Curves For Women: A Lot Of Hype?

I would never recommend curves to anyone.Ijoined one perfectly fine, just wanting to tone up and 4 days later woke up with severe swelling in both knees. The short version is that I was not old, inactive or overweight, and I ended up having surgery on my knee. During the months of physical therapy following my surgery I learned the correct way to work out with weights which is NEVER quick or hard. My therapist told me that Curves is one of their best suppliers of patients. How sad is that. The gym was cute and clean. The instructors were professional and polite. My concern is that there is no way to determine how much weight you are loading with hydralic resistance machines. I was strong enough to do the recommended reps within the recommemded time on the leg extension machine. The method sucks and I doubt there are any physical therapists on Curves Board of directors. I will ALWAYS regret the day I stepped foot inside the place. If it could happen to me-it could happen to anyone. I just thank God it wasn't my back or neck I injured.I have every one of my medical receipts in case anyone ever takes them on in a class action suit.

I was a couch potato for 63 years. Why Curves for me? It is a cardio workout, it is not full of buffed up beauties wanted to be noticed, it is self-paced but with input available. I lost ~75 pounds before Curves. The attraction was the ability to complete a workout in 30 minutes, cardio stimulation and a comfortable atmosphere. In addition, I did not have to sign a contract. As for the social aspect . . . If you want conversation you can start one. If you prefer to concentrate on your workout just keep your eyes closed and count the reps on each machine. It works wonders but you are not putting anyone off.

Curves has put me into shape and helped prepare me for a 27 month stint in the Peace Corps. I will miss Curves but do plan to get right back in once we return to the States.

I'm 49 years old and I used to go to Curves, my mom and I joined on a Mother-Daughter promotion that they had going. I lost a significant amount of weight AND inches, but I know what you mean about feeling "had" I didn't like the fact that the only way to join was to let them debit your checking account every month and when I decided I'd have to quit due to my hours being cut at work and I could no longer afford to go, they continued to debit my account until I notified them in WRITING that you are going to be leaving the program (they said they HAD to have it in writing). I would join again if it weren't for that!

I had a horrible experience with my local curves for women.

Curves for Women: Before Signing the Gym Contract, Read About My Experience
By Jill Ermer, Aug 20, 2007
An article explaining my personal experience with a Curves for women gym membership. letting consumers know not to fall for the trap of a contract. Read more»

oops my comment was cut off...I have a lot to say about this place you can read more about it at the following link..

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/347577/curves_for_women_before_signing_the.html

i've been going to curves abt a month & i must say i liked it more when i first started. the staff is friendly but the women do talk alot. i now have pains in my knees, shoulders & my back which i did not have before. im not advised to stretch or warm-up before starting i just decided to do that myself. im trying to make the decision now on whether i should break the contract or keep going. i feel that i get a good workout but the aches/pains are not worth it.

i think you get out of it what you put into it and some ladies there have been losing weight. you know your body so you know whether the workout will benefit you, use your own judgement.

I went to Curves for the first time today, and I LOVED it. It was all women, which was easier for me. I don't like working out around men. It also only takes 30 minutes, which is great, since I have 2 small children. They went over a plan with me, weighed and measured me. I plan to go back and give it a chance. I didn't feel "Had" by the experience. I left feeling energetic and ready to get on with my day!

I think if you are in shape already and have a regular exercise routine Curves is not for you. If you are just getting back into working out, Curves works great. How many of us overweight women want to walk in to 24 hour Fitness and have a great in shape person tell us what we need to do? Some of the motivation leaves when that lady in the thong workout gear strolls by and than you have to stare and yourself in the mirror. Curves is all planned out it is fun and motivating. When you are over weight and have not worked out in a long time you feel embarassed and need a push in the right direction. Many of us just need the structure of a planned workout that has a lot of support. I needed it and still do. I have not worked out in 4 years after a devestating event in my life. This was a safe compfortable place to get my start. I do not think evey work-out is right for everyone you just need to know what fits your life-style. Some peole need the conventional gym and some of us need Curves.

Tenna,

My mother owns a few Curves, and I'm afraid you are very misinformed that the only method of payment is by monthly checking account debit.

If you sign up for the monthly debits from your checking account, you receive a $10 per month discount for making the 12 month committment (many clubs also accept debit and credit cards). You can also choose to pay for the entire year in full.

You are not required to sign up for a year and can choose to join on a month-to-month basis, but the price is $10 more because you aren't committing to 12 months, so you don't qualify for that discount.

