Is there any way to get out of a contract with Bally's? That place is horrible.?

Question

I signed up with Ballys when I started my job over a year ago. I only signed up because it was close to my office. I have since left that job and want to cancel my membership but they will not let me because there is a Ballys near my house. A very gross Ballys in a not so great part of the city. I have explained to them that I did not sign up at that location for those very reasons but they don't care. I haven't even been to the gym in months, basically I'm wasting my money. Is there a solution?

Answer 1

Yeah, tell them you have moved and use the address of a friend that lives in the middle of BFE. Make sure you tell your friend before hand.

Some compensation is in order for your friend for letting you use their address. I would suggest a good bottle of wine or a case of beer. Depends on which they prefer.

Answer 2

First, it wasn't necessary to mention the name of the business. You could have referred to it as "a chain health club". For all we know, you're simply working for the competition by trying to give the named company a bad reputation!

Second, you didn't say how long you signed-up for. A month? A year? A decade? A lifetime? Nor did you indicate how much $ is involved. If the contract is for a year or two and the amount of money is under $750 (assume $1 per day for two years, which may include fees and taxes), then forget about it (sell your member card to someone else!). You also mentioned that there's a same-named gym closer to your home, so I'm wondering why you simply don't transfer the membership there? Most clubs that I know have contigencies for that (i.e., either the membership is non-exclusive or there is a minor transfer fee, though, IMHO, that shouldn't even be a factor).

Third, did you speak with the manager or a flunky? If the flunky, go see the manager. If the manager, then POLITELY ask again; if that fails, then just say that you have no choice but to see your lawyer (don't get angry about it; just say it matter-of-factly). A savvy manager may cave under the pressure, but don't be surprised if they take a pro-rated sum out of the contracted amount, which could be as high as 50% of what you paid!

Fourth, let this be a lesson to you: NEVER sign a time contract for more than a reasonable amount of money or time, and NEVER pay more than a percentage of it in advance. If the company doesn't like those terms, then find someplace else (there are FIVE health clubs/gyms with a 10 mile radius of my home, so there are PLENTY of alternatives for me).

Regardless, whether your scenario is real or not, it constantly astonishes me how many businesses would rather risk bad publicity over the goodwill of its patrons.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I was once employed by a law maker in Georgia. In his words, "A contract is worth no more than the paper it's written on and with the right lawyer, it can be broken".

I'd say call the health department on them or at least find out through the health department who to call about it then try the Better Business People, they might be able to help you.