BalanceDiet

Review: I have been disputing the Inches a Weigh contract for three years. The collection agency they work through, [redacted] in Missoula, really just acts as a secretary. They have no authority to work with the customers in regards to the disputes, settlements, etc. The contract does not state that you will be liable for the entire amount of what your membership would have cost. I had to cancel my membership with Inches a Weigh due to extreme changes in my work schedule that caused me to not be available to work out. I paid up until I cancelled and once I was done and within about 6 months I believe, I received a collection notice. I of course responded with the dispute, with the prove the debt process. They simply responded with the debt is valid. I disputed through my credit reporting, they of course respond with the debt is valid. I have read that the contract is up for dispute often in other states and I know it is here as well. My question would be that why should the company be paid for services not provided, services cancelled? Knowing their contract is clearly flawed if so many people dispute it, why not change it? Instead they leave the contract as is and allow themselves to be open for dispute. I have shown that contract to numerous people who have also read and interpretted it the same as I did, the same as several customers have, that we may terminate our contract and be in default which lists that should we sign up again we have to pay our sign up fee again.I offered a settlement to the collector, [redacted], they contacted Inches a Weigh, Inches a Weigh did not even return their call. [redacted] states that they often do this and want every penny of that bill, pursuing the entire balance. In return to my settlement offer Inches a Weigh has turned around and tried to summons me. They have been an asbolute pain to work with for the last 3 years and are destroying my credit for services not rendered.Desired Settlement: I request that they either work with me like an established company or drop the collections. I also request that in the future they redo their contract to clearly state the ramifications for not maintaining your membership. I'm appalled that they will not even work with their own collection company, and should this go to court I will fight it with every fiber of my being. 950.00 and a damaged reputation are not worth it to the average co. I ask that they reconsider their stance.

Business

Response:

Our records indicate that this

client came to the center on 9-22-10 for a complimentary consultation and chose

to become a member on 10-4-10. During the consultation and nutritional set up (2

separate appointments) each one of our clients receives no less than 2 hours of

individual instruction on policies, procedures, expectations and paperwork, at

this time all their questions are answered. A part of this is an explanation

that our program is a life style change not a short term solution; we are

dedicated to and guarantee each ladies success. Therefore, clients are

responsible for paying for their weeks to goal and receive free weeks for maintenance,

this case was no different.

This particular client had four

successful weeks on plan losing 6 pounds, which is our guaranteed 1.5 pounds

per week. We did not hear from her again until we received notice in January of

2011 that she had reversed the charges on her credit card for payments on

products and services that she had already received. We made care calls to her

from November through January to see why she was not attending, we never

received a response. As the notification of reversed charges, declining

payments and no response from her continued we had no other options due to

corporate guidelines than to pursue collections.

In the rare event that this

situation arises, we have always tried to settle these things in house and not

with a third party. However when the client will not return our calls that is

nearly impossible. As to the concern that the Missoula offices are contacting

this client we have no control over this, to the best of my knowledge [redacted] has

four offices that work together... I do not know how they handle their cases or

which office gets what file.

Finally, we were never contacted as to a possible settlement;

we would have gladly worked with this client to help her achieve her goals.