Blink Fitness

Review: This morning I went to Blink Fitness at [redacted] in the Bronx. I was told that my membership was canceled on December **, 2014 due to non-payment although my bill was currently paid up. I recently attended the gym on December ** & ** and had no problem with my membership. This morning I felt that I was accosted by the person at the counter. If he saw a discrepancy in my bill he should not have stopped me from exercising. He should have taken care of the problem since I was not apart of it. I brought my 17 year old daughter along with me to join the gym, but, after seeing how I was stopped and how they refused to amend the situation my daughter noticed that we were the only [redacted] people in the gym. We noticed that the gym is predominately Spanish and that may be where the problem lies. I explained the situation to the [redacted] and he recalled me coming in on December [redacted] and not having a problem with my membership. However, he said that I would have to start a new contract and pay a new fee. I do not understand why I have to start a new contract when the other one is currently paid up. Especially since I was never notified of any problems with my account.Desired Settlement: I felt embarrassed in front of the other customers as-well-as my own daughter. I should have been notified in writing that my account was canceled. No one should walk in a gym ready to exercise and be told that they cannot when they owe nothing at all. On the other hand, the gym should not want you to pay more money to start a new membership when absolutely nothing is owed.

Review: Blink Fitness's employee [redacted] lied to me about automatic billing and I have been automatically charged on my card. When I signed up at Blink, the associate who assisted me ([redacted]) at the time told me that I need not to read anything and to ask him if I had questions. I asked two times if I would be automatically billed. He replied that I would not, that I would have to come in to pay my bill and that there was no contract. Not only did he fail to properly communicate the rules about billing, but he also failed to mention the cancellation fee or cancellation period. Thinking that my membership had ended after the two months I initially paid for, I did not return to the gym. Only recently did I notice two charges buried in my account. When I went in to speak with the mod[redacted], she told me the [redacted] had since been let go. She agreed that he had not told me the correct information but also said I would be hit with debt collectors if I did not sign the cancellation agreement. I signed the cancellation agreement that day and she told me to come back to speak with [redacted], the [redacted] to see if I could have her contact corporate to solve this matter. I asked if she would send an email to corporate and she refused, saying that she could only be responsible for the terms and agreement and that I could not get a refund. She refused to assist me further and denied any wrongdoing on the part of the employee.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive a refund for the two months charged at the balance of $31.36. I would also like to request the $3.75 cancellation fee to be waived.

Business

Response:

We have reached out to [redacted] to attempt to resolve this concern. While we can not be sure what conversations transpired when she enrolled, we understand there was some type of misunderstanding of the terms of the agreement that she signed. We have agreed to not hold [redacted] to the required 45 days notice and will refund one months dues.

Review: I have went numerous times to this location to cancel my membership and the gentleman that was in the front desk told me that unless I was moving to another state he couldn't cancel my membership the following week I went back because I kept recereceiving emails for collection I placed a call today to the company at 3:30 pm and the young lady that answered the phone said that someone would get back to me to discuss the situation no one has gotten back to me and every time I call someone puts me on hold then hangs up I called back and now no one answers which my phone records will show how many times I called I just want to cancel my membership which with thus company they make it impossible now I have to worry about my credit report and I don't think it's considerate of them at least answer your company phone its very unprofessional I've tried to cancel but I can not seem to find anyone to help me with my situationDesired Settlement: Take my account off debt collection

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have been contacted directly by Blink Fitness White Plains regarding complaint ID [redacted], however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

The business has responded. Please see below:After receiving the letter from the Revdex.com, I contacted [redacted] to discuss her feedback. I apologized for the confusion and the inconvenience as it is a very easy process to cancel a membership. I explained the way to cancel and offered [redacted] the opportunity to cancel from the date she visited the club. [redacted] will honor the cancellation policy that was agreed upon when she joined. I will be cancelling her membership with proper notice and collecting all standard cancellation dues.

