Fitness First idiocy

AlexandraF · 02-12-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by shri:

The bank might still let the transaction go through as you have a contract with Fitness First. I've seen some automated / regular charges show up on my new card when I've lost my card.

This month might go through but next month shouldn't. I genuinely had to cancel my card while I was with Fitness First about one year ago and had forgot to inform them. I had to sign up again and also back pay the months from when the card was stopped.

MovingIn07 · 02-12-2009, 11:58 AM

Interesting point about paying by credit card. If I were in UK, Aus or NZ, I would be able to ring my credit card, tell them I was being fraudulently charged (or illegally charged, or whatever you call what happened, which seems both to me) and the card company then deals with the vendor. I did it a few times for transactions that were bad but the retailer refused to sort it out - the credit card company stopped the payment while they looked into it. Now, I have done this once since getting to HK (with a HSBC Premier Mastercard) so it does still exist, but I recall a thread over a year ago when we discovered much less protection seems to exist with HK cards.

Worth a try though, if the payment does go through.

MovingIn07 · 02-12-2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Claire ex-ax:

, I go to Seasons in Admiralty and it's such a change from the chains.

Can you elaborate? I'm with California, and my work routine has changed SO much that I'm only going about once a fortnight. Plus I hate them. they try and get me to up my subscription pretty much every time I walk through the door!

All I want from a gym is classes (ideally body balance and body pump) as there is a small basic gym in the Gold Coast if I just want to sit on a machine for 20 minutes.

I work in Admiralty, so wondered about Seasons - how much do they cost? Is there any option for a discounted "just go to the classes" arrangement? Are there any reciprocal arrangements with overseas gyms? When I joined California I was working alot in KL and Singapore, which had California gyms I could use ... but not now.

Eddy Mundo · 02-12-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

I work in Admiralty, so wondered about Seasons - how much do they cost? Is there any option for a discounted "just go to the classes" arrangement? Are there any reciprocal arrangements with overseas gyms? When I joined California I was working alot in KL and Singapore, which had California gyms I could use ... but not now.

I believe it's about $900/mo regular, and about $700/mo for a corporate membership. There may be discounts from time to time. When I joined over year ago, I got a discounted rate at $720/mo. I don't think there is a "just classes" option. But you can always ask them.

Claire ex-ax · 02-12-2009, 12:20 PM

Moving, I've never been approached to get another else out of me at Seasons. I pay a straight fee (around $5-600 pm) but I only use the gym, occasionally the pool but I find it rather confining. My body is too wrecked to do the classes (they look fun though) and only class I would consider is the tai chi ones which they aren't wu style. There isn't a separate classes-only membership as far as I know, but I've not asked. It has a Ladies Only fitness area which is nice. And the views over HK Park are lovely.

It's a stand-only gym, owned and managed by the building owners. But it does offer discounts at various places (restaurants and bars) in HK.

shanx999 · 12-12-2009, 05:04 PM

I have had pretty bad experience at Fitness First too. with their accountys department continuing to debit after the Salesman agreed to let me out of a one year commitment, the escape clause having been agreed at the time of joining ( the salesman left, and they disclaimed any such arrangement, the scribbled form I had, apparently had not been entered into their systesm, so perhaps the salesmen sold me a lemon)

Interestingly, HSBC Customer service advised me that they cannot stop the payment. The office told me thatthe best thing to do is to reportlost card - apparently he had to do it himself!

In general, I believe HK agreements for autopay thru credit card commit you to the merchant, so avoid them

VivienL · 17-12-2009, 10:23 PM

I just signed up with Seasons today. I got the 12 months membership for $750. Got both administration fees waived. I believe you only get one waived if you decide to do monthly installments with a local credit card, which I do not own. So I paid upfront for $750x12. Gym seems great, gave it a go today. Going to a class tomorrow. I like that it's small with around 1500 members. Oh, they also give you one free personal training lesson, one free swedish massage or facial, one free 20min physiotherapy assessment. Also have free towels, shirts, and shorts for you everytime. This may be a promotion as he (Chris Palma) mentioned something about it being the end of the year.

MovingIn07 · 18-12-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by VivienL:

I just signed up with Seasons today. I got the 12 months membership for $750. Got both administration fees waived. I believe you only get one waived if you decide to do monthly installments with a local credit card, which I do not own. So I paid upfront for $750x12. Gym seems great, gave it a go today. Going to a class tomorrow. I like that it's small with around 1500 members. Oh, they also give you one free personal training lesson, one free swedish massage or facial, one free 20min physiotherapy assessment. Also have free towels, shirts, and shorts for you everytime. This may be a promotion as he (Chris Palma) mentioned something about it being the end of the year.

That's 750 PER MONTH or 750 for the whole year? Sorry I couldn't tell from the post.