A TRIBUNAL has questioned the tactics of Hong Kong's biggest fitness chain, which in the past six months has taken legal action against more than 500 members.
Many of the writs lodged with the Small Claims Tribunal by California Fitness Centres involve customers who try to leave the club but fail to observe rigidly enforced contractual rules stating a month's written notice of resignation must be given.
Arrears of between $700 and $800 a month build up before California takes legal action.
Small Claims Tribunal adjudicator Queeny Au-yeung questioned the approach this week.
She told California credit-control manager Dickson Tang: 'In general, the court is not satisfied that monthly subscription fees snowball like this and you let it continue before chasing for large amounts of money.' The fitness chain filed 522 claims with the tribunal between March 30 and September 15 this year seeking payment of subscription arrears.
It defended its policy, saying it followed procedures laid down in its membership contracts, which staff were always available to explain to members.