Planet Fitness is retarded

I just tried to join so I could run somewhere it isn't below zero.

So... they have a $39 down, $10 per month deal going on. Pretty sweet right?

I attempt to join and they ask for my bank account. I said no, I 'd like to just pre-pay. Here is $159 cash for the next 12 months. The girl said "We don't accept cash but I can use a credit card for the $39". I said - well, just run the whole thing on the card then. She said "I can't do the monthly like that". I said "Well, then... bill it every month. I'm not giving you my checking account". She said very politely... "I'm sorry sir, you aren't going to be able to join".

What the berkeley kind of business does not take US cash, up-front or any other traditional means of payment in advance, in full? They don't even take a check - they only accept payment as a checking account draft billed monthly.

Answer: One that can go berkeley themselves.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Unbelievable. Our local SOS will take a check put not cash for sales tax on a used car.

Bbc

Didn't they also take out squat racks, because they said people would feel intimidated by them?

Because it's a lot harder for you to stop automatic billing through your account and get money back for overcharge and a lot easier to cancel credit card payments and get overpayment back.

Pretty shady

Cone_Junkie wrote: Because it's a lot harder for you to stop automatic billing through your account and get money back for overcharge and a lot easier to cancel credit card payments and get overpayment back.

This. A reputable gym normally will be happy to do a month-to-month membership without requiring automatic drafts.

My Gym does that. I think it's $25 initiation, and $10/month. You can pay monthly, or a year at a time.

I thought cash was legal tender for all debts, public and private. It's been a while since I had any, or I would look on a bill to make sure it still says that.

They spell out their sliminess right there on their web page.

https://membership.planetfitness.com/SelectMembership.aspx?FranchiseID=76

"Billed monthly to a checking account."

And no eastcoastmojo, there is no legal requirement to accept cash.

In reply to foxtrapper:

I think there is a legal requirement to accept cash for a debt, but not for an initial purchase. But my google fu has given me mixed results as to the actual answer.

You can open a free checking account, deposit the $159, and then give them that number. That way it's not associated with your main account.

I agree with your point, though, that's a ton of hassle. I'm sure they've dealt with people disputing the Credit Card charges and having them reversed. I would guess their policy is a reaction to that...

YMCA. Cheap, free if you're old.

It's cheap and easy billing that people rarely cancel. One of the ways they stay alive on $10 a month rates.

treadmills are pretty cheap on CL, especially the closer to the spring you get. Jus sayin'

I agree that Planet Fitness is very stupid, but the fact that people signed up shows they know their clientele and they are just as, if not more so lacking in common sense.

914Driver wrote: YMCA. Cheap, free if you're old.

Cheap? Around here they are about 65 a month per person with a 100 buck fee to get started... One of the most expensive gyms around

I'll be the dissenting voice since I use Planet Fitness. They have the machines I want to use at their place so they don't have to clutter up my house, they are exactly one mile from my house (so running there is a good warm up and jogging back is a good cool down) and I can get in a pretty good workout there.

I really couldn't give two craps about much else.

Since I work from home, I picked up a cheap treadmill from a family member and built a treadmill desk. So I walk along while working or "working" aka browsing the web. To go for a run, I just play a video on the monitor and turn the speed up. Works great. Not an option for everyone I understand, but there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Brett_Murphy wrote: I'll be the dissenting voice since I use Planet Fitness. They have the machines I want to use at their place so they don't have to clutter up my house, they are exactly one mile from my house (so running there is a good warm up and jogging back is a good cool down) and I can get in a pretty good workout there. I really couldn't give two craps about much else.

I would love if I had a gym that close, that would be about perfect.

BoxheadTim wrote:

Cone_Junkie wrote: Because it's a lot harder for you to stop automatic billing through your account and get money back for overcharge and a lot easier to cancel credit card payments and get overpayment back.

This. A reputable gym normally will be happy to do a month-to-month membership without requiring automatic drafts.

They did this to my father and I as well. He switched banks and they had been trying to charge the old account for months. After he went to cancel some 6 months later due to joining a different gym, it took them 3 months to finally stop withdrawing payments.

I attempted to cancel after my 12 month contract was up, they kept billing me. I closed the account. I received bills for months claiming delinquent payment and that they were sending me to collections. Collections being some strongly worded letters and a few calls. I ran my credit with all 3 reporting agencies this past summer, no mention of PF whatsoever.

If you have an LA fitness nearby, do that. It's 110% better, at least from a facilities standpoint.

i'll just leave this here:

http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/884/planet-fitness-no-judgment-day/

Johnboyjjb wrote: In reply to foxtrapper: I think there is a legal requirement to accept cash for a debt, but not for an initial purchase. But my google fu has given me mixed results as to the actual answer.

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/currency/pages/legal-tender.aspx

"There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services"

Open new checking account, put $159 into account, go to gym for a year. Problem?

jimbob_racing wrote: Open new checking account, put $159 into account, go to gym for a year. Problem?

i think it's the principle of the thing.. in a perfect world, the free market would tell this place that this is no way to do business and they would either change it up or go out of business.

novaderrik wrote: i'll just leave this here: http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/884/planet-fitness-no-judgment-day/

donalson wrote:

914Driver wrote: YMCA. Cheap, free if you're old.

Cheap? Around here they are about 65 a month per person with a 100 buck fee to get started... One of the most expensive gyms around

Plus, YMCAs are never not crowded.

jimbob_racing wrote: Open new checking account, put $159 into account, go to gym for a year. Problem?

Payment continues after 1 year, now overdrawn and $35 fee. New account so they are much less likely to work with you to waive the fee, vs an established account (I know this from experience, trust me).