| Silhouette gyms just sent me a letter saying they were refusing my request to cancel my contract, because they received it less than 30 days before the renewal date. The (obnoxious) way their contracts are structured is that unless you advise them by certified mail more than 30 days before, the contract renews automatically. They do send you a letter telling you your contract is about to be renewed, but (1) though this letter is dated at more than 30 days before your renewal date, you only (suprise, suprise!) happen to get it less than 30 days before, at which stage it is too late, and (2) the letter does not anyway say anything about your ability to cancel and how to proceed if you wish to do so; you have to call to get that info... I did send a certified mail cancellation request, but not 30 days before, so they are now denying my request to cancel. I have to say I find this business practice utterly despicable and borderline unethical (not to mention short-sighted) . What kind of business thinks it wise to force people to remain customers when they do not wish to? Do they really think that is going to encourage people to think and say good things about Silhouette and refer their friends? I am exploring my options at this point. Their refusal-to-cancel letter says to call them to schedule a meeting. They will try to convince me to remain a member or tell me I can try to sell the membership to someone else. I obviously want to avoid paying the invoice . Any suggestions on how to proceed? Is there a small claims court here I can refer to if I need to? Info on this (name, how it works...) would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!! |
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Silhouette - help!
Oct 13, 2008 @ 23:52
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| Silhouette gyms just sent me a letter saying they were refusing my request to cancel my contract, because they received it less than 30 days before the renewal date. The (obnoxious) way their contracts are structured is that unless you advise them by certified mail more than 30 days before, the contract renews automatically. They do send you a letter telling you your contract is about to be renewed, but (1) though this letter is dated at more than 30 days before your renewal date, you only (suprise, suprise!) happen to get it less than 30 days before, at which stage it is too late, and (2) the letter does not anyway say anything about your ability to cancel and how to proceed if you wish to do so; you have to call to get that info... I did send a certified mail cancellation request, but not 30 days before, so they are now denying my request to cancel. I have to say I find this business practice utterly despicable and borderline unethical (not to mention short-sighted) . What kind of business thinks it wise to force people to remain customers when they do not wish to? Do they really think that is going to encourage people to think and say good things about Silhouette and refer their friends? I am exploring my options at this point. Their refusal-to-cancel letter says to call them to schedule a meeting. They will try to convince me to remain a member or tell me I can try to sell the membership to someone else. I obviously want to avoid paying the invoice . Any suggestions on how to proceed? Is there a small claims court here I can refer to if I need to? Info on this (name, how it works...) would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!! |
pseudoOct 13, 2008 @ 23:52
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 1
Oct 14, 2008 @ 15:21
Just continue to go to the gym! It's good for you ;)
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Just continue to go to the gym! It's good for you ;)
catalin, Oct 14, 2008 @ 15:21
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 2
Mar 10, 2009 @ 13:19
I was contacted 9 months after the end of my year contract via a debt collector which asked me to pay a years membership plus fees to the debt collector. Silhouette is very happy to sell memberships which look like 1 year memberships to people who do not speak French and NEVER to point out that they are actually signing a revolving membership. After trying to see Silhouette's finance director and exchanging emails with her without receiving any satisfactory response on how to settle their claim against me I took matters into my own hands and went to see the manager at my branch in Paquis. Only by acting very confrontationally and explaining loudly in front of other customers how I was never told in English that the contract had an auto renewal clause was I offered a deal (presumably so as not to cause a scene in the gym). The manager allowed me to start the contract period afresh and to transfer my membership to someone else. As such, I found a willing buyer in advance, before paying for the new year's membership, and therefore only paid the difference between the membership cost and the amount I was able to sell a full new year's membership for, plus the debt collector fees. It seems like SIlhouette only responds to public embarressment and not to any dialogue with their head office. Hope this helps to recover most of the cost of Silhouette's rediculous policy.
The text you are quoting:
I was contacted 9 months after the end of my year contract via a debt collector which asked me to pay a years membership plus fees to the debt collector. Silhouette is very happy to sell memberships which look like 1 year memberships to people who do not speak French and NEVER to point out that they are actually signing a revolving membership. After trying to see Silhouette's finance director and exchanging emails with her without receiving any satisfactory response on how to settle their claim against me I took matters into my own hands and went to see the manager at my branch in Paquis. Only by acting very confrontationally and explaining loudly in front of other customers how I was never told in English that the contract had an auto renewal clause was I offered a deal (presumably so as not to cause a scene in the gym). The manager allowed me to start the contract period afresh and to transfer my membership to someone else. As such, I found a willing buyer in advance, before paying for the new year's membership, and therefore only paid the difference between the membership cost and the amount I was able to sell a full new year's membership for, plus the debt collector fees. It seems like SIlhouette only responds to public embarressment and not to any dialogue with their head office. Hope this helps to recover most of the cost of Silhouette's rediculous policy.
crooseboom, Mar 10, 2009 @ 13:19
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 3
Mar 10, 2009 @ 15:02
[quote]Only by acting very confrontationally and explaining loudly in front of other customers how I was never told in English that the contract had an auto renewal clause was I offered a deal (presumably so as not to cause a scene in the gym).