Review: I purchased 12 personal training sessions for $336 after training with the same trainer for a year and 2 hours after I bought package he was fired from the company for an issue they knew about the night before. They refuse to issue me a refund for these sessions I bought to train with this trainer not someone else.Desired Settlement: refund of my money

Review: I cancelled my membership in 2012, this has been confirmed by the company's own front desk associates. They have since fraudulently charged me for many months since the cancellation. They state the I rejoined the gym, which is 100% FALSE. They will not issue even a partial refund, nor will they even allow me to cancel to avoid further charges without appearing in person (an impossibility due to the fact that I am outside of the country.)Desired Settlement: A refund is hereby requested and legally required due to the unauthorized charges for services that were neither provided nor requested.

Review: [redacted]

Blink Fitness Member Services [redacted]

Dear [redacted]:

I have been a member of Blink Fitness since 10/**/2014. Last night, I attempted to cancel my membership by walking into the Blink location in Chelsea, the club at which I first joined, given that I am moving out of town. Upon arriving at the gym, I spoke with Stephan and was asked to sign a cancelation form consenting to a $60 penalty charge plus the cost of 45 days of additional membership. When I initially became a member, I was never advised that I would be subject to an annual contract, and never would have become a member given how infrequently I visit the gym.

Upon reviewing my contract with gym attendants, it became even more clear that I never agreed to be subject to an annual contract. The contract simply states that “If this membership is for an annual term, I understand this Agreement is for a minimum of twelve (12) months after which I may terminate my membership at any time by providing 45 days’ written notice either in person at the club or by certified or registered mail to Blink.” It also states that “If this is an annual term agreement, the membership agreement may be terminated with a 45 day written notice and payment of a $60 buyout fee sent by certified or registered mail to Blink.” Nowhere in the contract does it say that I agreed to be subject to an annual membership.

When discussing this issue with the gym attendant, I was referred to the website which indicates that Blue/Green memberships are annual memberships. I cannot be held liable for terms and conditions that are not part of the contract and will take further legal action if necessary to dispute the above-referenced fees in connection with this cancelation request.

I respectfully request that you cancel my membership immediately and waive the above-referenced fees.Desired Settlement: I respectfully request that you cancel my membership immediately and waive the above-referenced fees.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Business

Response:

Blink's cancellation policy is 45-days notice, and a buyout fee would apply to all Green members wishing to cancel within their first 12-months from their agreement start date. As per the membership [redacted] selected when joining online, the Green membership is a one year annual agreement that would require a buyout fee should the member decide to cancel within the year. As per Brian's signed membership agreement, without a signed cancellation form at our front desk or a certified letter mailed to our Member Services address, Blink will be unable to cancel a membership. Blink requires a signature at the club or by certified mail to cancel the membership.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I didn't join online and I never consented to an annual membership. The contract does not indicate that a green membership is an annual membership. It only says that "if" the membership is an annual membership, there is a cancellation policy. In any event, I have already sent a certified letter which should have long been received by now, so I would appreciate confirmation that my account is closed and no additional fees are due.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

The member's certified letter has been received and processed by Blink Member Services. The member's account is cancelled as of 10/**/2015 and no additional fees are due.

Review: I opened my credit card statement this month and saw an increase in my monthly Blink Fitness rate (billed 3/** for the month of April 2015). I called the gym and was told that all Blue members were automatically converted to Grey members on April *, hence the higher billing, however I received no communication about this. My contract states that I'm supposed to have 30 days notice before a rate increase. I called the gym and all they said was that an email was sent out, but I have never received one. I asked the gym for a copy of the email on 3/**/15, and still have yet to receive a copy.Desired Settlement: I want the gym to honor my old monthly rate, until I'm given the proper 30 days notice for a rate increase.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Business

Response:

The member was advised of the membership change via the email address she provided at the sign up time.

Review: I signed up with blink last year. They said it would be 20 dollars to use all the gyms else where. Never did they notify me that I would have to pay an extra 5 dollars if I wanted to continue going to the gym near [redacted]. Now that my one year agreement was coming due they send me an email saying that if I wanted to keep going to that gym I would need to pay 5 dollars extra. It's not fair that they change the contract all of a sudden. On top of that when I tried contacting the head office a couple times no one would answer just an answering machine. I left a message and no one from the head office contacted me. When I went to cancel today or see if I could downgrade at least they said there was nothing that could be done and that was that so I just canceled.Desired Settlement: I want to speak with someone at the main office and see if it's legal for them to just change to rules. Because not once did they ever contact me before my 1 year agreement was up to tell me that in order for me to keep going to my gym that I would need to pay extra.

