Fitness blues.(Letter to the editor)

My wife wanted to cancel her direct-debit FITNESS FIRST membership, which can't be done via the bank but must be done by informing the business. When she rang FITNESS FIRST she was told she had to attend an interview and explain her reasons. Because she's very busy at work--the reason she wanted to cancel her membership--she didn't want to do this and asked for the form to be faxed to her, which FITNESS FIRST refused to do.

She then asked to speak to someone in authority who could help her. The person was 'not available' and did not return several phone messages left over a couple of days. Exasperated, my wife left a message for the same person using an assumed name and saying she wanted to join FITNESS FIRST instead. The relevant person rang back within the hour. Needless to say the manager was somewhat peeved that she didn't want to join.

Though my wife still had to turn up at the gym, the form was left at the front desk and there was no interview required. The form ...