Beauty parlours and health clubs are becoming more and more popular for men to try out slimming and fitness programmes in order to get into better shape. But they are advised to be cautious of the sales tricks and tactics when joining programmes.
A total of 66 and 737 complaints had been received by Consumer Council regarding slimming courses and health clubs respectively in the first three quarters of 2010.
Common disputes revolved around hard-sell tactics of sales representatives, termination and renewal of contracts, problems related to the refund of prepaid fees, as well as closure of shop.
In a mystery shopping exercise done by the Consumer Council staff, it was found that slimming courses ranged from HKD 4,000 to HKD 42,000 while fitness centre membership charges varied from HKD 2,600 for 3 months to HKD 25,000 for 7 years.
The claims and advices to the staff from the beauty and health centres visited were equally baffling. A Council staff 5 feet 10 inches tall (178cm), and weighing 183 pounds (83kg), was told by one slimming centre that he was "severely over-weight" and had 70 pounds (32 kg) of excess fat. Other centres gave him the more moderate advice of shedding 7kg or 10kg (15 pound or 22 pound).
What is the expert view ? According to the assessment of an expert from the School of Biological Science of the University of Hong Kong, it would be more realistic and safe for the Council staff concerned to drop 10% of his present weight (18 pounds / 8kg) gradually over 30 weeks.
A claim to achieve "reduce belly" by 10cm in eight weeks' time was found upon enquiry to mean the total reduction in measurement inclusive of the "chest", the "abdomen" as well as the "upper, middle and lower waist" rather than just that of the "abdomen".
Consumers are also reminded to beware of sales tricks that staff of slimming centres and health clubs employed to lure customers into expensive and long-term contracts, which are highlighted below:
- "Matching" consumers' affordability with changing discounts and prices
- A slimming package or health club membership may cost up to tens of thousands of dollars. Some sales representatives may probe into the affordability of prospective clients and offer concessions, discounts or price reduction to secure a deal.
- One beauty centre offered the Council staff posing as consumer a big discount for a 10-session slimming course, cutting down the original price of HKD 33,000 to HKD 18,000. At a fitness centre, membership was offered at a fee of HKD 13,000 down to HKD 8,400 and ultimately to HKD 7,800 with the length of membership extended from 18 months to 27 months.
- Prepayment for the whole course of slimming programme was generally asked for, whether in cash or credit card or even by cheque.
- Free trial offers not unconditional
- Free trials at health clubs are rarely unconditional.
- When asked about the "free trial offer" being promoted, one fitness centre revealed that a service fee of HKD150 would be charged of someone not referred by a member of the club.
- There was reluctance on the part of another health club to provide the "free trial offer" on the grounds that there would be "no trainer" and "no insurance coverage" for a non-member. Instead the health club actively promoted payment for its membership which was said to be refundable within 7 days to those unhappy with its programmes.
Some tips for consumers before signing up for slimming courses and fitness programmes:
- Do not disclose personal data including identity card, credit card or bank account information unnecessarily.
- Check out the contract terms and ensure that all verbal promises made are reduced into writing.
- Never sign on any document which you do not fully understand.
- Think twice before committing yourself to prepayment or auto-payment.
- Make a record of the contract expiry date for the purposes of service renewal or termination.
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