Non-disclosure of prices 'over the phone' in Iveagh gym

B

Bazoo

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Just wondering if anyone has come across this - I just rang the Iveagh gym in Christchurch to get an idea of their prices and was told they 'don't disclose prices over the phone'. I asked if they would email me prices or post me a leaflet with prices on it and they said they wouldn't email me anything and that they don't have any information leaflets. I then asked was there a joining fee to which the answer was 'yes'.

It would save me a lot of hassle to know if their prices are beyond what I am prepared to pay so why the secrecy regarding prices? If I gave them an address to which they could post a leaflet would that not suffice to show I am not a competitor if that were the issue. I don't want to have to call in and waste time being given the hard sell if I'm not prepared to stump up the (possibly) exhorbitant fees. When I queried it with the receptionist she said it was 'their policy'. When I asked (in a pleasant tone ;) ) what the reasons for the policy were she said' if you have any problems with it with you can speak to a manager'. When I asked to be put on to the manager she said he wasn't there and I could call back Monday. I left my name and number with her and asked to be called back Monday. Any Iveagh members here who would care to enlighten me why they don't give out prices over the phone?
 
have to call in and waste time being given the hard sell
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I believe this is exactly why they don't give prices over the phone.

If I find a website on the internets without prices, I generally just ignore it and move on. Why do they have to hide the price?
 
umop3p!sdn said:
If I find a website on the internets without prices, I generally just ignore it and move on. Why do they have to hide the price?
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I'd be of the same opinion, and given the experience of the OP in this situation, I'd steer well clear of this place now. They obviously don't want your business, so imagine how crap they'll treat you once you have your money.
 
is there any JB sports gyms near you? the one in dundalk (complete with pool, steam room and jacuzzis) is €45 a month and €35 a month off peak ( 10am -4.30pm) and pensioners and social welfare get a €10 off this latter figure. don't know if this is good value or not but its the nearest one to me which is why I use it. you have to join for 3 months though.
 
Same happened me today in Westwood on the Clontarf Road.
I was running by and decided to pop in and ask at the desk what the peak membership price was. I was told I would have to meet the membership advisors. I explained that I had been a member before, and it was around seventy euro, and I wanted to know just how much it was now. He insisted that I could only get this from a membership advisor.
What I would love to know is, what kind of special powers do these advisors have? Are they like the mesmeriser in little Britain, trained in extracting as much cash as possible? " Look into my eyes, my eyes, not at your wallet. You will sign this direct debits membership leaflet. Your going under!"
 
That happened to me in a gym once and I said to them that if the 'membership advisor' was interested in my membership that he should give me a call with prices. I didn't get a call. I didn't become a member. Unfortunately, the business of 'membership advisors' and 'joining fees', a staple of the gym industry will continue so long as people put up with them. The more people who refuse to do so, the quicker they will disappear.

Usually you will find the 'joining fee' will be 'reduced to zero' if you say there's another gym offering you a zero joining fee.
 
cuchulainn said:
is there any JB sports gyms near you? the one in dundalk (complete with pool, steam room and jacuzzis) is €45 a month and €35 a month off peak ( 10am -4.30pm) and pensioners and social welfare get a €10 off this latter figure. don't know if this is good value or not but its the nearest one to me which is why I use it. you have to join for 3 months though.
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Thanks Cuchulainn. I'll check them out.
 
I remember getting the same sort of nonsense from the Riverview Club in Clonskeagh when I rang to enquire about taking out a membership as a present for a friend. Needless to say, I went elsewhere.
 
apologies bazoo the full name of the gym is JJB and not JB. I looked it up and they only have two shown for ireland in limerick and dundalk. . they also have a soccer dome in dundalk but I am way way too old for that craic. hope you find a good gym near you that doesn't mess you around.
 
Grrrr, I got the same thing from the Iveagh and it really annoyed me. I had let my membership lapse and they still wouldn't quote me over the phone, insisting that I come in. I told them that based on this, I'd be finding another gym. I rang Crunch and Jackie Skelly in town and both told me the same thing.

I felt there was something dodgy about this - are they quoting different prices to different people when they go in? The only place that was helpful and explained pricing in detail was the Shelbourne Club but they were facing possible closure. I never got around t finding somewhere so I'm still gymless - great excuse to be lazy :p. Does anyone know anywhere decent in Dublin city centre?
 
My conclusion would be that they charge different people different prices, depending on the discussions with the advisor. They are probably willing to undercut current membership prices, but don't want to annoy the existing members by making it too public.
 
I found the same with any of the gyms i was pricing, as with the OP i wanted to know if I could afford before going in. Its so annoying have to go in so they can 'Sell it to you'
 
I had the same experience in Westwood, but now I'm in Northwood gym. If any of Ben Dunne's gyms are nearby, I'd recommend them, they can be busy at times, but I've never had to wait for equipment. You know what you're getting and it's a reasonable price.
 
Gym opening in the new marriott in ashbourne. leaflet in the door for all new swanky gym ,rang for prices last week, no prices over the phone. emailed them and got a word doc with all prices in it. 350e joining fee :eek: and then the monthly fee which is about the same as jackie skellys. On that, can someone explain a GYMs joining fee to me? Last time I was in a gym it was 10 years ago, you paid a 3,6 or 12 month fee and that was it.
 
Update: I had a missed call on my phone at 11am. Due to being extremely busy in work I didn't get to call the missed number until my lunch break. It transpired that it was the Iveagh. I asked for the manager assuming it was he who had called and was told he was in a meeting and would call me back. He called back about 5 mins later and asked how he could help me, despite the fact that I had clearly explained to the person I spoke to in the Iveagh on Saturday that I wanted to be called regarding prices.

His attitude was snide to say the least and any chance that I might have been persuaded to go in and consider having a look at the place was wiped out pretty quickly. He actually had the temerity to say that he'd rang my phone at 11am and why was I only calling back now!! I pointed out that he had left no message. He proceeded to talk utter patronising rubbish about how I couldn't compare gyms on price alone etc etc so I basically told him to get lost.
 
His attitude stinks! In fairness, I don't think it is only the Iveagh gym which does this on prices.

When I lived in Lucan, I was a member of Jackie Skelly Parkwest (I then let my membership lapse)

I was considering joining Crunch fitness in Westmanstown and having got a leaflet in the door, rang for prices. Same rubbish, that they dont give prices over the phone. I sent them an email requesting prices. Same response.

Just for pig iron I phoned Jackie Skellys now. Told them I was ex member. Quoted me €39 rejoining fee and €63 per month. I think thats too expensive.
 
dunno why I didnt post today.. :confused:.
67.50e joining fee and its also that per month, you save about 100 if you pay up front for a year. I got this info over the phone from them, (just a matter of asking the right questions).
Its actually alright compared to what I was quoted for jackie skellys. Dunno whether you could bargain them down, Id try my luck.
 
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