YMCA----Christian Association???????
After reading, and suggesting, about how Alexa should use her Christmas money, I have to tell you about the fiasco that is brewing with the money I received for Christmas.
I received $200 total from an aunt and two sets of grandparents for Christmas. I thought it would be wonderful to get a family membership to the YMCA, where we could all enjoy the facilities and have some family fun getting in and/or staying in shape. This money came to me in the form of personal checks, except for $50 cash.
On December 23rd, I went to the YMCA and purchased the membership. They charged me $50 joining fee (which I paid in cash), and $150 for a quarterly payment, which would pay for Jan., Feb., and March. They quickly handed me a stack of papers and sent me on my way.
Just as I returned home, I read in the newspaper that, beginning Dec. 23rd, the joining fee was 1/2 off. So, the next day, I went back to the YMCA and let them know that they forgot to only charge me half the joining fee. The young man at the desk could do nothing(which didn't surprise me as he acted as dumb as he looked--Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Boy that he was) they were closing for Christmas in a few hours, and I'd have to wait until Tuesday (two days after Christmas) to get my money refunded. Okay, fine. I thought that fair, as it was Christmas Eve.
So, Christmas Day comes and goes and Hubby and I were looking at all of the YMCA information and see that it is only $38/month for a family membership if paid by automatic bank draft. Remember I paid $150 for three months. That's a pretty big difference to me. The difference could almost pay for another month's membership. Usually paying in "bulk" there is a discount, not a price mark-up.
Tuesday morning rolls around and I now need to talk to Loreen ( supposedly the woman in charge) about the joining fee AND the problem with them jipping me out of $36 because I paid for three months at once. Her first comment was, "Didn't they give you the papers that explains the prices?" Okay, she won on that point, but couldn't win when I told her that nothing was explained to me. I simply went inside, said that I had some Christmas money I wanted to spend, and they signed me up and took my money. Never any mention that it would cost me so much more to pay quarterly instead of monthly. She agreed that I should have been told, said she would take care of it, and I was transferred to the front desk to set up the family orientation so we could start using the facilities. HMMMMM, they couldn't get us in for an orientation until January 3rd. This would have been all fine and good, BUT, upon registration, they had insisted on charging me for the remainder of December. EVEN THOUGH I had told them that I didn't want the membership to start until January. Once again, Loreen agreed that I should be reimbursed the December fee as there was no way the family could even step foot into the gym before having an orientation. Finally, she just said to come in and she would reimburse all of my money and we could start the process clean and fresh, with no confusions. Okay! Great!!! This is the answer I was looking for!
I go in, like she said, to the YMCA, expecting to speak to Loreen, get my money back, and sign up for a new membership (with only a $25 joining fee and only monthly payments.) LOREEN IS NOT THERE. SHE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW. GEESHHHHHH!!!!! You've got to be kidding me. "So, whose in charge here?"
"That would be Mark. He's in his office."
Okay, then, here we go again. Mark knows of the situation, but is not authorized to give any reimbursments. That's Loreen's department and he can't help me. OKAY! You know, I'm a calm person and pretty reasonable. I said that I'd be back tomorrow. He did one step better and PROMISED that Loreen would call me at 9am sharp tomorrow morning. Guess who hadn't called at 9:45am???? You guess it. So, I called her. "Oh, yes, Lisa. I was just getting ready to call you." I bet you were. "If you'd come in today after 2:30pm, I'll be here to get everything straightened out for you." WONDERFUL. Music to my ears.
I was trying to get the house organized for my nephew's birthday party, so I sent Hubby to the Y to get our money. Should I have been surprised that the phone rang and the call was Hubby, FROM THE YMCA????
"They said you picked up the money yesterday."
"WHAT?"
"They said that Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Boy says he gave you your check and cash yesterday on your way out."
"Well, he's lying."
"That's what I thought."
"Let me talk to Loreen or Mark."
Very long story ending soon. The Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Turd stole my money. He pocketed the $50 cash and trashed my check. No other explanation. He lied about giving me the money, said he shredded my receipt because it had my personal information on it, and thinks he can get away with this. What a little creep. If I knew his last name, I'd call the kid and give him a piece of my mind. But, I don't, so I just have to vent here.