Business

Response:

I phone [redacted] on 3/**/2015 to discuss his feedback. I left a message and will be sending him an email explaining the membership agreement. [redacted] agreed to the $20 monthly rate which allowed him access to multiple facilities. There was a change in our offering where certain clubs were charging $25. Blink honored the $20 for the 12 month agreement and sent [redacted] a email which notified him of the change for his consideration which he referenced in his letter. It is also stated on the agreement which [redacted] acknowledged when joining. The agreement states "The monthly dues will continue to be deducted each month at the monthly rate then in effect. Blink will provide thirty days' notice to Member of any change in the monthly or annual rate."

Review: Blink fitness Bronx (Concourse Village)

paying for services at the gym. where I am unable to use machines /treadmill because machines not working or able to workout because teheAC is not working and it's too hot to the point I could pass out. and when I am able to get a machine the staff actually started to dust the machine while I was it. the staff does not seem to care..

Ask for Manager never seem to be one on site.Desired Settlement: a credit for days I was not able to work out due to machines being down or machines not working

Review: When I signed up to be a member of Blink Fitness online, the parameters of the cancellation policy were not made clear upon signing up. I paid for the months of February and March and during the month of March I was charged for the month of April. While a member at Blink Fitness I did not attend the gym in February and I only attended twice in March. I have no plans to attend the gym in April and May but I was told that I will still have to pay for these months since they have a 45 day cancellation policy. This policy was not made clear to me upon signing up online and neither was the billing schedule. I would like to have a refund for the month of April since I do not plan to attend the gym in April and I would like to avoid any further charges for the month of May.Blink claims that there are no cancellation fees and that the membership for which I have signed up (Gray Membership) is a non-contract membership, but I would consider this to be a cancellation fee. Upon deciding this, I tried to call the corporate office to speak with someone and there was consistently no on available to assist me. It seems as if this could be something that happens often with members who choose to cancel their memberships. My suggestion is that in the future Blink Fitness will make their cancellation policy more clearly understood by members who sign up for the gym online. I will also suggest that members are notified by e-mail when payment for membership is due.Desired Settlement: For settlement I would like a full refund for the month of April and to avoid charges for the month of May

Review: I am a new member of Blink Fitness, membership # [redacted]. I signed up for Blink fitness with the $1 start-up fee and was not told that I would be getting charged an additional $17 on the first month as a"pro rate start up fee" until I saw the charge on my account on 9/**/2015. I called my home gym and spoke with a young lady by the name of Ashley and she apologized and explained to me that she was also not aware of this as she found out recently. She mentioned that many of the members have also been complaining about this unexpected charge and I don't blame them! If that was the case, this should have been TOLD to each person that registered during that time. It is very unprofessional and dishonest for your company to decide to add a "pro rate start up" charge even though we paid $1 because of the promotion. I would like to either speak to a corporate representative or get refunded the different between what I SHOULD be charge for my blue membership. I joined this gym because of the affordable monthly rate but this sudden and undisclosed charged has made me regret my decision. You guys have access to my card and now I am afraid that I will be charged whatever amount the company wants.Desired Settlement: Because I was not told that I would be still charged a start-up fee regardless of their "promotion" and no small print, I would like to be refunded the difference of what my actual charge should be, which is $20.00 per month.

Business

Response:

Member paid $1 for pre-opening startup fee promotion. As per the terms of the member's signed Membership Agreement, the member authorizes their bank to make Blink monthly payments on the [redacted] of each month. The $16.92 is a correct bill for the member's first month of membership dues, as the facility opened in September. Instead of being billed a full $20.90 for September dues, the member was only charged $16.92 for the days the in September the facility was opened for. Per the terms of the member's signed Agreement, Blink billing is performed via Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization.

Review: they tell you one price that was advertised for a month to month membership is $10. But charge you $16.00 to your credit card another amount. They also do not specify that there is a charge to cancel membership if it is month to month. Also do not tell you or give you in writing the new terms if you upgrade that it is now a contract. There employees need to be better trained. They are a rip off and tell you one thing but do something else.Desired Settlement: Credit to my credit card for the difference in months where it was suppose to be only $10. That they advertised for and not $16.00. I would have never signed up.

