LA Fitness and ARC

louiselondon

Hi there,

I really need some help!

On the February 26th 2011 I visited the London Piccadilly branch to use the facilities as I had been emailed a free five day membership. Upon entering I was greeted by Hannah and she informed me that I could use the facilites - which I did so and then afterwards she told me that I was obliged to sign up, I said I wasn't so keen and would like some time to think about it as I was a student - at this point she informed me that the gym was currently running a new student promotion which meant I would be exempt from paying the monthly tariff throughout the months of June, July and August, however, Hannah told me this offer would only be available if i signed up within the next ten minutes. Feeling pressured I signed up and she instructed me to bring in my student card the following day so she could transfer my membership over to the student deal - which I did, and after she had taken my student card away she returned and informed me that it was all sorted and the discounted months had been applied.

However, in June the monthly membership was withdrawn from my bank account and then again in July at this stage I attempted too call the gym and ask for an explanation. I called at least five times and on one occasion Hannah answered and apologised for the mistake and said she would clear up the mess and call me back - the call never came so I emailed the manager who told me that it was not his responsibility and I had to contact 'Member Services' after being put on hold for 30 minutes the employee called me a lier and said that I should never of been told to call that number.

I then attempted to contact the gym itself on numerous occasions to resolve the situation but I was cut off or ignored every time.

I am now getting threatening phone calls off a mobile number telling me 'to give him the money now'. I am currently a victim in an on going court case I have been so alarmed by the nature of these calls that I have missed important calls from the Police and Victim Support as I have been too scared too answer the telephone.

I have incurred almost £100 in overdraft charges and feel ever so frustrated as I did try and contact the gym to resolve the issue in a civil manner. I have contacted my family solicitor, Watchdog and Consumer Direct.



What can i do?

I got another phone call this morning and he is now saying I owe ARC £1000 and the solicitors are preparing the letter as we speak and Im going to get eaten alive in court - he was so rude!

at_a_loss_3

Useful LA Fitness contacts - I have recently had an on going battle with them. Im from the Midlands area, but after failing to find any contact numbers/addresses useful to me, I went on google maps and typed in LA Fitness Head Office, it came up with this addres:
LA Fitness Corporate Office
Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate
Sandall Stones Road
Barnby Dun
Doncaster
DN3 1QR
Telephone - 01302 892 310
Later I discovered their Members Team work from there, so maybe direct your correspondance to this address, send recorded delivery too for proof. I made a 'paper trial' of all the letters and emails sent. Also a call log, this way if you need to prove anything its all there.
Not many must know about this, but I think its very useful when they are known for fobbing people off!!
Hope all this helps.
Other contacts are [EMAIL="member.relations@lafitness.co.uk"]member.relations@lafitness.co.uk[/EMAIL] and 0844 770 7700, but I think a direct approach is always better. Dont give up either!! I had 4 months before anything was actually done.