Bermuda Tans in Sweat Gym closed — anyone else get scammed?

[RustyTone]

I go to Sweat on 3rd St., and have heard several people saying that the tanning place in the back who went out-of-business a week or 2 ago scammed them by charging monthly rates to their credit cards just before, and even after they closed! Of course Sweat says they can't help because they're not responsible — they just rented the space.

[Alley]

I go to that same Sweat in OC and was not surprised at all to see Bermuda tans closed. I never went to Bermuda Tans at Sweat, but noticed they changed their hours almost every other day. Sometimes it would say on the sign they were open and no one was there. I cannot imagine anyone thinking Sweat should be responsible. Bummer to see the space empty though.

[RustyTone]

Yikes, I just checked Yelp, and apparently they've been scamming all along — here's a couple reviews from unhappy customers:

Honey B.
Philadelphia, PA
11/11/2010

Much like the other people who have reviewed Bermuda Tans, it is a FRAUD company. I now understand how they make their money by scamming people out of these package deals. Here is my story:

I bought a 1 year tanning package in March 2009 for $25 a month (with tax $27.50). March 2010 came and went and I was still being charged for this package. I called and asked them to cancel this transaction from my account and they told me that I would have to give a 60 DAY NOTICE regardless if the contract was already expired or not, AND I would have to pay for these additional 60 days!! And if I canceled the transaction through my bank, that they would send this into COLLECTION!

Moral is, if you would like to go to Bermuda Tans, PAY IN CASH!

There was rarely anyone in there when I did use this facility to go tanning and now I know why. And now I know how they make their money to stay in business, BY SCAMMING OTHERS! Please don't go here, the other reviews about the same problems are not exaggerated!

Dane H.
Monmouth, NJ
2/12/2010

While I initially enjoyed my visits to Bermuda Tans, I am VERY disappointed in their customer service when it comes to billing. After successfully cancelling a contract with them in mid-January, which they admit was cancelled, because of a computer "error", which they also admit was on their part, Bermuda Tans automatically restarted debiting my checking account and have taken no accountability for the error. "There's nothing we can do" I was told. No offer to refund my money. Just a proverbial shrug of the shoulders. I have to deal with the hassle of contesting the charge with my bank, cancelling the credit card in question, etc., etc.

Bermuda Tans has 'promised' to recancel the contract, and it's not like we're talking hundreds of dollars, but I wouldn't reccomend Bermuda Tans because of their complete lack of customer follow-up. Buyer beware.

[RustyTone]

Whoa, lots of hate for this place — this is from a Google user:

Apr 15, 2010

DO NOT GO TO THIS SALON I as well, signed up for this supposed 1 year membership. I was told I could cancel after 8 months. Apparently that was a joke to them? I have been trying to cancel it since last October, its now April and there still charging me. I have tried calling numerous times and the manager says he will cancel and obviously never does. The manager was also extremely rude through this never ending process. I would not recommend this hole in the wall tanning salon to any one. The beds are also too over priced for the tan you get. If google would let me post this with less than 1 star rating....I would

[RustyTone]

I cannot imagine anyone thinking Sweat should be responsible.

I guess some people thought Sweat operated it(?) When people ask Sweat employees about it, all they do is tell them to go to the tanning salon a block away on 2nd St.

[Alley]

I guess some people thought Sweat operated it(?) When people ask Sweat employees about it, all they do is tell them to go to the tanning salon a block away on 2nd St.

I guess that is good news for Old City Tans. Although what happened to her on Philly Speaks?!

[loveisnoise]

I'm not sure why people are surprised. Sweat has similar policies. It took me 2 months notice to cancel my memberships at both Sweat and Optimum Fitness before. I can see a tanning salon operating the same way, especially when it is attached to one.

Yikes, I just checked Yelp, and apparently they've been scamming all along — here's a couple reviews from unhappy customers:

Honey B.
Philadelphia, PA
11/11/2010

Much like the other people who have reviewed Bermuda Tans, it is a FRAUD company. I now understand how they make their money by scamming people out of these package deals. Here is my story:

I bought a 1 year tanning package in March 2009 for $25 a month (with tax $27.50). March 2010 came and went and I was still being charged for this package. I called and asked them to cancel this transaction from my account and they told me that I would have to give a 60 DAY NOTICE regardless if the contract was already expired or not, AND I would have to pay for these additional 60 days!! And if I canceled the transaction through my bank, that they would send this into COLLECTION!

