TIMING OF MEMBERSHIP DEDUCTIONS IS ABSURD!!!

[wilrc1]

There is a simple answer why they dont offer Paypal, Cash or Direct Credit... its because they have locked you into a contract, 12-24 or 36 month and if you decide one day not to go back then you can stop making your monthly payments, if they do direct debit, they will just keep taking the money, in most instances even after the contract finishes as some people dont notice or remember they had a membership so they dont cancel it. Definately a company to steer WELL clear of!!

[computerflyer]

Banking systems are automated. Nobody actually takes out funds at any specific time for an auto-debit. Simplistically businesses send logical transaction files and the banks process them in batch mode on a date. It happens overnight while there is no teller and ATM loading on the systems.

Auto-debits are not processed in real time like an EFTPOS debit or ATM transaction. If a debit is scheduled on 9 Feb, that could be processed anytime between 00:00 and 23:59. Usually 00:00~06:00. Most banks require funds the day before to assure funds are timely credited (read your small print).

Historically, banks clear transactions in various ways. Some have done deposits and then withdrawals starting with small bills (minimise any non-payment fees by processing as many as possible), deposits and then withdrawals starting with big bills (pay the probably important (large) ones like mortgages first and gyms last), and even withdrawals and then deposits (to maximise their own fees, although they have generally been embarrassed to not do that any more).

Fitness First has other issues, but this one is the banking system not FF. Ask FF to make their debits a day later or try to make your deposit a day earlier.

A gripe would be if they state they are supposed to debit on 9 Feb and they deduct calendar day(s) earlier. Is that what is happening?

[missmileydiva]

I am sick and tired of fitness first. Not only don't they have paypal,bpay or a bank deposit method as an alternative funding source, they are so friggin rude and inconsiderate. I like to keep a track of my expenses and like to manage all payments manually. Does fitness first help in this??? NO they do not help because they insist on taking their rediculous fees out of my account when it pleases them...like at 12am in the morning. I have asked them to stop taking it out at these hours as the funds arent in their until then.I have also tried to change the date that they deduct the funds but no luck... they just continue to give the excuse that it is their software...and that the date/time is set and can't be changed. as a result i keep getting charged bank fees as a result. ffs why should i have the money in their before its even due? why can't they just take it out when I want it taken out??? and why wont they offer alternative payment options???
FITNESS FIRST YOU ARE CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!!