water!

MilaM

Fireball81 wrote: »

For €75 a month and steep joining fee...yep

79, they increased it few years ago

JustAThought

Seriously Fireball ? It is on the landing page of their corportlate website & available for all of their gyms - make a formal complaint to head office - maybe the seller has targets to meet and is playing buggers with you. Either it is available or not - there are questions of governance about advertised deals and prices being heavily promoted but not being ‘available’ when requested. Well worth a try.