Unlike the rest of the nation, Connecticut complaints against fitness centers by consumers declined in 2015. Nationwide, complaints increased 4.6 percent.
In Connecticut, complaints dropped 11.2 percent from 348 down to 309. A Connecticut BBB spokesman said a large number of the complaints involve contract issues and billing, as well as disputes about cancellation procedures.
The BBB said In Connecticut, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection, no health club contract may contain an automatic renewal clause, except for a renewal for a period not to exceed one month and only after a first payment has been made.
Depending on how you choose to pay for your membership will have a bearing on how expensive or difficult it might be to cancel your contract or stop unauthorized payments, according to the BBB. It said the rate for a month-to-month contract may be slightly higher than prepaying for a year in advance but it gives more control over credit card or bank accounts in the event of a dispute.
