Probably a dumb question, but I’ve been trying to cancel this gym membership, and they’re making it nearly impossible. Got a new card, and now they’re blowing up my phone asking me to update my payment info. If I just ignore them, will they eventually cancel it on their own?
Whatever you do, don’t give them your new card. It’s a gym, not a credit card company. Just tell them no and move on.
Gyms are notorious for making it hard to cancel. My mom had to jump through all kinds of hoops just to get hers done. Definitely don’t update your payment info.
Hollis said:
Gyms are notorious for making it hard to cancel. My mom had to jump through all kinds of hoops just to get hers done. Definitely don’t update your payment info.
My parents had a nightmare canceling Gold’s Gym. Luckily, their card expired, and when the gym tried to charge it, they got a notice saying they needed to update their card. They ignored it, and after a few months, the gym finally canceled the membership.
@Drew
Pretty sure Gold’s Gym still has an active case against me. It’s been like 10 years. Oh well.
Did this with Planet Fitness. Switched banks and didn’t give them my new card. They kept trying to charge me for months and then sent it to collections. Just cancel properly and get it over with.
Ridge said:
Did this with Planet Fitness. Switched banks and didn’t give them my new card. They kept trying to charge me for months and then sent it to collections. Just cancel properly and get it over with.
That’s not true. I used to work at Planet Fitness, and the balance stays on your profile. They can’t put it on your credit because it’s not actual credit.
@Teagan
You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about. A quick search will tell you otherwise.
@Teagan
No need to be aggressive.
I got sent to collections over a gym membership. If you ignore it, they’ll keep charging you. Might as well just do whatever they require to cancel.
Do not update your payment info. Just follow their process and get it done.
Send them a certified letter stating you are canceling. Keep the receipt. They might still send you to collections, but you’ll have proof you canceled.
Answer their call and tell them you already canceled. No need to give them any more info.
Just do whatever they require to cancel. If you ignore it, they’ll send it to collections, and it’ll be an even bigger hassle.
They won’t stop charging you unless you cancel the right way. Don’t ignore it.
A friend of mine ignored it, and the gym sued him. He didn’t get the court notice, and they ended up garnishing his wages… all over a gym membership.
Dispute it with your bank, but make sure it’s not as a fraud charge, just a dispute. Banks can block the merchant and do a chargeback if necessary. Also, sending a certified letter to the gym will make it official.
People underestimate how effective a certified letter can be.
Most of these gyms won’t let you cancel over the phone. You’ll probably have to go in and sign some forms.
Be careful… my bank kept giving my gym my updated card info without my permission. Took me three cards to figure it out. Make sure to cancel in person if possible.
If it’s Planet Fitness, change your location to California. They let you cancel online there.