question on gym policy (credit card, transfer, price)

[ksbyndsea]

I was interested in joining a gym called Open Gym on Wyoming. They advertise rates of $19.99/month.

So I go in and ask if I paid cash for a year in advance would I get a discount. And they said no - if I paid cash for a year in advance it would be like $38.49 a month. Almost double.

So I said, "Oh, you don't want my money - you want my account information." And she said yes.

Am I just paranoid, or what? If you pay Defined Fitness in advance - its cheape;, if you pay Liberty Gym in advance, its the same.

I know, I know I can go there instead, and I will, I just don't understand this. I once belonged to Golds Gym several years ago when they were downstairs in Montgomery Plaza, and I was very concerned that they wouldn't stop charging, because they were so scuzzy.

Cash in advance does not rule? And it's true, I am willing to pay a little more to not have to give some scumbag access to my banking information. But not to someone who is telling me, we are scumbags, lol.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by ksbyndsea

So I said, "Oh, you don't want my money - you want my account information." And she said yes.

access to my banking information.

What banking information you talking about?

I always use a credit card because of the built-in protection.

I do not use a debit card.

So what banking information are you talking about? Your saving account number? No way would I give it out...



Rich

[ksbyndsea]

EFT - electronic funds transfer - I assume checking account

[chriswb]

I'm a member of the Open Gym. It's a small, family-owned gym that is always clean, well-maintained, and rarely crowded. They hold free classes after 5PM every day of the week. The owner, Bill, is a laid back and friendly guy. The staff and trainers are also very friendly and welcoming. I'm in there at least four days a week, so I can attest to the fact that other members are cordial and polite.

Have you been a member of a gym before (other than Golds)? Every gym I have ever joined has required credit card or bank data. None of them have ever accepted cash. Defined, for example, requires an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) or a credit card number, and imposes penalties if you quit before 12 months have passed. Liberty has similar rules.

Honestly, it's disingenuous of you to call them "scumbags". I recommend giving the Open Gym another chance. Pay with a credit card or debit card number.

[marmom]

I would find it bothersome if a place required banking information and refused to take a cash payment for an entire year up front. Businesses wanting that kind of data for the sake of having the data make me uncomfortable. As other posters have suggested though, I would go with a credit card rather than bank info.

[berncohomes]

Can't you just pay cash monthly.

[ksbyndsea]

Well if I paid cash 6 months in advance it was like $38.49/month - almost double the price of EFT. I am the one who wanted to pay 12 months in advance, but the 19.99 a month. She would take the cash but $38.49/month. I had actually been hoping for a discount, but I would have settled for $19.99.

For that price I can go to a place more open - to allowing cash. Liberty Gym, they don't care how you pay. Defined Fitness will allow you to pay cash for one year in advance and you get one month free. I have belonged to Defined Fitness in the past and paid by check. Technically I would still be a member, just haven't been going for a long time. I admit it was a corporate membership, but I did call them today and confirmed that I could pay cash for a year in advance, and get a discount.

I agree Open Gym looked nice, but they don't seem open to having me a member. That's okay, I don't want to give them my banking information, and there are other gyms I can go to. They would have been convenient, oh well.

I called them scumbags because I can't imagine why they need my banking information if I am willing to pay cash for 12 months in advance, except for some other nefarious purpose. Why would I need to pay double to pay cash? Why? The staff member was upset by the question. And I was upset by the answer, which was not really an answer.

[jiminnm]

I recommend that no one ever (as in never) give someone else access to their bank account for any reason. There are so many cases where the other party continues to withdraw money after any is due. It is a real hassle to get it back, if possible at all, as well as to stop it. Many, many of these cases involve gyms.

If it is necessary, which should be very limited circumstances, use a credit card. At least that way, you can contest continuing charges with your credit card company and have a fair chance of getting them removed.

[yukon]

Just get a prepaid Visa in the amount you need and use that for the EFT.

[ksbyndsea]

I think I should just go to another gym.