I have been a member of the YMCA for 23 years. Four different branches. Never had to sign an annual contract. Never! But the Bryan YMCA requires it if you want to have automatic payments. First they try to hit me with a joining fee, I guess it doesn't matter that I have a membership in good standing in another state. Then they decide they are doing me a favor and wave the joining fee. Which I have never paid at any other Y. Strike 1!
So in my infinite wisdom I decide I will do a three month membership since I only need a temporary term. 3 months must be paid in full. No monthly plan. Mind you I already pay $60.00 a month at my home Y. But, I'm going to bite the bullet. Annual membership rates are $40.00 a month. So i'm thinking $120.00 for three months. No Problem. Wrong! Big problem! If you do a three month, it costs $80.00 month! In Bryan, Ohio! Be careful people that $40.00 is the hook. They are not crystal clear on that until you get there.
So I tell the guy at the desk "no way!" No way I'm paying that kind of money on top of my home gym dues. Which are only $60.00. So the guy at the desk says he will do the $40.00 per month for 3 months. $120.00. I'm like okay but I will only give you my card if you can promise me you won't come back later saying I owe you another $120.00. He said "no problem he would take the heat if something changed." He ran my card. Immediately he hands me an invoice that says " i payed $120.00 and owe $120.00. Guess he thought I wouldn't read it. Next thing I know, I'm talking to the Membership Director who states they can't do the price the guy the desk promised me. I immediately told them to credit the charge back to my card. They assured me it would show back on my account the next day. WRONG! So I go back. Now we can't do anything because the people who actually know how to get results are there. It's Friday. And they wont be there until Monday. This I figured out on my way there. I knew I would get the run-around. No surprise really.
So today Monday rolls around. I am told they have done everything they can do on there end. It's my bank! they suggest that I call my bank. I tell them if my bank says "it's not on there end" I will be in there gym everyday until I get my money back. I was threatened with calling the police. NICE!
Guess what? The bank says " they received no request to reverse the charge. Apparently you can't reverse a charge by blinking your eyes and pretending it didn't happen. Imagine that! So now I have to wait up to 10 Business Days to get my money back because now the have to investigate the transaction.
It's amateur hour over there at the Bryan YMCA. I wish I could post the pictures here of the lack of cleanliness in the place. The pictures a have are disgusting. The same filth that was there when I started going last October.
By the way. Another gym across town gave me a temporary 2 month membership for no initiation fee for $75.00 for both months. It was so easy, No muss, no fuss! read more