Anonymous

Charter Fitness Manager Review

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I guess the big boss is over by 76th and pulaski, everybody is cleaning and the manager stand up to greet the customer, not normal for that guy.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Crown Point, Indiana

Charter Fitness Sanitary Conditions Review

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Charter Valpo IN is dirty, smelly, unsanitary, with poor air quality & disinterested staff. Always become sick with an upper resp infection aft a workout.
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Charter Fitness Manager Review

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Poorly managed with a negative hostile manger. Most of us are moving out of the bridgeport fitness center and going to LA to pay more solely cause of managent.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Bad management

I'm having a problem now with charter I am currently paying my monthly payment via credit card of course well it turns out that my last membership which was years ago has an outstanding balance of 300 dollars when Cardinal fitness was around I didn't know apperantly they just caught caught the bill when I went to work out one day so now they are telling me I can't work out because I owe 300 but I asked how does that work if I'm paying every month? And so I had no clue I owed this money at the time they said I owed them this was when I cancelled and how do they let a bill get to 300 if it's a month to month membership? Be careful with this gym and get proof of your cancellations cause they try nana get me archer and Austin charter fitness Chicago il 55th Pulaski no good...

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Loss:
$300
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

On Sunday, November 19, 2017, three or four employees of the Carol Stream Charter Fitness Club were involved in playing "music" (if you call it music) at an extremely high decibel range just to the right side of the front desk. The music was extremely offensive to anyone's ears, to the extent that I, particularly, could not, in any way, concentrate on my exercise routine and I was at least 70 feet away from the abusive sounds.

I took notice for a time to see which of these four people was most responsible for this auditory insult.

It turned out that it was a combination of Anthony and Peyton, who, incidentally, are apparently, both "Trainers" for the Carol Stream Charter Fitness Club. A third person, a female, of whose name I never inquired about at the time, was, in fact, the acting manager-on-duty at the time. She appeared to be too intimidated by the other three *** to make a management decision. At least, that was my “take” on what was happening.

After about 25 minutes of this nonsense, I knew who the main culprits were and walked over to the front desk.

I asked the person who turned out to be Peyton, what his name was --- he mumbled something incoherently, and I politely asked him again to repeat his name and he gave me a blank look --- without saying anything --- no response at all.

I asked him if he could spell his name, and I got the same blank look without him saying anything. Then the young lady who was the acting manager stated his name and spelled it.

Not only were these *** playing extremely loud and irritating “music,” --- two of these clowns were jumping up and down on what appeared to be large milk crates --- and they did this just to the right of the front desk --- clearly NOT an area devoted to exercise.

I met with the real manager, Tamara Salvadori, on Monday, November 20, 2017, and she basically laughed her way through our conversation, saying that I have to realize that Anthony (I think that's his name) has a lot of energy. Tamara had no idea that these clowns were performing their dance steps during their high decibel music recital routine.

Let me remind you that --- According to one of the rules of the club: Headphones must be worn when listening to music. Music cannot be played through a phone, speaker, or other device.

Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Charter Fitness Membership Review

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I regret having signed up for charter fitness, 1st i thought when they a new gym they put new equipment, but all they do is bring used junk equipment. 2nd they *** lubricate them they feel so heavy. 3rd they managers AH.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Berwyn, Illinois

Save Yourself!

I had the worst experience. I signed up for a memebership and personal training.

I paid 1100.00 up front (dumb on my part), only to still get screwed. I cancelled my membership and a year later I am getting a call from a collection agency? Saying I owe 156.00? I never completed the personal training, nor was I refunded.

I was told it was a loss I would have to take. HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT!!!!! I had to pull all of my documents and forward them to the agency to show proof of my cancellation and that I paid the training upfront. Then I had to call the manager who apologized for the error?

Seriously???? GET NEW PEOPLE IN YOUR ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT!!!!

Ridiculous! Terrible customer service!

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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Carley Hpv
map-marker Countryside, Illinois

This Gym will rip you off!!!

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Do no sign up for this gym. They can't keep their accounting in order.

I am trying to cancel my membership and they are asking for another month of payment for a service I have not used. Then not only did I follow procedure to cancel, but because their finance company and local gym do not speak, they will keep billing me until they speak and come to terms about my cancellation notice. I went in person to cancel, then I was told to send a letter. Letter was sent, now it has to be a certified letter to both the gym and the finance company.

WTF this is absolutely ridiculous. Now I have to pay the late payment fee, plus the monthly dues or go to collections.

The entire membership was not great. Gym always smelled, was dirty, not fully staffed, or staff was not very helpful. If they were on site the manager made sure he went of his way to escort the young ladies at all times while at the gym.

Never was all the equipment fully working. Bathrooms, water fountains were always broken or leaking. The trainers, do not last long.

This particular gym ran off all the female trainers and the good ones didn't stay long. These gyms need a complete management overhaul and to be updated.

