I'm pissed!

[Forrest]

i joined a brand new gym (Ken Shamrocks Lions Den) in Modesto, Ca. back in Sept. they were suppose to open in Oct... Oct came and i heard nothing, so i called and they said equipment was coming late and so they wouldn't be opening until the 3rd week in Nov! mean while i'm being charged on my credit card for 2months for nothing... so i called last night and guess what? their phone is disconnected! so i drive out there just now (20 mins away) and no one is there... i asked the company next door if he knew anything, he said he hadn't seen anyone there in days..

i called Shamrock headquarters in AZ and all i get is a recording to leave a message (which i did)..

even if this all looks bad and they are still going to open, this is really unprofessional of them. i signed a year contract with them and it's coming out of my credit card each month, i feel like quitting even if they open, i really don't like doing business with people who are this unprofessional.

[Kimberly]

I don't blame you one bit Forrest. They shouldn't be charging until their facility's open. But first, check the fine print of your contract regarding when your payments were suppose to start and then take the appropriate steps to cancel it. I'm not sure what their policy is on canceling (if there's a flat rate fee or if you have to buy out the remainder of your contract). I know they haven't opened yet, but sometimes contracts can be a pain in the ass. I would also report them to them to Better Business Bureau. This is not the way to do business.

[Forrest]

i haven't looked at my contract yet, but i don't see how they can charge for services not rendered. i can see how they can charge a month up front, but not two.

[Kimberly]

What was the enrollment fee? Usually that includes the first months tuition. But it should have on there when your payment starts. Even though services have not been rendered they may see it as you signed this contract and, therefore, they are going to hold you to it (services or not). I know, sucks.

Sorry, I work memberships for the taekwondo studio, so I know a little about this. I'm not an expect in it, but just trying to see if I can come up with any good advice.

[ATT]

You can always try to get your money back for the two months that you were charged. Like what was said earlier read your fine print and see but you should be able to recover your money.

[Jessica_1979]

I know your pain Forrest!!
I have been at my gym for 10 years...it came under new ownership and everything went for shit! (this all happened starting this June and I only recently went back 2 weeks ago)

So I am a regular..and I show up to a sign on the door from the landlords saying some crap about seizing the building back and locked doors.
Nobody tried to contact any of the members...I heard all of my info through the group fitness co-ordinater who was my friend, she had contact with the owners, her cheques were getting bounced, and he wans't answering calls.. I call the other 2 locations and they happily say that they expect everyone to come to those locations and that they wouldn't freeze my membership.
I live 30 min drive away from MY downtown gym...I am not about to drive another 15 or so to go to smaller locations... that don't even have childminding ....I want my gym or nothing dammit. AND they say they can't cancel my membership over the phone (even if I gave them all of the correct personal info) I had to come in person.
So they are still taking money from my bank...I finally get up to one of the locations ....explain my situation...tell them that I have been charged for 2 months that I didn't have gym access and want to quit NOW!
Well, of course the person who needed to be there to cancel for me wasn't there...and they'd leave him a message....and that I'd need proof that I lived a certain distance away from the other 2 locations...now I was extra pissed!!!
So I did get a phone call right away from the owner..he said things were under control and that the old gym would be re-opening in 1 month or so and that I could go there no charge until Jan.2009 and at that time I could cancel with no penalties or waiting periods...etc.
So finally a little less perturbed I decided to take up that offer and go back....I spent all summer trying to get into a decent routine bouncing between Golds gym/The YMCA/ and Womens ZOne...and working out at home.....but it just wasn't the same.
I have been back at MY gym again for a bit now and am so much happier!!! And I got to hear the full story on its closing and what actually happened.....long story...and finally getting back into a good routine!

So ...I understand your anger, it's bullshit when they don't keep their members informed and give you the runaround! :mad:

[Sac23722]

If you are paying with your credit card - they have protections in place for things like this. I have had to use it a couple of times. They have the ability to strip the company of payment and credit it back to your account - just an idea

To be honest though, I've heard that Shamrock has been in some pretty serious financial problems over the years - that is why he came back to fight.
That doesn't mean anything but just a little suspect

[Ivan]

haha the lions den is the name of my schools newspaper...

[Lisa]

Forrest, that's shitty. I would try to take that up with your credit card company and see if they can stop that payment from coming out. For now at least you can have your charges stopped and then worry about getting your money back for what you've paid already. Sorry to hear about that. What a bummer.

[Ivan]

or go to the gym when it finally opens, and just knock out shamrock

[tobias]

Don't trust the Shammies! I've heard bad news about both of them.

[Lisa]

maybe they should be called the schammers!

[JBNTX]

Don't trust the Shammies! I've heard bad news about both of them.

Likewise broseph !!