Spa Health Clubs of Chapel Hill, NC - I have sent a letter restating my cancellation of the contract and am now filing with the Better Business Bureau

Spa Health Clubs of Chapel Hill, NC - I have sent a letter restating my cancellation of the contract and am now filing with the Better Business Bureau

Spa Health Clubs of Chapel Hill

I walked into Spa Health Clubs in the beginning of March to get my husband a gift certificate for a massage. When I walked in I was greeted by Brian D. He showed me a brochure for a massage and then quickly asked me if I was currently working out. I said now and that I was very interested in joining a club, but I didn't want to pay a lot I didn't want to be locked into anything. He took me into his office to talk. He said he would reduce the price for the joiner fee and that my monthly payments would only be $29.00 a month. I said great and we started going over the contract.

As I read through I specifically mentioned a part of the contract stating I was bound to the contract for 30 months. I asked him why he put that down, because I wasn't sure I wanted to be a member for that long. He said that he just had to put down that length of time for the contract but that I could quit before then if I wanted. I then asked him if there was an early cancellation fee or if I would be charged for quitting early. He told me no.

So I continued to sign and came to the part of the contract which has the terms for ending a contract. I read that I had to move 8 miles from my current location and 30 miles from the health club or one of its affiliates, or become injured. I asked him again if this was the only way to get out of the contract and he said I could quit when I needed to that the contract is just a formality of becoming a member. I said ok, trusting in Brian and continued to sign. I was very excited to now be a member and couldn't wait to work out. Brian seemed like a great guy and so I made an appointment with him to start my personal training. I went to work the next day and told my co workers how I had gotten a great deal at Spa Health Clubs.

My coworker told me his story of being locked into contract and being very unhappy and being threatened with collections. Another coworker told me of a lost check she had written, and a bounced check which had resulted in the Sheriff at a friend of hers door step. When I was told these things, it concerned me but I just though they were just flukes. I told my coworker that I got a great deal and could cancel my contract when ever I like. He was baffled. The first session was ok, though Brian was often leaving me alone in my training saying do 15 of these I will be right back.

The second time I came to the spa Brian approached me about drugs, specifally pills (painkillers). So not to seem terribly uncool I just said I don't know anyone but I will ask around, but I don't know anyone I am new to the area as well. Hopeing he would get a hint.The third time I came into the spa he questioned me again if I knew where he could get some drugs, and I again said no I don't. This time the training was even worse, so I then stopped training with Brian and started the cycling class. I enjoyed it and planned on continuing. Then my husbands car was stolen and we chose to move. We moved 30 minutes from town where we were only 10 before, and so with this and everything else gong on I chose to cancel my membership. I called Brian and told him I wanted to cancel, he said he didn't handle cancellations and gave me the 1800 number. I asked if it was a big deal to cancel, because of my warnings by coworkers.

Brian told me that I had to give one of three reasons, moving from my home, away from the spa, or an injury. He said he wasn't sure of the specifics but that was what I needed to say. So I called and was told that because I was still within 30 miles of a club that I could not cancel my membership. They stopped the payments but I was still accountable for the 30months of membership. I told her that I was informed I could cancel whenever I needed to, and she said, Beth Hill, that I had to take that up with Brian. She said if I didn't pay I would be taken to small claims court.

So I then went to Brian, who denied ever telling me I could quit anytime and said he is a good person and hates to think he is working for a company in it for the money, but that this is out of his hands. This is even more upsetting because he is the one who got me into this mess. He did however tell me on Friday that he would contact Beth Hill first thing Monday morning and explain that this was a big miscommunication between he and I, and then call me at work.

He also suggested lieing to her about where I had moved or trying to get someone to take over my membership.I called him after not hearing anything and discovered that he has every Monday and Tuesday off. I decided to stop all contact with him, which was easy since he never called me back.. I have sent a letter restating my cancellation of the contract and am now filing with the Better Business Bureau.

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Comment On This

That's funny. I joined the same club and had the same guy offer me drugs. Nice guy, but isn't it supposed to be a "health club"???