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Loss:
$60
Pros:
  • Location
  • Couple of their trainers
Cons:
  • Place is messy all the time
  • Stagnant air
  • Being ripped off
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

I have been trying to cancel my membership with this gym since October of 2016. I have written for letters, called the customer service line, called my bank, certified letter, visited the locations....

Nothing. I'm still being billed for a gym I have not visited since October. I'm at a loss of $160. I'm so ready to sue due to the fact that I gave them permission to take from my banking account until the day/month that I cancel my membership.

After the first notification of canceling my membership, they had no authorization to take money from my account. Same goes for you.

If they continue after your certified letter, I would consult with a lawyer and possibly take them to small claims court. I'm in the process of doing that now.

Anonymous
map-marker Hinsdale, Illinois

Opens late

I have belong to the Charter Fitness for several years. Plenty of equipment, convenient and I like the fact that they have free weights.

There are several down sides. Almost every Sunday Charter Willowbrook opens late and the music is always way too loud. I have been told that they cannot turn it down. Lastly, the showers do not appear to be cleaned everyday.

They just hose down the area and do not clean or disinfect it. This is important. The price is reasonable but it should open on time and be clean.

The is no structured way to present these issues to the managment. Hope this review helps readers.

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Reason of review:
Fair pricing
Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Charter Fitness Cancellation Policy Review

We should all stick together and do something about this Charter fitness. Uf ut us so complicated to cancel nembership and still taking money from your account.
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Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy
Anonymous
map-marker Crystal Lake, Illinois

Not even worth the $10 a month

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Awful, just AWFUL! Yes, it is a basic $10 a month gym membership. Yes, its amenities are what you expect for that price. But here are some facts you might like to know: The lockers are wood, not metal, meaning they don't breath and there are no vents in them. This means that meatheads are constantly breaking the doors off, and things that carry gym odors get to impregnate their stench into the wood. Yesterday the locker i grabbed at first smelled so bad i nearly threw up. That's NOT hyperbole! I literally had to step back, get a few breaths of "fresh" (more on that later) air and find a different locker. Second, there is almost NO air circulation in the gym. I get that they probably can't afford to run the AC in the summer, but they don't even have their HVAC system set to run the fan and circulate/filter air. Also, they have ceiling fans, but they are set so low they might as well not be on. I talked to the general manager and he told me that ceiling fans were controlled by a setting he did not have control over. These issues amount to an environment where the people who work in the building have ZERO control over the environment. Third, the gym provides (sort of) small towels you can use to wipe down the equipment, but for the last month or so every time i have gone in, they have been wiped out. But don't worry the laundry hamper you return them in was half full, and there are at least three return hampers in the gym, so basically they were too busy to start a load of laundry. Fourth, they gym is one giant echo chamber. Concrete floor, drywall and mirror walls, metal ceiling, meatheads dropping and slamming weights (despite the posted rules), *** sounding satellite radio music playing, and the drone of 50+ treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals, and bikes all all up to a miserably loud experience. Speaking of treadmills and ellipticals, if you want your machine to have a functioning incline or resistance, be prepared to try several before you find a working one. Lastly, and here is the kicker, when i tried to cancel my membership they wanted to charge me $49. There is clause in their contract where if you don't give notice 30 days prior to canceling, you get charged your next month's payment (as if they think they are a phone company or something). Well, next month i was due for my annual renewal, and they wanted to charge me not only my monthly fee, but my annual $39 fee as well. Screw that! Your local park district probably has a better gym for a comparable price. Don't even bother with this garbage.
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Cons:
  • Place is messy all the time
  • Broken or partially broken equipment
  • Stagnant air
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Bartlett, Illinois

Disgusting

Lazy staff do not even close blinds when sun is blaring in your eyes while trying to work out. Never any filled bottles to clean filthy equipment or towels. Always too hot!! Dangerously hot for those of us getting a serious workout! Equipment is always broken or working poorly. Poor ventilation, smells so bad its nauseating!! Need to refund all memberships and close doors!!!!! I am worried about contracting some skin infection or airborne disease it is a filthy dump. Staff sits on cellphones while the place is in shambles. Need to turn on fans most are not working and turn up air conditioner before someone passes out. I think the fat staff are cold sitting around so they keep it low.
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Des Plaines, Illinois

Charter Fitness - Membership Review from Des Plaines, Illinois

Charter Fitness - Membership Review from Des Plaines, Illinois

I workout at Charter Fitness in Park Ridge, IL.

