Gym Sued over Cancellations

Quitting a gym membership can be a workout in itself.

One of the Oxnard’s biggest gyms is being sued over its cancellation operation.

Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten filed a civil lawsuit against Camarillo resident Noel Thompson, operator of Gold’s Gym of Oxnard.

The complaint deals with business practices reported to the Better Business Bureau between May of 2009 and October of 2013.

Totten said the company violated unfair business and false advertising laws by failing to provide cancellation addresses to members, refusing to accept certified mail, and initiating automatic renewal of contracts members wanted to cancel.

The suit claims the gym also used collection agencies to extort members trying to cancel contracts.

The court issued a temporary restraining order to stop the gym from transferring assets until a court hearing on the matter Nov. 15.

Thompson was not available to comment at the Gym on Gonzales Road Tuesday. A co-worker said he was not allowed to comment on the suit.

The two-story gym is known for its smoothie, bar, pool, women’s only section, daycare center, cardio-theater, climbing wall and indoor and outdoor workout areas.

One online review called it “top notch.”

Another complained “It takes an act of Congress to quit.”

Erika Valle said she quit and rejoined but said she thought quitting should be easier, especially for members in the military who are often moved to other bases.

BBB of the Tri-Counties president Rick Copelan said, “We have provided over 1,000 F-rated reports on this company in the last three years. This is a stark reminder of why people should do their homework and check a company’s reputation with the BBB before doing business with any company that they are not familiar with.”

The BBB of the Tri-Counties can be reached at 1-805-963-8657 or go to our site www.santabarbara.bbb.org