Shoddy service and contracts: What to do? Need advice
Here's the background:
I recently bought a 1-year membership to a nearby gym. On June 28/07 to be precise. I paid $50 up front and the monthly membership fees for the first and last month. The total comes out to be about $120. It is not a privately owned gym and they have quite a few franchises in Ontario and Quebec. Since I am not paying a lot of money (compared to most other gyms) on a monthly basis, I wasn't expecting stellar customer service, but what I am receiving now from them cannot be even called a service. Forget good or bad.
Here's the problem:
The girl who signed me up seemed like an airhead. She couldn't properly answer any questions about the gym except for how much and how often I owe them money. I told myself, that's okay. I work in customer service myself and I know people can have a rough day here and there. I am generally very tolerant in such cases. No biggie. I just overlooked it. But it was just the beginning.
Since this is the first time I have joined a gym, I decided to get an appointment with one of the instructors who could help me with planning out my workouts, show me the proper use of the equipments, etc. I made my first appointment 4 days after signing up. I get to the gym from work, and the associate tells me that the trainer was sick and has gone home. I said that no one had called me to inform me about it (I had given them my cell and home number; nothing on either). The associate tells me that it was the trainer's responsibility and that no other trainer was available for help. No sorry, no apologies, no sympathies nothing. I worked out a bit and then left after making a new appointment for today.
It had been more than a week since I had made the appointment (and because of my past experiences) I called in to confirm. I am told that they are not sure the trainer will be in today. Again, when would you have called to let me know. No answer. We would have called before your appointment. How long before the appointment? No answer.
What do I do?
Ideally, I want my money back and will pay no more. I haven't used the gym except once. I am thinking about contacting the head office first to clarify my case before I talk to the gym people. I want to email the head office or central contact or whatever it is. They only have an email, no number.
But am I right in expecting my refund? The service is absolutely deplorable, and I really don't want to use the gym anymore after all this. I'd rather pay a higher price for better services. But I just can't let my $100 go to waste. I am a student and for me every penny counts.
If I am right, how do you suggest I go about it?
