ComplaintsforFitness Equipment Empire Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  02/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchased a **** ******* weight bench from Fitness Empire on January 8, 2023. Bench was a USED item and was listed for $789. I paid for bench in full via online with my credit card and was charged $789. Next day my credit card company contacts me about an unauthorized charge which was placed for $836.34. Not only did I have a $789 charge pending on my card but, I also had a $836.34 charge pending. **** from Fitness Empire never contacted me regarding the charge nor any additional fees. This was an unauthorized charge because I never agreed to the charge. I disputed the $836.34 with my credit card company since, I did not agree nor authorize Fitness Empire to charge my account this amount. After disputing the charge; I receive an email from **** stating I refused to pickup the item and that he considers the item abandon. This is indeed not correct because I have the documents as to when I filed the dispute with my card holder and when **** sent the email. I wish Fitness Empire had been more transparent with their fees and charges prior to charging my credit card. I do not wish to conduct business with a company that list items at one price and then turn around and charge a different price without speaking directly to the consumer. The old Bait and Switch.

  Business response

  03/01/2023

  6% PA SALES TAX which is a legal requirement. The credit card company agreed as well. Had you following the ordering instructions. This wouldn’t have happened. It is also stated on our site, your invoice and receipt that ALL SALES ARE FINAL. You were given multiple opportunities to pick your order up. You instead resorted to badgering , threatening, name calling and and cursing us.

  Customer response

  03/10/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ********
  
  Any extra fees for a purchases must be clearly set forth and posted or tagged not only on the bill of sale but also at the end of the transaction. Fitness Empire emailed me an invoice stating the item was paid in full after I had made the transaction on January 8, 2023. I have the emailed receipt.

  Additionally, Fitness Empire debited my account $789 on 01/08/2023 which I agreed to pay when I purchased the item and then 2 days later Fitness Empire debited my account $836.34.  The fact that Empire Fitness withdrew additional funds from my account without notifying of the additional fees is what is illegal and what I have an issue about.  My bank only closed the case because I did not respond within the time frame of the initial complaint. I have this documented as well and it will be brought forth should this matter proceed. This matter has not been resolved by either party. I request a full refund and I will close my case.

  I never threatened the company or anyone that works in the company. This is a complete lie. Fitness Empire did not do things ethically as a business.
  

• Initial Complaint

  01/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 01/14/23 around 4 pm I purchased 3 bench press machines. The same night we contacted fitness equipment empire on picking up the equipment. They then told us we can’t pick it up for 10-21 business days. This was not disclosed on the webpage and if we would have known, the purchase wouldn’t have been made. On 01/15/23 around 11am we notified equipment empire and told them we couldn’t wait that long and requested a refund. They declined and said all sales are final which is on the receipt but not on the webpage clear for an average customer to see. I am requesting a simple refund which was requested less than 24hours later.

  Business response

  02/11/2023

  The Customer was given the lead time at the time of the order which can be confirmed via text email and voice. We removed the items from our inventory, and the other various locations that these items were listed for sale. We then began our refurbishment process. Upon completion of this process we notified the customer that their order is ready for pickup ( well within the 10-21 business day lead time that was given). It is then when they refused to come pickup the equipment and stated that they no longer wanted it. Unfortunately we invested time, money resources Into order / equipment and cant simply cancel it. The customer was notified in writing at the time of purchase that ALL SALES ARE FINAL. 
  At this point the equipment is considered abandoned and we will be contesting any chargebacks or disputes. 

  Customer response

  02/13/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is not accurate. The items was listed as like new. I made the purchase on 01/13/23 and attempted to pick the items up. On 01/14 I was told that the items would take 10-21 business days. I told them that I needed the equipment for my opening of my gym and asked for a refund less than 24 hours of the purchases. I can provide all message's which are fine stamped. No where on the webpage does it say all sales are final. I have taken multiple pictures of the site where the purchase was made. It is not accurate thar I waited until the items was refurbished to say that I did not want the items. Also the items was not listed as refurbished. I also have pictures of what was advertised. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  02/025/22 was the transaction date. I ******************* purchased a **** fitness ***** machine through Fitness Equipment empire for the price of 2495.00 with an additional shipping charge of 509.00. I purchased the machine with the understanding that it has normal wear and tear. I finally received my equipment from them one entire month later. One month it took to get here from the time of my purchase. When the machine arrived it was no where near normal wear and tear. In fact it appeared as if it was tied to the back of a truck and drug down the street. I was definitely mislead by misinformation and I was sold a piece of equipment that was definitely falsely advertised. I called the company and told them that this is not what was advertised and I would like a refund. They then told me that they would allow me to send it back but I lose my 500.00. I didn't agree. Then they offered me 250.00 credited back which i was willing to most likely except and chalk it up as a learning lesson. Over a week then went by with no communication until I reached out again. After contacting them, I was then told that the lawyer will draft up something for me to sign which I am not okay with because this is not currently a legal matter. I would like something done about this please as I have definitely been taken advantage of in this situation.

  Business response

  04/18/2022

  To whom it may concern, 
  **. ******************* purchased a USED **** Fitness Signature Series ***** machine (Bright yellow in color) from us. The buyer is very aware that the machine was sold to him AS-IS without warranty and that it would have cosmetic wear and tear. This unit was significantly discounted due to its condition and color – which ************ was aware of prior to placing the order and even attributes to in his complaint. We took photos of the machine from all angles showing its condition, the customer chose to proceed with the order. The customer received the machine and immediately began to complain regarding its condition. The photos he submitted clearly show a vast difference in the exaggerated statement given to represent them. The machine does not look like it was tied to the back of a truck and drug down the street it has surface scratches and scuffs from being used in a high use franchise fitness center (***** *******). Even though the machine was sold to him AS-IS, we offered him a few options to satisfy him.
                  Option #1 We would send out touch up paint, ordered directly from the manufacturer.
                  Option #2 We could return the unit; he would be responsible for original shipping we would cover the return shipping.
                  Option #3 We offered a $250 reimbursement (at his request). With this option, the customer would need to sign a document agreeing to the closure of this sale and waiving any additional contingencies.
  ************ chose to proceed with Option #3. We had our attorney write up the agreement and ************ chose not to sign it (even though this was his request). Clearly ************ is just looking to receive additional services without paying for them. He received the item that was photographed, in the condition that it was photographed & listed in. This complaint is purely invalid and baseless at its core and should not be perceived as anything more than a customer attempting to get something for free.
   
  For Record I have attached the video of the machine prior to palletizing and a photo of the palletized unit. Below is the description the machine was listed as:
  USED: Items may show signs of minor wear and tear, including but not limited to: scratches, scuffs, paint chips, etc. We thoroughly clean and test each machine for accuracy.
   
  Please remove this baseless complaint and close this ridiculous case.
   
  Thank you.
  Fitness Equipment Empire. 

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