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Business Profile

Health Club

Best Fitness of Chelmsford, Inc.

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 5 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/05/2025

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I signed up for Best Fitness online last year (Agreement #*****) and was never informed of a $100 cancellation fee. I have paid all my dues on time, including the annual fee. Now that I need to cancel my membership because I am leaving the country, they are requiring me to pay this fee, which was never disclosed to me. This charge was not mentioned in the sign-up process, and I believe it is unfair. I request that Best Fitness cancel my membership without this unexpected fee.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/05/2025

    Member joined Best Fitness on 9/18/24, the original agreement is attached. Agreement calls for 24 monthly payments of $44.99 .Agreement is available online prior to joining. Agreement is emailed at time of joining. Acknowledgement of the Terms and Conditions, including the cancellation policies and early termination fee, is required prior to joining. Member was informed of early cancellation fee.

    Dues must be current at time of cancellation, but payment history (January's late payment) does not change the Agreement's cancellation policies.

    As explained in the Agreement, and again through email, when a Member moves farther than 25 miles from our clubs we will waive the early termination fee. At this time, Member has not provided a proof of move or paid the early termination fee to cancel their membership early. As a courtesy, Best Fitness has removed the autorenew and set the membership to cancel at the end of the agreement.

    Member may provide proof of move by replying to the email recieved, or pay the early termination fee in club or over the phone if they choose to cancel prior to the expiration of their membership.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 02/08/2025

    Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

    I have already replied to your email with the requested proof of my move, but I have not received any response. I would like to confirm that you have received the document and to check the status of my membership cancellation.
    I look forward to your prompt response.

    Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.

    FAQ

    Regards,

    *******

     

     

    Business Response

    Date: 02/10/2025

    After our response to this complaint, Member submitted a proof of move. The early termination fee has been waived, and the membership is set to cancel with the final payment on 2/18/25. Billing notes a Pending Cancel Letter has been generated. 
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/12/2024

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    A gym membership was purchased July 2022 and cancelled August 22 by walking into the gym and talking to membership. After that date they stopped billing my credit card so I was certain that everything was fine. I went back to school an hr away ( 44 miles away) and could not drive back and forth to the gym. Nov 2023 I recieved a letter from ************* saying I owed over ****** I called they said I could pay it, rejoin the gym or not do anything, but it most likely would result in more charges. I called the gym they said that ************* tried to contact via phone call , which I never received. It may have gone to spam, but no other written letters except from collection. The gym membership person even confirmed I hadnt swiped into the gym for over a year.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/16/2024

    Member joined on a student membership with a signed agreement on 5/23/22. See attached agreement. There is still no Cancellation Form on file and no club notes regarding any visit requesting a cancellation. Member was billed for September2022 and October2022 but chose to charge back these invoices. See attached invoices. With the problem billing, future invoices were unable to process. The account remained past due and acquired late fees despite numerous emails, calls, and texts to update the billing on file. The delinquent account was then sent to collections due to nonpayment. Charged back invoices, unpaid dues, late fees, and collections charges have the current balance owed at $385.64. As an offer of resolution, Member may pay half the balance owed, a single payment of $192.82 in cash in any of our club locations, or with money order mailed to **********************************************************************, at which time the account will be closed and removed from collections. 
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/06/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    A few weeks ago, I believe the date was Oct. 11 if Im not mistaken. I walked into the gym and tried to check in with App but, the App wasnt working so, I checked in with one of the staff members at the desk. She nicely said to me ok youre all set.I walked into the gym to attend the 6:30 class but the room was dark, and I asked one of the staff members if there was a 6:30 class. He didnt know and to ask the front desk. I went to the front desk and asked if there was a 6:30 class the young girl at the desk didnt know.She then asked one of her team members next to her. The individual **** ********** Manager) asked if I was **** and I said yes. He then told me I didnt have a membership with the gym, and I responded Im sorry, not sure what you are saying but, yes, I do. He continued to say that I didnt, and I asked. Why would you say that when I was here a few days ago with no problem. He told me I didnt have a balance on the account and that I still wasnt a gym member. I told him **** all I want to know if there is a 6:30 class today. He continued to tell me that I was not a gym member and That I should leave. I got pretty upset and said I dont understand and are you saying Im not a gym member when I clearly have been coming for the last **************************************************** your system. He didnt want to help me and told me to get out and leave and if I didnt.He would call the police. Yelling at me to leave in front of all your staff and club members. I couldnt believe what was happening. I didnt want any problems so, I said ok I will leave not sure why youre treating me this way but, I will leave, and I will contact a manager on this.When I left, I couldnt believe what just happened. Very upset and didnt know what to do at that point. I went to your other location in Drum Hill in ****** and asked if they could check my membership. They said I do have a membership and dont understand why he would have treated me like that.Also, said that they saw two memberships in my name. Not sure why I would have two memberships in my name I asked. He wasnt sure. One account that was active and the other that was not active. He said he would send an email and get back to me. I never got a call back from that General Manager at Drum Hill in ******. I called a few days later and asked about the status of my membership and they told me that it was canceled, and I am not allowed to reinstate my membership. That I was thrown out of the gym I couldnt believe it and I was not happy. This should of never of happened and this is why I am reaching out for help. Im not looking to get anyone in trouble on this but, I cant understand why I was treated this way. I didnt deserve it and the bullying and humiliation was not justified. The 15 years at Best Fitness I have never been treated like this. Im not sure why it happened. No customer should be treated this way. There may have been a misunderstanding with my accounts but, it wasnt my fault. The time should have been taken on that day to review my account nicely.Even if it meant stepping into the offices and going over the account. None of this should have happened. Im upset and unhappy that I cant continue to go to your Best Fitness of Chelmsford, Ma and to this day cant understand why. Please help me clear up the confusion and help me attend Best Fitness once again. *************************** ************ ***********************

