CityFit is a gym in Lafayette, Indiana that I go to. I joined there in Jan 09. When I joined there, they used to have some of the best trainers in the area.
However, from what I heard, the trainers got in financial disagreements with the owner(s) of CityFit (they weren’t getting paid enough) and many of them left to another club in the area. I was not happy about that.
Their hours are crazy bad. They close at nights at 10pm and are open for a shorter time on Saturday and only half of the day on Sunday. I knew this when I signed up, but I made a mistake. I received an email from them couple days ago that they are going to be 24 hours from next month. We’ll have to wait and see.
The biggest let down was this week though. I checked my bank account online and found out that this month I got charged twice the amount that I should. I called the club 4 times every day for the past 3 days. Every time I was told that I need to talk to “Adam” and that he was not there. One day they told me he was on lunch break both at noon and 3 pm when I called. Every time they took my name and number to call me but no one ever did.
I finally found the phone number for the institute that handles their financial transactions (ABC Financial at 888-622-6290). When I called them they told me how this was an “Enhancement” fee that they have every year. I was surprised as I never knew about such a fee and no one ever told me when I was signing up. However apparently there is a fine print somewhere in the agreement that I signed that talks about the “enhancement fee”.
I would have been perfectly O.K with the charge if they had told me up front about or if at least they hadn’t been giving me the run around for the past 3 days. This is just bad customer service. CityFit could have had me blog about the good things about their club rather than the negatives. If this post affects only one potential customer CityFit has lost 11 times what they tried to get out of me by being sneaky about it.
Oh well, some people were just not meant to be business managers.
My advice… Join another club.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
I second that! Do NOT join to CityFit, Westfield Indiana!
We were on vacation last week and noticed a $29 transaction from ABC Financial, that was in addition to our normal monthly charge. According to them, it was a “maintance fee”, which was news to us. We called the gym to inquire and Shad, the manager, was out until friday. That’s cool, we’ll just check back on Monday. My husband called FIVE times and left FIVE messages on Monday, and again on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND Thursday. All of which he left our call back info and our question about the $29. Everytime we were told he was either “running late”, “at lunch” or “with a client”. Finally Friday I suggested we call the Lafayette location and see if we can make any progress. Adam, the manager and my former trainer at the Westfield location, stated that location doesn’t have that “fee” so he couldn’t help us much with that. But, he did help up with our membership status letting us know we’re on a month ot month contract, which was good to know so we could cancel ASAP!
Friday at SIX PM we go to the gym. Wouldn’t you guess, Shad is out…even though his car was parked in front of the gym. I’m pretty sure he was on the other side of the two way mirror! John at the front desk attempted to help us, and he knew our story because my husband had spoken with him one of the many times he called. John stated that we should have received something in the mail reguarding the “new annual maintance fee” and he appoligized that we didn’t get it. Then five minutes later he said the $29 was in our contract. What? I thought you JUST said we should have received something in the mail. Ok, so I asked to see our contract. Well, he couldn’t find it but was willing to show us a blank contract that had the fee on it. I assured him I only wanted to see the one we signed. So AGAIN, we left our contact info, that we were inquiring about the $29 and that we want to cancel our membership and he assured us someone would get back with us…
The fact is, last week we weren’t mad about the $29 charge, we were merely inquiring what it was about. Now when you mix taking our money AND HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, now we’re mad. I kinda feel like it’s a little shady. We asked John if we could have contact info for whoever was above Shad but he couldn’t provide us with that information. I’ve met the owner several times, and I’m pretty sure he would want to know how his club is being “managed”. So the moral of our story is if Shad had responed to our messages at some point last week…they wouldn’t have lost the income of our monthly membership fee…hope that $29 was worth that! Thank goodness there is an Anytime Fitness accross the street, that’s where we will be joining!
First I would like to address that I can only handle what goes on in the Lafayette club and I am very sorry for your inconvenience pertaining to the Westfield review.
