How to avoid giving my phone number to a gym?

[KnickNut3]

I got a trial at a gym where I've been told that the "membership advisers" are ruthless in harassing you to see if you want to sign up for membership for years after you stop going there. I gave them a phone number with numbers reversed when signing up for a two-week trial, but they told me that they called the number, that a woman's voicemail answered, that they "require a valid phone number for all members and trial members," and won't let me in again unless they have a valid phone number.

Suggestions? I really don't want to hear from this overaggressive, overly friendly gym salesman who works on commission and won't oblige if I ask "please do not call me again" for the next 5 years.

 

[nageov3t]

you could say that you're in-between places at the moment, crashing with a friend, and don't have a permanent phone number.

but if they require your number, you're probably SOL.

 

[whistleclient]

1) Say thanks... I'll take my business elsewhere.
2) Give them a Grandcentral number. Have it forwarded to your cell for a couple weeks, after that have it forwarded directly to voicemail. (or the fake "out of service" sound they have)

 

[tfinch2]

Don't answer?

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Don't answer?

It's hard when it's a random number that changes every time, so you have to screen every single call to make sure you don't pick up.

They will also call every day and leave a message every day until they speak to you in person.

Grandcentral looks interesting--hadn't heard of it. What does it cost? I doubt it's worth it to me just for that purpose, though.

 

[Skeeedunt]

SkypeIn costs $18/3 months. No idea if that's worth it or not.

 

[ElFenix]

tracfone?

 

[lizardboy]

Is all this jumping through hoops really worth it for a 2-week trial?

 

[RaistlinZ]

It's their gym, their rules. Just take your business elsewhere or buy a home guy if you don't like their policies.

 

[toekramp]

www.grandcentral.com

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
It's their gym, their rules. Just take your business elsewhere or buy a home guy if you don't like their policies.

aye.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: KnickNut3

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Don't answer?

It's hard when it's a random number that changes every time, so you have to screen every single call to make sure you don't pick up.

They will also call every day and leave a message every day until they speak to you in person.

Grandcentral looks interesting--hadn't heard of it. What does it cost? I doubt it's worth it to me just for that purpose, though.

IIRC it's free
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2068028

I usually give my SkypeIn number.

 

[orakle]

grandcentral ftw.. i love this thing

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
It's their gym, their rules. Just take your business elsewhere or buy a home guy if you don't like their policies.

Paging Dr Freud... :laugh:

 

[gsethi]

a prepaid cell phone number ? Dont refill once you are done ?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: gsethi
a prepaid cell phone number ? Dont refill once you are done ?

This is another good suggestion and there have been several great hot deals.

Ripped from SD:

AT&T Wireless is offering deals on several refurbished Pay As You Go GoPhones (no contract required) from as low as $9.99 each. Shipping is free. Included with each is $10 worth of airtime. Thanks bojangles.

A few to consider:
Nokia 6030 refurbished GoPhone $129.99 - $120 = $9.99
Nokia 2610 Refurbished GoPhone $129.99 - $120 = $9.99
Sony Ericsson J220a Refurbished GoPhone $49.99 - $40 = $9.99
Pantech C120 Refurbished GoPhone $129.99 - $110 = $19.99

Refurbished cell phone + $10 minutes + free shipping = $10

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
It's their gym, their rules. Just take your business elsewhere or buy a home guy if you don't like their policies.

:laugh:

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: tangent1138

1) Say thanks... I'll take my business elsewhere.

 

[esun]

Unless the company appears shady, I wouldn't worry about them harassing you via phone. I've had no problems getting companies not to call me just by asking them when they do the first time.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Tell them to fuck off.

 

[lupi]

Grow a pair and learn to hang up?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: lupi
Grow a pair and learn to hang up?

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: tangent1138

1) Say thanks... I'll take my business elsewhere.

Unfortunately, most gyms in this city do this apparently. And a home guy... well I'm not into that type of thing. Thanks for the other suggestions.

If they're still doing grandcentral invites, could someone send me one please?

name: knicknut
domain: gmail.com

Thanks!

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Tell them to fuck off.

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
Tell them to fuck off.

Unfortunately, this is a problem that's annoying enough to try to find a solution, but not so annoying that it's worth giving up the trial and the potential to go there full time.

The Grandcentral idea has potential. If someone has an invite, I'd appreciate it. I'll let you know how that goes, and please leave other ideas (other than telling them to screw themselves).

name: knicknut
domain: gmail.com