A new athletic club is opening near my house, and it'll have better facilities and be less expensive than my previous one, so I decided to cancel it. I had been paying $41 a month for the membership. This is how the call went:

Rep: "Good afternoon Mr. Matthews. How may I help you today?"

Me: "Doing well. Thank you. I'd like to cancel my membership."

Rep: "Mr. Matthews, I would like you to be aware that we have a special program if you won't be using the gym for several months. You can put your membership on a hold status for only $7 a month for up to 6 months. Would you like me to make that change for you?"

Me: "No thank you. I would just like to cancel it."

Rep: "Because you're a valued customer I will waive the $7 fee for 6 months."

Me: "No thank you. Please just cancel my membership."

Rep: "OK, Mr. Matthews. I will cancel your membership. Your final charge will be on June 14 and your membership will end on August 14."

Me: "Is it possible for me to cancel immediately, so that I'm not charged on June 14?"

Rep: "OK, Mr. Matthews, I have canceled your membership and you will not have any further charges."

Me: "Thanks."

I will say that the person was friendly and was not trying to hustle me in a sales pitch or abusive way. He did, however, make me go through step after step after step in terminating the contract. The last one is particularly insidious because I'd imagine most people think that they have to allow that one last transaction. The gym company probably makes a bit of money off that one.

Any ugly cancellation stories of your own to share?

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