    Business Response

    Date: 12/07/2023

    As a private club and this member having been a member at will, Best Fitness reserves the right to terminate a membership at any time for any reason. This particular member has behaved innapropriately toward our staff members on numerous occasions. This member in particular has over 10 years of staff members noting the innapropriate way this member treats and speaks to our staff. Nearly every single interaction over a 10-year period has a note regarding this member being rude, innappropriate, using profanity, rolling her eyes, etc. Our team members work extrememly hard to provide a good service and experience for our members. We are not your personal "punching bags." This particualr evening was the last straw for our staff. When this member shecked in that evening, she was asked to check in, as every member is for every visit. She proceeded to ignore the front desk, shouting her name and running by the front desk. When asked to check in, her bahavior was absolutely unacceptable for our staff to deal with. This behavior was brought to the attention of a corporate team member who decided to terminate the membership based on 10+ years of this repeated behavior. When this member refused to leave the club after being terminated and asked to leave, the next step would be to request assistance from the police to remove the trespassing person. **** has displayed she cannot conduct herself in a respectful manner and therefore is not allowed to be a member of our private club. We wish her the best with her fitness moving forward and hope she finds a gym that better fits her needs and conduct.
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/07/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    AnsweredMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    After cancelling my daughters membership, best fitness agreed to return $80 of the $160 they charged her back in January. My daughter went to the drum hill location to cancel in person since that is what is required. We called consistently over the next 8 weeks and spoke with ***************************. He assured us that this was taken care of and the amount was refunded on their end. Apparently Best Fitness returns 1/2 the money and *** financial returns the other 1/2. I called my daughters bank and there were no credits issued. We called ***** and told him that the card they have on file had fraudulent activity and the bank gave my daughter a new card and that he needed to change the card on file. He said there was nothing he could do for us. He did directed us to call ***. I asked for him to do that with me so we could clear this up and he refused. We called *** financial and they told me that it's not normal practice to send the customer to *** financial since the gym has to call this information in. The other issue we had was the management would avoid answering any direct questions and was unable to give me *****'s supervisor and he told me to go online and look for it there! I went online and there is nothing that allows us contact to corporate or customer service, leaving the customers the inability to file a complaint. Chasing $80 for eight weeks has caused us tremendous amount of stress. This company needs to provide a customer service number for anyone having issues. The *** should be aware beside hearing from a complaint on BBB. I had no other option but to file this complaint.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/30/2023

    There are three ways a member may cancel their account. 1)Visiting the Club in person, 2) mailing a certified letter, or 3) over the phone with *** Financial.

    As outlined in the original signed contract, see attached,all invoices not paid within 5 days of the due date are subject to a $20 late fee. When Member requested cancellation, she was FOUR months overdue and a late fee was applied to each invoice. Member was just three days from being sent to collections for nonpayment.

    All members may update their billing in club, over the phone with *** Financial, or through our app. Member had cancelled the card on file and failed to update billing.  Without valid billing, the refund requested was unable to process. Instead, Best Fitness has credited the account, waived late fees, waived the January payment, waived the required 30-day notice and resulting February payment, waived the annual fee, and cancelled the membership with no further payment owed. Credits applied far outweighed the refund requested.

    Lastly, a Contact Us email form is provided at the bottom of each page of our website. This allows members to write directly to the Best Fitness **************** with any membership questions not resolved at the club level. Members of our Customer Support Team are available seven days a week,responding to all website inquiries. This Contact Us form is used by members and visitors to contact the office where the team is then able to research and resolve all member concerns directly.
  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/15/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    ResolvedMore info

    Complaint statuses

    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Cancelled my gym membership in 8/18/2022 with them in person and was told I would be getting charged one last time for the month of August, which I paid. Continued getting charged and my proof of move, to break my 2 year contract, was declined and was not told about this. Got in contact with the manager after calling numerous times and was told my bank statement was not enough proof. Said I needed to show a lease or utility payment, which I dont have because I live with my parents, or a new issued license, which I also dont have because Mass.gov says to just update the new address on my profile and print the new address on the back of my license I was issued back in March 2022 with my old address. I sent them every other form of proof showing that I moved well out of their 25 mile radius to break the contract such as all bank/credit card statements, student loan letters, pay stubs, my account on Mass.gov, and billed health insurance claims. Still not enough for them, even though in the contract I signed it states nothing about having to show only a lease/utility payment or updated license. It just says I have to show proof, which I have. Even my bank has stopped authorized payments from them because they said I have done everything I can. Their payment company, *** Fitness Solutions, even told me since I cant show utility or lease payments that its up to the gym to take whatever form of proof of move I have. My account is still not cancelled and I am still getting warnings. My last call to them was 11/23/22 and an employee stated that a manager would call me back right away. Nearly a month later and no contact made by them has come through. Scam of a business preying on people.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/26/2022

    I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/22/2023

    Member joined Best Fitness with a two year commitment on 4/13/2021, contract attached. Member requested cancellation on 8/18/2022. Member had the option to pay buyout/early termination fee, or provide valid proof of move. The original screenshot provided was declined due to lack of date and clarity. More information was requested. Member refused to provide buyout or proof of move. Best Fitness removed the autorenew on the account and scheduled it to cancel with the final contracted payment. Member has since (1/11/23) provided an ID as proof of move. Best Fitness has cancelled the account and honored the original notice date, waiving all overdue payments and late fees. At this time the account is cancelled with no further charges.

     

    Customer Answer

    Date: 01/23/2023

    [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved. 

    May I please also receive a confirmation of my account cancellation such as a receipt. 

    Regards,

    *********************

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