I signed a contract in Dec 2008, as a minor, with ABC Financial to join a local Powerhouse Gym here in Wichita Falls, TX. I was laid off the same month of signing up and therefore, could not pay on it. My mother and I live on a fixed income and I am unable to find a job due to the economy. They drafted each monthly payment from my account until March 2009. After talking with them about my situation, I would have to pay a $75 cancellation fee, catch up on my past due amount plus the late fees charged with them. How am I supposed to pay that when I can't afford the monthly payment in the first place?! I had to close my bank account to keep them from taking anymore money, and as I expected, it was turned over to collections. This is where it got nasty.

They turned me over to a law firm in Durham, NC. I called them to "dispute the amount or any portion thereof" as stated in the letter they sent.

First of all, Robert J. Nauseef, who handled my file, was the biggest prick in the world. He never identified himself when answering the phone, and he treated me as if I were some middle-aged guy who signs contracts and takes out loans all the time, never to pay them back!

Secondly, when I asked him what I was supposed to do since I was laid off in Dec 2008 and was unable to pay any of my bills, he turned the question around to me as if he were the victim. I told him I didn't know, and he said "there's your answer...I don't know! I ain't a psychic!". I told him I'd see what I can do, and he told that was a "good idea" and hung up.

After thinking about what I could do, I called him back and told him I was a minor when I entered the contract and he said since payments were made on it after I turned 18 that I acknowledged the contract as an adult. He also stated that "no judge in the country would rule in my favor". I told him to pursue it anyway he wanted and that I wasn't paying a cent on the debt, and without a word he hung up again!

In my opinion, that is the most unprofessional law firm I know of. And ABC is the biggest scam in the world. They exploit peoples' desire to be healthier as well as young clients such as myself and worst of all, they get away with it! We also see who they do business with (Clayton, Myrick, McClanahan, Coulter PLLC).

Thanks for hearing me out. Comments are appreciated.

-Angry Consumer

I cancelled my account with Anytime fitness but because of fraud on my credit card, my final payment wasn't made. I called to make a payment over the phone and these crooks billed me a late fee of $19.50, half of which they would agree to credit back, and then a $5 processing fee to take my payment over the phone. But because my account was closed, I couldn't avoid their $5 fee to make my payment. This company is a bunch of shysters. If I join another club someday, and ABC Financial is involved, I'll walk away and the club will know why.

I have been trying to cancel my membership at work out world gym for two weeks i have been unable to get through by telephone. I have been on hold sometimes for 30 minutes or more. Just want to cancel. financially hard times right now.

All I wanted to do was join the newest workout club in town. I did not realize that I should have consulted with an attorney before signing on to join Golds. Seven months latter my financial situation has changed and I've had to make some difficult but necessary decisions with my finances and budget. Also to be honest the quality of the club and their unkept promises as to future changes have left me disappointed. I thought that I originally joined Golds but it seems ABC Financial pulls all the financial strings here. They say I obligated myself through May 2010. If Golds had any creditability at all they would drop this infuriating policy of contracts. It only serves their short term financial needs. In the long run it harms them in the anger and discontent that their clients have with them when the ' contract' obligates them to pay for something they no longer can afford or no longer want to use. What is wrong with a month to month contract? It serves all parties fairly, ensures the club must continually meet it's clients expectations and allows for a contented customer without the noose of a 'contract' around their neck. Personally I wish I didn't have to use my time here now, but what resort do I have other than to warn others of these anti-consumer policies by clubs like Golds. I told Golds and ABC that I would be exercising my right to free speech and posting my experiences with them. Also in my local community I will use my voice to warn other to stay clear of Golds. There Golds and ABC see what ill will you have erroneously sown for yourselves, through your money hungry policies towards your customer, now former customer. By the looks of my google searches on your companies it appears I am just one of many on a long list of dissatisfied former customers. It's not just me, think about it. Will you choose greed or at least try to treat your customers with fairness and dignity?

I have been trying to cancel membership of golds gym. The account is managed by abc financial and after 5 calls and writing 2 letters u have been unable to cancel membership each customer service representative gives me a new reason and apologized for the previous but I still can get nowhere. I actually feel like I am held hostage.