To-Do

I have a to-do list.  Actually, I have a to-do list for each day.  When something doesn't get done today, I add it to the to-do list for tomorrow.  I don't know whether this makes me sound organized, or neurotic.  Either way, my lists are getting longer instead of shorter.  Every day I think of something else that needs to be completed before I leave.  The Post-It company will never go out of business thanks to me.  

One of the things to accomplish on my list is to cancel my gym membership.  I envisioned a 30 second phone call to customer service and voila!  It turns out the gym hates when people cancel their memberships.  My first call to customer service last week ended when a recording told me to contact my nearest fitness center to make any cancellation requests.  Apparently, customer service can help you with everything else:  reporting a lost/stolen card, locating the gym nearest you, making a payment, putting your account on hold, requesting bill pay assistance, etc.  Everything except canceling your membership.  

I called the gym in Austin where I initially signed up and told the receptionist what I needed. They took down my information and then asked why I was canceling.  After I explained my situation (how I'm moving to the other side of the world), I heard a long, drawn out, "ooookay". He'd have to put me in touch with a manager.  Too bad there were none available, but someone would surely call me back later today.  Right.

A couple days ago I decided to call back since I still hadn't heard from anyone.  I was fed the same routine - even the same, "ooookay" after I told them I was moving to Korea.  Did they really not believe me?  Had I stumped them?  I'm sure they would have tried to work with me had I said my membership fees were too high, the weights were too heavy, or the pool smelled weird.  But, move out of the country, and they're puzzled.  Of course, I was reassured the manager would get back to me within 24 hours.  I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited 46.

Finally, today was my lucky day.  I called back, but asked right away to speak with a manager. Conveniently, they were all busy at the moment, but "one would surely call me back". (Is this the secret - once a member, always a member?)  I explained my situation one more time, and was delighted to find this person much more receptive.  Just in case someone was suddenly available, they offered to locate a manager one more time.  It worked.  Mike was very nice.  He listened to my story and then looked up my account.  No questions, no concerns, no problems - he'd cancel it all for me.  

Mike:  Hmm... that's strange

Me:  What? 

Mike:  Oh, well I can take care of this.

Me:  Is there something I need to do?

Mike:  Well, it's not letting me cancel your membership because it says that you don't have one. 

Me:  hmm...

The lengths they go to in order to keep a member!  I'm surprised he didn't ask me to sign up for a new membership.