Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street)

Review: Over a year ago I cancled my Synergy fitness membership. I paid the last month. They continued to charge my card after notification illegally. I had [redacted] investigate the issue and they provided me a refund. For the past month I have received 5 harassing phone calls looking to collect money from me. I explained the first 2 times the situation. That they were charging my illegally and it had investigated by [redacted] and they had lost because I had canceled my membership. I asked them to stop contacting me 3 times now. Today 6/**/14 I recieved another phone call at work at 4:50 pm. These phone calls distract and interrupt my job. I will be seeking legal action if it continues.Desired Settlement: I would like Synergy to apologize for their harassment. I would like them to stop harassing me for collections. I would also like to let other consumers know about the abusive intrusive illegal practices of Synergy, a filthy gym.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: On 1/**/14 I sent a certified, return receipt letter terminating my membership which is what they require. On 3/**/14 they sent a letter stating I owed $34.49. I called to address their letter. They demanded payment or it would be sent to collections. On April [redacted] they charged my credit card $95.00 after I had provided them proof on that day that my membership had been canceled in January. They are an exceptionally unethical company.Desired Settlement: Refund the monies stolen.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have been contacted directly by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted], however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

They requested that I once again send them the documentation of my termination of the account but have not acted to reverse the charges they have made, which I did. I have attached all the correspondence along with the certified and registered mail receipts which was originally sent to them again. I have never worked with a company that responded so poorly to an issue that is clearly their fault. Furthermore, their requirement of a certified letter with a return receipt to close the account is an absurd barrier that I complied with back in January - it is now June and my only redress has been [redacted] holding the funds until this is resolved. Bear in mind that they have made the threat to send this to a collection agency in an attempt to damage my credit and coerce payment.

Sincerely,

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

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have been contacted directly by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted], however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[redacted] ultimately declined the charge - this is the worst business I have ever interacted with.

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

Sincerely,

I chose to join this gym despite the strange feeling I had from the beginning, primarily because it is so close to my apartment. When I first toured the facility, the woman who was trying to convince me to join (totally normal to be pushy), went far beyond what is appropriate. She accused my boyfriend of being an alcoholic simply because he said that he had recently stopped drinking. She suggested he go to AA meetings with her. Understandably, she must have difficulty herself, but when he declined the invitation, she ranted about how he would relapse and continued to outline the catastrophe ahead. Additionally, when we tried to explain that we were just inquiring (we were not sure yet that we would be approved for the neighboring apartment), she demanded we fill out tons of information (including our contact and credit card information), and proceeded to call us virtually every day. These calls sometimes came early in the morning or late at night when we were still sleeping.

After joining, they offered a free personal training session. I tried it, and was genuinely interested in pursuing further sessions. But the trainer tried to guilt me into continuing on with him. He basically assumed I would continue, so telling him that I had to think about it, was incredibly uncomfortable. Then, when I told him that I had a very busy schedule and was interested in meeting 1-2 times a week, he said that twice a week would not be beneficial, and that “someone like you needs at least four times a week”. He continued to try to convince me to sign up for sessions four times a week. I’m a professional dancer and have never been overweight. I have a nutritionist, and I work out on my own five times a week when accounting for work and rehearsals… I also told him that I wasn’t looking to change my body- I was just interested in learning how to use more of the equipment. So it is illogical to assume, considering that I did not intend to change my body, that I needed at least four sessions a week. Of course this is a business ploy, but his “hustling” (as an employee called it when I later complained) quickly turned into harassment. As I received calls from the woman who gave me the original tour, I received voicemails and texts from this trainer. I responded by telling him that I would contact him when I made a decision. His attempts at contact dissipated after about a month, but at this point I started to feel uncomfortable even going into the gym.

Next, every time I entered the gym, they would ask me if I wanted a body assessment. They would ask if I wanted to know the percentage of fat I had on my body. The first few times, I didn’t mind. But soon, it became really irritating. The moment you walk in, there are three trainers explicitly asking this question. I asked for the manager, primarily to address this issue, but also to discuss some of the other concerns I was having six months into my membership.

