I have been a member on and off throughout covid. Unfortunately, illness and two job losses over…read morethe pandemic again this year created grave financial difficulties for me. Earlier this year, despite being fully vaccinated, I got COVID and was bedridden for a month, then subsequently terminated from my job while out sick (illegal, yes). I called Level in Jan and was told my membership would be on hold. I made the mistake of not asking for confirmation of that.
I went in last week after realizing they were still trying to charge my card. The emails were going to my spam folder, so I never saw them. I spoke to a guy named Jon, fully expecting to pay a fee, assuming there was a miscommunication. Jon told me he would be happy to cancel the previous membership and restart a new one. I almost started crying after six months of dealing with illness and job loss (I went three months with ZERO income). I was looking forward to getting my health in order.
I showed up Monday, ready to work out, only to have Jon tell me that I was banned from the club, didn't meet their criteria, and that they "cater to a wealthier clientele." I was unbelievably embarrassed, devastated, and went home crying. I immediately emailed the manager and never got a response.
I went on Nextdoor and put up a post looking for other gyms and mentioned the interaction that I had. As I was leaving my house to go to a doctors appt, Jon called and stated I dropped my debit card in their parking lot, I headed over to pick it up. Once there, he asked to speak to me privately and mentioned the ND post. He then stated they would give me one chance if I took it down. I was shocked, I would never feel comfortable coming here again, I told him.
Two days later, the manager, Kevin, got a ND account for the sole purpose of publicly shaming me by responding to my post. At that time, he also violated the Fair Debt Collections Privacy Act, which states, "state consumer protection laws, found in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Debt collection is a private matter between the parties. Do not publish a debtor's name on a "blacklist" or other public posting", by stating that I owed them "$1200". They never once called me, emailed me, or made any attempt to alert me to the fact that payment wasn't going through. This is THIER FAULT, not mine. When clients don't pay me, I call them. I also informed them months ago I was ill and was told my account was "on hold." It is absolutely EGREGIOUS for a business to shame someone again and again and then to do so publicly and violate consumer protection laws by posting how much they claim is owed to them. It is nothing short of defamation of character.
While this is a wealthier area, and most people around here make considerably more than me, I am masters level degree holder and currently work in mental health. Like teachers, we aren't wealthy. I'm also a single parent who works multiple jobs to make emds meet. This gym charges considerably more and offers much less, but the close proximity to my home meant I could actually go more often.
Kevin accused me of bullying them, yet they have the power. They are a business with powerful clientele. I am quite literally the lowest income earner in Cabin John; mobile mental health crisis workers don't make a ton of money. The manager could have simply emailed me privately. Instead, he publicly shamed me. That is absolutely appalling behavior.
The entire interaction, including my post, is here. I am filing complaints with the Maryland Attorney General consumer protection division, and I will also be speaking to an attorney.
I am digusted that a business would violate my privacy, publicly humiliate me, and defame my character.
No, I'm not a wealthier Cabin John resident, but I deserve dignity and respect and most certainly not to have my name publicly smeared in direct violation of my rights.
