Harbor Fitness - WTF?!

First, let me say that I have been a Harbor member in Park Slope since almost the day they opened and I have had no complaints in all of these years. It's clean, friendly and I find the owners to be responsive to feedback.

Well, I haven't been going for a while - it's not convenient especially since the municipal parking lot is gone and I haven't been in months.

My bill has been automatically deducted from my checking account on the 12th of every month.

I called just now to cancel - thinking that this would mean I did it with enough time to make sure I didn't get billed again.

I just spoke with a guy (who was also very snotty) on the phone who said I have to "pay for my last month" and do so in person.

Me: I was billed on 12/12, that means my last month should be 12/12 thru 1/12, right?

Him: No. you still have to pay for your last month.

Me: that makes no sense - are you telling me you bill each month for the previous month?>

Him: No, you pay in advance, but you still have to come in and pay for your last month

Me: are you saying then that whenever you cancel, you have to pay an extra month no matter what?

Him: No, it's your "last month". That's what you signed up for.

Me: I don't believe I ever did. I'd like to see that in writing

Him: come down and I'll show you

Me: Get a copy and fax it to me. Also, I'd like the owner (who I have seen working there and know (slightly at least) for many years) to call me, because this does not sound right.

Him: ok, I'll fax it to you

So:

1) I'm not holding my breath that I'll see anything on my fax machine
2) This guy was rude
3) since when does "last month" equal "a month that you already told us you aren't going to use, but we're going to make you pay anyway?"


Has anybody had a similar experience when canceling from there?

BTW, I did get the guy's name, and regardless of what the contract says, the owners will be getting a call about his attitude.


<end> (I think)[/b]

hmmnm...they are trying to fax me and it's not coming thru. Guy says he has a signed copy of my contract that says that.

If that's true, I do not remember that being discussed at time of signing. Still waiting for owner to call me.

Ok, call back from owner. He says contract does state I need to give 30 days notice (grrr!). I will get a month credit if I decide to reinstate.

I am canceling...and also told him about his rude staff.

Just an FYI...if you plan on canceling Harbor, give them plenty o' notice.

every gym has some kind of scam like this when you try to cancel.

a friend of mine tried to cancel and was told there was a several hundred dollar fee, but she could continue to be a member until her contract ran out, which was actually cheaper than canceling.

The 30 days notice doesn't surprise me, but you'd think they could be more straightforward and helpful about it.

bullyboy wrote: The 30 days notice doesn't surprise me, but you'd think they could be more straightforward and helpful about it.

Yes..What got me wound up is that this guy just kept saying "it's your last month". If he would have said "our policy is that you have to give 30 days notice, so you are going to receive one final bill", I would have been MUCH less pissed off.

Customer service is sooooo 20th century...

Flexichick wrote: [quote=bullyboy]The 30 days notice doesn't surprise me, but you'd think they could be more straightforward and helpful about it.

Yes..What got me wound up is that this guy just kept saying "it's your last month". If he would have said "our policy is that you have to give 30 days notice, so you are going to receive one final bill", I would have been MUCH less pissed off.

I've been a member of three gyms (including one Y) and there's always a 30-day cancellation notice period. And I think that each of the times I've canceled (twice) I needed to make the cancellation notice in person or at least in writing.

I've faxed over my cancellation. I see no need to have to go down there in person

I'm sure a lot of people are cancelling memberships in the current economic environment. You think they'd try to be at least a little polite about it so if you (or anyone who cancelled) thought about re-joining in the future, you'd feel good about it. Based on this experience, I don't think they could get you back as a customer ever.

I recently canceled my membership there as well.. cutting back on costs. I was fortunate to experience decent service, but I showed up in person to cancel and knew about the 30 day notice ahead of time. Sorry to hear about your bad experience (

Now get ready for monthly calls from someone trying to get you back. I canceled my gym membership and have trainers calling me every 2 wks or so for a "free training session".

8thandPrez wrote: Now get ready for monthly calls from someone trying to get you back. I canceled my gym membership and have trainers calling me every 2 wks or so for a "free training session".

From Harbor? They had better not, if they know what's good for them :evil:

Sorry 'bout your experience Flexi but I have nothing but love for Harbor. The last gym i quit required a notarized letter w/30 days notice. I also love getting my ass kicked in Harbor's classes so I might not be sane.

chunkymunky wrote: Sorry 'bout your experience Flexi but I have nothing but love for Harbor. The last gym i quit required a notarized letter w/30 days notice. I also love getting my ass kicked in Harbor's classes so I might not be sane.

As I said at the top of my first post, I loved them for years and had no complaints until I tried to quit and got some jackass on the phone. I'm not a fan of the cancellation policy, and I am definitely not a fan of the attitude I received by what is hopefully one idiot.