Some of my basic expectations for a gym are properly working equipment and relatively accurate class schedules. When I first joined, the class schedule included three cycling classes per week (two of which were back to back though). This was what made me decide to join Synergy. If this had not been the case, I wouldn’t have joined. What they failed to tell me, is:

1. Every month the schedule changes drastically.

2. Most of the classes are cancelled every week, and there is no substitute.

3. Classes nonchalantly begin 30 minutes late, leaving just 15 minutes and a half hearted apology from the teacher.

I initially conceded to join a gym that had three cycling classes a week. It wasn’t the best, but I thought I would make do. But now there is only one. And most likely, it will be cancelled most weeks. Thus, the conditions in which I believed I was entering into when signing my contract, no longer exist.

When I first signed up, before signing the contract, I asked to speak with the manager. I was directed to a man who I have never had a problem with. Now, I realize this is because he either lied to me every time I asked a question, or he too is victim to this company’s fraudulent practices. I asked him specifically about guest passes. Are there certain days or times when guests are not allowed? Is there a certain number of guests I can bring in per month? Ect. He told me that there were some rules about when guests could not come, but to just let whoever is working know that he says it is okay to bring someone in. He gave me a handful of index cards, which are supposed to be guest passes. He told me to use them. I responded by asking if I lose the cards, will there be an electronic reference noting how many guests I’ve had, which would suffice for a guest pass. He told me that would be correct. He said I should never have a problem bringing in a guest.

I had tried to bring a guest in a few times before today. Once it was allowed, but the employees viciously tried to recruit him as a customer. This made both of us uncomfortable, and to this day, my guest still receives calls and voicemails from Synergy. This same person came in once more with me (and this person has a gym of his own that he belongs to as well), and they refused to let him in. I asked for the manager, who was the guy who had been nice to me before. He told me that I could not bring in the same guest twice. I asked, “even if it has been six months since the last time?”, and he said yes. So we went to my friend’s gym. The only other time (besides today) I tried to bring in a guest, the employee accused me of having brought the person in multiple times. My friend was visiting NYC for the first time, but it took about 15 minutes of debate before they agreed to let her in.

Today, I had the most unpleasant experience I’ve had yet. I have only brought two people in to be my guests in the last 11 months, and every time it has been a struggle. Today, I found out that the employee who I was told was the manager, is actually not the manager. Another friend is visiting the United States for the first time, and I wanted to work out with him. When I showed up, they said that the “manager” recently decided that this weekend (labor day weekend), no guests were allowed. Granted, on all paperwork it is stated that guest policies apply. But when I asked about this (and I did so multiple times), I was always told that “guest policies” exclusively referred to a set of rules on the wall (certain hours weekly when guests were not allowed). I figured that because I had brought my guest at a time not covered by these restrictions, I would not have a problem. The person who was working told me that I could not have a guest. I proceeded to tell him of the “manager” who advised me to use his name. The employee seemed not to care. I asked if he could call the manager (who I thought was the person I had dealt with before). We went through a back and forth routine of him refusing to contact the manager or anyone above him. I then asked for a contact number of the owner or corporate office. He again refused me this. He said the manager would be back soon, and that he would do me a favor. He told me to fill out a piece of paper for my guest. I did so, glad that I would not have to deal with more of this company’s ridiculous manipulation. Then, he said that all I had to do was pay $25. Then, the real manager (or at least I’m assuming he is) came in. This was when the real problem started. I first expressed confusion, asking if there was another manager as well. He told me that he was the only manager. I went through the same conversation, but this time my concerns seemed even less relevant.

When another customer walked in, the manager tried to walk away. I told him that I needed to have this discussion, and he shoved me (him, a really muscly guy, and me, a petite classical dancer), walking past into his office. I proceeded to follow him, insisting that he continue this conversation and not ignore his customers. He told me that the other customers would potentially pay more, so they were more deserving of his attention. When I told him that I would not leave until I received the contact information for the owner or corporate manager, he proceeded to call the police. I left after that because the bruise on my arm was beginning to make me feel like I had been hit by a brick.

I feel that I have wasted nine of the eleven months that I have been paying to attend this gym. I would DEFINITELY advise no one else to go there. The facilities, the equipment, and the employees are awful. I understand that all businesses, especially ones in a competitive fitness market, must “hustle” their customers to a certain degree, but their practices violate customers. It is clear that their employees promote verbal inaccuracies. I have not been to the other locations, but it is clear that there is an issue at least at the management level, if not among individual employees and corporate members.

