Gym Increased My Membership Fee, What Now?

LPodroo on 28/02/2018 - 18:18
Last edited 28/02/2018 - 18:44 by 1 other user

Basically, My gym (ATF multiple locations) membership has been automatically transferred from one suburb location to one inner suburb location in Melbourne, because the system automatically transfers the membership to the most used gym by me. I have got an email says that they have to increase my membership fee by 5 dollars per week because I am paying too cheap. I have called the gym to see if there are any decline options if I stop going to the particular location. They said they cannot control the system and I have to accept the transfer.

However, I am using the same gym for 8 years and transferred to so many different locations from SA to QLD.I move around quite often. I have never had this trouble. The increased fee would occur $200 more yearly.

The truth is that I can accept to pay the higher rate for that location (It is a decent gym) but later if my membership transferred to other locations, my rate will always stay at the higher rate, which I rather go with a smaller and cheaper gym.

Is it true that loyal customer is worthless?
What can I do now to minimize the damage (I am still paying for the lower rate this month)?

ps. I don't mind to tell the location'name if I am allowed to say in case other people have the same trouble.

Poll Options

  • 5
    Be a lamb, stay quiet
  • 50
    Change a gym
  • 5
    Complain but who?
Health & Beauty Gym Membership

Comments

  • Zaenille on 28/02/2018 - 18:29
    +9

    Hire a lawyer, delete facebook, hit the gym. A different gym.

    • xoom on 28/02/2018 - 19:08
      +3

      What no bikies option?

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:17

      emmmmmmmmmmm, ok.

  • chumlee on 28/02/2018 - 18:29
    +2

    Read your contract

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:16

      that would be 8 years ago, God knows where is it? lol

      • Deebs on 28/02/2018 - 21:52
        +1

        Mine is in the ATF mobile app, you need the key fob code to log in to your account though. But it tells you your home gym and also your contract and the rules for switching gyms, I haven't gone to my home gym in over a year but it still considers it my home gym because I use 2-3 different locations based on which is closer or which my friends are going to. Think it was like one gym only at least 4 times in one month or majority of times for 4 times two month.

        Edit: I was able to find it like 2 months ago but can't find it today.

        • Podroo on 01/03/2018 - 12:07

          I will download it and have a look

        • Deebs on 01/03/2018 - 20:30

          @Podroo: also i believe if you can change your home gym to a cheaper one then it'll update the rate as I read before that its the rate of the new gym that you pay for and then try to spread between two gyms if its not too much of a hassle as this will make it so that you don't change home gym even if you never go to your home gym again.

        • Podroo on 02/03/2018 - 21:38

          @Deebs: so, the price may go back, good. I am starting to use my previous gym again as they promise me they will change the price to a cheaper rate. fingers cross

        • Deebs on 03/03/2018 - 12:26

          @Podroo: Yeah it should because I remember reading that its not the highest rate but the rate of the gym you change to.

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:17
      +7

      You are a gym owner I guess, haha

  • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2018 - 18:56

    Why you going gym anyway?

    • xoom on 28/02/2018 - 19:07
      +9

      So others would stop asking if op even lift.

      • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:34
        +1

        word

  • vinni9284 on 28/02/2018 - 19:20
    +2

    "Is it true that loyal customer is worthless? " - Yes!

    Many organisations now are trying to attract new customers by lowering memberships/premiums etc … and guess who pays this offset? You do!

    Factor before you make your decision whether to say or go:

    • Drive time/logistics of travel get there. (No point travelling extra 30 mins back and forth is the membership of another gym is cheaper)
    • Service you receive.
    • Equipment is adequate - for you.
    • Equipment is regularly serviced - (No point going to the gym if the leg press you like is under repair for 3 weeks)
    • Flexibility (well that is start to decline as their ERP system is starting to rip you off)

    There are many gyms out there that offer a casual fee.
    However if you go 5 - 7 days a week then a membership is more adequate.

    Good luck

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:18

      I go 4-5 times per week.

    • justaverage on 28/02/2018 - 20:25

      My gym one treadmill has been broken since christmas. Considering that only leaves two working ones it is poor

      • vinni9284 on 28/02/2018 - 20:32

        I am very fortunate that I have a home-gym that has been decked out 1/3 of the Garage.

        I go one day per week to a public gym as and do legs as I don't have a leg press. Interacting with others/friends is another reason is also break the indoor home training.

        I pay $2.20 per visit casual and it predominately has free weights. It does have a few machines but I just like free weights tbh.

        And .. Yes! I do use my gym (4 days per week) and have been since I moved in to my new home in 2014.