I seriously hope they don't even think of calling me to get me back. If it ever became convenient for me again, I'd go back, but calling me will only piss me off

Flexichick wrote: [quote=chunkymunky]Sorry 'bout your experience Flexi but I have nothing but love for Harbor. The last gym i quit required a notarized letter w/30 days notice. I also love getting my ass kicked in Harbor's classes so I might not be sane.

As I said at the top of my first post, I loved them for years and had no complaints until I tried to quit and got some jackass on the phone. I'm not a fan of the cancellation policy, and I am definitely not a fan of the attitude I received by what is hopefully one idiot.

I seriously hope they don't even think of calling me to get me back. If it ever became convenient for me again, I'd go back, but calling me will only piss me off

If you've already sent written notification of your cancellation, you should be fine. If they bill you again, call your credit card company and dispute the charge, submitting the written letter as proof of cancellation.

That should override any attitude you are getting. That's also the beauty of using a credit card.

Crunch requires 30 days notice as well. It seems all the gyms do.

BTW, how much is Harbor per month?

Crunch went up so I cancelled my membership.

Smitty wrote: BTW, how much is Harbor per month?

Crunch went up so I cancelled my membership.

I joined a long time ago, so mine was $52/mo. They told me it's now up to $65 or $69 (can't remember) in an effort to get me to stay

Another good reason to join Body Reserve. No sales pitches, no high pressure trainers. Just pay for what you want. Cancel and never hear from them again. Rejoin, and they are happy to see you. I'm a big fan.

I was with NY Sports Club on 9th. Everything was ok but financially I had to cut back on things. I was forced to sign a 2 year agreement when I told them I didn't want it but was told that I could cancel anytime, don't worry. Well when I went to cancel, the person who told me not to worry no longer worked there. So I fabricated a reason as to why I was leaving (I told them I was moving away...they have a policy that if there's a NYSC within 25 miles then your membership remains...Not that I would travel 25 miles to go to a gym...In any case, I used a friends info for my moving contact that was no where near any NYSC and then had to pay partial last month. I also resented that they automatically increased my membership after less than one year because the contract said they could???? thanks but no thanks, the gyms are as bad as the cell phone companies when it comes to cancelling and not being happy...doesn't matter if you cancel because you're dying, moving, broke and lost your job or just don't like the service, it's still your responsibility and are fined. :roll:

I used to go to Body Reserve . Honestly equipment is GENERALLY the same everywhere but I love some of my classes at Harbor. So if you're going just for/machines/weights go w/the most convenient and cheapest. If you like classes see if you can take a few at the gyms you're interested in.

BKChickie wrote: [quote=Flexichick][quote=bullyboy]The 30 days notice doesn't surprise me, but you'd think they could be more straightforward and helpful about it.

Yes..What got me wound up is that this guy just kept saying "it's your last month". If he would have said "our policy is that you have to give 30 days notice, so you are going to receive one final bill", I would have been MUCH less pissed off.

I've been a member of three gyms (including one Y) and there's always a 30-day cancellation notice period. And I think that each of the times I've canceled (twice) I needed to make the cancellation notice in person or at least in writing.

ditto. Except for my gym in Boston when I moved here which I just stopped paying when I changed banks and closed my acct they were automatically deducting from. Sometimes wonder if they'll ever come after me for it, but after 4 years, I think I'm safe.

my only beef with Harbor is the men's locker room and ESPECIALLY the shower. it is disgusting.

WTF, that was rude of them. Once you complained they should have waived that last month... don't they know bad press is way more costly than the $50ish they're gonna get from you.

Also, I agree, all the gyms are ripping us off. I use NYSC only because it is both close to my office and my apt. If there was another in both locations, I'd switch if it was less expensive.

NYSC is filthy and the staff is beyond inept. I finally quit after several years of their BS. I am a Y girl now.

I cut out of my membership with Curves (yeah I know that sounds like a lame place to exercise but it was only one part of my evercise routine) because when they moved out of 9th street and 6th ave the closest one was in Carrol gardens and I did pay that extra month but the owners were gracious about the exit and it was only that one month charged on my credit card. I was thinking of NYSC but Duffy'sSis turned me off to that one. I might try the Y since I can go at off times.

"8thandPrez" wrote: my only beef with Harbor is the men's locker room and ESPECIALLY the shower. it is disgusting.

I can not comment on that as Ive never been in there..the women's locker room is fine

$70 seems pricey for Harbor!

Is there anything somewhat affordable anywhere? Is it is hard to get a machine at the Y? How much is that membership?

How much is Body Reserve?

The Y it 56 a month with a 150 signup fee. Its not that cheap.

NYSC on 9th has improved significantly with the new manager. The best/cleanest gym is probably Equinox but that costs a fortune