Have you ever gotten one of those free work out passes to a gym? It sounds great, right? You can go in, tour the facility, get in a workout and see if you like the place.
Karen Wilson says her "free" experience ended up costing her.
"I never thought I would still be dealing with this," Wilson said.
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Wilson got a Complimentary Three Day Workout Pass for LA Fitness while at an event. She says when she went to the newly opened LA Fitness in Palm Bay, she got a tour of the facility and a high pressure sales pitch.
She ended up paying $60 for a membership which she tried to cancel the next day, according to Wilson. "I never even sat on a piece of equpiment," she said. The only workout she got was the run around trying to get her money back according to Wilson.
Wilson says she was told the money would be refunded, but after dozens of emails and phone calls, and several months passed, it never was, according to Wilson.
"That money came out of my account, that first night that I went in. I did not get the service. I called within the time frame to cancel, so why is there a problem?" she asked.
Consumer expert Josh Elledge says consumers should be wary of free passes. "If a gym is willing to let you try it out for a week, I'd ask you to please have your defenses up," Elledge said.
Elledge has a website dedicated to teaching people how to get good deals, but he says always check the fine print.
Wilson's complimentary pass says in fine print "membership options may be presented," according to the voucher.
Elledge says even if that's the case never sign on the spot.
"If you do want to make a decision, down the road that's fine, but please do not make any decision because of some high pressure sales technique," Elledge said
Consumers should check reviews online and on social media particulary from people who have left a facility according to Elledge.
"Because I think that's going to tell you alot about the gym, what other people's cancellation experiences have been like," he said
Wilson tried for nearly six months to get her money back--then she called News 6.
News 6 called LA Fitness's Corporate Office and later got an email confirming the $60 refund.
"Thanks to WKMG because it wasn't until you guys contacted them, lo and behold, a couple days after I get a response and the money is back in my account," Wilson said.
Orlando Gonzalez, the Member Relations Director with Fitness International LLC the parent company of LA Fitness apologized. "We encourage people to use complimentary passes to try out the club and, hopefully, enjoy it and join," he said.
"If they join and change their mind, cancelling should be easy. It sounds like it wasn’t for Karen and for all of her frustration we apologize. We have refunded her in full and hope at some point she gives us another chance," Gonzalez said.
Wilson says she has already joined another gym.