Checking up on your health club
Maybe they've been too busy bench-pressing or kick-boxing, but 11 health clubs are accused of failing to renew their registration with the state.
The Office of Maryland's Attorney General filed administrative charges against the clubs for selling health club services since 2007 without registering with the Consumer Protection Division. The state wants the clubs to stop offering services until they register and pay penalties.
The clubs: AAA Karate of Silver Spring, Frederick Academy of Self Defense in Frederick, Curves of Glen Burnie, Contours Express of Bryans Road in Accokeek, JYI Marital Arts in Arnold, Contours Express of Hagerstown, Curves - La Plata, King Tiger Martial Arts inSilver Spring, Panther Academy of Martial Arts in Ocean Pines, Self Defense America in Centreville, The Wing Chun Gung Fu School of Columbia.
Make sure your fitness center or self-defense school is registed before signing up. Call the Consumer Protection Divsion at 410-576-6350 or go to the Web site.
Here's a list of tips from the AG's site:
-- Before signing up for a long-term contract, ask whether you can do a month-to-month or short-
term membership to see if you like the club and will continue using the facilities.
-- Ask if you can make monthly payments. That way you limit your losses if the club folds.
-- Don't sign a contract on your first visit, even if a muscled-bound sales person twists your arm. Take the contract home and read the terms. Keep a copy.
-- Maryland law allows you to cancel the contract three days after you sign it if you give written notice in person or buy certified mail with a return receipt requested. Make sure you keep these papers.
-- Also, the club's contract might spell out other cancellation rights you have. Another reason to read the contract before signing.
-- And if the club closes? You don't have to pay for services you can't get. Stop any automatic payments you have going to the business. A club might try to continue dinging your account even after it shuts its doors.
-- If a new owner takes over, will it honor your old contract? If not, you can't be forced to join the new club.
-- Any problems, contact the Consumer Protection Division.
Categories: Consumer protection, Naughty businesses/NBotW
