[scyoco]

I browsed the website of California fitness and there is a ad saying that they offer 7-day free trial for new comers. I immediately signed up and they sent an e-mail back to me, asking me to print it out and bring it to any of their branches.

I went to the Causeway Bay branch and intended to apply for the free trial, but it turn out that there is no free trial!! The sales guy told me he could only reduce the enrollment fee from $499 to $199. The monthly fee is $499 and the processing fee is $499 and I need to sign a contract for one year! The lump-sum is 6986. It is very expensive to me, so I asked for a cheaper plan. I'm just a student!

He then introduced another plan to me, which is the same, except the enrollment fee will not be charged and the contract will last for 2 years. So this is the so-called "join 1 year, get 1 year free" plan. Therefore, the sales guy said I only need to pay $266 a month for 2 years.
However, at last, I have joined this plan.

I regret that I have signed this stupid contract.......I think I have been cheated!! And my mum was so furious about that..........

[TaLL|dUdE]

tsk tsk tsk what a marketing ploy...

another good example of, if it's too good to be true... it probably is..

[KnowItAll]

Try

http://www.seasonsfitness.com/

They have a one day free pass. Do let me know if you cant sort it out .. I might be able to get their marketing folks to get them over to you.

[scyoco]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

Try

http://www.seasonsfitness.com/

They have a one day free pass. Do let me know if you cant sort it out .. I might be able to get their marketing folks to get them over to you.

thanks for your suggestion......but i daren't join any fitness club anymore........my mum is so mad..

[KnowItAll]

Oops, sorry, didn't read the part where you said you had already signed up.

California has way too many high pressure sales people .. they put financial advisors to shame with their sales tactics.

[nation]

I had a quick look at the website and apart from being over 18 and having a HKID there's no disclaimers about entitlement to the free 7 day trial. What did they email they sent you say?

Either the sales person you dealt with is thick as a tack or they are falsely advertising.

[scyoco]

Originally Posted by nation

I had a quick look at the website and apart from being over 18 and having a HKID there's no disclaimers about entitlement to the free 7 day trial. What did they email they sent you say?

Either the sales person you dealt with is thick as a tack or they are falsely advertising.

Here is the content of the e-mail:

"Congratulations on your decision to try California Fitness!

We look forward to helping you Slim down and Get in shape. We will contact you soon to arrange your fitness appointment.

Simply bring a copy of this email to your preferred club and get started on your Free Trial Membership.

Here are the options you are currently subscribed to:
CaliforniaFitness.com eNewsletter


California Fitness Special Membership Promotions & Exclusive Partner Offers


You have also registered for a Free Trial Membership. Bring a printed copy of this email in to your preferred Club and we will help you get started on your Trial Membership.

See you soon!

If you have any further questions please contact us at:

California Fitness Causeway Bay
(852) 2577 0004
G/F., Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong"

[nation]

Strange, as with their website there's nothing on the email to preclude your entitlement to the free trial. It's a little hard to do anything about it now though. Although they lured you into the gym with the free trial offer you signed the very seperate gym contract at your own volition. Your best bet is to speak to management explaining the free trial offer, the sales person not acknowledging it and then proceeding to sell you a contract. Hopefully out of goodwill they'll offer you some sort of discount to rectify or if you're real lucky agree to terminate the contract.

[volgan]

Anyway, isn't there any consumer protection law that even if you signed a contract like that you have like one or two weeks to cancel if you are not happy with the service (once you didn't have any free trial)?

[nation]

Yeah good point on cooling off periods. Check your contract to see what it says. The HK Direct Selling Association has a requirement to offer a 7 day cooling off period but I'm not sure if gyms are covered. There's not much in the classification of a direct seller that would preclude gyms.