World Gym complaint: Scammed me

I responded to a targeted advertisement on Facebook that presented a trial period of 10 weeks for $10, an opportunity I found appealing due to my postpartum situation and my desire to establish a fitness routine while balancing my responsibilities as a parent and returning to work.

Upon arriving at the Midland branch and expressing my interest in the advertised trial offer, I was introduced to a sales representative who provided a tour of the facilities. During this interaction, I was subjected to a high-pressure sales tactic, leading me to sign up for an 18-month membership that I had not originally intended to commit to. I must admit that the sales pressure caught me off guard, and I agreed to the membership without fully comprehending the long-term financial implications and the additional pressures I was facing at that time.

As a result, I have been experiencing significant guilt and stress due to the recurring weekly payments, which have strained my financial resources. Unfortunately, despite my best intentions, I have only managed to visit the gym twice since the initiation of the membership. I believe that the process of enticing vulnerable individuals with an attractive trial offer, only to immediately enrol them in a long-term commitment, is misleading, manipulative, and ultimately unreasonable.

While I acknowledge that there was a one-week cooling-off period during which I could have cancelled the membership without further obligations, I would like to emphasize that this short timeframe may not be adequate for individuals facing unexpected financial or personal challenges. This is especially pertinent for those in a vulnerable state concerning their body image and self-confidence, which can make informed decision-making more difficult.

I strongly believe that such bait-advertising tactics take advantage of individuals who are susceptible to these marketing strategies. As a customer, I had anticipated being encouraged to fully experience the 10-week trial period before considering any long-term commitments, and I am genuinely disappointed that this was not the approach taken.

I have requested termination on three occasions in writing in different channels (via their ‘Contact Us’ page, via email and via FB) and have still after over a month of waiting, had no response and they are still charging me every week.