[/quote]
Why should they have to tell you in English? Last I checked, English (while widely spoken) is not one of the FOUR national languages of Switzerland.
The consumer has a responsibility to check the contract and read the fine print before signing. I would say that it's safe to assume that the company/service provider will not be looking out for your best interests, only you are. So do your own homework.
[/quote]
Why should they have to tell you in English? Last I checked, English (while widely spoken) is not one of the FOUR national languages of Switzerland.
The consumer has a responsibility to check the contract and read the fine print before signing. I would say that it's safe to assume that the company/service provider will not be looking out for your best interests, only you are. So do your own homework.
The text you are quoting:
[quote]Only by acting very confrontationally and explaining loudly in front of other customers how I was never told in English that the contract had an auto renewal clause was I offered a deal (presumably so as not to cause a scene in the gym).
[/quote]
Why should they have to tell you in English? Last I checked, English (while widely spoken) is not one of the FOUR national languages of Switzerland.
The consumer has a responsibility to check the contract and read the fine print before signing. I would say that it's safe to assume that the company/service provider will not be looking out for your best interests, only you are. So do your own homework.
misskate, Mar 10, 2009 @ 15:02
[/quote]
Why should they have to tell you in English? Last I checked, English (while widely spoken) is not one of the FOUR national languages of Switzerland.
The consumer has a responsibility to check the contract and read the fine print before signing. I would say that it's safe to assume that the company/service provider will not be looking out for your best interests, only you are. So do your own homework.
misskate, Mar 10, 2009 @ 15:02
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 4
Mar 11, 2009 @ 21:14
Has anyone ever tried to refused to sign the contract with the renewing clause? If so, did they give you a new contract?
I assume they would be more likely to bend the rules for a potential customer vs a current customer who is bound by previously signed contract.
I assume they would be more likely to bend the rules for a potential customer vs a current customer who is bound by previously signed contract.
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Has anyone ever tried to refused to sign the contract with the renewing clause? If so, did they give you a new contract?
I assume they would be more likely to bend the rules for a potential customer vs a current customer who is bound by previously signed contract.
bean1019, Mar 11, 2009 @ 21:14
I assume they would be more likely to bend the rules for a potential customer vs a current customer who is bound by previously signed contract.
bean1019, Mar 11, 2009 @ 21:14
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 5
Mar 13, 2009 @ 00:11
Silhouette gyms actually are crappy I hate to tell you, I cancelled my membership 3 full months in advance with a registered mailed letter sending back my membership card etc. And although I hate cancelling anything by mail instead of actually talking to someone I agreed to do it because I was told that was the only way to cancel my membership. And imagine my surprise about 10 months later i got a letter in the mail from the collections agency telling me i owe for a year membership as well as all other fees!!!! My first and only notice!! Well apparently when we called silhouette and talked to a lady who dealt with cancellations she told me that yes my membership was cancelled and she couldn't understand how it got to collections etc etc so finally it was all work out, okay thought it was all over. Then about 2 months later i received another letter stating that I was up for renewal of my membership!!! and to please pay the full price! WHAT!!! I had to call back yet again and go through the same schtick! Honestly I wouldn't really recommend that gym just for the simple fact they will not allow you to cancel at the gym location you signed up at. I find there are always problems that arise when you can't talk with someone directly either over the phone or in person to cancel a membership.
The text you are quoting:
Silhouette gyms actually are crappy I hate to tell you, I cancelled my membership 3 full months in advance with a registered mailed letter sending back my membership card etc. And although I hate cancelling anything by mail instead of actually talking to someone I agreed to do it because I was told that was the only way to cancel my membership. And imagine my surprise about 10 months later i got a letter in the mail from the collections agency telling me i owe for a year membership as well as all other fees!!!! My first and only notice!! Well apparently when we called silhouette and talked to a lady who dealt with cancellations she told me that yes my membership was cancelled and she couldn't understand how it got to collections etc etc so finally it was all work out, okay thought it was all over. Then about 2 months later i received another letter stating that I was up for renewal of my membership!!! and to please pay the full price! WHAT!!! I had to call back yet again and go through the same schtick! Honestly I wouldn't really recommend that gym just for the simple fact they will not allow you to cancel at the gym location you signed up at. I find there are always problems that arise when you can't talk with someone directly either over the phone or in person to cancel a membership.
lovebugs27, Mar 13, 2009 @ 00:11
lovebugs27, Mar 13, 2009 @ 00:11
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 6
Mar 13, 2009 @ 11:53
I had the same problem with Holmes Place...they're all a bunch of flybynights...good luck!
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I had the same problem with Holmes Place...they're all a bunch of flybynights...good luck!
nickpenn, Mar 13, 2009 @ 11:53
nickpenn, Mar 13, 2009 @ 11:53
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Re: Silhouette - help!
Post 7
Mar 21, 2009 @ 20:11
If I'm not mistaken, aren't all Swiss contracts automatically renewed unless you cancel in time(?)
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If I'm not mistaken, aren't all Swiss contracts automatically renewed unless you cancel in time(?)
Chrisd, Mar 21, 2009 @ 20:11
Chrisd, Mar 21, 2009 @ 20:11
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