Local gym penalized for continuing to charge fees after cancelled contract

Consumer Protection BC has issued a fine to a Chilliwack gym for not following proper consumer protection laws in its contracts.
Spokesperson Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith says Total Body Fitness was continuing to bill a client who had cancelled a contract.

“The consumer tried to cancel the contract, and then they weren’t allowed to, and (she) was still being charged fees even though bylaw in British Columbia allows you in certain cases to cancel your contract.”

Stacy Latham insists she signed a 12 month contract, but the business claims she signed a lifetime contract with a stipulation she would pay a $90 cancellation fee.  They kept charging her credit card monthly fees even after she had cancelled, and said they would until the $90 was paid, but CPBC sided with Latham.

The gym has to pay $1100 in administrative penalties, plus another $500 for partial inspection fees, and has been issued an order to provide all the proper cancellation information in its contracts. The owner of Total Body Fitness believes he did nothing wrong, and says he’s prepared to take the client to court over this.  CPBC says he’s within his right to do that.