Review: My one year contract at the gym expired Oct. 2013. I notified the business using the proper method according to contract that I was discontinuing my membership. They continue to consider me a member and keep a running tally of monthly fees. Even though my CC number has been updated, they continue to add up my fees and send them to a Florida Credit Collector. They are currently demanding I pay $338.94. I've called Synergy on many occasions and have been treated as if I'm trying to take away their livelihood. They claim to have no central office and no billing department to handle this dispute. I feel I've been provide no avenue for recourse. All the while, they are continuing to treat me as a member with dues of $29 per month. In addition, they never once mailed me informing me dues were owed and still being added on a monthly basis.Desired Settlement: I want them to acknowledge my membership has ended (I haven't entered their gym since long before Oct. 2013) and remove my name from their collection agency.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: Hello,

I purchased 11 physical training sessions which I have outlined in my copy of my contract. In addition to purchasing personal training sessions, I had to purchase a monthly gym membership. When I was about 2/3rds done with my sessions, the personal trainer asked if I was going to purchase a new package. I said no. After this, I was unable to schedule sessions in a timely manner. I approached the management and asked if they are purposely avoiding completing my sessions as it extends my monthly membership fee because I cannot complete my personal training session in a timely manner. He said that wasn't true and gave me a new personal trainer. I was able to complete one session before the new trainer canceled on me. Additionally, trainers canceled on me twice within the 12 hour window required in the contract. I did miss one training session due to not feeling well within the 12 hours which I am responsible for which I have counted as a redeemed session from my 11 purchased. The contract I signed does not allow for refunds, but they are not allowing me to use my remaining sessions. I additionally have text message correspondence detailing these encounters

On Wednesday April 30th, I received a text saying I was up for renewal. I verbally said I did not plan on extending after my next session.

After a session on Monday May [redacted], I verbally scheduled a training session for 7 am on Friday May [redacted]. I received a text message on Friday May [redacted] at 12:35 AM canceling the training within the 12 hour window required by the physical training contract. I changed my plans knowing I had training early the next morning. I would like to be compensated for this session the amount I would have paid to the trainer based on 11 sessions/$465.05 training session contract total payment.

After the incident I tried to schedule an session in the future on May [redacted]. They times I suggested were not available for Monday, and Tuesday evening the following week. The conversation ended with me asking if there was time available on Monday evening or Wednesday morning, but the message was ignored. After waiting for a response, on May [redacted], I replied saying that since we were unable to schedule a session, I would have to wait until after my half Marathon on June [redacted] to schedule my next session.

Upon returning, I tried to schedule a session on June [redacted], and June [redacted]. On Jun [redacted] at 10:04 PM, I got a response asking when would be a good time for me to schedule a session. On Jun [redacted], I asked for a session Thursday Afternoon or Friday Morning. I asked on June ** for an update on scheduling. I was then told my trainer got a new cell phone number on June [redacted] and was able to schedule a session on the [redacted].

On Tuesday June [redacted] I was able to schedule my second session with a new trainer since mid May. We verbally scheduled a session the following Monday at 7 am. Sunday evening I texted at 10:01 pm to confirm tomorrow's session and was told the trainer couldn't make it. I than remarked that he wasn't able to cancel within 12 hours, and he said the rule didn't apply to me. Monday evening, I went to management again asking to cancel my membership and be refunded for my remaining sessions and explained the canceling rule. The [redacted] stated there was confusion with transferring my account to the new trainer and he didn't know I had more sessions left. He said I would not get a refund, I need to send a letter via certified mail to cancel my membership, and that it was a honest mistake and the trainer would contact me to set up my next session. The trainer has yet to reach out to me.I wasDesired Settlement: I would like to be refunded for the last 2 (June and July) months of my gym memberships as I have been trying to schedule training sessions to complete, but have not been able to secure my time. I would also like to be refunded for the last two personal training sessions which they have avoided scheduling and compensated for the two session which I was canceled on. Finally, I would desperately like them to let me cancel my gym membership.

June Membership: $31.20

July Membership: $31.20

2 Canceled Sessions 11/$465.02*2: $84.55

2 Remaining Sessions: 11/$465.02*2: $84.55

Total Refund: $233.50

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I had purchased with my friend, a [redacted] for Synergy Fitness. They had set us up for a month to month $40/a month charge.

