A Richmond woman is warning fitness fanatics after claiming she had a bad experience at a local gym.
Helen Kim said the problems started when her aerial yoga instructor at the Red Gym – on Minoru Boulevard, close to Alderbridge Way - got injured just before a 16-class block was about to begin earlier this year.
As it was the gym’s only aerial yoga instructor, Kim assumed she would simply be offered a refund for the $1,500 she had paid in January.
However, she was told there were no refunds, but that she could transfer her paid-for classes to boxing or personal training.
“That was no good to me. But I knew they had pilates classes, so I asked for that, but they said it costs more,” explained Kim to the Richmond News.
“They eventually said ok to the (pilates) at the same cost as yoga, but heard nothing from them for a long time and had to call gym to ask what was happening.
“They told me that, due to Covid, all classes have been cancelled. But I saw one to one classes at the gym? They kept pushing for personal training.
“I got suspicious so I visited the gym and realized they actually had no pilates equipment. I took pictures of where they pilates (equipment) should be.
“I put that to them, but they said because of Covid, there’s a back order for the equipment. There seems to be a lot of ‘misunderstandings’ down there.”
Adding to Kim’s suspicion was the fact that the gym manager couldn’t produce her contract when she again demanded a refund.
“I wrote a bad review on Google and then the owner contacted me on WeChat, saying he were going to contact his lawyer,” added Kim.
“I just want my money back and don’t want anyone else to go through this. It’s not just about the money.”
About a half hour after the News contacted Red Gym, Kim received a text message from the manager, offering to refund her $1,500 – once they had “sold” on her classes.
“A personal trainer (from the gym) also contacted me to say they would sell my classes for me,” said Kim, adding that the trainer “felt bad” for her and wanted to help.
“They were only giving me my money back because they had managed to resell the classes. They paid me in cash.”
Hedy Wang, understood to be the gym owner’s daughter, replied to the News’ questions saying the dispute had been resolved and a full refund had been given to Kim.
“The problem that has caused all (this) confusion was due to our no-refund, no-transfer company policy and Covid-19,” said Wang, via email.
She said Kim was offered Helen new trainers and different classes but refused both.
“Due to miscommunication, it has caused many misunderstandings. The manager has already resold Helen's courses and successfully resolved the problem. The case is now closed.”
