I am guessing she is going to have to make it difficult for them to keep her as a customer.

I'd try going through the credit card company then. If escalation through management hasn't worked.

Bally's has AWFUL business practices. Beth, tell her to start being the worst kind of entitlement queen she can think of in her dealings with them, because that is usually the only way to get their attention. It's corporate policy to make life as hard for the customers as possible once they've paid.

It is a bally's and so far they won't break it unless she moves more than 25 miles away from one of their gyms. and the worst part, she'd be perfectly happy if they just had child care when they said they would

Bally's are hard core about that shit. I think getting any satisfaction from them will require an enormous amount of time and aggravation.

I just suggested that she find more people that use the child care. I am guessing more voices will help.

Right. Ballys has tons of complaints at BBBs nationwide for making it impossible to break a contract. I would advise no one to sign a term-length contract with them. Maybe this might help the friend: [link]

It's also impossible to get them to STOP EMAILING YOU SHIT, ftr.

I ended up with a Bally's membership when my club was purchased by some other club which was purchased by Bally's. Both of them honored my original membership and I pay $47 a year. I am sure they would let me break my contract. I have heard from many other people that they are evil though.

Hee -- sometimes 'ironclad contract' works in your favor, I suppose.

I went to Boskone last night, and even stood around in a noisy crowded party for an hour and enjoyed myself, which usually doesn't happen. Will be heading back there sometime this morning, I suppose....

Damnit, the heat still has not kicked in around here--usually, the boiler's going by 6:00 am, and at the latest noon, but so far, nada. And it's about 9 degrees outside, and getting damn cold inside. Brrrr.

ETA: Sorry, just checked the Tribune's website--it's actually 3 degrees outside. Still Brrrrr...

"Dick Cheney's Got a Gun" now has a video!

hola, natter.

after a 13 hour delayed flight, Ileft NYC Friday morn and got to the conference just 20 minutes before it started. Not really enough tim eto get checked in and the booth set up, but we did the best we could and survived.

Was in bed by 8 last night after 6 hours on the floor and a nice dinner in the hotel. Today is 8-6 with an hour for lunch. SO far we have had te provided box lunch, but I am angling for fries and possibly an appetiser or dessert from the grill in the hotel.

tomorrow I return home for massive amounts of sleep.