As far as the Lafayette club, we have had our kinks no doubt. We are still working out those kinks and it my sole job to make this the best health club in this town. Lafayette, IN has had a very bad experience when it comes to health clubs in general and not one gym has yet to stand out in the crowd as the best. It is my goal to become the best and stay the best. It is not my goal to steal money or take advantage of our members, it is in my opinion that every member counts a great deal to both myself and the club. I have a lot on my plate at any given moment and it sounds like I did not get the message with regards to the top review on this site. I am not sure if anyone will in fact read this at all, if you do please know that I am here for the members first and the gym second. I want to make everyone happy but that is impossible. The $29 enhancement fee spoke about is at the bottom of the agreements, it is in fact the fine print. It comes once a year and it is in July, the extra charge goes towards maintenance for the club. Once again I do apologize if anyone was unaware of the charge.
As I mentioned in my 2nd post about City Fit (found on the blog) I do want to point out there are a lot of good things about CityFit. While I do wish there were more clarity about the issues mentioned above, I have maintained my membership there and even work with Adam as my trainer.
There are good and bad points about every club / business.
I have been a client and was a satisfied client of Club City Fit for a year and a half. The Westfield location closed Friday even though they told my husband that they were closing on Sunday. I went first thing Saturday morning to the gym to work out and cancel our contract to find the lights out and no one around. I contacted Anytime Fitness across the street and the owner told me that Club City Fit had transferred everyone’s contracts to Anytime in Noblesville. After faxing in my contract and making several calls to ABC Finance, my contract was cancelled but my bank account was charged 2 days after cancelling for the month of October. When I contacted a mgr at ABC, she told me that it says in the contract that they can transfer membership anywhere and that I have to pay it. I read the contract, it does not say that. She appologized and said that maybe they left a page out when they gave me my copy??? I have left messages for the mgr at the Club City Fit gym and no response. When I get ahold of someone there I get the same response “he’s on his way”. He’s on his way where? I was told that I could email the owner but that would be it. I was also charged the $29 for new equipment last month and that charge is no where to be found in my contract either. And no equipment needed for a closed site! In order to get any money back …I think that we will have to band together on this. I certaintly don’t have the time to drive 25 minutes away in traffic to where they transferred my membership to!
Just a follow up especially if anyone out there is having the same issue. The former mgr at the Westfield (closed) location has agreed to take down names and will be crediting back the October charges. We were told today that this would be done sometime this week either in the form of a credit to the account or mailed a check. In order for this to happen, you have to contact the Anytime Fitness in Noblesville and ask for one of the former mgrs. I guess sometimes life is a tedius process but for me, it will hopefully be worth the $59 that I was charged.
I just spoke with noblesville anytime fitness. They said the best they could offer was a discounted rate for people who decide to become new members there. They said they are offering a free key to get in anytime of day. They offer one free month to former cityfit members. This is well and good, but what about us “suckers” who fronted 2 or 3 years on contract? I have well over a year left on my cityfit membership. I paid my dues in advance now im out the money? this is not over by a long stretch! this is breach of contract without restitution. I demand compensation either monetarily or through use of another comparable facility within reasonable distance. Why can’t something be worked out? I called the Lafayette location for assistance, the guy acted like he knew nothing, then when pressed, he offered the info about the transfer to anytime fitness. Folks, I do beleive we are being given the run-around, and we may be forced to take this matter civilly. When dealing with knuckleheads like these, it is best to shoot straight and have a game plan. If I don’t hear any clear indication by the end of this week pertaining my reimbursement, I will pursue this matter legally. Others seeking to join in this action please leave a way to be contacted. Be warned, we will not go quietly!
Not only was I charged $29 maintenance fee’s in August, I was charged $50 for October fees, after i CANCELLED my membership after filling out the necessary paperwork to do so. I’m sick and tired of these people giving me the run around. I will be going in person on Monday to Anytime Fitness to try and get my $50 back. I will not join any gym affiliated with CityFit.
I had the same experiences as everyone else…..I did get my $29 credited back. Shad did evade me for 5 weeks, and then claimed ignorance of the 15 messages I left him. I finally showed up one day when he was working, and had a face to face conversation.
