On Sunday 30 April 2007, Powerhouse Gym Westside, El Paso, TX (owners Mrs and Mr Joseph Bencomo) switched franchise to Planet Fitness. The name change was the least of the problems. The total philosophy changed. The new gym no longer offers daycare, group activities (e.g. aerobics), hammer strength equipment, heavy dumbbells, towel service, or steam rooms. The new rules does not allow for grunting or dropping any weights. These were all services that Powerhouse offered as selling points for this exclusive high-priced health-care. In the middle of the night, without warning to any members, this "transformation" occurred. This was like the thieve in the night. Intuitively one ought to understand what happened was not right, both morally and ethically, just because the change happened without notice, during the night, El Paso Law enforcement was present, Mr Benecomo never came to discuss the issues with member and finally the wait time to talk with any manager is 6-8 hours. The lawyers will help us to understand the legal issues. It was stated that Mr Benecomo may have violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Consumer Protection Act (DTPA). I would urge all prior Powerhouse members to come together to let Mr Benecomo and others like him know that we respect ourselves enough not to allow others to disrespect us, not to take advantage of us for their own personal gains and treat us immorally and unethically.
I urge all those who have been affected by the El Paso Powerhouse switch (either the east or west side) to boycott Planet Fitness, protest to bring awareness of the egregious nature of this offense to our person and to spread the word that Planet Fitness is not a business that should be supported. Collectively we have a voice. Collectively we can change wrongdoings. Collectively we can be respected by those with who we pay our hard earned money for expected services. Collectively we can make a change to what is right.
9 comments:
Since this posting (original post was 1 May 07), I was asked to leave the switched Powerhouse (now Planet Fitness) because of the activity of collecting email addresses and discussing information about the switch. Victor (apparently the East side manager and the person who talks about contracts) asked me into his office and informed me I was no longer allowed into the gym because of the "negativity and bad words about Joseph" I was spreading. I was escorted out of the gym by Junior. I was given a Refund Proposal Form which is suppose to be the proof that my paid up membership fees will be refunded to me.
There will be a meeting of all concerned on 5 May 07 at 0915 at the Lancer's Club in the Coronado Towers. Please join us to discuss options and strategy plans. Thanks
Dear Jocdoc,
Thank you for your posts. I was not able to make it on Saturday, but like so many others, have been adversely affected by this abrupt and unethical switch. I joined the gym mainly for the group fitness classes and do not care for Her Gym due to the stairs and limited space issues.
Unfortunately, Junior and other staff members have been put in a difficult position and are facing uncertainties themselves. They found out, when we found out about the switch. Glad to hear about your possible refund! Everytime I go to talk about my membership, I have to wait, it still hasn't happened. I will try again tomorrow. Thanks again for your posts. No matter how you look at it's, it's wrong! It's bad business. People are not expendable. Somehow, Joseph Bencomo didn't get that memo.
Hello. Junior informed me an hour ago that I am not eligible for my refund of $935.00(representing the balance of the pre-paid 18 months minus the 3.5 months I've been with PowerHouse). Why? Because, according to the good folks at PlanetFitness, "my participation in the group fitness classes wasn't enough to have an impact on me". This, despite I would attend the group classes as often as possible considering my busy clinical schedule. Once he told me this, I got up, and walked out of his office. This people, every single last one of them, are despicable beyond words.
You know what you little (I'll refrain from using words like you used against Joseph). I like the gym now. So what if it doesnt't have daycare? No more bratty kids to worry about. I saw the way you people acted (you supposable high society cream of the crop).You people acted like spoiled little brats!!!!! You can just go where you want because the gym doesn't need brats like you. WAHHHHH!!!!
Listen what Mr. Bencomo did was ethical and you should just post this. He's offering his beautiful gym to everyone. I know you only post what sounds good to you like oh, "wahhhh. it took them three days to refrund me."
i personally know the Bencomos, and do you know the affect this had on them. The wife is pregnant and was crying every night. The children were harassed at school. The daughter said she was so hurt by how her parent's image was turned into liars, just because they weren't kissing the feet of you and your little Country Clubbers. Joseph was under tremendous stress. There are two sides to every story. Just so you know!!!
Four months after Powerhouse switched to Planet Fitness I received the latest two comments. Seems odd to me that I did not get many hits at all and now I got two which lamebalasted those who are outraged by the switch. Instead of dealing with the issues directly, the anonymous author choose to attack those who had posted before. Personal attacks only illustrate the immaturity of the poster. I would remind everyone that we are responsible for our actions. It is called Karma. So, if the Benecomos have met with negativity for their action, perhaps it is because their action was negative. Mr and Mrs Benecomo may have had significant pressures to switch Powerhouse to Planet House, but I believe, if the members would have been told about the needs, we could have worked with the Benecomos. Why did the police need to come to the gym the first week after the switch? Why did it take so long to get refunds? Why did the Benecomos go a cruise when the switch was made? If the Benecomos are so ethical and business like, why didn't they come to the gym to talk to the members? By the way, not everyone is a country clubbers with bratty kids.
Everyone's comments will be posted regardless of their position. I would mention that personal attacks do little to understand the issue at hand. Please stick to the issue of the nature of the switch.
Since there are two sides to every story, I challenge Mr and Mrs Benecomo to post their side of the story.
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