I didn't read all of them, but the first, "Golds" caught my attention:

== SNIP ==

"I am currently on the phone (and have been for an hour) with ABC Financial, the company that handles billing for Large Gym chains Golds Gym, Lifequest Fitness (I'm sure there are others).

I've been trying to cancel my membership. I've been put on hold 4 times." == SNIP ==

I've never had a gym membership that, by default, could be canceled via letter/fax/phone call. They all say the same thing, "Come in to the gym in person, and cancel the membership."

Most of them also have a clause saying that you are renewed for a year if you don't cancel on your anniversary.

I always add a half dozen riders (and have the manager sign it) that says things like "If I get a job or move more than 25 miles away from the gym, I can send in a letter stating that, and cancel via registered mail." - Gym managers are usually reasonable, and will let you do that. Take 15 to 20 minutes to negotiate your Gym contract - you do realize it's a contract, right?

In 90% of these cases, people just aren't demonstrating personal responsibility for the contracts they've entered.

I'll say it again - never, ever, ever enter a recurring contract (or something that might _be_ a recurring contract) with your credit card, unless you have 100% control over the cancelation and terms.

My experience with Gold's Gym is you call the number (for ABC Financial) and they tell you to mail a letter to them. They were very friendly, no hold time, but couldn't (wouldn't?) cancel over the phone. I got the phone number from trying to cancel in person at the gym. The people working the desk didn't appear to be getting paid enough to care too much (on the bright side, they didn't try to sell my anything I didn't want when I signed up. They told me $30 a month, take it or leave it).

Overall, I had to mail a letter and pay for an extra month's membership (and a stamp), but it wasn't that bad. Supposedly my contract required 60 days notice, I didn't care enough to check. People get burned up about these things, I figure there's more important things in life than $30 for a gym membership I didn't use.