UPDATE: After escalating the situation, the owner personally reached out and took the time to understand my experience. I really appreciate the time, care, and empathy shown in acknowledging the situation and working toward a resolution, including honoring a medical exception.
While my initial experience was disappointing, I appreciate the effort to make things right. I genuinely enjoyed the instructors and classes, and I'm hopeful that future experiences will better reflect the level of care that I believe the company aims to provide.
(Original Review Below)
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I rarely post reviews unless they're positive and meant to support local businesses, but I felt compelled to share this experience after seeing that someone else had a similar same issue.
I am disheartened by the lack of transparency and empathy from this studio. I was signed up for a three-month minimum membership with a $150 early cancellation fee that was never disclosed to me during the signup process with the studio manager, which now feels very deceptive.
After having surgery in January, I started attending classes here during recovery. Before signing up, I communicated directly with the studio manager via text and was told I could use an intro offer along with a "gift card" promotion for my first month of membership. This was all coordinated through them in written messages.
What makes this especially disappointing is that the signup process initially felt very thoughtfully explained, and I appreciated the time the manager took to walk me through the options.
I take ownership for trusting that explanation and not doing my own due diligence. I was recovering from a fairly intense surgery at the time, and I unfortunately assumed that something as significant as a three-month minimum commitment with a $150 fee would have been clearly disclosed in our conversation. However, this requirement was never mentioned and only appeared in fine print within the contract.
When I called explaining my medical situation and the reason for canceling -- and even mentioned that I planned to return as soon as I was physically able -- there was no acknowledgment or effort from studio management to work with me. There was also no ownership of the fact that the three-month commitment had never been disclosed during the signup process. Instead, the response focused solely on enforcing the contract and placing the blame on me.
I understand that policies exist for a reason, but most studios are also willing to show flexibility in genuine medical situations. There was no attempt to offer flexibility for the medical circumstances, unlike the understanding and accommodation I received from other studios I attend.
To be clear, the instructors and classes themselves were great. My concern is strictly with how memberships are handled by management, and the lack of empathy displayed.
I strongly encourage anyone considering this studio to ask explicit questions about membership commitments especially when offered special promos, read the fine print carefully before signing up, and be sure you're comfortable committing for three months.
Canceling also typically requires going to the studio in person, which makes the process even more challenging.
Unfortunately, this experience ensures that I won't be returning or recommending this studio to others.
I hope the studio manager is better trained in the future to handle situations like this with more empathy.
Please read Mallory's review also - I unfortunately saw her review after signing up with GoYoga Grandview. read more