I've been with them for years and I've spent thousands (yes thousands) on personal training. I purchase bulk sessions and workout with a trainer. I love my trainer she's amazing, I love the challenging workouts and I love the results. I love my gym and i love the staff. In September of 2015 I worked out with my friend for fun at Cardinal location in Des plaines. I have basic membership at my gym (charter) so I can only workout at my location, mind you. But she has premium so I was able to workout at her location that one day. I walked in with the intention of just doing some light tricep workouts on my own but the branch manager David Nardi INSISTED I do a free trial session of team training. I thought hey it's a free session, why not. He had me sign on a pinpad which was EXTREMELY misleading because again, I workout at my home gym, I told him about my trainer, and he made it so that I was only signing up for that free session that one day. Hadn't returned to that gym since. Then, starting November 27th I start getting charged for team training every week. I hadn't noticed this till December 24th. So I called the gym and Dave just kept reiterating that "well you're the one who signed up" which again, I didn't sign up for that. I signed up for my one free session. It isn't even logical that I would drive farther away to a second gym for a service I'm already paying for at my home gym. And excuse me, I thought I wasn't even eligible to workout at other locations under basic membership? However when he kept saying "well you signed up" and rudely and abruptly hung up on me, i called back and he had someone else answer the phone. I was told that i would have to go into the gym and sign a cancellation form. Which I did, and two weeks later I'm still being charged. So I reached out and called again and Dave has been very obviously avoiding me because when I called back and asked for Dave the person said sure let me get him for u and when he asked me my name he just stuttered and said sorry Dave isn't in. These are the kind of games that they are playing. Furthermore when I walked into the location again today to ask about the charges, due to all the incorrect information that Dave had been giving me I wanted to Audio record him but he refused to speak until I switched my phone off. He then proceeded to tell me that the branch cameras haven't worked in years either so he can't show me proof to his claims. Also he kept walking away while I was speaking to him leaving me dumbfounded. Again, I have never had such a horrible experience. I am happy at my gym which is charter in park ridge. I have no complaints and I pay a lot and all my payments are made in time. What David Nardi is doing is fraudulent and a scam. I want the rest of the payments stopped because I didn't sign up for training sessions at a second gym when I'm clearly paying for them at my home gym, and I want a refund on the bogus payments that were charged on my account. I will keep reaching out and getting more and more people involved (including the better business bureau) until this issue is resolved and I have a refund.

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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
4 comments
Guest

Agreed! They treat humans in a horrible fashion!

I was also hung up on by the manager at the Park Ridge location. He did not even KNOW the companies contract. I had to read it to him. I sat on the phone in silence while he tried to process it!

I have already filed with the BBB. Make sure you tie Cardinal Fitness with Charter Fitness on BBB. Refused to let me cancel a trial within the rules outlined in the contract and IL law. Good luck to you!

So frustrating! I hope the owners read these posts!

Guest

unfortunately a lot of these broad-scope chain gyms use tactics like this, or make it extremely inconvenient for you to cancel, in the hopes that they can milk you for a little more money. These gyms are run by a financial institution (ABC, which runs multiple gyms under different names across the country).

I'm not sure if branch managers get some type of incentive for signing people up, but that's what it sounds like. I'm like the other person who posted before me, did you give over some type of payment for this free session? That would have been a red flag to me and would have explicitly asked if this was to be free. If anything in the paper you signed mentioned a payment, fee, free - anything.

I would have questioned it. Have you tried contacting ABC Financial directly, or your bank to stop payments?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1096920

ABC does not own the gym, it's just the billing company.

Guest

What I don't understand is, why would you give him your credit card info if you believed you were only signing up for that day's free session?

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Anonymous
map-marker Paxton, Illinois

Fitness Center Review

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I didn't like how they take forever to fix anything. I actually think it's not cool when they bring friends in. They talk more than they work out. Annoying having teams working out in between the machines and customers. Nightmare to try and cancel.
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Anonymous
map-marker Wheaton, Illinois

Charter Fitness Membership Review

By far the worst service I have gotten from a gm. They feel like you use them something when You walk into the facility. I asked to speak to corporate and she said she is the corporate. This is the charter fitness in carol stream. I canceled my membership and they are still taking money out of my account! Now I have to waste more time to speak to so called "corporate" and get my money back.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Charter Fitness Gym Facility Review from Chicago, Illinois

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SCAM! I signed up for a "no contract" promotion, for $20 a month at the north riverside location. I waited until i had reached my year as there would be a charge for an "annual fee" if i cancelled before the year was up. It has been a year, and i am being charged the annual fee for another year. Why would i pay an annual fee for a gym i am leaving at the beginning of the year? The gym is dirty, and smells terrible. Clearly the annual fees arent being used to keep the place nice. I got nothing but attitude from the manager dennis, who proceeded to tell me i shouldn't have signed something i didn't understand. I understood what i was told by the representative, and he explained that was there was no contract, and i could cancel without fees after i had been a member for a year. Then i gave my signature at the front desk which apparently was me signing a contract. ( also not explained) there was nothing on a screen for me to read or anything of that nature. charter fitness is horrible, deceptive, unprofessional, and overall a joke. Oh, and dont try to contact the billing company, because they just bounce you back to the gym you signed up at....there is no corporate office, just a *** franchise.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
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