Wish I Was Independent
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Post by Wish I Was Independent on Mar 10, 2017 17:40:38 GMT
Wondering what has been the overall response from your members with regards to charging the annual Enhancement Fee??
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Post by patdaddy4 on Mar 10, 2017 20:28:19 GMT
Got 4 of terminations the week after the emails went out. Mostly from "Sleeping dogs" who awakened with the email and decided to cancel
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Post by OH Snap on Mar 11, 2017 15:12:29 GMT
Only mild complaints at the front desk. No known terminations because of the fee. But we'll see what happens on 4/2 or whenever people start reviweing the CC statements.
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Post by snaplongtimer on Mar 11, 2017 15:43:23 GMT
I plan on remodeling my bathrooms this spring/summer with some cool upgrades and then ask for a fee next year for further improvements. The bathrooms will be the teaser..
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Post by swtexan on Mar 11, 2017 23:53:32 GMT
No change here.... opted out. I just can't see charging people above and beyond what I already charge them.
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Post by yeeeee on Mar 15, 2017 22:36:48 GMT
Had originally opted in but decided to opt out this year. May opt in next year for new members only. I felt like I didn't have enough details come the 1st of the year and wasn't telling new sign ups about it. Decided it wasn't fair to charge them if they didn't know when they signed up.
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Post by snaplongtimer on May 6, 2017 15:36:22 GMT
I remember the one guy that walked into my gym not so long ago. He was pissed pf was charging him the yearly $40 equipment fee so he quit and came to me asking if I charged a fee. I said no way and he signed up. Can't say much for his math skills with pf being $10 plus a one-time $40 and instead paying me more per month with no yearly fee. You can't fix stupid, but I'll take the money. Sympathy for a new member's past gym experience goes a long way..
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Post by snaplongtimer on Feb 4, 2018 19:34:35 GMT
For years I have been polishing my machines and repairing machines on my own. My cardio is aging and have been considering replacements for some time now. Other updates like my front desk and wall decor/damage need to change. So I am probably going to take a small loan and make updates this summer.
I think I am giving in to the enhancement fee and embracing it to help out with my updates. The fee collections will probably only amount to 10% of what my loan will be, but at least it's something. If I warm people up to the idea all this month, maybe it won't be so bad. I was always in fear of losing members over this, but am willing to roll the dice this time.
So...if you consider $35/mo membership (which I don't do, but I'm guessing many others do) and a $20 enhancement fee and let's say 300 memberships actually pay it. You also have to consider insurance people getting away with paying nothing as usual and enjoying all the benefits..ugh. That comes to $6000 per year. For owners that are worried about cancellations, you would have to expect at least 14 memberships cancelling/year over this fee in order for this idea to not be worth pursuing. Memberships that are less than $35/mo can get away with more members quitting.
All this takes is a strong stomach to weather the storm. My guess is in the end you'll make out with some $$ in your account that will help out with any improvements. When those members see the improvements later all would be forgiven...I believe.
I would like to hear your thoughts and whether you think I've been drinking too much coffee or not.
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Post by determined1 on Feb 4, 2018 20:33:50 GMT
We enhance our club about every 6 months, either with new equipment, remodeled rooms, new features or something else. Most members don't say anything, but a handful do notice and thank us for investing back into the club. We make it a point to let them know that we NEVER charge an annual fee. We mention to prospects that we believe charging an annual fee is an underhanded way to hide the actual cost of their membership. We believe we offer a great value to our members. When every other club out there zigs, you zag and use it to set yourself apart from the underhanded clubs.
POINT OUT: It doesn't matter if other clubs mention the annual fee during their tour, it's what they advertise to try to lure members in and then whack them with the annual fee.
I was under the impression you had to opt-in, not opt-out. I'll have to double check that.
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Post by Midwest on Feb 7, 2018 4:40:26 GMT
We did the enhancement fee of $30 for 3 clubs last year. We had a few cancels, but overall our year was better. Additionally we were able to ad some equipment. This year we are adding now before the enhancement fee so they can see items we are adding.
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Post by determined1 on Feb 9, 2018 4:40:16 GMT
Funny how the ones talking about their positive experiences always come up as <Guest>, Hmmm, wonder who that could be?
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Post by swtexan on Feb 9, 2018 14:26:09 GMT
Not sure exactly what you're implying, determined1, but the guest midwest owns multiple locations- FYI.
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Post by determined1 on Feb 9, 2018 14:44:34 GMT
Didn't think I was implying, thought it was pretty clear, but for those who need it spelled out.
I believe anyone who comes on here and posts as a guest is a fraud, a phony, a corporate shill. Clear enough?
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Post by FakePhoneyCShill on Feb 9, 2018 14:46:13 GMT
I know determined1 is genuine, they own 300 clubs throughout the world.
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Post by swtexan on Feb 9, 2018 17:10:53 GMT
You are entitled to your opinion, but in this case- you're wrong.
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