Well, they believed me and did reimburse my $50 cash. I stopped payment on the check, just in case he was brave enough to try and cash it, being an employee for the YMCA.
I guess we won't be using the Y to get into shape this year. BUT, things are looking up, because we received a "Dance, Dance, Revolution Extreme" for Christmas. This will whip anyone into shape in a matter of minutes! I guess every cloud has a silver lining.
Now, go read Alexa's blog and see that she had a WONDERFUL expericnce spending her money gift. This is how it should be!
I received $200 total from an aunt and two sets of grandparents for Christmas. I thought it would be wonderful to get a family membership to the YMCA, where we could all enjoy the facilities and have some family fun getting in and/or staying in shape. This money came to me in the form of personal checks, except for $50 cash.
On December 23rd, I went to the YMCA and purchased the membership. They charged me $50 joining fee (which I paid in cash), and $150 for a quarterly payment, which would pay for Jan., Feb., and March. They quickly handed me a stack of papers and sent me on my way.
Just as I returned home, I read in the newspaper that, beginning Dec. 23rd, the joining fee was 1/2 off. So, the next day, I went back to the YMCA and let them know that they forgot to only charge me half the joining fee. The young man at the desk could do nothing(which didn't surprise me as he acted as dumb as he looked--Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Boy that he was) they were closing for Christmas in a few hours, and I'd have to wait until Tuesday (two days after Christmas) to get my money refunded. Okay, fine. I thought that fair, as it was Christmas Eve.
So, Christmas Day comes and goes and Hubby and I were looking at all of the YMCA information and see that it is only $38/month for a family membership if paid by automatic bank draft. Remember I paid $150 for three months. That's a pretty big difference to me. The difference could almost pay for another month's membership. Usually paying in "bulk" there is a discount, not a price mark-up.
Tuesday morning rolls around and I now need to talk to Loreen ( supposedly the woman in charge) about the joining fee AND the problem with them jipping me out of $36 because I paid for three months at once. Her first comment was, "Didn't they give you the papers that explains the prices?" Okay, she won on that point, but couldn't win when I told her that nothing was explained to me. I simply went inside, said that I had some Christmas money I wanted to spend, and they signed me up and took my money. Never any mention that it would cost me so much more to pay quarterly instead of monthly. She agreed that I should have been told, said she would take care of it, and I was transferred to the front desk to set up the family orientation so we could start using the facilities. HMMMMM, they couldn't get us in for an orientation until January 3rd. This would have been all fine and good, BUT, upon registration, they had insisted on charging me for the remainder of December. EVEN THOUGH I had told them that I didn't want the membership to start until January. Once again, Loreen agreed that I should be reimbursed the December fee as there was no way the family could even step foot into the gym before having an orientation. Finally, she just said to come in and she would reimburse all of my money and we could start the process clean and fresh, with no confusions. Okay! Great!!! This is the answer I was looking for!
I go in, like she said, to the YMCA, expecting to speak to Loreen, get my money back, and sign up for a new membership (with only a $25 joining fee and only monthly payments.) LOREEN IS NOT THERE. SHE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW. GEESHHHHHH!!!!! You've got to be kidding me. "So, whose in charge here?"
"That would be Mark. He's in his office."
Okay, then, here we go again. Mark knows of the situation, but is not authorized to give any reimbursments. That's Loreen's department and he can't help me. OKAY! You know, I'm a calm person and pretty reasonable. I said that I'd be back tomorrow. He did one step better and PROMISED that Loreen would call me at 9am sharp tomorrow morning. Guess who hadn't called at 9:45am???? You guess it. So, I called her. "Oh, yes, Lisa. I was just getting ready to call you." I bet you were. "If you'd come in today after 2:30pm, I'll be here to get everything straightened out for you." WONDERFUL. Music to my ears.
I was trying to get the house organized for my nephew's birthday party, so I sent Hubby to the Y to get our money. Should I have been surprised that the phone rang and the call was Hubby, FROM THE YMCA????
"They said you picked up the money yesterday."
"WHAT?"
"They said that Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Boy says he gave you your check and cash yesterday on your way out."
"Well, he's lying."
