LA Fitness, the largest private chain of gyms and clubs in the United States, with over 700 locations across the country, is facing a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), accusing them of making it excessively difficult to cancel memberships.
The FTC complaint cites thousands of customers who supposedly faced obstacles and recurring charges when attempting to cancel their services. The exit process, described as "opaque and complicated," has led to complaints in cities like Miami and other parts of Florida, where the company has a strong presence.
The involved operators, Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC, also manage other brands such as Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio, with a total membership base of 3.7 million members.
The FTC indicates that when trying to cancel the membership, users must print a form from the website and provide information that they often do not easily remember.
Additionally, those who come to cancel in person face restricted public service hours or must be attended to by a manager, which further complicates the process.
Cancelling by mail is also not easy. The agency notes that it involves additional costs and that many consumers continued to receive charges after requesting cancellation, even when they tried to block payments from their bank or card. The company, according to the FTC, recharged amounts using new account numbers.
“It’s a situation that too many Americans have experienced. A gym membership that seems impossible to cancel,” explained Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the Consumer Protection Office to Telemundo 51.
Jill Hill, President of Club Operations at Fitness International, denied the accusations and stated that they comply with the "click-to-cancel" standard by offering online cancellation with just a few clicks.
Memberships range from 30 to 299 dollars per month, not including annual fees or additional services. For thousands of users in South Florida and other states, this process has turned into an administrative and financial nightmare.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lawsuit Against LA Fitness for Difficulties in Canceling Memberships
Why is LA Fitness facing a lawsuit from the FTC?
LA Fitness faces a lawsuit from the FTC due to the excessive difficulty it imposes on customers wishing to cancel their memberships. The Federal Trade Commission accuses the company of creating an "opaque and complicated" process that includes obstacles such as the need to print forms and recurring charges even after requesting cancellation.
What are the main complaints of LA Fitness customers?
LA Fitness customers primarily complain about the obstacles to canceling their memberships. These difficulties include restricted hours for in-person cancellation, the requirement to be attended by a manager, additional costs to cancel by mail, and recurring charges even after attempting to block payments.
What does LA Fitness say about the accusations against it?
LA Fitness, through its Chief Operating Officer, Jill Hill, denies the accusations from the FTC. Hill claims that the company complies with the "click-to-cancel" rule, offering an online cancellation option that she asserts is simple and accessible, even though this rule was struck down by a court.
What impact does this lawsuit have on LA Fitness users in Florida?
For many LA Fitness users in Florida, the demand represents validation of their complaints. The chain has a strong presence in South Florida, and for thousands of users, the cancellation process has been an administrative and financial nightmare.
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