Labels

Categories: Food | Travel | Beer | Wine | Boston | Humor | TV | Tech | Pop Culture | Politics | Golf | Video | Photo | Auto
Sponsored: Samsung | Cadillac | Volt | GMC | AT&T | Gear List: Cameras, Lights, Microphones, etc.
More: SteveGarfield.com | Steve Garfield's Video Blog (archived 6/19/2013)
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” | Mastodon

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Boston Sports Clubs and $46

9/16
Someone calls my 88 year old mother in law saying that I must call 877-560-9708 x4652 and speak with J Henry

9/16
I call the number and they won't tell me what company it is until I give them my phone number.

So I give in, and tell them my phone #. Then I find out that it's Boston Sports Clubs (BSC) collection agency, NARS, looking for $46 from May 2004

I explain that the account was closed and settled but they just want me to pay $46.

They say I should have gotten a letter last month.

I tell them that I got no letter.

I ask them to mail it out again. They refuse. I ask them to email it to me and they agree.

So I tell them that I'll call the club and get it resolved.

9/20
I have not gotten an email, so I call BSC and they direct me to client services. 1-800-666-0808.

When I call there the message says that if I'm calling about a call from NARS, to call them instead.

So I hang up and armed with my notes from when I canceled my club membership, I call NARS.

We discuss why I did not get a letter. Turns out they had the city wrong, it was sent to Sommerville.

They inform me that I last used the club on May 6, 2004 and canceled at month end and am being billed for the full month anyway.

What happened was, I was injured and could not use the club, so I canceled with Katlin. She forgave that last months fee.

Makes sense.

Now, I talk to BSC in NYC and they say, "there is no way that they can credit it."

They are adamant.

I ask, "Is there anyone else I can talk to?"

Sure.

They transfer me back to Boston.

I talk to Jessica she listens, and remembers Kristen, then transfers me to Gabe...

Now I'm on the phone with Gabe, He's looking it up...

Clock is ticking...

Time passes...

"So you say you cancelled..."

"I'm new here..."

"All the managers are unavailable..."

"Can I have one of them call you..?"

I say, "Sure. I've been dealing with you on this for over an hour and at my billing rates I'm loosing money over your $46 charge. I'm going have to start billing you for my time, then you'll be loosing more money."

Waiting for a phone call..

Time passes...

While waiting, I called the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office.

Bottom line, if it's not in writing, I have to pay. Oh oh. Now I'm going to have to look for a receipt from last year.

Back later...