Several fitness trainers who formerly worked at Hong Kong Physical Health Centre have filed police complaints against the company over alleged unfair trade practices, while a watchdog group said the total amount of complaints against the fitness chain had reached HK$31 million (US$3.97 million).
Yau Tsim Mong district councillor Chan Hsiu Tong said on Monday that Physical could be breaking the law if it had engaged in “hard selling” to customers as a last resort to boost sales before suddenly closing last week.
“Apparently they just wanted to raise money before closing down the chain. This is definitely a case of fraud,” he said.
He made the remarks to reporters outside Tsim Sha Tsui police station as he and Leung Chun-kee, community officer for the Federation of Hong Kong Business Professionals, submitted the report along with eight former gym employees.
Chan added that the fitness chain may have provided false and misleading information to customers, which would be in breach of the Product Description Ordinance.
