World Gym, Glendale, CA

I rarely patronized the gym because of the physical state of things. It became obvious, quite soon after I paid and signed the contract agreeing to remain at the gym for 1 year, that the managers seem occupy the space but don't maintain it an acceptable standard.

2 weeks before my agreement was slated to expire, I called the gym to ask what procedures are in place to cancel my membership. After the representative verified my membership on the computer, he said that I could cancel my membership 4 to 3 days before it was scheduled to expire but added that if I did not cancel my membership, my checking account would continue to be debited on the 26th of each month. He asked that I call back in a few days.

On 7/21/08, I called and advised the person answering the phone, that I wanted to cancel my membership. The representative said I would have to speak to someone else and transferred me immediately to her voice mail, where I left a message explaining my reason for calling and asking that she return my call. My call was not returned.

I called again on 7/22/08, and a representative said they would transfer me to the same persons office. I was placed on hold after advising the representative that I did not wish to be directed to her mailbox.

After a brief wait, she answered the phone. Upon advising her that I wanted to cancel my membership, she said I would have to write a letter stating my request. I was also to provide a check in the amount of $35.00 which she said was the processing fee which is required for all cancellations. She also asked that I enclose the "photo" ID issued to me by World Gym. Before conclusion of our conversation, she asked why I wanted to cancel my membership. In response to my reasons, she merely said, "Um."

I did as she asked and mailed the letter to her gym's POB.

On the morning of 7/29/08, I reviewed my checking account activity and discovered that on 7/26/08, World Gym again debited the amount of $29.00 from my checking account, which meant that my membership which was to expire on 7/26/08 had now been extended another month.

Perplexed and concerned, I immediately called the same woman. She confirmed that she received my letter requesting cancellation of my membership but had been unable to process it in a timely manner which resulted in another $29 charge. She stated that my membership had been extended to 8/25/08.

Though I reminded her that I did not wish to continue my membership beyond the 1-year expiration date and pointed out that in essence, I was paying $54.00 to cancel an agreement, she asserted that there was nothing she could do.

I next pointed out that I returned my membership card to her company. I told her that it was now the 29th which meant that I had lost 3 days on my extended membership. She rather matter-of-factly stated that I could continue using the gym and that all I had to do was show my driver license at the front desk.

Donning a haughty demeanor during the entire conversation, she concluded by simply stating, "Good-bye" and hung-up. She literally excused me, as if I were her servant and not a dues paying member. She evidently is ignorant about the fact that patrons are foundation to the continued existence of her business.

I placed an immediate stop payment on the $35 check I issued to cancel my membership, reasoning that World Gym had debited my account an additional $29. Subsequently, what I actually owe them is $6.00.

Two months later I received a bill from ASF, World Gym's contracted billing service demanding that I pay $78. The itemized charges shown on the bill included a late fee, a processing fee and membership fees for 2 months.

I have now filed a complaint with the state Attorney General's office. What I have learned is that a person should do their research of a gym. Begin at the Internet, visit the actual gym and watch the people working out.