Bally update

So “John” calls me 4 times in 2 days, and with some coaching from Molly and Drew I’m ready to stand up to him.  I call him back (his voicemails were all marked “urgent” by the way, which annoyed me) and get him on the phone.  (BTW, this really happened, I wish I had recorded it or something because I was super proud of myself.)

“Okay, listen,” I say, “I just wanted to call you to let you know that I was really disappointed and frustrated by the way things went yesterday.”  He starts to make some kind of “oh no, how could that be?” noise but I barrel over him.  “All I wanted was to come in and do some cardio, and you guys wouldn’t leave me alone.  I fully intended to use the free guest pass – YOUR CLUB’S PROMOTION – for a week, and then pay for membership.  You had my money.  But you kept trying to pitch to me, and now I’m not coming back in.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he says.  “My manager and I just wanted to let you know about the deals and discounts, and we’re trying to help you get the best rate.  It seemed like you were on the fence about it–”

“How was I “on the fence”?  I keep telling you and I kept telling you yesterday that I knew what I wanted, and you guys wouldn’t let me go.”

“It’s just dollars and cents, and we’re just trying to help you save money–”

“John, you’re still trying to sell to me RIGHT NOW, even though I’m telling you it’s not going to work.  I just wanted to let you know that your strategies were a turnoff and way over the top, and you lost me as a customer.  AND, I was just on Yelp for the South City Bally, and it looks like a lot of people have had this experience.  [He and the manager were both actually mentioned by name.]  And I think it’s worth you guys sitting down and talking about it because apparently it’s not working.”

“Well, Syche, you’re still welcome to use your guest pass through the end of the week.  So why don’t you just hold on to my number and give me a call back when you’ve thought about this.”

7-8 seconds of silence while I process what he just said, almost respond with, “Okay, bye,” then pull it together.

“Nope, I’m done thinking about this, and I’m not going to change my mind.  I’m going to find another club and you don’t have to keep calling me to “check in with me.”  It’s not happening.”  He starts talking again.  “Okay, thanks, bye.”  Click.  (In a movie or book he would hear the dial tone here, but not on my watch.)

Then I got a promo email from them with the manager’s full name in it.  I unsubscribed but part of me is wondering if I should send him an email.  That part of me is also sort of hoping John will call back today so I can give him the short prepared speech I worked on last night, which ends with, “and if you call me again, I’m reporting you to the Better Business Bureau.”  Drama queen.

Also, I’m still super sore from the (short, tiny) workout he put me through 2 days ago.  The hamstring and ab soreness?  I recognize and accept.  The backache?  I’m not so okay with.  Hoping this will all dissipate soon, as it’s embarrassing to have to go down the stairs like a 2-year-old (step, together, step, together).  I’m going to try to walk it off some today.

PPS. Would you look at that?  The promotion they kept saying was ending on June 30th.