I just got off the phone with ABC City fit and was able to cancel the membership; however I was not able to get the October charge reversed. thank you everyone who contributed to this blog, it was helpful. The contract that I signed at the Westfield location was 1 page….the contract that has a clause in it that allows them to transfer the contract to another facility of their choosing was on a contract that was 4 pages long. I never saw those pages, nor did I initial them, therefor they are invalid. I shared that with them, and there was no dispute; they cancelled the membership on the spot.
Thanks again for all the input!
Check this out, this is one of the ‘owners’ of Club City Fit in Westfield. Brian Hanrahan….http://atgindsha01.atg.in.gov/cpd/docs/enforcement/SteveCarter-401633-1.pdf
Done it before.
I would file a complaint with the consumer protection agency- if enough people ban together he can be brought down again.
http://atgindsha01.atg.in.gov/cpd/complaint/complaint.html
TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW- I’m pretty sure memberships will be billed month after month until you cancel your credit card or the Attorney General gets a hold of him once again.
The $29 ‘enhancement fee’ was NOT in the original contract, I kept mine. It was in some new contract they created. They are not just ‘bad businessmen’ they are malicious in their intent.
Just gets better! My husband has called several times to have our membership dues refunded for october and nothing so far. We are told by a Brandon that he will know soon everytime we call. Then to top it off, after we have proof that our account was cancelled and I just got another draft today from a different biling company. When I called the billing co AFS out of CO they said that my account was not showing cancelled (although I have proof) and that they took over the billing for Anytime Fitness (which I do not belong to). They said that I would have to fax proof and have someone of authority for Anytime call me. I spoke to a Jessie at AFS who said that she certainly would be happy to look at the fax but wouldn’t guarantee any draft would be returned. I will be taking the time out of my schedule to go to the gym (Anytime Fitness) tomorrow to speak with someone in person (and take my toddlers with me.
FYI……I spoke with AFS finance today in regards to the draft the Club City Fit did to my account, they stated that an individual was drafting from my account on their behalf for “weight loss”. I have never signed up for that and have proof that my account was cancelled.
I would advise everyone that had a account with Club City Fit that 2 individuals that used to work there are committing fraud by using our account info. The police in Noblesville and Westfield have been contacted. I also have contacted the BBB and the attorney general.
I had the same thing happen to me, the $29 activation fee. I went to my bank and they filed an affidavit for unauthorized or improper ACH debit. I got the $29 fee back. I signed the paper at Club City Fit to not continue with Anytime Fitness after City Fit closed. I just checked my bank account they charged $41 TWICE for maintaince fees. I AM PISSED!!!!! I tried calling the Anytime Fitness they moved to and cannot get a hold of anyone.
Shad Evers & Brandon need stopped!!!!!!!!
I believe it is a guy named Brian Hanrahan. I’ve had many conversations with Brandon (now at Anytime) and don’t believe that he has any clue as to what is going on. From what I have found out ASF International does the billing for a company called http://www.fitnesslifestylecoaching.com. I did some research and found out it is owned by Brian Hanrahan. I think he is billing old City Fit members for his other business.
It looks as though he’s done this before
http://atgindsha01.atg.in.gov/cpd/docs/enforcement/SteveCarter-367681-1.pdf
How can we stop him?
I do not how much good it would do, but I do have a home address for Shad Evers. Whether or not he still lives there, I’m not sure. Honestly, I believe this Brian guy has been shady from the start. I paid for my membership a year in advance and still had about 5 months due to me. For some dumb reason, I didn’t think it was necessary to hold on to the membership agreement and have no idea where I might have placed it. Now that I realize all of this is going on, I may have to do some scavenging.
I found it quite odd that when I went in to cancel my membership another gentleman came in with a check from the company that had bounced. The lady next to me said that his wife worked there. Sounded all too fishy! Please let me know if there is anything I need to do.
