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New Legislation Could Save You From The Vicious Cycle Of Auto-Renewing Gym Memberships
By
Raphael Pope-Sussman
Published Feb 7, 2017
Modified Feb 7, 2017
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By
Raphael Pope-Sussman
Published Feb 7, 2017
Modified Feb 7, 2017
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New Yorkers who have had the infuriating experience of being unable to cancel a gym membership may be getting a reprieve thanks to new legislation introduced into the City Council.
The bill, which was sponsored by Council Member David Greenfield, would prohibit companies that offer subscriptions or memberships from auto-renewing customers' plans without their consent.
In a press release, Greenfield, speaking honestly about our collective weakness, noted that while many New Yorkers make New Year's resolutions to exercise and thus go out and buy gym memberships, many of us throw in the towel after a few weeks. However, we keep getting charged for our memberships and if we don't quit, they're often automatically renewed.
"It's only natural to feel optimistic at the beginning of a new year," Greenfield stated in the release. "That's why you do things around that time such as joining gyms and telling yourself that you're going to start working out every day. Then by the middle of February, that optimism sometimes begins to fade as reality sets in. It's unfortunate that not everyone can always keep all their resolutions, but that doesn't mean that New Yorkers should have to keep paying forever for something they don't really need or want."
In seeking to report this article, I attempted to reach a press person at the New York Sports Club, which I have had some pretty lousy experiences trying to quit in the past. Perhaps unsurprisingly, finding a contact number is basically impossible and despite negotiating a labyrinth of phone menus, I was unable to locate someone. I ended up filling out a comment form. A PR person got back to me today asking what I wanted, but I'm yet to hear back on my actual question.
Greenfield told Gothamist he has had similarly frustrating experiences with gyms.
"I was trapped in a gym membership that I was not using for years because the company made it almost impossible to cancel," he said. "My law will end the Seinfeldesque saga of getting out of gym and other recurring memberships." (Editor's note: This sounds like more of a "Friends" thing, but point taken.)
Under the terms of the bill, businesses would be required to get customers' consent to renew their subscriptions or memberships—whether to a gym, magazine, death cult, etc.—at least once a year. This would prevent customers from the emotional and financial drain of trying in vain to figure out how to stop getting billed for a service they no longer want.
Violation of the law would result in a $200 fine and potential other penalties. Violators would be required to compensate consumers who do not provide consent to renew. (They'd have to pay the cost of the membership.)
"Automatically renewing memberships and subscriptions can be a convenience, but they can also be abused," Greenfield said. "By passing this bill, we will provide an additional layer of protection for customers in New York, so that people know what they are paying for. No one should have to be haunted by the ghosts of their failed New Year's resolutions."
NYSC states on its website that an annual membership can be cancelled with 45 days notice. No cancelling online. You have to either go into the club or send a letter BY CERTIFIED MAIL. You also have to pay an early termination fee. After a year, you're auto-renewed to a month-to-month membership, but again, you have to go in or send a letter to terminate that membership. Planet Fitness has a similar policy, as does Blink.
This is why I do not work out at a gym.
Tagged
david greenfield
gym memberships
new year's resolutions
original
Raphael Pope-Sussman
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