Gym goers took to Twitter to ask, "Why did Planet Fitness charge me $39 when the gym has been closed for months." The corporate's resolution did not lend a hand the anger.
It's the beginning of the month which means numerous things for other folks paying their very own expenses. It's payday for some folks, and for most of the people it's the day the place all our bills are due. We need to pay rent, automobile insurance, and for a considerable amount of other folks, today supposed a marvel Planet Fitness charge. These upset other folks took to Twitter and asked, "Why did Planet Fitness charge me $39?" And, oh boy, the solution got other people fired up.
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So, why did Planet Fitness charge you $39?
According to Planet Fitness' FAQ page on its site, in an effort to have access to the fitness center amenities, there's an annual charge of $39 that "goes towards club maintenance and upkeep." This price is due annually and for a large number of folks, that time of the 12 months happened July 1, 2020. The charge isn't normally a marvel to the general public — they know they've a health club membership, in any case — but the charge came as a wonder to many this yr, and it is led to an enormous uproar on Twitter.
We all know there is a worldwide pandemic right now, and with it got here the closure of many companies as we have been steered to physically distance. Gyms around the country have been closed, and in step with Planet Fitness' FAQ page, all through that point, gym-goers weren't charged their fees.
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"While our locations are currently closed, we have proactively frozen all memberships on your behalf," the customer service web page reads. "You will not be charged any fees until your club reopens. While we hate to see you cancel your membership, you can send a certified letter to your home club requesting to cancel. Otherwise, please contact our member services department with questions about your membership."
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But on July 1, other folks noticed the $39 removed from their bank account, having 0 thought why it was removed since their health club have been closed for several months. Apparently, Planet Fitness charged $39 to everybody who did not pay their membership charges over the few months. Why? The corporate considers their gyms open now—however there was no heads up that the corporate can be charging folks.
UPDATE (July 2, 2020): A PR consultant for Planet Fitness has reached out to Distractify to explain that participants had been notified about billing for his or her annual price:
"This is incorrect — if a member’s annual fee date was going to change given the club closures in March, all members with an email on file were notified in advance of this billing date change upon the club reopening."
The consultant also clarified, "The annual fee is a one-time fee, per a membership agreement. Unlike monthly membership dues, it is not based on the billing days or amount of days open and is a maintenance fee."
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After being asked about it on Twitter, the official account tweeted back, "Unlike monthly membership dues, the annual fee is not deferred during a membership freeze. The date by which you must pay your annual fee will revert back to its original date. Please contact your home club directly for any questions or concerns related to billing."
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@PlanetFitness YALL KNOW YOURE DEAD ASS WRONG FOR TAKING MEMBERSHIP FEES WHEN ITS A DAMN PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO THE GYM RIGHT NOW! THEN I SAY OK CANCEL IT BECAUSE I DIDNT NOTICE THE MONEY COME OUT LAST MONTH AND YOUR REPS TELL ME THERES NO REFUND EVEN IF I CANCEL!
— Shalaaaa ❤️️😊 (@keepinupwit_sha) July 1, 2020@PlanetFitness still looking ahead to a reaction from you all. There is a virulent disease going on, individuals are staying house and still you have the nerve to charge membership renewals in full? Many of your consumers tried cancelling months in the past, your site didn’t allow it. Please respond
— Staying vigilant (@MatthewGillie16) July 1, 2020Article continues below advertisement
As many said on Twitter, that they had tried to cancel their memberships main as much as this month, however with no one answering the phones and their native gyms closed, it was once unimaginable to get ahold of anyone.
Hey, Jordan! That charge can be the once a year rate that goes towards membership repairs and maintenance. Information on this is detailed within the signed membership settlement. Please contact your home membership for any questions or issues associated with billing. Thank you! -Hayley
— Planet Fitness (@PlanetFitness) July 1, 2020Article continues under advertisement
"Honestly tried to call @PlanetFitness to cancel 3 months ago. I was unable to cancel over the phone, had to cancel in the gym (which was closed) and now they charge $40 membership fee. Please fix it, you’re not doing right by the customers!" one disgruntled particular person wrote.
Honestly attempted to name @PlanetFitness to cancel Three months in the past. I used to be unable to cancel over the phone, had to cancel within the gym (which used to be closed) and now they charge $40 membership fee. Please repair it, you’re not doing proper through the purchasers!
— Staying vigilant (@MatthewGillie16) July 1, 2020Article continues below advertisement
@PlanetFitness how you gonna charge me an annual rate in the course of pandemic when Im now not operating. $41.73 when you guys had closed for three or 4 months. Y’all what’s mistaken with America nowadays. SHAME , SHAME , SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.
— Steevy Wonder Foxx (@steevyfoxxx) July 1, 2020How planet fitness gonna charge me $Forty one like we weren’t closed final month ... complain take your $25 and cross no longer $41
— syd 🐛 (@commonjit2) July 1, 2020Article continues beneath commercial
Planet Fitness does have gyms reopen, however reopening came at a price already.
According to CBS News, on June 29, over 2 hundred fitness center goers had been exposed to COVID-19 after any person attended the health club with out figuring out they had the virus.
"Planet Fitness announced that it has closed the gym temporarily, which is expected to reopen on Tuesday at 6 a.m," in line with CBS. "They say a third party cleaning crew will disinfect the facilities prior to the reopening."
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So, that does not exactly give other people a large number of self assurance that although their local Planet Fitness is open, that it is in reality protected to do so. Customers are urging the health club corporate to refund all the yearly fees they only took out of other people's bank accounts. Or on the very least, make it means easier for them to cancel.
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