At the time I lived on [redacted] and it seemed like a pretty good deal being as half of NYC gyms are silly expensive...then we decided it was not a great gym, in fact half the time there was a 30 minute line for the 4 treadmills and half the bikes were broken. Which is fine, it that's how they'd like to conduct business but for me I'd rather run outside or do something else and asked to cancel my membership. They then said I can't ask to cancel it (typically when I've cancelled a gym membership before they make you pay something around $100 and cancel it on the spot), this wasn't the case, they had asked for me to send in a letter. So I did. I am pretty sure I sent certified mail but it was a year ago and don't really remember. Either way, that's a bit sketchy to begin with and I have not been since--they have that on record that I have not been to the gym. They said the last charge to me was in January 2014, which is strange because I cancelled it before then.

They gave me a call today, I answered and had explained that I have not been there in a year so why would they still accumulate charges or think that I still belonged and not have contacted me in 9 months when my card stopped working (I went to Sochi, Russia for work in March and lost my card right before that so I had a new card). I explained I had sent a letter. They were incapable of spelling my name it was about 15 minutes until both the woman who called me and their [redacted] could figure out how to spell my name to even pull my name up. It was ridiculous. They claimed to have 500 people that haven't paid? In my mind I feel like that's a lie and a way to try to scam me into it because if they haven't collected from 500 people in a year they're small business should probably have gone under.

I recognized the [redacted] voice from his heavy accent and that he was the one I signed up with summer of 2013. He interrupted me mid sentence and told me that within 30 minutes they are sending me to a collection agency. Which I asked how that is even possible when I haven't been there in a year and cancelled and said that they've called me multiple times which they haven't and I'd love to see their phone bill if that's the case to prove that they've called to discuss this with me in the past YEAR. This is the first time they've called to let me know that I still have a balance and to follow up with a threat that I have 30 minutes before they call a collection agency?

They claimed to have never received my letter and that they don't have me on record for asking to cancel it. This is a ridiculous claim and for not visiting that gym in a year which they definitely can see on record and also after my card was indeed charged after I had sent the letter, but only a month or two which is generally a typical practice for a gym-you cancel then they charge the next month and then you're done. Which is why I assumed I was and then they're claiming I have a balance of almost $500 after moving and not going there for a year?? Someone needs to investigate this places practices.Desired Settlement: Honestly, I want them to clear my charges entirely because I do not belong there anymore and haven't in a year. But I would even be happy to pay $100 to have them investigated and for them to leave me alone.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

I have received your letter in regard to issues from our former member. They all seem to be billing-related issues. In summary, the former member insists that they have cancelled their membership the proper way. The proper way being that the cancellation letter has to be sent via certified mail.

Our records show that this member have not cancelled properly. Hence, her gym membership is still active at the moment. And, needless to say, she is still being actively charged every month. We insist that she have not followed proper cancellation procedure. If she indeed did cancel properly by sending a certified letter, she should be able to provide a receipt with tracking number.

Contractual procedure stipulates that cancellations must be sent via certified letter. Many members find this excessive and, as a result, do not bother to cancel properly. Instead, they will cancel their credit cards in hopes that the gym will not continually charge them. As you can see, these former members will eventually be sent to collections.

So if this former members did indeed cancel properly, she should be able to provide receipts with tracking numbers. If she can't, then there is no dispute.

Thank you and take care,

Synergy Fitness Clubs

Review: I was a member of Synergy Fitness at 31st Street until November. In December, after going to the [redacted]. location, I was told by the [redacted] that I needed to sign on as a member at the new branch in order to continue going to that location. I filled out new paperwork and was billed accordingly, with the assurance that my former membership had been canceled. I discovered that I was being double-billed, however. When I reported the problem to Synergy, I was ignored. Upon reporting it again, someone called me to say it had been corrected. I formally cancelled my membership with all branches as of February. As of April, they are still billing me, however. Each time they bill me I have to notify my credit card company and dispute the charge. Upon reading reviews, it seems that this double-billing and billing post-cancellation is not uncommon. This is a fraudulent practice, and needs to stop immediately.Desired Settlement: I want written confirmation that I will no longer be billed by them and that BOTH memberships have been cancelled.

Review: In order to cancel your membership at Synergy Fitness you have to send a certified letter. I sent a certified letter cancelling my membership on October *, 2014. The letter was recieved and signed for on 10/**/2014. I was charged for my October 2014 dues, which I was ok with because it fell within the 30 days notice as per their contract and because my billing cycle started around the second week of the month. However, I spoke to them today (November **, 2014) and they said they have to charge me again for this month per the contract. I plead my case and the man on the other end of the phone was nice and very civil; however, this really does not seem like a fair business practice.Desired Settlement: While I would like to get my $40 back for this month it does not seem likely or worth the time and energy. I think Synergy should allow people to cancel in person if they present valid ID. This certified mail practice just seems like a opportunity to keep charging when members are no longer using the gym.