        Cheers

        • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:36
          +2

          2.2 per visit for casual, thats cheap

        • vinni9284 on 28/02/2018 - 20:39

          @Podroo:

          It was $1 for about 6 months before the price rise however they raise this as it was unsustainable.

          There are heaps of new gyms opened around the area hence the competition forced them to drop the price.

          Before the $1 visit, it was $3.30 but has now been $2.20 for a couple of years.

          So, my tip is .. if you give your Gym the boot … research a gym that has many others around the area hence their prices will be competitive.

          Cheers

        • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:41

          @vinni9284: Can I ask you which state you are in? if in Melbourne, would love to know the suburb. Cheers Mate, haha

        • vinni9284 on 28/02/2018 - 20:42
          +1

          @Podroo:

          I'm in Melb and the Gym that I was referring to is 5-Star fitness - Thomastown.

          https://www.5stargym.com.au/

          Cheers

        • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:46

          @vinni9284: Nice

      • vinni9284 on 28/02/2018 - 20:32

        Dupe - removed

    • jjjaar on 02/03/2018 - 09:08

      My gym charges like $16 per group fitness class and my membership is $15. One class and I'm already in front.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 28/02/2018 - 19:22

    What is your weekly fee? I used to pay $13 a weekly then last year increased to $16.

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:25
      +2

      $10

      • SnoozeAndLose on 28/02/2018 - 21:13
        +1

        i think $15 is reasonable as it has not been increased for 6 years

        • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 21:19

          fair enough

  • avidd on 28/02/2018 - 19:57
    +1

    A few years ago I had an email asking me to come in and sign a contract with the new 'home' ATF that I was attending more frequently over that couple of months. I ignored it and my fee never changed. Since then I've moved locations twice and so had two different 'home' ATF gyms… still paying the original rate of 49.95/month. Pretty sure the contract states that they can change the rate if you change locations but I'm assuming they don't bother checking the rates or don't want to lose my business altogether.

    I really like the new gym location and facilities, but if they tried to charge me the current rate of 65+/month I would definitely shop around since there are so many similar competitors out there.

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:31

      As far as I know, the gym is good but the manager of this new location is pretty particular. Never had a good chat with him. I love my gym back in Adelaide. They invite me to free Christmas dinner every year. Well, too late now, Melbourne now.

  • omgitzrick on 28/02/2018 - 20:19
    +1

    $5 per week increase is crazy. Tell them to stick it and cancel, find another gym.

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:22
      +1

      I just feel they are being too money hunger, and feel sad seeing how loyal I was. Axx hole

      • omgitzrick on 28/02/2018 - 20:23

        Agreed mate. I dunno what you're paying but my gym is around 14 bucks per week, and I'd definitely be having heated words over a $5 p/w increase.

    • mbck on 28/02/2018 - 21:19
      +1

      Yeah 50% increase…that's crazy

  • Stewardo on 28/02/2018 - 20:20
    +3

    Go in and explain your not happy and why, then tell them you would like to cancel your membership, if they let you walk without a counter offer, join a different gym.

    • Podroo on 28/02/2018 - 20:38

      I guess I have to do it. Was thinking to complain with "Fair trading australia"

      • avidd on 28/02/2018 - 23:29

        I would suggest to do your research into other local gyms before doing this… just in case despite the price rise your current gym is still the one you'd prefer going to! Also gives you more bargaining power if you know what other places are offering.

        • Podroo on 01/03/2018 - 12:11
          +1

          I did, the one closest to me, promise me them can do a $50Monthly rate, which is acceptable. But only verbal agreement. Don't know if you will honour it when I transferred back. Nowadays, trust no one.

  • altomic on 28/02/2018 - 21:25

    "Loyal" lol ya.

    Seriously, what's there to be loyal about with a large corporate gym?

    • Podroo on 01/03/2018 - 12:12

      only because ATF is pretty handy when I travel. Even internationally it is good.

  • FW190 on 28/02/2018 - 21:36
    +5

    They said they cannot control the system and I have to accept the transfer.

    of course they can control their system, it is not like it is run by Skynet, they just wanted to jib an extra $5 from you

  • Aussie Smurfette on 01/03/2018 - 08:38
    +2

    Can an extra $5 be taken from your account without your authorisation, legally?

    • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2018 - 09:58

      It depends what the original agreement said.

  • jamesblake2908 on 01/03/2018 - 10:41
    +1

    Delete the gym, Facebook up and hit the lawyer

  • Hedgehog on 01/03/2018 - 11:10
    -2

    W A L K it's free…..

    • Podroo on 01/03/2018 - 12:14

      I do hiking quite often, Gym is just for weight training and socialising.

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