South of Sunnyside

I’d rather buy a used car than join a gym. Yeah, I realize how disjointed that sounds, but a “greasy” used car salesman (that stereotype still exists, right?) gains more of my respect than a muscle-bound gym membership solicitor.

I put on a few extra pounds my last semester or two in college, so when I first moved to Fresno I decided to make gym membership a priority. I locked myself into the most absurd contract available at Bally’s (my own fault—I don’t blame the salesman…completely), and over the next three years squeezed maybe 50 hours of workout time out of the deal.

At the end of October my contract ended. I was just starting to go on a regular basis again (once a month or so…) but it didn’t upset me to free up $54.11 each month. I received a few offers for membership renewal, but nothing else from Bally’s.

But they kept charging my credit card.

After noticing the recurring charge on my bank statement, I called, waited 25 minutes to talk to a representative, and was then told that because I signed up for electronic payments on my account, I had agreed to be charged continually “until someone called to stop payments.” That didn’t sit very well with me.

Evidently, it was in the contract. But I can’t help but think it odd—indeed, somewhat ethically questionable—that by signing up for the form of payment that best guarantees a creditor receipt of my money, I agree to keep giving him my money, even after my debt is paid. Granted, all I ever needed to do was call in and tell someone to stop, and Bally’s will let me continue going to the gym as long as I keep paying (how generous they are).

I finally got the charges incurred since my membership’s expiration reversed, but I don’t know if I’ll trust Bally’s with my credit card again. I make those extra pounds look good, so for now, I’ll just enjoy the holiday treats.

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