Review: I have not been to Synergy fitness since September of 2013 and received a phone call from them today stating that I owed another month in past due membership fees. I cancelled my membership in October 2013 and had to go through a ridiculous amount of trouble to do so. In order to cancel my membership, I could not simply call management, but rather had to pay and send a certified letter stating my desire to cancel along with proof of a move more than ** miles away. I did so and never received confirmation, or any other type of communication from Synergy until they called me today. I was told that I had to pay my balance, that I do not feel I owe, or my balance would be sent to collections. This is the ONLY notice I have received from Synergy in the last 13 months. They claimed to have sent notice to my address on file - dumb, I cancelled because I moved. My certified letter had the new address on there as well as proof of new address i.e new license and a bill. Conveniently for them they have NO proof of ever receiving that, but in a previous call I was told she received my certified letter 10/**/13. What? This place makes zero sense. However, my phone number has been the same and I NEVER received any communication from them. I asked the [redacted] (after requesting a [redacted]) I spoke with for the phone number of Synergy's corporate office or billing and the [redacted] completely ignored my question, saying they couldn't do anything for me that he couldn't do and refused to give me the number or name of any contact person for me to deal with. He said they outsourced it. He was completely incompetent and rude, he cut me off and threatened numerous times with collections. The best part is that I actually did pay what they're claiming I owe and sent proof of it two days ago, BUT somehow I had to follow-up with them to make sure they received it. For some reason it's still not good enough so I had to send more proof of my new address and have to wait the weekend to see if "billing" approves it. Approves what?? I have held up my end of the contract in full. This is a completely unorthodox method of practice. It is not my fault that they are inept, and the letter, as well as proof of new address I sent was not properly filed. I was never contacted so I was entirely unaware that I owed any money at all, which makes the threatening phone call I received incredibly uncalled for and it seems very unfair that I should have to pay for a membership to a gym that I have set foot in over a year.Desired Settlement: My balance adjusted to zero.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted]. I have called to follow-up multiple times and the issue is still unresolved. They should be the ones contacting me. Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: I tried to cancel my gym membership. First, the male that signed me up said it was extremely easy to cancel the membership and that I could do it in person. I signed a bunch of forms, but never saw the one that said I have to give 30 days notice via certified mail (a dinosaur's way of doing things). Somehow they had my signature on a paper (maybe I did sign and don't remember, but I doubt that I would sign something that said that).

I went in and had a rude confrontation with the day women that ran the counter when trying to cancel the membership. She was stand-offish and nasty. I finally got the information out of her that I needed to cancel this thing via certified mail. I rushed to the post office and had it mailed express certified targeted to arrive before the [redacted]of December. I got receipt that it arrived at their offices on the 14th, thus cancelling my membership in that 30 day window.

I just looked at my credit card and they charged me for January. This fee is from the [redacted] of January to the [redacted] of February, but I cancelled a month before that. I called the office and the same rude woman said there was nothing she could do. I have disputed the charge with my credit card company, but wanted to voice a formal complaint with the Revdex.com.

They are running a crooked operation in their dirty gym. They said when I took the tour that they would be updating all of the equipment and as soon as something is ripped or broken they would replace it. Nine months later when I was still going there, it was the same disgusting, overused equipment. It was the worst experience I have ever had with a business in New York City (where I work). I hope that my complaint can help effect change for this gym, so it can no longer take advantage of it's consumers.Desired Settlement: I want the fee for January to be refunded back to my credit card. I also want their practices to be changed, so that no longer are able to take advantage of customers.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Synergy Fitness (East 31st Street) regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: Synergy's cancellation policy is unnecessarily arduous and deliberately designed to unfairly take money from their customers without providing service. It is unethical.

I was told at signing that I could cancel membership at anytime with no penalty. But when I called to cancel, they said they could not accept cancellations by phone, in person, email, fax, or any other method except mailing a certified letter to the club requesting cancellation. Mailing a certified letter involves making a special trip to the post office, which is very difficult for someone with a job, not to mention very time consuming once you actually make it to the post office. Furthermore, the club claimed that this policy was for my own benefit, because it guarantees delivery. But this is clearly disingenuous. Sending an email, or a fax, or a scan, or appearing in person, just as easily guarantees delivery of any message. And a cancellation request is not a nuclear secret, there is no need for the extra security of confirming receipt, nor does it require an original paper delivery. Synergy clearly is up to date with the digital age- they have a website, apps, digital marketing, but when it comes to canceling membership, somehow they don't have technology beyond the 1950's and require a mailed certified letter.

