Bally Fitness Gym's 30- Day Free Trial... It's a Scam!

Unfortunately b/c you gave them your credit card number the cc company has to continue to make those payments. That is the reason places like this request credit cards b/c they have a signed authorization by you to charge. And unless you jump through the hoops they will continue to charge.

My suggestion to you is to go into the office yourself. People can dismiss letters but it is very hard to dismiss a person causing a scene in your place of business. Obviously don't go overboard but unfortunately in today's world it seems like you have to be mean to get what you want accomplished.

Also as someone else suggested do the letter writing thing and contact the BB as well.

Good luck.

I had a horrible experience with Bally's. Way back when I was a senior in high school, I signed up for a membership. They suckered me into signing up for a 3 year membership - and they make it sound like that's the only option. When I told them that I was heading out of town for college in the fall, they said I could "freeze" my membership and just pay for the months I'm back in town. That was a bunch of BS! Of course they continued to send bills, and when I sent the bills back with a letter explaining that I was away at college and my membership was supposed to be put on "freeze", the collection agency actually called the house and threatened us! FINALLY, after numerous letters and phone calls to the corporate HQ in Huntington Beach, CA, they cancelled my membership.

Anyway, to answer your question...I would first contact the regional office here in the DFW area. Then, if they are no help, I would directly call the corporate office in Huntington Beach, CA and file your complaint. And be sure to document ALL correspondence and get names of people you talk to.

Good luck!

L. - I came across an article today and I remembered your post. Go and read this. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBankin...

(you'll probably have to cut and paste...sorry)

I didn't realize that legally it is your credit card company or bank (with a debit card) that is responsible for stopping automatic payments. With this info, you should be able to stop the payments - might be a lot tougher to get back what you've paid, but at least you'll be able to stop any future payments without having to haggle with Bally's. Good luck! S.

I think you're officially supposed to file that cancellation letter with the headquarters address -- maybe that's on the website. Everytime I've had to cancel a gym membership (Bally and 24 Hour Fitness) -- I've had to send a letter to the main headquarters -- not the local gym that I actually workout at. Just fyi. You may try calling the local gym's head manager; and if that doesn't get you anywhere contact the headquarters and ask for a manager on their customer service line.
Good luck! I always hate the way Bally treated me as a customer that's why I switched. I workout at LA Fitness now -- and I absolutely love it -- and it's a good price.

First of all, I agree with Elain. Call the Better Business Bureau to complaine. Also, most importantly, call your credit card and tell them NOT to honor the charges from Balley any longer.

I had the same thing happen w/24 Hour Fitness! I will NEVER go for anything like that again w/ANY club! If I EVER join a club again it will be a month-to-month, payment by check ONLY! They NEVER gave me my money back and said I should have been paying attention to my account....all I have to say about all of them [except Cosomopolitian Lady, back in the day] are words I will keep to myself, or I would get kicked off this site...Grrrrrrrrrr :O(

ps; I sent my letter to their headquarters along w/the card as told...they said it was lost..WHATEVER! I HATE 24-HOUR FITNESS

Hi L.:
I had a similar situation with them, and they are the most unprofessional group of people. They promise one thing and when you need to cancel or relocate, they don't let you off the hook so easy. I was relocating from CA to TX and to make a long story short, I ended up loosing some money on my end.
I would first file a complaint with Better Business Bureau (BBB) - you can do this on line and write a letter to Bally headquarters and cc: as many people as you can in the letter. I went as high up as I could in the company and also cc: BBB - by doing this, Ballys will know you filed a formal complaint. Go strong on the letter...Ballys has since then contacted me several times and I will NEVER do business with them again.
Good luck and sorry to hear you are dealing with this, for I know it's such a waste of valuable time.

I too, had a problem with Bally's when I tried to cancel. I refused to pay them. I wrote them a letter the information as to where to address the letter to was in the contract. I made sure that I sent the letter certifed, return receipt requested so they wouldn't be able to say that they didn't get it. It wasn't until I went to purchase a car that I realized that this nightmare wasn't over. Bally's reported my account to the credit bureau. Thank God I had the letter and receipt that someone did receive it and they did not act on it. An attorney friend of mine wrote them a letter and demanded that they remove this false and negative information from my credit report or they would be sued. I have not heard anything else from Bally's through credit agencies, collection agencies, etc. No longer will I go to Bally's either. While you are trying to stop them from billing your credit card are you able to cancel?