I was trying to respond to someone else, but I wanted to address KEM. Now that you have found out that Sam did just what he said he would do, please let me know if you have any other questions. I understand this was a difficult process, but I hope members know they are welcome and can reach out to us with questions at any time. We’ll see you at the club!

Ramon

My membership expired a few days ago. I hesitate to go even month to month when I have no idea which company will get my initial first month payment and whether it will be honored by Sam Adams. (I paid for a whole year in advance last year.)

I am a gym member (at least for five more days)and I can tell you that “the front desk” is not “making documents and letters” available at the front desk. If anything, they are rubber-stamping the PR stint by Mr. Adams posted in this blog and his “intent to honor 99%” of the contracts he himself has put on the chopping block. If you wonder why there has not been more of a negative response to the proposed termination of 2,100 memberships, based on numerous conversations with fellow club members, it is largely due to: (1) members not knowing THEIR memberships are being cancelled this Friday; and/or (2) reliance on the self-serving “goodness” espoused by Sam Adams in this very blog, resulting in members sleeping on their rights. (Incidentally, the referenced Exhibit B which lists the 2,100 terminated members does NOT include their addresses.)

Actually I do have a 1 year contract that I renewed back in September so I will be losing money if it’s voided. That sucks. No doubt about it and I’m angry with the former owner about it. However, Sam bought a business out of Bankruptcy that failed in every aspect due to what is starting to sound like a crook of a former owner. Sam had nothing to do with that. I understand your anger but I think it’s misdirected.

Also, it’s not a fallacy that Sam would lose cash flow by honoring long term contracts. How would you like to buy a business and 1/2 your customers didn’t have to pay you for 1,2 or even 3 years? Good luck making it past your first 6 months. Memberships are how they make money, pure and simple. I’m also pretty certain that most people will still be angry an having contract voided, if that happens, but I’m guessing most will sign up again. What other “real” choices are there right now in West Seattle?

The bottom line is you had a contract with the former owner, period. You did not sign a contract with Sam. Sam bought s failed bankrupt business and really has no obligation to honor the contracts. But it sounds like he will try and honor some while still giving himself a fighting chance at ensuring the club can remain a viable business. I can tell you NO owner that would have bought the gym would have honored all the contracts. It sucks but a fact of life and not Sam’s fault.

On a side note, I remember getting the invitation from the West Seattle Fitness Owner about investing $5K. Within the first few seconds on reading the proposal, HUGE RED FLAGS WENT OFF IN MY HEAD and no more than 5 minutes of doing some simple Google searches made it clear this was a very high risk and bad investment. I feel sorry for those who were dupped but they either went in knowing how high risk it was or simply did not truly research the investment. I hope all these people can get at the prior owner and get some money back. However, I highly doubt that will happen.

I understand all the anger in general about the situation. Hell, I’m angry. But, I’m just glad the club did not shut it’s doors and Sam stepped in and saved it. It’s probably time for some people to cut their loses financially and emotionally about the preivous club and it’s owner and give the new owner Sam a chance. Or, just keep beating your head against a wall that will not give.

The fact is that honoring the contracts is not only the right thing to do but good business. Sam Adams, based on the interview, knows that. There’s a fallacy inherent to the argument that he’s losing cash flow by honoring them. If the contracts were canceled, I doubt a single one of the affected individuals would return to this gym. I sure wouldn’t.

The choice for Adams is clear: Start his new business on a highly negative note or earn future customer loyalty and generate positive word of mouth. He’s making the right choice.

So, instead of being angry at Sam, direct your anger at the former owner who created this whole mess. I’m just glad somebody had the balls to buy the club and keep it open. I can’t stand the Y and 24 hour is a mess as well. Be glad someone stepped in and saved the gym. If it closed, you would be out the money anyway.

I applaud Sam for buying the gym and hopefully keeping in open for a long time to come. The Gym business is diffcult and high risk to say the least.

And yes, T-Bar and Hack Squat systems would be a welcomed addition. Just sayin……

“My present contract, for which I have already paid both my dues and the yearly maintenance fee, is not set to expire until March 9, 2014. I understand that when it is once again up for renewal, assuming the Club is sold, those terms may not be offered to me again. My next renewal window would be the appropriate time to end or modify the terms of my membership. Therefore, I am opposed to any sale that would terminate legal membership agreements like mine.

Mr. Sam Adams, who has been identified as the party interested in buying the club, has been quoted in the local media as stating he intends to honor “99 percent of them” in reference to the approximately 2100 contracts that include terms like mine. He has also been quoted as saying he “thinks” membership terms of two years or more are illegal.

The terms being requested by the Trustee in the notice I received does nothing to allay my concern that a membership agreement of more than 12 months and equal or less than 24 months will be honored. Therefore, I ask that you require the Trustee to stipulate in greater detail exactly which agreements are to be nullified before you approve this sale.”