Business

Response:

Member [redacted] joined during presale on October **, 2014 at our advertised $1.00 pre-opening startup fee and $15 per month ($16.05 including tax). $15 per month prices were advertised on all marketing collateral and webpage in order to process the sale. As per the terms of the member's signed agreement, member agreed to pay $15 beginning January [redacted] 2015.As per [redacted] signed membership agreement, Blink will honor our cancellation terms by providing 45 days notice and collecting the final prorate for these usage days. Member signed her Request for Cancellation form at Blink's front desk on 6/*/2015, agreeing to pay $9.32 final prorate and providing 45-day notice to cancel her membership. The terms and conditions regarding Blink's cancellation and billing policies were agreed to and signed by the member, and being honored by all members in all locations.

Review: Blink has been offcially charging me since 7/*/14 20. 90, next payment on 8/*/14 9/**/14 all correct payments of 20.90. on tuesday 9/**/2014 Blink charged me an additional 40. 76 I have idea what this charge is for i've contact them several times to inquire. the system instructs me to leave a message and no one ever returns my call.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded and cancel my membership

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I went with a friend as a guest to Blink Fitness on [redacted] Street. As we were about to leave the representative came up to me and tried to get me to join. I explained to him that I do not live in the city and I was not interested in joining. He told me that I could sign up for a membership which allowed me to use any Blink Fitness gym and that I could cancel at anytime. I figured I didnt have anything to lose and joined. When I enrolled I used an automated machine which asked me general information and proceed my payment. I did not sign a contract nor was I given a copy of a contract via email or in any other form. Now Im experiencing pain and my doctor advised me to stop exercising. I go to cancel my membership and Im told that I have to give 45 days notcie in whcih I will be charged for those days as well as pay a $60.00 cancellation fee. this was not dicslosed to me prior to me joining becasue I would have ran the other way.Desired Settlement: I would like to be able to cancel out of my membership which I havent even been able to enjoy for a month without being charged outragous fee that I did not agree or committ to.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I joined Blink Fitness Center and was told that I could bring a friend to work out with me at no extra charge. I had a friend who came to work out with me who was also a Blink member. They accused me of acting as her personal trainer. I was not doing this. We were just working out. They told me my contract said that members could not personal train other members and that they were revoking my membership, but I did not personal train my friend, we were just working out together. I have talked to them and they refuse to reinstate me.Desired Settlement: Reinstatement of membership

Business

Response:

Per the observations from Blink Riverdale's club manager, the member was observed providing instruction to a guest on 9/**/2015. Club Manager spoke to member and reminded member that use of non-Blink Personal Trainers in the Club is prohibited. Members may not personal train other members, per the terms of the member's signed Agreement. Member was observed again on 9/**/2015 for training members and/or guests in the facility. Membership was cancelled on 9/**/2015 for repeated observations of outside personal training.

Review: I've emailed them several times been given the run around several times. My husband is in the military and we had to move to Germany due to that's where he is stationed. Before the move I walked in the St Anns gym personally to cancel the membership I had. I was told the computer was down but to fill out a cancelation form and everything would be fine . I fill out the form believing the membership is canceled and months later get told the membership is still active. I just want this canceled I'm not paying $200 thats extortion.Desired Settlement: I want the membership cancel and I'm not paying anything.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,

Review: The sign up process to join the gym is very easy and is available on-line. The sign up process took about 10 minutes on the computer. My credit card has been charged every month since then. I haven't used the facility once. I finally decided that I am wasting money on a membership which I do not use and wanted to cancel. I went online, but although it is very easy to sign up online, there is no option to cancel. I called the gym, but they told me that I either need to show up to the gym or send a certified letter. No option to email, call, fax. I either have to go in person to the post office to certify a letter or show up at the gym. It's very frustrating that a business intentionally makes it extremely difficult to cancel a membership so that they can continue to charge you for a service they are not providing. Since an option to sign up is available online, there is no reason why cancellations should not be as easy.Desired Settlement: Add an option to cancel the membership online.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: I joined blink fitness Feb 2014 and stopped going May 2014, according to blink I still have to pay for a full year, whether I use their services or not. They claim this information is made in the terms/conditions notice which they claim is E-MAILED to clients, no black and white hard copy at time of contract signing. This must definitely a deceptive practice since other FEEs eg. (maintenance, annual) made known through the alledged E-MAILS. I attempted to REJOIN, paying these fees, $124.00 in total and am still unable to utilize their services. After this final frustration I no longer want anything to do with this organization, I would just like my funds returned.Desired Settlement: To have my funds of $124.00 returned

