Help Me Hank: Exercising Their Rights

If you're housemates, like Ashley and Kara, you've got to be a team. They're both teachers, they both love the outdoors and they both decided to stay in shape.

Ashley Decker, Former Gym Member
"So we just decided, you know, I needed to find a gym."

They figured what happens to one, happens to the other.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"If I needed someone to motivate me to go to the gym and see my roommate going it kind of kicks my butt as well."

So they both signed up at the same place, mainly because it was close to home.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"It’s so convenient to have it just a mile away."

And soon they both were running lifting stepping and kicking, but their workout routine only lasted three months, then they both heard some gym gossip.

Ashley Decker, Former Gym Member
"We kind of heard through the grapevine that they were going to be closing down their location."

Their phone calls to corporate HQ confirmed it, that gym was closing, turning off the treadmills for good. The roommates were bummed, but not big time.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"We figured, ‘oh it’s not really that that big of a deal. We'll follow the cancellation policy and we'll be fine’."

They checked their contracts rules, sent back their ID cards, cancelled in writing, and thought it was a done deal. But when they called to make sure, it was double trouble.

Ashley Decker, Former Gym Member
"Now, all of a sudden, it was just like thrown at me that I couldn’t cancel."

And soon their mailbox was full and their phone ringing with collection agencies demanding each pay $1,300 in membership dues.

Ashley Decker, Former Gym Member
"It was scary, we obviously didn’t have the funds to do that."

What made the two even more bewildered, they knew their contract said they could cancel.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"I thought it was outrageous."

With their cancellation letters and calls ignored, the roommates got on the Web.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"We don’t have any other options, we don't know what else to do. So we thought maybe Hank could help."

We checked the contracts and it was clear, the place closes, the members can cancel.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter (on phone)
"They both sent in their letters…"

We asked the club to check its own fine print, specifically paragraph six.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"This seems like this should be an easy one."

And soon after Kara and Ashley got good news in the mail, turns out they had properly exercised their rights.

Ashley Decker, Former Gym Member
"We were glad it was over and done with."

And their workout problems had worked out.

Kara Pirillo, Former Gym Member
"We're just so thankful it’s taken care of!"

Before you sign up wit ha health club, read the fine print. State law specifically says they must spell out your rights when it comes to canceling.

If you're fighting a consumer battle, maybe I can help.