Debunking the Myth: The Truth About Planet Fitness and Collections

AvatarByGenny Wilkinson Priest

When it comes to gym memberships, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions before signing on the dotted line. One question that often arises is whether or not gyms like Planet Fitness send unpaid dues to collections. This is a valid concern for many individuals who may find themselves unable to continue their membership for various reasons. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to the burning question – does Planet Fitness send to collections? By understanding how this popular gym chain handles unpaid dues, you can make an informed decision about your membership and avoid any unwanted surprises down the road.

The Collection Process of Planet Fitness

When joining a gym like Planet Fitness, it’s important to understand their policies and procedures, including what happens if you fall behind on payments. While going to the gym can bring a lot of positive changes to your life, it’s also a financial commitment that needs to be taken seriously. In this case, we will discuss the collection process of Planet Fitness.

Membership Dues and Cancellation Policy

As with any gym membership, Planet Fitness requires its members to pay a monthly fee to use their facilities. Typically, this fee is automatically charged to your credit card or bank account each month. However, in order to cancel your membership, you must provide written notice at least ten days before your next billing cycle. Failure to cancel in this timeframe will result in another month’s charges.

It’s important to note that even if you stop using the gym or move away from the area, you are still responsible for paying for your membership until it is properly canceled. This can become problematic if you forget about the membership or move and forget to cancel it.

First Notice: Late Payment

If for some reason a member fails to pay their monthly dues on time, they will receive a late payment notice from Planet Fitness via email or mail. This notice serves as a reminder that payment needs to be made promptly in order not to fall behind on payments.

Second Notice: Suspension of Membership

If the late payment goes unresolved after receiving the first notice, a member’s account will become suspended until the payment is received. During this time, access to the gym and its facilities will be restricted until all past due fees are paid.

Third Notice: Debt Sent To Collections

If payment continues to go unpaid after being suspended for 60 days or longer (depending on location), Planet Fitness will hand over the debt to a collection agency. This can have a major impact on your credit score, as the collection agency will report it to the credit bureaus.

Bouncing Checks and Fraudulent Charges

In the case of a bounced check or fraudulent charges, Planet Fitness may immediately send the account to collections without previous notices. The member will then be responsible for any collection fees incurred in addition to the unpaid membership dues.

How To Avoid Collection and Keep Your Membership Active

Now that we’ve discussed the steps of the collection process, it’s important to know how to avoid falling into this situation in the first place. Here are some tips to help you keep your membership active and avoid having your account sent to collections:

Set up Automatic Payments

The easiest way to ensure timely payments is by setting up automatic payments through your bank account or credit card. This way, you won’t have to worry about forgetting or manually making payments each month.

Set Reminders

If automatic payments are not an option for you, try setting reminders for yourself. You can use your phone or computer’s calendar feature, or even set up email reminders. This way, you’ll never forget when your payment is due.

Update Your Contact Information

It’s crucial to keep your contact information updated with Planet Fitness. If there are any issues with your account, they will need a way to reach you and resolve them. Failure to update your information may result in missed notices and potential suspension of your membership.

Carefully Read Contract Terms and Cancellation Policies

Before signing up for a gym membership, make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions, including their cancellation policy. This way, you won’t be caught off guard if you ever need to cancel it.

Communicate With Planet Fitness

If you are struggling with making payments, reach out to Planet Fitness and communicate your concerns. They may be willing to work with you and find a solution to help keep your membership active.

Planet Fitness has a strict collection process in place, but as a member, there are steps you can take to avoid having your account sent to collections. By understanding their policies and keeping up with payments, you can enjoy the benefits of a gym membership without worrying about collection agencies getting involved. Remember to always communicate with the gym if you encounter any issues, and make sure to read and understand all terms and conditions before signing up for a membership.

Understanding Collections and Planet Fitness

When it comes to joining a gym, there are a few things that come to mind – getting fit, staying healthy and possibly meeting some fitness goals. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is the possibility of landing in collections if membership fees go unpaid. This raises the question – does Planet Fitness send to collections? To fully understand this issue, let’s first dive into collections and what it entails.

Collections is a process in which a collection agency is hired by a company or business to collect outstanding debts from individuals or businesses who have not paid their bills. This can happen for various reasons such as non-payment, late payments or billing discrepancies. It is important to note that once an account enters collections, it can have significant impacts on an individual’s credit score and can also lead to legal action if not resolved.

As for Planet Fitness – one of the largest gym chains in the world with over 2000 locations and millions of members, it is not immune to occasional non-payment issues. So ultimately, does Planet Fitness send to collections? The simple answer is yes, but let’s explore the details further.

The Membership Agreement

First and foremost, when joining any gym including Planet Fitness, members are required to sign a membership agreement which outlines their rights and responsibilities as well as the terms and conditions of their membership. Within this agreement, there may also be a section on missed or late payments which can result in additional fees or even termination of the membership.

