Korean Job Discussion Forums

Forever · Joined: 12 Nov 2009

I joined a Fitness club (Total Health and Fitness) next to Mongchontoseong station in September 2009.

I paid 100,000won for 3 months membership.

My membership ran out in December so I paid another 100,000won for another 3-month membership.

Two weeks later when I go to the fitness club, I find just an EMPTY building.

There is a sign outside that says -

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4333162179_d77728ec1e.jpg

Apparently the Fitness club just closed down and states - If you come back between 1st ~ 6th February with your Fitness membership card - we will give your money back to you.

I checked in many days to see what was happening - but there were only builders there.

They were building a new "GOLF" place in the building where the Fitness club used to be.

Today is the 6th. So I went to look and found a group of people doing some kind of religious blessing to open the new golf club.

I asked for my money back and was just told, "Sorry, they are gone, we are the new company and owners".

I told them, but they stole my 100,000won, they just disappeared 2 weeks after I paid it to them, the new "Golf club" people and the Priest who was doing the religious thingy told me "Too bad".

That is disappointing business behavior, I feel if they knew they were going to disappear, WHY did they take my money?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

There has been an epidemic of this in Kangnam recently. Its been in the Korean news. My buddy got burned bad. Its not that the club just ran into hard times and went bankrupt. Opening up and disappearing in the middle of the night was the business model.

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

I remember something like this happening with a California Fitness in 2006. Sucks bro.

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Sorry to hear that.

My wife said that this is indeed happening a lot recently. 3 months at 100,000 is a good deal. As mentioned, you're lucky it wasn't worse. You are probably SOL.

Never pay for more than 3 months, and if the deal is right, never more than one month.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

One of my friends got burned on a million for a 1 year membership. The place was only open about 2 more months then closed. She was pretty pissed.

She got on a list to get some money back.. I think in the end she got a little bit when they were liquidated.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

This is about the time you call up Fat Tony to "make arrangements." That is if Fat Tony isn't the one running the place...

Forever · Joined: 12 Nov 2009

The "Priest" as the religious ceremony actually was the only one who could speak English and gave me the name and cellphone number of the former owner who stole my money.

But what can I do with that? start sending him text messages (in Korean) asking him to deposit my 100,000won into my bank account?

like he will do that.