Moral is, if you would like to go to Bermuda Tans, PAY IN CASH!

There was rarely anyone in there when I did use this facility to go tanning and now I know why. And now I know how they make their money to stay in business, BY SCAMMING OTHERS! Please don't go here, the other reviews about the same problems are not exaggerated!

Dane H.
Monmouth, NJ
2/12/2010

While I initially enjoyed my visits to Bermuda Tans, I am VERY disappointed in their customer service when it comes to billing. After successfully cancelling a contract with them in mid-January, which they admit was cancelled, because of a computer "error", which they also admit was on their part, Bermuda Tans automatically restarted debiting my checking account and have taken no accountability for the error. "There's nothing we can do" I was told. No offer to refund my money. Just a proverbial shrug of the shoulders. I have to deal with the hassle of contesting the charge with my bank, cancelling the credit card in question, etc., etc.

Bermuda Tans has 'promised' to recancel the contract, and it's not like we're talking hundreds of dollars, but I wouldn't reccomend Bermuda Tans because of their complete lack of customer follow-up. Buyer beware.

[Alley]

RustyTone sorta related to the subject have you ever been to Knead at Sweat in OC? I have not, but was curious about the place.

[Alley]

Noticed this morning Old City Tans has a stack of information postcards at the front desk at Sweat in Old City.

[RustyTone]

RustyTone sorta related to the subject have you ever been to Knead at Sweat in OC? I have not, but was curious about the place.

Is Knead a massage place? The only one I've been to is the one on Market, near Strawberry St., which was good.

[Alley]

Is Knead a massage place? The only one I've been to is the one on Market, near Strawberry St., which was good.

Yes, it is the massage place inside Sweat in Old City. The door next to the old Bermuda Tans.

[scottpeezy]

Who tans? Really?

[ocduke]

Is Knead a massage place? The only one I've been to is the one on Market, near Strawberry St., which was good.

Have you tried the one downstairs on 3rd?

[phl]

I go to Sweat on 3rd St., and have heard several people saying that the tanning place in the back who went out-of-business a week or 2 ago scammed them by charging monthly rates to their credit cards just before, and even after they closed! Of course Sweat says they can't help because they're not responsible — they just rented the space.

Post all info you have about the business.. Get the gym owner to provide you with forwarding info.

The city surely has a mailing address for their business license. Dig deeper.

Have you talked to this guy? He is listed as manager/owner

Security Check Required | Facebook - Nick CaydenNick Cayden
YouTube - Nicktranquil's Channel

Other employee/owners :

Security Check Required | Facebook - Alyssa Rader

Security Check Required | Facebook - Alexandria Whitlock

[RustyTone]

Have you tried the one downstairs on 3rd?

Haha, no, but I know what you're talking about. Danny Bonaduce was talking about it on his radio show this week.

[RustyTone]

Who tans? Really?

I think you'd be surprised how many different types of people tan. I was shocked to find-out 1/2 of them are men!

[guzzijason]

I always thought "Bermuda Tans" was an odd name for the place. As someone who takes regular trips to Bermuda, I think that Bermudians tend to have peculiar tan lines:



__Jason

[RustyTone]

Post all info you have about the business.. Get the gym owner to provide you with forwarding info.
The city surely has a mailing address for their business license. Dig deeper.

Thanks, PHL, but so far I don't have much info to post.

[loveisnoise]

Now, in another thread you just posted how people with a certain amount of people are busy bodies...and look at you innerweb sleuth!!! Just one problem. Nick "Cayden" is a fake name. I know the real name. If you're going to be a busy body, check your sleuthing before putting out possibly libelous information. Additionally, it isn't very cool to post employee's information. They have nothing to do with the billing process.

Post all info you have about the business.. Get the gym owner to provide you with forwarding info.

The city surely has a mailing address for their business license. Dig deeper.

Have you talked to this guy? He is listed as manager/owner

Security Check Required | Facebook - Nick CaydenNick Cayden
YouTube - Nicktranquil's Channel

Other employee/owners :

Security Check Required | Facebook - Alyssa Rader

Security Check Required | Facebook - Alexandria Whitlock

[loveisnoise]

Thanks, PHL, but so far I don't have much info to post.

I'm still not sure why people didn't just cancel the charge on their credit card. A business being closed is a perfectly viable reason to have a charge removed.