For example, if a member misses a monthly payment but quickly resolves it by making two payments within 30 days (one for the missed month and one for the current month), then no further action would be taken. However, if the member fails to make these payments within the given timeframe or repeatedly misses payments without rectifying the situation, then their account may enter collections.

The Collections Process

Planet Fitness has a specific procedure in place for handling accounts that have been sent to collections. When an account enters collections, the member will receive a notice stating that their account has been forwarded to a collection agency and the remaining balance must be paid. At this point, the member still has the opportunity to directly resolve the issue with either Planet Fitness or the collection agency.

If no action is taken by the member, then the collection agency may start their collection efforts by contacting them through phone calls, letters or emails. They may also report the outstanding debt to credit bureaus which can negatively impact an individual’s credit score.

Mitigating Collections Action

So what can members do if they are facing a potential collections situation? Firstly, it is important to communicate with Planet Fitness and/or the collection agency as soon as possible. Ignoring notices or calls will only make matters worse. Likewise, if there is a billing discrepancy or error, it is crucial to bring this up and provide any necessary documentation to support your claim.

Members who are experiencing financial hardship may also be able to negotiate a payment plan with Planet Fitness or the collection agency in order to resolve the outstanding debt and avoid further collections action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while joining a gym like Planet Fitness can have many benefits for physical and mental health, it is important for members to also be aware of potential consequences such as landing in collections if membership fees go unpaid. The key takeaway is to always read and understand your membership agreement and communicate promptly with the gym or collection agency if any issues arise. By doing so, members can mitigate potential collections action and continue on their fitness journey worry-free.

1) Can Planet Fitness send my account to collections?
Yes, if you fail to pay your membership fees, Planet Fitness has the right to send your account to collections.

2) What happens if my account is sent to collections by Planet Fitness?
Your credit score may be negatively impacted and you may incur additional fees from the collection agency.

3) How long does it take for Planet Fitness to send an account to collections?
This can vary depending on the location, but typically it takes 60-90 days of non-payment before an account is sent to collections.

4) Can I avoid having my account sent to collections by canceling my Planet Fitness membership?
No, cancelling your membership does not exempt you from paying any outstanding fees, and your account may still be sent to collections if payment is not made.

5) Will Planet Fitness notify me before sending my account to collections?
Yes, Planet Fitness will attempt to contact you via phone or email before sending your account to collections.

6) How can I prevent my Planet Fitness account from being sent to collections?
To avoid having your account sent to collections, make sure you keep up with your membership payments and promptly address any outstanding fees or issues. You can also keep in touch with the club staff for updates on your membership status.

In conclusion, it is important for individuals to understand the potential consequences of failing to pay their membership fees at Planet Fitness. While the gym may not automatically send unpaid balances to collections, it is possible for them to do so if the debt remains unresolved.

Therefore, it is essential for members to carefully read and understand their contracts before signing up at Planet Fitness. It is also advisable to communicate any financial difficulties with the gym’s management and explore options such as freezing the membership or setting up a payment plan.

Moreover, individuals should be aware of their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and take appropriate action if they feel that they have been wrongfully sent to collections.

It is also worth mentioning that maintaining good financial responsibility not only protects individuals from potentially being sent to collections but also helps to maintain a good credit score.

Overall, while Planet Fitness may have strict policies when it comes to unpaid balances, members can still avoid being sent to collections by following proper communication and payment procedures. As with any membership or contract, it is important for individuals to fulfill their obligations and handle any disputes in a timely and responsible manner.

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Genny Wilkinson Priest
Genny Wilkinson Priest began her journey into Ashtanga yoga in 2000 while working as a journalist in her native New York City. Initially drawn to the practice for its physical benefits, Genny soon discovered the profound mental advantages, especially during the challenging period following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Which she covered as a journalist for Reuters. Her professional career took her to Singapore, where she wrote for Time Magazine, and then to Paris, before she finally settled in London.

As her family expanded to include four boys, Genny decided to leave full-time journalism to immerse herself in yoga studies. She achieved certification as a Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute Authorised Level 1 teacher, a British Wheel of Yoga teacher, and a Yoga Alliance-certified teacher.Genny’s passion for yoga philosophy led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in the Traditions of Yoga and Meditation at SOAS in London.

From 2024, Genny Wilkinson Priest has started writing an informative blog on the “Niche Name” niche. She writes informative posts and answers queries on topics that people seek in the niche. This transition marks a significant shift from her previous focus on journalism and traditional media to a more interactive and digital form of communication.

Genny’s blog aims to provide valuable information and foster a community of yoga enthusiasts who can learn and grow together. Her extensive background in both journalism and yoga practice ensures that her content is both authoritative and engaging.