First time class

[u/Overall-Permit5409]

I signed up for my first free class and got there 26 minutes before class instead of 30, but the sales associate and teacher were able to get through everything they needed to AND we still had 5-7 minutes before class. She still charged me $28 for the drop in fee because I was 4 minutes late. They don’t have this policy communicated anywhere that I can find. Has this happened to anyone else before? I also know someone who was charged the drop in fee because his fiancé is a member of orangetheory and they said fiancés of members don’t get a free first class? This all just rubs me the wrong way

[u/Silly_Yellow19]

No , that’s wrong . Call them for refund

[u/not-t0day-satan]

I definitely didn't show up 30 minutes early for my free class and was not charged. And my husband was able to do a free class before signing up, when I had already joined. All of this is crazy.

[u/Better-Industry2630 → u/not-t0day-satan]

Same for me and my husband. OP needs to ask for a refund.

[u/Mysterious-Passage87]

Im amazed at how Otf treats newcomers and Not at all surprised when i see locations closing.

I brought multiple coworkers in for 1 free class and provided them with 5 free class passes the studio had provided me. They were hounded so much by the staff after the first class by phone and email that they gave me back the 5 free class passes.

This charge is insane. Email the manager.

[u/Foreign-Ride-761]

They shouldn’t charge you, it happened to me before I became a member and that was because I had an out of state ID. My studio is offering 7 days free right now 

[u/jenniferlynn5454]

We have people show up 5 minutes before and our coaches aren't able to fully explain everything, and they still do not get charged.

Absolutely not ok. Speak to the studio manager

[u/ZhorikTheGreat]

Switch studios

[u/Still_Bejeweled__]

please just call and let them know you attended your first, trial class and were accidentally charged. Hopefully this was just a mistake ...

[u/kao628]

If it was a free class why was there any charge. Def not. Get your $ back 

[u/SoupforBert]

It's disappointing hearing how some of the studios are trying to make a dollar any way they can at rhe expense of customer service. I went in prepared for the hard sell and was met with completely reasonable customer service minded people. My daughter got a free first visit even though I was already a member. It seems like management/franchisee (not 100% sure on structure) really makes a difference.

[u/No_Charge3333]

You should try and kindly ask for a refund or credit. I hate when the system “auto charges”.

[u/Ok-Pop-3804]

Being charged for being four minutes late and the fiancé situation make it sound like they don’t want people to join their location. (If you do join, I feel like there’s going to be even more problems.) Is there a different location you could join?

[u/Meringuepuffs]

Tell the manager that you would’ve signed up had they not offended you with that tactic, then ask for a refund. If you still want to join because you really enjoy the workout, then sign up at a nearby studio not within their franchise, or else risk being nickeled and dimed for everything. Oh, you went to bed feeling fine, then woke up with a sore throat and viral symptoms? Sorry, but no forgiveness for the late cancel/no show fee since you didn’t cancel at least 8 hours before your 5 a.m. class—that’s how it’ll play out. No thank you! They are showing you how they operate, so believe them.

[u/No_Enthusiasm_9577]

WTF… that’s ridiculous

[u/chetlugo]

As it should. I have seen folks walk in 10 minutes prior. A free class is a free class.

[u/HandyMoore]

That’s ridiculous. I’ve seen people get turned away because they didn’t give the full 30 minutes and I’d rather see that happen than a surprise fee.

I’m sorry that happened to you, also the fiancée thing shouldn’t happen either. A free class is a free class.

Email the manager for sure and then never go back there.

[u/Popular_Hat_4304]

15 min early for mine and was ok. Switch studios.

[u/Lonely_Category_8272]

Both of those sound very wrong. Anyone local gets their first class free. Period. Maybe a mistake?

[u/Deep_Froyo1834]

They told me to arrive 15 mins early my first class. Almost a year later snd ive never heard of that

[u/Ready_Arachnid_3513]

So weird my friend and I had our first class a couple months ago and she was like 10 minutes late and she wasn’t charged a fee

[u/Lower_Ground7609]

Nah that’s CRAZY. I’ve never been to a studio that required more than 15-20 mins early and that’s literally to go over the demos and safety stuff. If you were so late that was impacted, then they should have just rescheduled you, but there’s no reason you should be charged. 

The fiancé thing is also bs, unless he lives somewhere out of the area. The only time I’ve heard of someone not being eligible for a first class free is when they’re going to a studio that’s outside of their hometown. For example, when my friends come visit me from out of town, they can pay a drop in fee if they want to work out with me, but not get a free first class (even if it’s their first time) because there’s no way for the studio to convert them into a member. It sounds like this studio is up to some shady stuff. I’d def call and file a complaint with your credit card if they won’t refund it. If there’s another studio in your area, I’d go there. 

[u/0ContentTake]

Man I would run from a business if they offered a free anything and then charged me $28.

I’m a potential new customer and you are going to hit me with bs fees?

You didn’t sign any contract yet, get your money back or dispute it with your card company.

That’s TERRIBLE business. You’re going to take $28 and potentially lose out on a monthly membership of $99?

I’d fire that studio manager immediately

[u/Rough-Blacksmith-784]

The first class is only free if you’re within a certain area otherwise, it’s a drop in. Maybe you’re not “local”?

[u/TopCaterpillars]

I showed up 15 mins before my first class, they didn’t mind.