"Anyone who has tried to cancel a gym membership knows what a frustrating experience it can be. While a gym will happily process your credit card immediately upon signing up, the hoops you must jump through to cancel often leave a bad taste in the member's mouth. NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DWCP), is attempting to change this process. On February 19th, the department sent letters to 187 gyms, citing subscription traps and hard-to-cancel memberships."
"Misleading free trials, automatic renewals, and intentionally difficult cancellation processes are some of the targets of this project. This follows a more general executive order from Mayor Mamdani for the DWCP to crack down on these types of practices among all businesses in the city. DWCP Commissioner Sam Levine stated - "Our citywide warning to gyms makes it clear that DCWP will not hesitate to take aggressive enforcement action against gyms using deceptive tactics that hurt consumers, as well as honest businesses playing by the rules.""
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection sent letters to 187 gyms alleging subscription traps and hard-to-cancel memberships. Misleading free trials, automatic renewals, and intentionally difficult cancellation processes are targeted. The DWCP warns it will take aggressive enforcement action against gyms using deceptive tactics, while protecting honest businesses. The FTC finalized a 'click to cancel' rule in 2024 requiring cancellations to be as easy as sign-ups, creating a federal backstop. Consumers often face high monthly fees and additional purchases like protein shakes, supplements, and apparel. Momentum for easier cancellations could push industry-wide change.
Read at Miami Herald
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