"That's what I thought."
"Let me talk to Loreen or Mark."
Very long story ending soon. The Little-Long-Haired-Punk-Turd stole my money. He pocketed the $50 cash and trashed my check. No other explanation. He lied about giving me the money, said he shredded my receipt because it had my personal information on it, and thinks he can get away with this. What a little creep. If I knew his last name, I'd call the kid and give him a piece of my mind. But, I don't, so I just have to vent here.
Well, they believed me and did reimburse my $50 cash. I stopped payment on the check, just in case he was brave enough to try and cash it, being an employee for the YMCA.
I guess we won't be using the Y to get into shape this year. BUT, things are looking up, because we received a "Dance, Dance, Revolution Extreme" for Christmas. This will whip anyone into shape in a matter of minutes! I guess every cloud has a silver lining.
Now, go read Alexa's blog and see that she had a WONDERFUL expericnce spending her money gift. This is how it should be!
posted by Lisa at 1:15 PM
11 Comments:
WOW Lisa..what a load of baloney they put you through!!!
Ever thought to tell em that you may put a notification in YOUR parish bulletin warning others of joining the YMCA???
I thought it was supposed to be 'family friendly' hmmm for what price?
Hope it all works out for ya though.
Marie from too sunny Australia lol.
PS: My 'kangaroo experience' is on the St. Stephen post..Read if you DARE LOL!
Marie heehee!And it IS a TRUE story LOL!
A friend of mine had a similar experience at the local YMCA. I think it is just better to stay away, stay far, far away.
That is really too bad. I wouldn't let them get away with it, Lisa! Is there someone over Loreen's head that would make things better and even more satisfying than you started out expecting? If not, then I'd tell the better business bureau. I really would!
I don't know how much I would complain about the YMCA unless this particular one has a history of such shananigans. It sounds like a lot of this has to do with the teenager.
Outside of retail, there are a lot of businesses that are, shall we say, a bit too optimized towards taking your money but have a difficult time refunding it or correcting billing mistakes. Especially in those businesses that work on a subscription/membership basis. Try to stop using AOL, TiVo, Netflix, etc. I wonder if they are too worried that their own employees would try and scam the system so they limit who is authorized to pay out. Yes, I know it stinks. Keep in mind that the YMCA is far from a big budget operation.
In any case we have been very happy YMCA members for about eleven years now. For the past few years, since moving to our current house, we continue to make the 25 minute drive to get there. We used to pay by direct withdrawal and that worked pretty well. Now that my wife teaches there, we just pay annually for the family increment.
So I don't want to sound like a YMCA apologist. Maybe your local one really is mismanaged. I know first impressions are important. If you know of any other members at that YMCA, ask them about their experiences in the past. I'm sorry that your experience to date has been such a fiasco!
Lisa,
woo wooo.. fancy new set up! Very nice.
I'm sorry to hear that skanky little boy made that experience poor. Hope it turns out ok. Maybe he really, really needed that money..? He obviously needs prayers.
Oh Lisa that's terrible! Keep an eye on your account since he had your numbers and everything. Alexa's advise is good too. Sorry it was such a bad experience.
I'm not the only one who has had trouble. But, there are many people here who belong. So, I guess it will just be the question of wanting to take the risk of being used and abused again. I'm not opposed to POSSIBLY trying again. They did say that I wouldn't have to pay any joining fee if I wanted to join. This was their way of apology, I think.
Yes, I also thought that the boy may have just needed the money. Maybe he wanted to buy his mother a Christmas gift or something. But, he DID have a job, and he did have highlighted hair (which isn't cheap), and he did have nice clothes. So, my initial reaction was just "Punk." I really think he just wanted to take my money, instead of needing my money.
I'm not one to hold a grudge. I've forgiven. Although, if I do choose to sign up again, I will not do so if he is working there. I'm able to forgive, but I'm not ignorant.
Hey Lisa! I've tagged you on my blog with a meme!
And I'm still working on that new project I told you about.....
Hey, Great!
Okay, I'll go and see what questions I'm supposed to answer. So, tell me, what does "meme" mean? I'm guessing this is another computer term that I should already know? ha!
Dance Dance Revolution is super-fun!
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