Question: When is a two month commitment NOT a two month commitment?
Answer: When that commitment is made to Jazzercise.
The truth is that if you sign up with Jazzercise for two months or for twelve months or anything in between, you basically give them the right to charge your bank account forever, into eternity, month after month unless you give them written notice to stop. Not knowing this, because I was stupid and didn't read the online contract, I left Mississippi believing all was right with the world. They knew from the beginning about my crazy schedule and I even took the time to talk to the owner and one other instructor to tell them how much I had enjoyed the classes and that I would be back in a couple of months.
Last week, I was shocked to see another $53 charge on my credit card for March, but I thought it was an honest mistake on their part and I called them. The owner "seemed" apologetic, but when I requested a refund, she switched from sweet southern belle to steel magnolia in nothing flat. No refund, and that was her final answer. My final reply was good luck with your business. I will not go back.
I've been a great ambassador for Jazzercise through the years talking about it wherever I go and I admit l feel cheated because I'm paying for weeks of classes I can not attend. The good thing is that I've learned a
valuable lesson. I will be very wary of any contract for anything. Thankfully, in Arizona I only have to pay $5.25 for individual classes. In Mississippi, where everything is more expensive, I have to pay $12 per class. Live and learn.
I just had something similar happen to me. We switched cell phone companies - and after we switched, I couldn't even access the account anymore, so I thought all was well.
ReplyDeleteThree weeks later, I saw they charged my account a full month - nearly $200 dollars! I did auto debit to get an additional 5% discount. They said it was my fault because I didn't disable the auto pay. Um, how could I disable it when I no longer had access to the account?!
We both lived and learned! :(
I'd go online to the http://www.bbb.org/ and file a written complaint and/or phone my bank to see if the charges can be reversed. Most likely the business isn't listed with the BBB, and taking the time to file may or may not get results. No business wants negative publicity. Folks on Amazon.com do backflips to get positive ratings. I know it's not the same thing, but it gets results.
ReplyDeleteIt would not help as it actually says it in the online contract that you have to give written notice. I did talk to their corporate office in California and they backed her up. I just don't understand being willing to lose a paying customer to keep $53.
DeleteUgh! I'm wary of auto-pay contracts for that very reason. My gym won't refund a partial month, but they do allow you access through the end of the paid month. They just set your key card to expire the first of the new month. That's helpful, at least.
ReplyDeleteI had already lost two weeks on February and certainly did not expect to be reimbursed for that. I did hope they would refund the money to my account for March. They knew I was out of state and would not be back for another six to eight weeks. The account is closed forever!
DeleteI've also had something similar happen to me in a couple of situations, and it is frustrating. I have also found auto pay payments on my credit card statement that were from accounts I thought were closed. I have pretty much quit auto pay. I think they make a lot of money on people in certain situations. Some people don't even notice they're being billed--including me, in a couple of situations.
ReplyDeleteSorry this happened to you, Caron. It stinks to realize that something you loved as much as Jazzercize values a few dollars more than they value YOU and your health & fitness goals.
ReplyDeleteUgh, so much for customer service. Business is business and customers are just marks anymore. Glad you caught it before April!
ReplyDeleteThat really sucks! So sorry that happened to you Caron!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hate when stuff like that happens!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you told her you won't be back.
Call the corporate office back and ask for a supervisor. Th first level of reps are usually trined to give you an answer and have their hands tied until you speak with a supervisor...and push it.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely try to reach someone in the corporate world or put your complaint on Twitter or Facebook. They will pay attention because that's just not right.
ReplyDelete