This is a letter I recently submitted to ABC Financial (I will keep you posted on outcome):

I have been a member of Work Out World - 50 Warren Street, Randolph, MA. 02368- since 7/2/07. ABC Financial has been debiting my account $39.98/mo. I have honored the 2-yr. agreement. The 2-yr. agreement/membership expired on 7/2/09. I called your customer service line last week and was told by one of your reps -Ashley- that I had to go into the WOW and speak to the manager for a waiver. I did as instructed on 7/9/09 and the manager and I both signed the Request for Membership Cancellation form.

The manager there (first name Vasilios) told me that I now needed to call your Cus Serv # again to tell someone at ABC Fin. that I have the signed waiver. This evening I called and spoke to a person who claimed to be a supervisor: Margaret O'Nick (X. 1527) and to her "superior" Jodie Hightower (X.1523)

I explained to both the aforementioned ladies and to the rep that initially received my call, that I had been laid off for almost a year and that I nor my wife have been using the gym. However, I had been (and still am) getting my account debited $39.98/mo. I realize that I signed the contract, which is why I have been honoring the agreement. I do recall receiving a letter from ABC Fin/Wow stating that if I have been laid off and/or receiving unemployment benefits that I may have my membership cancelled. It also stated that I would have to submit proof of unemployment or something to that effect. I can provide all necessary documents to prove that I was unemployed. Again, I decided to continue to honor the agreement, even though I, nor my wife, were using the gym.

My account was debited already for this month, and I am being told that I will still be charged for August! This is unacceptable. My only request is that you please do not debit my account anymore! I have not used the gym, in part, due to mental and physical fatigue which accompanies financial hardship from being laid off from work (not to mention facing foreclosure on my home). I had been looking for work all day everyday, while my wife stayed home to care for our 3 children.

After speaking to Margaret O'Nick (x.1527) at length, I was told that I will still be charged the $39.98 for August! She also stated that if I fax over the request that there was a 92% chance that nothing will happen! She went on to say that I should mail the request to your PO Box address. I hope that I don't have to go any further than this email/fax to get this issue resolved amicably. I am not asking for much, I have already lost out on money and ABC Fin/WOW has gained out of this deal since my wife nor I have used the gym in months.