In addition, once they receive the cancelation, they say "company policy" requires they charge for an additional 30 days. Why? I've already jumped through several unnecessary hoops to cancel my membership, there is no possible reason to then charge an extra 30 days.Desired Settlement: If a member wants to cancel, they should be able to do it by phone, or fax, or email, or scan, or appearing in person at the club, all normal methods of doing business in 2014. I also would like a refund from all charges from December through the current time.

Business

Response:

Dear Sir/Madam, Please accept this letter as a response to the Revdex.com complaint filed by [redacted]. There is no wrongdoing on our part. [redacted] is simply complaining about a policy explicitly written on the membership contract. The stipulation requires that a cancelation letter be mailed as a certified letter to our gym. Membership is then cancelled thirty days after the postmarked date on the certified letter. Again, there is no wrongdoing in this procedure. As a matter of fact, it is a common practice by some other gyms. Please note that [redacted] has presently accrued an amount of $31.34. After he pays this amount, his account will be cancelled. We are understanding of [redacted]'s complaint, but we stand by our cancelation policy. Please feel free to contact [redacted] if you have any more questions or comments. Best, [redacted] Synergy Fitness Clubs

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:

[Your Answer Here]

They have simply restated their unfair and needlessly backwards cancellation policy, which is coercive, and designed solely to extract the most money out of their customers after the customer wants to cancel membership. My basic argument is this policy itself is unethical. Businesses should not be able to get away with unethical and coercive behavior simply because its their "policy". I have stated the reasons it is unethical in my original complaint, I suppose it is now up to the Revdex.com to adjudicate this matter. [redacted]

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

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Hello Sir/Madam, We are sorry to see that the customer is not satisfied with our cancelation policy. It is explicitly written in the contract and explained to them when they first signed up for membership. Please understand that we are trying to follow procedure. Thank you and take care, Synergy Fitness Clubs

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:

The cancellation policy was not explained when I signed up. I confirmed with the representative that I could cancel at any time, he said yes. He did not explain the arcane policy that I would have to go to the post office, and send a certified letter. That it was buried in the policy that I signed is not the point of the complaint. My complaint is that the cancellation policy is unreasonable. To require a certified letter be sent from a US post office- and reject canceling by phone, internet, fax, in person, regular mail, or any other method aside from taking a day off work and making a special trip to a post office is clearly designed to delay cancellation and maximize inconvenience to the customer.. There is simply no legitimate business reason for such an arbitrary requirement. Note that the business itself does not even offer a legitimate reason for such a policy, they just restate the policy and say they "stand by" it. Businesses should not be allowed to put ridiculous provisions in fine print and to exploit customers. Any provision in a contract should meet some standard of reasonableness, and in 2015, requiring a certified letter sent only by the US post office does not meet any standard of reasonableness.

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

Sincerely,

Review: I have not been to Synergy fitness since February of 2014 and received a phone call from them today stating that I owed over $300.00 in past due membership fees. I cancelled my membership in February of 2014 and had to go through a ridiculous amount of trouble to do so. In order to cancel my membership, I could not simply call management, but rather had to pay and send a certified letter stating my desire to cancel. I did so and never received any more information from Synergy until they called me today.

I was told that I had until tomorrow morning at 9am to pay my balance, that I do not feel I owe, or my balance would be sent to collections. This is the ONLY notice I have received from Synergy in the last 8 months. They did not have my address on file and I moved, but my phone number has been the same and I NEVER received any communication from them. I asked the [redacted] I spoke with for the phone number of Synergy's corporate office and the [redacted] completely ignored my question, saying they couldn't do anything for me that he couldn't do and refused to give me the number or name of any contact person for me to deal with.

This is a completely unorthodox method of practice. It is not my fault that they letter I sent was not properly filed. I was never contacted so I was entirely unaware that I owed any money at all, which makes the threatening phone call I received incredibly uncalled for and it seems very unfair that I should have to pay for a membership to a gym that I have set foot in for almost a year.Desired Settlement: Remove the due balance from my account and do not cancel my membership without contacting me again.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

I have received your letter in regard to issues from our former member. They all seem to be billing-related issues. In summary, the former member insists that they have cancelled their membership the proper way. The proper way being that the cancellation letter has to be sent via certified mail.

