Courtney O'Donnell
September 28, 2018 12:52
I joined Crossfit Grinder about a year ago. It is a small gym and I liked the small classes and found coaches who classes I really enjoyed. Back in April, Daniel changed up the coaching schedule and started teaching most if not all of the classes himself, I was not a big fan of his coaching style and stopped attending the gym. I had paid for a 6 month unlimited membership, this was about a month into it. Since not attending for 5 months, I had moved out of GA to NY and with the move forgot to officially cancel the membership and with my lack of attendance did not think it would renew. I got charged for another 6-month membership ($595). I emailed Daniel (the owner) explaining to him not only had I stopped attending but I moved over 1000 miles away and it was an oversight and could he offer me a refund. I was told that they gym pays a transaction fee (which from my experience is typically 5% or $30) and due to that and the fact that the gym apparently does not have any money in the savings account he refused any short of refund and took me $600 knowing full well I am unable to use to membership.
This to me is unethical and in very poor taste, I understand if there was a transaction fee that I needed to pay or if I needed to pay a cancellation fee, but keeping the full 6 month membership on a technicality feels to be like stealing someones hard earned money for a service you know you cannot provide of live up to. This is the second crossfit gym I joined, the one I had attended before moving to GA felt like a family and that was what I was hoping for in the gym, I did not expect an owner who runs his business so poorly he will fight to keep this $600 and makes it seem like it will make or break him. I picked Crossfit Grinder because it was the least expensive gym in the area, and I have learned you get what you pay for and it is inexpensive for a reason and Daniel does not have a compassionate or human side and is just concerned about your money and not your fitness journey, and will keep every dime he can get his hands on.
When I had emailed Daniel after he refused my refund (and offered me a free 6-months if I ever came back - which in my experience if I pay for something it is not free) I communicated to him that I would be leaving a review and fighting the charge. He responded saying that if I wanted to smear his name online karma would take care of the rest. First of all writing the truth online to warn other customers is not a smear campaign and second, in my opinion karma will get a business owner like Daniel who does something like this and takes someone's money on a technicality and provide no service. There is no customer service here do not waste your hard earned money on this gym as the owner is not a good person and does not deserve it, if he can morally be okay with taking peoples money because his gym and business is not doing well (which is his problem not mine) and has no concern if the service he is providing is up to par - it is not someone you want to take a personal fitness journey.
Pay the extra money and go to one of the other crossfit gyms in the area, you won't regret it. I wish I had. I am paying for it now by choosing this gym.