How Do You Cancel Membership From Premier Passport?

Not allowed to cancel my gym membership? Very upset... (Reno, NV)?

• Back in September I moved into a new APT which was rather close to a Gold's Gym. I thought why not get back into shape, and I joined back in September of 08'. The salesperson that had sold me on my plan said that if for any reason I should quit my membership it would be $100 within the first 6 months and 50$ in the second 6 months and after 1 year I could cancel my membership for free. Well about 2 months ago I moved across town and rarely am I able to attend my gym, I've also been working A LOT more hours. So making it to the gym as frequently as I'd like is no longer a possibility, so I'm basically throwing away money. So yesterday I called the Gym and had asked to cancel my membership. After them not calling me back after that said they would, I had to call them back myself and after a lot of arguing they connected me to the general manager of the gym. First of all, he was a complete a sshole, and me being upset, I naturally had a louder than normal tone of voice. He said "Why don't you come down and talk to ME like that, and see what hapens!" In a very macho intimidating way. All I want to do is cancel my ******* membership... He then explains to me that I am NOT ALLOWED to cancel my membership within the first year! I am only allowed to cancel IF I've moved more than 25 miles away from the gym (I'm at about 12), or if I've been injured to the point where I can no longer work out. THIS WAS NEVER EXPLAINED TO ME! He says that the salesperson that had set me up my membership no longer works at that gym, and it is basically my word against his, even though he can no longer be contacted. I specifically asked the sales person at the time this very question, and he said I would be charged either $100 or $50 to cancel within the first year with no stipulations... He kept saying in a stupid, uneducated manner "It was wrote(not written) in the agreement that I signed." I remember no such agreement and I don't know where I placed my paperwork. It was probably in some tiny fine print and was never explained to me. I feel so duped and angry, that I am not allowed to or able to cancel a ******** service I no longer want. And the way he handled my problem with such shitty customer service that you would expect from a 14 year old boy just set me off. I was so angry I called him and his gym full of ******** used car salesmen and he hung up. I am so pissed off.... I am now paying ~$50 a month for something I'm not using, and am not allowed to cancel. So my question is this... Can I contact my bank and tell them not to take funds from my account? Is that possible? This owner of the gym is making it sound like he's going to kick my *** if I step foot in the gym... which I know he never would, but I know direct reason with him would do nothing. He is a complete and total asshole and I have no idea how he became a manager. What can I do? I was directly lied to by the salesperson that helped me in September. But just because that guy no longer works there it can't be verified. Maybe he was fired for telling people the wrong thing? I am so angry, and I apologize for this wall of text but I do not know what to do. I was lied to, and I was thrown away without any sort of customer care. What are my options?

• Answer:

  Go down to the gym. Be very polite. Be patient and don't raise your voice. Request a photo copy of the contract you signed. They should be able to give it to you. If they say they can't, then request in writing that they send one to you. Then read the contract. Write a letter and send it by certified mail, expressing your desire to cancel because you are no longer able to use the membership. Then ... how do you pay? Is it on auto-withdrawl? If so, cancel that through your bank. If you are writing checks, just stop paying. They could send a bill collector but I highly doubt they will. Save ALL correspondence and document all phone calls. A few months later, check your credit report. If they file anything negative, then call an attorney and pay the attorney a small fee to write a letter on your behalf.