Several Bunbury citizens have been left bewildered and dismayed following issues with a local gym.
Rose Clauws began going to the gym – which we have chosen not to identify – in 2006, on a contract of $27.90 per month for two years, before deciding to cancel her membership in 2008.
She then went back to the gym in 2010, and ended up cancelling her membership in 2012.
On both occasions, after cancelling her membership, she continually had monthly fees being taken out of her bank account.
She attempted to cancel her membership on three separate occasions by going into the gym and communicating with staff.
After she made the visits, however, the monthly fee was still being withdrawn from her account.
Ms Clauws said the gym had failed to provide copies of the paperwork, leaving her with little evidence.
She said the experience had made her feel “powerless over her own money”.
“There was a feeling of absolute powerlessness, I was very young at the time,” she said.
“They didn’t tell me I was supposed to sign a form telling them to stop helping themselves to my account.
“I then went in and signed the form, but something happened and they just kept taking the money out.
“I had to just wait for them to decide to stop, which took years.
“I haven’t joined a single gym since then, I am too scared.”
Ms Clauws said many people in Bunbury have come forward via Facebook to discuss similar experiences with the gym.
“I am getting so many people messaging me, it’s ridiculous,” she said.
In 2017, Christine McCafferty trained at the gym for six months before choosing to cancel her membership.
She then requested confirmation of the contract’s cancellation, but was not able to receive any paperwork.
Ms McCafferty was later pursued by debt collectors, asking her to pay $1600 overall.
After sending numerous messages to the gym’s owner, she then went into the gym to speak to them.
Ms McCafferty approached the gym’s owner but was not successful in attaining any paperwork.
The debt collectors then stopped pursuing her following months of discussions via email.
She urged people to read their gym contracts carefully before signing or providing bank details.
“I think a lot of people in that situation would have given in because of fear, and would’ve come to a payment agreement,” she said.
The gym’s owner, who did not wish to be identified, said many people signed up for long-term contracts before dropping off after a short time.
They said their lines of communication were always open.
They added people were welcome to come in and discuss any issues with payments or contracts.
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