I was able to get the drafts stopped from AFS and Brian Hanrahan new business by complaining to AFS (they said that others have as well). Also, I contacted the police and I would highly recommend doing the same. I spoke to Brandon from Club City Fit that works now at Anytime Fitness. He said that he has done the same. I would also encourage anyone to file with the Attorney General.
Let me further explain that I do not believe that Brandon has done anything wrong. He is the one that encouraged folks to close out their personal bank accounts.
My husband and I were able to cancel the “contract” with AFS that was illegally set up. They stated that the account was set up by Shad and they have his cell phone number as “Club City Fit”. We were also made aware that they were given social security numbers of club members. I have no idea how this happened as we never gaves our out nor do they appear on the contract. Nothing much may be done unless more folks report it to the police.
I don’t see how it’s possible for people to be so illegal and still be running around out there? Have the police said what we can do?
After closing out my checking account and getting AFS to cancel out the account, I still have a draft on my closed out checking account from them today.
If anyone is concerned about these guys (who one has a similar charge against him from before) having your account info and social security number, you might want to contact the Westfield police dept.
Jane, I would highly recommend giving that address to the police in Westfield. They have some of the individuals work numbers and addresses as well.
This is a hoax and a scam!!! I am heading to the bank now. It appeared that in the previous engagement with the State vs. these guys that 1. he is doing this again and again, and 2. is not returning any $$.
I called and cancelled in September as did my wife by filling out papers from Anytime Fitness to do so. They are still billing us.
I plan on calling the police, filing with the AG and mabe even Raphael Sanchez.
There is a case number with Westfield Police open regarding this issue. I don’t know that much will be done unless a bunch more folks let them know what happened.
Check out this discussion too-
http://indianapolis.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?m=7647667&pi=1&q=&dt=MWorldData.Message&si=Comments&filter=0&g=246849&se=&sd=&sn=0
In speaking again with the Westfield police, they would highly recommend individuals contacting the police. It may become not just a fraud issue but theft as well with these individuals stealing company account (client) info. They are not sure if the issue will be handled in Westfield where Club City Fit was or in Indy where this new business is that the individuals are working out of. Either way, I would watch you credit, close out checking account, contact the police, and file with the Attorney General. I know, a lot of stuff to do. Has taken me about 3 days.
I also have experienced the same issue. I spoke to a Bonnie at AFS on 10/20 who indicated they were investigating the issue due to numerous complaints. I spoke to someone today who had no record I spoke to Bonnie and stated this was for an “online weight loss program”. I went to the Anytime Fitness in Noblesville and no one was there, but I spoke to another former member of Club Cityfit who stated that he was of the understanding that AFS owned Advocare which was some sort of mail-order vitamin company that both the owner of CityFit and the Anytime Fitness in Noblesville are a part of. We have canceled the cards associated with the charges to avoid any further charges. We are contacting Call6 For Help.
I found this while checking on the name Brian Hanrahan.
http://www.brianhanrahan.com/
There is actually a video on the sight by Channel 6 news on Club Cityfit showing him in the video. Apparently he is being investigated now by Call6 for Help.
Does anyone have a police report# that I can reference? When I called the Westfield Police Dept. the head of investigations denied knowing anything??????
I am from Illinois and received a postcard in the mail seeking 25 women for a 24 week online weight loss program with Fitness Lifestyle Coaching in conjunction with SNAP Fitness of Huntley. Shad deceived many of us on multiple issues and my phone calls and e-mails were never returned. I genuinely felt that the concept was good, however the deceit and lack of custumer service became obvious.
The only contact I could get was to call my credit card company to get the phone # for the billing company, ASF international. They said that I had a 12 month contract, which was far from what I thought I was being sold. I didn’t receive the contract when I signed up and demanded proof, so they obtained a copy for me. The contract stated (in small letters) that if I did not fill out my food log 3 times a week then the 6 month trial would go to the full term. This was never mentioned and because I didn’t receive a copy of the contract I wasn’t able to read it and know the stipulations. You usually have time to cancel contracts by a certain time period, so I usually take them home and read them carefully. Anyway, the filled in dates were for 12 months, and so I really believe that he manipulated the papers so I wouldn’t receive the contract for them which allowed him to fill in the dates after the fact. If I had seen those dates I wouldn’t have signed. I’ve learned my lesson now, to insist on taking a contract home first, then sign.
