H is for High Pressure Sales

R.a.n.t. of day 04/09/15

Late last year I joined a health club because it was getting colder out and I love to run for my exercise. I had a few friends join with me and soon enough three of my sisters joined the same health club as me. It was refreshing signing up at Planet Fitness. There was no pressure, no drama, just a tour of the facility and told how much it would cost. Then I was left to my own. It was nice deciding on my own if I wanted to join or not. So I joined and I've never been happier.

But then two of my sisters decided to go to a new club. Not long after, I received a phone call from the club letting me know my sister signed me up for a free ten day pass to try the gym out. I was asked to come in, take a tour and sign up for my free pass. Grudgingly, I decided to go check out Xperience Fitness. If my sisters were going there, maybe it was a better place. I had my doubts and really didn't want to go because this place is on the other side of town and Planet Fitness is on the other side of the street. As soon as I walked in the place I was uneasy. But then again I'm that sort of person that is always uneasy in new situations. it wasn't long till a young attractive girl came to get me to tour the place.

Young Attractive Girl: So, what are your fitness goals?
Jeffrey Scott: To lose weight.
YAG: Awesome, how much are you looking to lose?
JS: About 50 pounds.
YAG: No problem, that's an attainable goal.

Then we proceed to tour the place. I'm told how awesome (that word again) the place is. Ten minutes later we are sitting at her desk where I see two boxes of donuts sitting. Kind of odd to see at a gym but I pay it no mind. Now she pulls out a binder and wants to know which plan I want to sign up for.

Jeffrey Scott: I think there is a misunderstanding. I came in to sign up for the ten day pass.
YAG: "Oh," she says. Her face drops and she excuses herself to get her manager. It's another young attractive girl.
AYAG: Hello Mr. Scott. So, what are your fitness goals?
JS: To lose weight.
AYAG: Awesome, how much are you looking to lose?
JS: About 50 pounds.
AYAG: No problem, that's an attainable goal.
(Is their sales pitch really a script?)
AYAG: You realize you won't lose 50 pounds in just 10 days.
(I fight the urge to look shocked and reply WHAT!)
AYAG: It's important to note that people who come in for the 10 day pass, do so and then quit. If this is something you are really dedicated about, you might want to sign up right away. With the incentive of the membership being paid, you'll want to come to the gym more often.
(No I won't I think to myself. I had a membership at Vic Tanny.... errrrr Bally's Total..... errrr Blast Fitness for years and I could go months without the knowledge of me paying for the membership to be an incentive to go).
AYAG: So what do you say? Do you have the motivation to want to join? We have a special that's ending on Monday. After Monday the prices go up. We don't even know how high they could go.

Wow, these are power negotiating tactics. Is Roger Dawson hiding in the gym somewhere? I love Planet Fitness, but they are making some valid points. The price could go up!!! And if I don't join, they may think I don't have enough motivation. So here I am sitting, dealing with high pressure sales and very kindly being persuaded by two young and attractive girls. So, you probably know how this turned out. I mean it's pretty obvious.

JS: Well, to be honest, I belong to a gym already. But when my sister suggested I check this place out, I decided to give it a tray. Just to be fair. I figured if this place is better than where I'm at now, you'll win my business. It's not a question of motivation. Because I've been at Planet Fitness for six months, I've already lost 40 pounds.

Suddenly the supervisor disappeared. Did she take a box of donuts with her? Meanwhile the first YAG fished around in her desk and give me a card that was good for ten days to visit the gym. Before sending me on my way, she persuaded me one last time to not letter the offer that was ending next week (I thought it was Monday) to slip by. She stressed I should make up my mind before then.  Well, I'm happy to report I made up my mind before I got back to my car. I'd tell you what I decided, but I don't have time. I'm off to run a 5K at Planet Fitness. Later Gaters!

Some questions for discussion:
Have you ever experienced high pressure sales? What was it?
How would you have handled this situation?
Every pay for something you end up never using?