MY CASE AGAINST TRUE (really) FITNESS

On the 30th October 2010, i walked into TF in pavillion with the absolute intention to join up, being a member with then california fitness, i am very well aware of the sales tactic. There was a nice chap by the name of Setho that was doing the consultation with me, frankly, i thought he was up front enough to go straight to the point, i was offered some form of term membership equates to about RM90 per month with a total sum of about RM2400 for the duration of 27 months. i was also concerning about the relocation of the centre, (i have some industrial news, since i work in a renovation related line).

As usual, do not commit myself on the spot is always my motto, somehow, mr. setho brought out her manager, ms. Natalie Yap, she came out, all convincing, all suave about how good it is going to be for the new location. As parking is always a concern, she even told me that they have very good chance of securing some unbelievable parking rate for the members, eg RM 1 per entry, too good to be true... She also promised me that the gym will only be relocated on the 30/6/2011. Still, i told them, i would consider that offer. Oh well, they told me that this is the end of the month, they have some target to meet, at least pay them a deposit to confirm the offer la, i was thinking, since i am really interested, and i didnt bring the required mastercard for this promotion, i paid rm250.95 as deposit first using my other credit card. I was given nothing, not a receipt, not an agreement, not a thing. anyhow, i TRUSTED them.

I was then supposed to come back after a few days to pay the remaining balance, but unfortunately, i was sick and even have medical certs to prove that, since then, they've been calling me 10 times a day asking when i am coming back for the balance. I told them, i was really sick, and i 've adi committed rm250.95 as deposit, they shouldn't be so pushy. Since then, i was quite caught up with work and told them i will be starting only early decemeber, they said ok.

One fine day, i was told by another friend of mine that TF is moving in january 2011, i said no way, they told me that they're moving in june next year. I walked into the gym one day and was shock that they put up a sign announcing their relocation will be happening on the 27th January 2011. To my dismay, i asked for the consultant about why is this happening... he told me, aiya, we are going to move sooner or later anyway, so, the sooner the better lo... i was especially disgusted with them telling me how convenient that will be over at the new gym, come on, i know what is best for me!!!

I submitted a complaint letter and demanding my deposit to be refunded to their operational manager Fiona (a hard person to find), i told her all my concerns and their false promises, she told me to give her time to investigate and even had the sales manager to sit together and admitted that she wrongly promised me on the relocation issue and intentionally misled me on the parking fee problem. Nevertheless, Fiona was professional enough to assure me that they will investigate the issue and come back to me in 3 working days.

A week has since gone, despite numerous phone calls for fiona, i was unable to get her and i have no choice but to walk into the gym and demanding an answer. She finally told me that they will be no refund as i've put my signature on the dotted line and some clause clearly prevented me for the refund. I thought, fine enough, there goes my hard earn, i just ask her to provide me with all these agreements and receipts that i still dont have. She provided me one agreement which was clearly doctored with my credit details filled up agreeing the membership of not RM90 per month but RM 250.95 per month, i was furious as i never sign anything like that, it was clearly filled up by someone else as the writing is totally not mine. Somehow, she showed me another agreement which was supposed to be the one i am going to sign up, indicating the right amount and charges, i was so furious i took 2 of these agreements and ran off the office.

This is a very serious matter as the gym is indulging in fraudulent agreement and wrongly use my credit card, i feel very cheated and made police report about the matter. TF has since been calling me to withdraw the police report and they will refund my money. I have all the documents to prove their wrong doings, i have digital recording also, i have the intention to go to MCA michael chong, consumer affair tribunal, newpaper to highlight the many not so ethical business practices the gyms have been employing. I would clearly like to get in touch with whoever that has similar cases, and make a strong effort to educate other consumers to be careful when dealing with the GYMs.

For True Fitness, now, you're Truly Fxxked!!!