He did give me the contract for SNAP though, which I think enabled him to sneak his contract out of sight. Ironically, he filled out the SNAP contract wrong which allowed me to get out of a typical 12 month membership with them. Their memberships are always 12 months and he didn’t put that on the contract, which allowed him to continue to deceive us. One of the SNAP employees said they’d never do business with him again. FYI SNAP (as far as I know) has done nothing wrong, they are just victims also.
So Adam don’t claim you aren’t part of the scam, you definitely are. You will go down along with Brian and Shad. If you weren’t part of his scam you wouldn’t testify to his character on http://www.brianhanrahan.com. Hmm. I wonder who Adam from Lafayette, IN. is?
CHECK IT OUT! Rafael to the rescue!
SO- email info@clubcityfit.com for your refund…in 7 to 10 days if you don’t have one, get back with rafael_sanchez@wrtv.com
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/21468644/detail.html
is anyone still being charged or received a refund?
I have not been charged anymore but that’s because I closed out the checking account. I received and have kept an email from Brian stating that he would refund the money. That was just over a week ago and I have not received a check. He emailed me again to verify my address.
I received a refund and hoping that it clears my bank ok
I have had some issues with http://www.fitnesslifestylecoaching.com Fitness Lifestyle Coaching as well, I suggest you talk to the Westfield police department I know that they are currently working some complaints. I sent my complaint to an officer there.
Lt Seagrave suggested that anyone having problems file complaints with the attorney generals office as well.
Hey Me and my mother paid in full to go to the Westfield Club City fit last year. We have a two year contract and it is already paid. We can’t go down to Noblesville every day-there isnt time!(too long a commute) is there anyway to get part of our money back??? Help!!
UPDATE 12/28/09 – I received a call today from a Detective McPhearson of the IMPD. He would like those of you that had memberships to Club City Fit in Westfield or Lafayette to give him a call ASAP @ 317-327-2543 317-327-2543
BTW, I never received my “refund”. Shock!
Kristi
I believe the owner (and founder) of Club CityFit is Dan Gutwein. I know that he is at least the founder. Not a very nice man.
anyone still being charged for either http://www.fitnesslifestylecoaching.com (Fitness Lifestyle Coaching) after their contract ended OR for membership at Club City Fit should contact both Detective McPhearson (317-327-2543) and Rafael Sanchez. (rafael_sanchez@wrtv.com) and mention Brian Hanrahan in your subject line. This guy is a crook.
Showers here run cold and no towels are available during unstaffed hours. The music is screamo/skateboarder/death metal and it’s played at the same loud volume throughout the day. I’ve complained many times and, despite the management saying they would take action, they have done nothing. Lousy business.
Although members were initially transferred to Anytime Fitness when the Westfield Club CityFit closed, all memberships have been canceled. If you have a membership issue, complaint or refund request, you can contact me directly at brian10009@yahoo.com. You will receive a response within 2 days. The Westfield Club CityFit has no affiliation with any other area fitness center. If you have any consumer related issue that you believe is related to me personally, please contact me at the above email address.
This all the reasons why city fit Lafayette Indiana closed.
Talk about blind sided! I just saw moving trucks outside the building today. No notification it was closing.
Now it makes sense why they were giving such great deals on membership. The guy basically gave away 2 for 1′s just to get people’s money. Newtone’s weight area is not that great, I hope it gets renovated soon.
I would close whatever account you are being billed out of and move on, they will bill you blind and not refund anything!
I am having the same issue with the fitness lifestyle coaching. They are billing my account and there is no phone number to call them, no address only a email to contact them. They have taken $266 out of my account in the last few days. I have sent them a nasty email to return the money and they sent another charge thru. I have cancelled my card.
In my case, I had to MAIL a letter to the company that was providing the billing services to CityFit to cancel my contract. It was a joke.
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