Everyone Active gym joining fee

[absopugginglutely]

My local leisure centre has been taken over by a company called everyone active. I rang them today to enquire about a full membership (use of pool, gym and classes) they said it would be £42 per month. It used to be £28 but still I think £42 is the going rate for such a package.

He then said I’d have to pay a £30 joining fee.

I said I wasn’t happy about this and would they consider waiving this arbitrary fee because it was putting me off signing up at all. The guy on the phone said it depends which member of the team I end up signing up with
He then said I could come in and talk to the ‘membership manager’ and asked to take my name, I refused to give my name and said I’d just come in and sort it out. He then got really insistent and said, “ I’ll get him to call you on the number you’re ringing on” I said that it was my husband’s phone.

The whole thing has left me feeling a put out off.

Do you think IABU to ask them to waive the signing up fee?

(I’ve been using this particular gym for years so don’t need an induction of anything)

Are you saying you were/are a fully paying member of whomever was running it before EA took over? If yes, then I think yanbu, they should waive the joining fee. If you weren't, and are just looking to join as new, I'm not sure why you think they should waive the fee.

I am new. But I think the fee is arbitrary. It doesn’t cost them anything to register my name and address?
My paying £42 to start getting fit will have a very different impact to paying £72!

It's an outdated fee structure that allows gyms to get a bit of extra cash from people. They usually justify this as a combination of admin and 'induction'. Given that admin is pretty trivial for this stuff these days and you tend your induction is usually just some spotty oink pointing out where the weights are it does seem like a rip off.

It does cost them something, it costs them time to set you up, plus someone was paid to devise the system. Regardless, As a business, it's entirely up to them to price as they see fit. As a customer, it's entirely up to you whether you use them or not. Either way, no harm in asking the manager, they can say yes or no.

From working from a similar company, in membership sales, head office are super strict on ensuring that all leads are followed up on. That's why he was insistent on getting your details. If that call is listened back on, or by any chance you were a mystery user, he needs to have shown he did his job correctly.

With the joining fee, there is an admin fee, set up DD instruction and induction normally included. This probably can be waivered but only certain people had authority to do so. I had to write a report on each discount I gave and submit it to several managers.

To be honest, I wouldn't have given you a discount as you seem like you are "owed" it, I certainly wouldn't have given you one if you refused your name and contact details.

Have a try and go in and speak to the membership manager, although be aware in lesiure centres they have lots of other jobs to do too so may not always be available. Hence why chap was trying to arrange an appointment.

I had to write a report on each discount I gave and submit it to several managers.
Christ on a bike - no wonder we have some of the lowest productivity in the developed world.

I just think that it’s off putting. There are two other gyms within a mile of this one- if it was my business abs someone wanted to sign up for a membership I would but their hand off in these times of austerity. Not make a fuss about an arbitrary £30 fee!

Bite**

I can guarantee you the other two gyms, if a big chain, would be the same. I no longer work in the industry as the head offices and procedures were ridiculous!

But it's not your business. It's theirs. And, they've done their sums, research, and whatever else, and decided to charge a joining fee. Up to them.

Wait until October/November/December to sign up. They will have better offers on. September, is a busy month for memberships so they may not "need" you as much right now.

where we`re moving to is everyone active. On our last visit to the town, we went in and asked about joining etc.

Bloody expensive!!

Where we are now its £25 a month all in gym, swim, classes. and thats most leisure centres. funnily enough well used and full of folk.

When you join you tend to get an 'induction' to the facilities session, goal setting session, and possibly a starter PT programme written out for you. Worth asking if that's included. It all does take staff time.

EA took over my leisure centre. They haven't raised prices for existing members (yet). Joining fees were routine with the previous operator, too, but there often were '"Special Deal! Joining fee waived in the month of August" type signs. Just keep an eye out.

Another TIP : sign up for their social media & marketing. A lot of gyms do 'Black Friday' deals. That's only 8 weeks away now. Can mean very cheap membership for a whole year.

Not sure where you are but my local gym is an everyone active and they very often have £1 joining fee offers. Maybe just pop in there every now and then as they normally write it on a whiteboard. Or sign up for emails and they might email you special offers.

YABU

They can set their charging structure however they like as long as they’re open about it, which they were. You can choose whether to pay the charges they set and enjoy their services or go elsewhere.

Why on earth should they waive a fee just because you don’t want to pay it? Entitled much?!

You can use everyone active membership at all there gyms, if you look at joining k2 crawley online at the moment it £1 joining fee and £25 a month for swim, gym, classes. You can then use your membership at your local gym for £25 a month, 😁😁

Wow amazing tips and knowledge everyone thank you!!
I rang them again today and spoke to a more sensible sounding woman who told me that the joining fee would only be £30 if I wanted the Everything Active water bottle, key ring, sports towel and pen!
So I did my bit for Mother Earth abd declined so they’ve made it £15 which I can swallow!
Thanks all.