Have you heard of California Fitness, the
famous gym network in Singapore?
I am here to say somethings about them from my experience with
them. If you are considering joining that club by any chance,
please, please read the whole post and think three hundred times
before signing any contract with them. Trust me. It's worth
it.
I joined this club in Bugis even before it started. It was the
prelaunch 'promotion' period and they told me the deals that I
would get then will never happen again.
So I joined. SGD 110 Per Month. Plus the GST ofcourse. Setup the
GIRO account. Everything is smooth. I had plans to remain in the
club for 1 year. And the minimum commitment in my contract was one
year. Ofcourse the sales consultant did mention to me that I have
to pay the last two months in advance, which is the minimum notice
period I have to serve. This he said after I signed the
contract.
I have joined fitness clubs before, and they were just like any
other memberships, use it and pay for your usage.
Third day of my visit to the club, I met someone who joined
recently as well. I casually happened to ask him, how much do you
pay monthly? He said he got an offer for 70 bucks a month. I was
shocked, coz the sales consultant who handled me insisted that my
deal was the best deal they ever offered to anyone!
Stupid me, I thought the California fitness being a reputed club
would say the truth.
I spoke to the sales guy, whom I managed to get after a few tries
over the phone, he said he was allowed to sell only for that much
minimum and that deal could be a one off thing. And ofcourse that I
cannot change anything or cancel my contract for a year unless I
wanted to pay huge sums of money. Already dissapointed, I didn't
want to loose out on everything, so I decided to work out for an
year and then close the stuff.
Oh yeah, their machines are ok, some are relatively new. Finally I
thought, since I am using the facilities well, it could be worth it
after all!
Bad Bad Mistake.
Finally the 12 month expired and I noticed that they had actually
charged my card for the 11th and 12th month. Thinking that this is
an error and my membership is due for renewal, I went to the
counter. The sweet smiling cunning lady at the counter says, the
membership is not cancelled automatically even after the contract
period unless you give a 2 month notice.
I had got an offer from another club for much lesser amount monthly
and I had already joined that club in between presuming that my
membership with California is expiring. I asked the lady to
consider the notice period from then on and cancel my
membership.
I filled up the cancellation form. Another form for my shoe locker.
I got an acknowledgement for my shoe locker. But for the membership
they said they will forward a letter later on to my mail
address.
Just when I was about to leave, the friendly service officer came
running and said I have to make another payment of SGD 110+GST
since I was supposed to give notice 5 working days prior to my
billing date.
It was another three days before my billing date. I had no clue of
this. NO ONE EVER TOLD THIS AT THE TIME OF JOINING. Thinking that I
have to give notice before the billing date, I went to the club
before three days of my billing date. I said no way I will pay
anything more since I am already losing the money for two month
notice. I was not going to use the gym since I had joined in the
other club. Technically they increased the notice period from Two
Months to Two Months and Five Working DAYS and just because I am
two working days late (REMEMBER THERE IS STILL THREE MORE working
days and ofcourse the two whole months!) I have to pay another 110
+ GST!!!! I felt like cheated and I said I will never pay.
They said if I dont pay, it would be trouble for me later on.
AND INDEED IT WAS TROUBLE.
In December 2007. Almost 14 Months after the notice period
incident, without no communication whatsoever in between that time.
They send me a final payment letter. Amount DUE: SGD 1500/-
Imagine my shock. I contacted the person at the club. After
continious calling and following up, they said they can reduce it
to 75%, Still need to pay over 1000 dollars! I am in a battle with
them now. And they are threatening me with legal actions.
I searched these blogs and have found several such incidents
related to CALIFORNIA FITNESS CENTER in Singapore.
NEVER JOIN THIS CLUB. I PLEAD TO YOU. Join Fitness First instead or
Fitness Plus or even Planet Fitness. Atleast they are true to you.
They dont try to cheat you.
I am going to the Consumer Association of Singapore and after that
to the Small Claims Tribunal of Singapore. I am sure I can find
justice. I hope so atleast.
Please spread this message. That is the least I can do, going
through this shock treatement from California fitness for being a
prompt paying member for over 14 months!
California Fitness is a horrible horrible place. Never go there,
they will cheat you of your money and will hang on your neck
through out your life. Perhaps after 3 years or so, they will come
back to you saying that you owe them SGD 10,000/-
Please dont join California fitness. I beg you.
You can contact me to find out more details through the
comments.