Gold's Gym Vancouver (Vancouver Mall) — Attraction in Vancouver

Membership Cancellation Nightmares.

PROS Clean, variety of equipment

I moved and cancelled my membership. I had read the reviews so started this process more than a month before I intended to stop going. I first contacted via email. Response email sent to me instructed me to write another email and it would simply cancel my membership. I thought, "those reviews were wrong, this is simply". I emailed the directed email, in which they replied I had to WRITE A LETTER AND SEND IT IN THE MAIL. So, although I was extremely put off on this system from 1998 of writing physical letters to a company in Arkansas, I completed the task.

I gave the letter a few days and then emailed this company that gave me direction to send a letter, to see if they had received it. They claimed they had not, so I gave it a few more days. This should be completely illegal as they can be "processing" it as long as they would like. Of course - this rolled me not only into another billing cycle, but also my annual fee that I had completely forgot about, but added to this situation. I called a few days later again (to be clear - this is a call and letter to a company in Arkansas for a local Vancouver gym membership) - they had received the letter, but after a 20 minute phone call (no hyperbole, it was 20 full minutes) of being on hold and talking with someone who was attempting to complete this monumental task of cancelling a membership, I had hit the wall. I decided to not fight the fact it took them more than a week to "process" this letter and run me into a new billing cycle and my annual membership, I cut my losses and gave up.

Coincidentally, Gold's sent me a survey, so I filled it out, explaining that I enjoyed my time at the gym, but this process of cancellation was unlike anything I had ever experienced out of 10+ gyms throughout the country I've been apart of. This process will result in me staying away from any Gold's gym in the future. (I have had other Gold's memberships - none of them were this difficult to cancel - not even close). I was surprised to see an email back from the manager from the gym. He did seem to care about the situation, and was confused why I had to send a letter - to which I provided him all the information and prior emails. I told him I didn't expect anything out of him, just recommended they reevaluate how they deal with cancellations. I did appreciate the time he spent looking into the situation.

I never had any issues with any of the employees, gym itself, my recommendation is to be very clear on the process to cancel your gym membership as this is different than other gyms.

Writing a letter to cancel was never discussed when I signed up, I would have absolutely mentally noted that as it is extremely off putting. The reason they want a letter instead of an email is specifically to try and get a few more days out a membership and roll them into another month of charges, which is what occurred with me. The verbiage from the email states "We have received your request to cancel your membership. However, per the terms of your agreement, your cancellation request can only be accepted if received via regular mail, or certified mail. Our address is listed below. ABC Financial Services, Inc., P.O. Box 6800,...

I’ve been a member for 6 months, I LOVE Golds Gym – and I’m missing it like crazy right now b/c I’ve been travelling and now I have a horrible cold and need to rest. So… I decided to write a long overdue review for my favorite gym of all time (I’ve belonged to 5). After reading for a minute or two, the only thing worse than this hideous manifestation ravaging my nasal cavity, are the unfair, appalling, blatantly embellished, 1 star reviews left by babies who don’t know how to listen or read simple sentences – and now instead of taking ownership, they blame that on Gold’s simply b/c they’re a company that takes care of their members and are probably hoping for leniency. That’s what abusing consumerism looks like people.

LOL Seriously? ------ Complaints about “I was never told about terms, cancellation policies, options when moving” – I have to tell you, I was told several times about this before becoming a member. I know people nowadays agree to terms all the time without reading them but… Is it really fair to not read them and then act like a victim?

Or "They made me email them to cancel my contract." Really? If you’re under the age of 75 - 80, you probably own a smart phone with email on it. You can literally cancel within minutes…. In fact, I did just that after training for quite a few months with my personal trainer. I hated to cancel this portion of my membership, but needed to save some money for other upcoming expenses. What’s that you ask? What did the process look like? I will tell you young Jedi… I unlocked my phone by pressing my thumb firmly on the home button, gave a devilish grin to nobody in particular as I opened up the Gmail app, typed a simple message and before hitting send I unleashed a nefarious cackle. Then voila – I was responded to a few minutes later and they stopped charging my account on file. The key here – cancel, freeze, revise, etc. based on the terms YOU agree to, not the ones you hope they will let you get by with. Disclaimer Some of the theatrics portrayed may have been ramped up to create drama, but the intent is true.

All kidding aside. I will tell you that this gym has a super friendly staff that says hello and bye almost without fail, super clean weight and cardio areas, best working equipment (and this stuff isn’t the cheap stuff either, we’re talking awesome name brand equipment you can sync your apple watch to, and stout squat racks that you can hide under in the event of an emergency), extremely motivating and knowledgeable trainers (Kenna, you helped me lose 25lbs of fat, put on some muscle, get in better shape and helped me kick start my new fitness journey – I owe you big time). I would recommend Kenna to anyone seeking help with a higher level of fitness. Even the guys locker room smells good and what place has that? I am SOOOOOOOOOOO Happy I joined this gym. If you join Golds in part b/c of this review I would be elated because I think it’s the best gym in Vancouver, WA. I would know I’ve been to most of them. To GOLD’s and all of your staff – For some of the people that said they would give 0 stars if they could – This is one member that would give 10 Stars if I could. THANK YOU for being awesome, and keep up...

If I could give zero stars I probably would.

Starting out my experience was just fine. Nice new equipment and a convenient location.

But as soon as you want to leave this gym, it is a headache and a half and then some more.

First, if you'd like to make any cancellation or talk to someone that knows how to help you, anyone at the front desk or that works there will look at you with a blank stare and tell you to EMAIL "member services".

You simply cannot speak to a real person that is knowledgable. Perfect.

I moved 200 miles away, and I told the guy at the front desk "hey, I'm moving, what can I do to make sure I'm not paying while there is no gym near me" he said, "theres nothing they can do you're going to have to pay until your contract was over"

Okay, so that's annoying. I won't even be using the gym but don't worry, they'll have no problem pulling DOUBLE your usual monthly payment anytime during this period where I am not even there.

Finally, after I did email and tell them I wanted out come July when my contract is apparently over... I get another DOUBLE charge and was fed up.

I did some research and when I stated in my email that I was moving 200 miles away, they should have stopped all payments coming from me and gave an early cancellation.

Well, of course they didn't. I spoke with apparently the one person at the gym that knows anything FINALLY and they said "oh you have to provide proof that you moved"

So I wrote a email asking why NO ONE 4 months AGO when I said I was moving and was canceling, did not one single person say, you need to scan some documents and send it my way and we can get that all sorted out for you. (Not to mention the email's I've received back aren't necessarily customer friendly and are very rude)

Here's why: this is a shady, money hungry, unethical business that loves to talk fast and sign you up under conditions that 'sound good' but really completely screw you over.

I would never recommend this gym to any stranger, family member, or friend, based on the aspect that I respect their time, money, and as a whole person.

Don't sign up for this gym. Save yourself...