“This is a time when many people are thinking about joining a gym, and that can be a great way to get in shape. We just want consumers to understand what they’re signing up for,” DeWine said. “A little bit of prevention can go a long way.”
Dewine’s tips for avoiding scams include:
- Research the gym. Look for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General's Office or Better Business Bureau, and check online reviews for feedback from current or past customers. Pay attention to how a business addresses customer complaints.
- Read contracts carefully. Make sure verbal agreements are put in writing. Otherwise, they are not guaranteed.
- Watch out for extra fees. Determine the total cost of your membership. Find out if there are any extra fees for services like fitness classes or personal training. Also find out if payments will be withdrawn automatically from your account.
- Check the cancellation policy. Understand what you would need to do to cancel your contract and how far in advance cancellations must be made. Many contracts renew automatically, so be sure to check the total length of the contract. It should not exceed three years, according to Ohio law.
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