Our records show that this member have not cancelled properly. Hence, her gym membership is still active at the moment. And, needless to say, she is still being actively charged every month. We insist that she have not followed proper cancellation procedure. If she indeed did cancel properly by sending a certified letter, she should be able to provide a receipt with tracking number.

Contractual procedure stipulates that cancellations must be sent via certified letter. Many members find this excessive and, as a result, do not bother to cancel properly. Instead, they will cancel their credit cards in hopes that the gym will not continually charge them. As you can see, these former members will eventually be sent to collections.

So if this former members did indeed cancel properly, she should be able to provide receipts with tracking numbers. If she can't, then there is no dispute.

Thank you and take care,

Synergy Fitness Clubs

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:

It has been over 6 months since I cancelled the membership and I have moved out of state so I do not have a receipt. If you look into this business' history, you will see a number of similar complaints from other customers. I would like to contact the company at their corporate headquarters but no one will provide contact information to me. This all feels incredibly underhanded and wrong. I took the proper steps to cancel my membership and never heard anything about my account being active until just a week or two ago. I will not pay for a membership that I cancelled. I should not be charged for a membership that I cancelled and have not used since February of 2014.

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

Sincerely,

Review: I have joined the gym in June 2012. Since then, I have purchased many training sessions. The last package I have purchased was for 10 sessions and for an amount of $700. The purchase was made 1/2 in cash (upon express request of the gym !) on 09/**/2012 and 1/2 via credit card on 10/**/2012. I was NEVER given a copy or receipt of that purchase at the time. Since that date I have had on-going health issues that have prevented me to go to the gym as often as I wanted to. My trainer has always been aware of that fact and never told me I had to hurry to get back to the gym if I did not want to loose my training sessions. Despite that I have continuously paid my membership via automatic debit hoping to resume exercise again. As further evidence these session were not expired, my trainer recently inquired if I could come train again only because he was leaving for vacation this coming month of August .Again, at no time did anyone tell me my sessions were expired. Last Sunday, as I knew I have $700 worth of credit and I was tired to pay in addition the membership fees without going to the gym, I kindly asked the person at the desk to apply that credit toward my membership as it was too early for me to go back to training. At that point a very desagreable individual named [redacted] told me that my sessions were expired and that it was on the back of a receipt ( a copy of which I never received until then) and never was I led to believe it was the case as my trainer was ready to resume training with me this summer! I have heard several similar stories of people taken aback by their policy of keeping the money without notice nor providing any service. When I told [redacted] I had health issues (i.e. [redacted]) he had the nerve to tell me " then you should work out more" (sic.)...I was flabbergasted by his careless attitude. My trainer then tried to intervene and told [redacted] that he knew of my health issues and that the previous manager named [redacted] was ok to let him train with me whenever I was ready.The trainer even asked [redacted] to have have at least 1/2 of the money applied to my membership and the other 1/2 applied to sessions (which my trainer offered in an attempt to resolve the issue amicably). Still, [redacted] was too happy to keep my money in exchange of NOTHING . If sessions really expired after two months at that gym, I was informed by a friend of mine who is also a member that she was recently able to transfer her so-called "expired" sessions to another person. The conspicuous language on the back of the receipt ( a copy of which was eventually handed to me by [redacted] last Sunday) says that "if applicable, and unless otherwise indicated, fitness service sessions will expire at a rate of 2 months every 10 sessions". That shows again the ambiguous practices of the gym towards its members. As, 1) I never received in writing the information the sessions were to expire 2) never got any reminders of that fact and most of all 3) everything in the behavior of my trainer or management AFTER December ** 2012 led me to believe these session were NOT expired. As I can no longer be a member of an establishment who clearly takes advantage of their members by pressuring them to purchase training sessions and NOT informing them of their expiration.This is why I have decided to file a complaint with the Revdex.com today. I have decided to cancel my membership effective immediately.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded the $700 that I have paid for.

Review: Cancelled first in summer 2012 with my roommates certified mail. Synergy complained and refused to honor. Cancelled again on July *, 2013 via certified mail #[redacted], signed by [redacted]. Paid [redacted] full amount due. Synergy continues to hire collections agencies such as Performance Portfolio Management to harrass with colleciton calls.Desired Settlement: End all collection attempts. There is no more debt. The contract is over and completed.