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Blink Fitness (All Metropolitan NY area locations) regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: The last time I was in the Blink [redacted] was in November of 2013. In December of 2013 I moved abruptly upstate New York in [redacted](8 hours away).I called the facility to cancel my membership and was told that I would have to come into the facility to cancel.I explained that I had moved away and had no way of getting there to cancel.I was told that a fax could be sent.I did not have a fax machine, so the person I spoke to told me that they would cancel for me and mail me some paperwork that I must sign and return ASAP.I never received paperwork and about 2 months later I noticed that I was still being billed-which was weird b/c I was getting "sign up for membership" I called and I was told that I needed to speak with a [redacted], there wasn't one on staff,so a message would be left and I would receive a phone call. I never received a phone call.A month went by and I'm still getting billed.I called Was again told that I'd have to be called back.I called again. I was told that there is no way of canceling over the phone.I explained that whoever I had spoken to told me that they could indeed cancel over the phone but that I needed to sign and return paperwork by mail. I was told that the paperwork would be mailed.Again, I never received paperwork. 10/2014 spoke to a staff member who told me that she couldn't find me in the system.I asked why I was still being billed. She told me that she wasn't a [redacted],I had to call back.I asked if there was a way to have my phone call on record.She told me no.I called back, no [redacted]. I called back I explained to the assistant [redacted] that I had not been into BLINK fitness since November 2013 and explained my problem.She told me a form would be emailed.I got the email and asked for a district [redacted].After playing phone tag and having me explain my issue, he told me that the [redacted] I dealt with had resigned and they don't usually do that and they have 1000's of members and disregarded the fact that I'd left messages and told different things by staffDesired Settlement: I am requesting a refund for 10 month's worth of services that I could not use.During this time I was left hanging around and finally, 10 months later, I am told that a form could be emailed,which the district [redacted] I spoke to hinted was something that they don't do either. I have a copy of the signed cancellation form sent in September but I would like a refund for the time that I had been trying to cancel and was given "wrong" information.I was being billed 15 dollars per month.150 dollars.

Review: in April 2014 Blink advertised that they was opening new location, $1.00 membership for 1 year in June (believe June *, 2014) so I signed up. During sign up numerous people were also signing up. I was told membership was S1.00, shown a sheet with 2 package Grey/Blue both for $20.00 told what each package entailed. I paid $1.00 fee with my debit card, given an Blink Tee Shirt and went on my way. NEVER was I told/instructed that I would have to pay monthly payments of any amount. so basically I walked out with the impression that my membership was covered for 1 year by paying the dollar fee. Two days after signing up I received an email welcoming me. in the email there was NO mentioning of payments etc. On June * I was informed hat fitness center was still under constructions and opening date will be July [redacted]. I came July [redacted] gym was extremely packed, I took photo for my id still no mentioning of monthly payments. On Sept * went to another Blink location, there I was informed that I owe $47.60. on Sept [redacted] went to [redacted] location and was informed that $47.60 was outstanding due to non payment of bill. I tried explaining to manager to no avail. my questions are 1: What was the $1 fee for 2: If I paid with my debit card and according to Blink I was informed about their payment policy isn't that giving Blink authorization to deducted payments from my account? Bear in mind I was never informed of payments) yet why haven't Blink take payment out of my account? I feel that Blink is responsible for whatever debt that occurred not me. Also I would like to stress that had I WAS informed of monthly payment I would have gladly paid with no hesitation nor problem.Desired Settlement: I would like for Blink to erase my debt and allow me to use their facility asap as I was instructed by my doctor to lose 20-30 due to knee & hip issue or else I would have to have hip surgery. Thank you.