Regarding your cancelation, it is very clearly stated in the contract each client is required to sign when they begin working out at Curves that you must cancel your membership in writing (a point my mom's staff is very careful to explain to new clients). This is a corporate rule. The written cancelation is then kept on file. I'm not really sure why this would make you feel "had," but I'm sorry you felt that way. I know from my own automatic debit payments that I do have to contact the business in whatever manner they state in order to stop the automatic payments I signed up for.

I hope you'll reconsider using Curves. It is a great workout if you're serious about it and put in the effort, like any workout. My mom is always trying to find fun ways to motivate her clients (she's always in both her personal life and business life tried to provide people with fun and supportive environments--that's my mom). She has many clients who are very successful in their weightloss and fitness goals.

Good luck to all you ladies who are taking measures to improve your health. I hope you find whatever motivates you best!

Thank you to all of you. It really makes me feel I am making the right decision. I have been skinny all my life but after my brother's death and my daughter's birth I have gained 40 pounds. I have been trying to lose weight but have not seen much success. My cousin has been on curves for over a year and seeing her results shows me that if you are dedicated you can too look like a millions bucks. I hear the compliments she gets and am always asked what did she do. Now I can't wait to be the one receiving compliments too. She is a prime example that Curves does work and I am glad I have someone like her to encourage me. Not someone who puts the program down after 7 days.

I have been going to Curves for over 2 years. I am not old or even midlle aged..nor was I "sedentary" when I started. I lost inches faster than pounds and after just three months I was down from a size 10 to a 6. I have maintained my weight since then and I still go 3 times a week. If I ever feel like my weight is creeping up I just go an extra day, and up my water intake. It is not hype...I'd say some people just haven't given it enough of a chance. I never did like the regular gym feel because the "skinny" women seemed to just go there to flirt with guys and I felt uncomfortable. I love going to Curves. YOu will only get out of it what you put into it however.

We are the owners of a Curves gym. I am an avid fitness buff. The thing about Curves that makes it work.. comraderie. You lie on the deck of one of those machines.. you get out what you put in. Now you just use a cleaner on the deck and you are all set.

I have been a member of Curves for over 4 years and love it. I have lost over a 100 pounds by eating right and working out. Curves is just like Lifestyles or Ballys you only get out of it what you put into it and the more you do it the more you have to add other physical activites in. It's a shame alot of people are looking for that miracle drug or workout.

Its unfortunate people sign a contract without reading it. When I joined the staff member clearly went over my options. They have the monthly debit out of my account but also I could have prepaid for 3,6 and even 12 months and also received a discount for prepaying. as for canceling - she clearly went over the cancelation policy and also made me intial it that I read it so if I dont like it it is my issue because I knew the disclaimers before I signed on the dotted line.

Pattie, I am sorry about your injury however being a Curves member and a certified personal trainer the machines if done correctly would not have caused your injuries. Hydraulic machines have 50/50 resistance meaning the workload is equal on both phases - they are designed for safety. To increase resistance, you push or pull harder resulting in an effective strength training method, that reduces soreness, and eliminates the potential for injury. Perhaps the staff members would not coaching properly and you were using the machines incorrectly.

I wanted to enjoy Curves in 2002 but I needed to have 2 brain surgery so that kept me out. But now, after 5 years I joined Curves on July 2007; it has been the best thing I have done for myself ever. I workout every day and do 3 rounds. I love the machines but you have to put your mind to it. Work hard if you want to accomplish your goals. Curves does work, believe or not, 2 Weeks is not enough to make a BAD judgment about this program. I recommend Curves to any one. Join Curves and you will see how much your life style will change. It changed mine and I'm very proud of myself. By the way, in 2 months I lost almost 5 pounds and lots of inches and my body fat went way down.
Go Curves!

I've been a Curves member since March of 2007 and I would like to address a few points that people have been making.

First I would like to say that Curves really does work...if you give it your all. I lost 5 pounds and 9 inches in my first month there, but it was because I was not only doing the circuit but the stability balls in the back as well. I would also skip, kick and do jumping jacks on the cardio pads as well. Often I see women come in and bitch about the lack of results yet they just plod along through the machines, socialize while doing so and then fly out of the place like a bat out of hell the second their circuit is complete. If you're one of those women then no you're really not going to see decent results.

Second I agree with the comments about the crowd being middle aged women. While I've never had a problem with them I can see how a younger woman won't feel comfortable. I'm 26 and am covered in tattoos. I'm also pretty fit now and I can get some nasty glares from the older set as if to say "What are you doing here?". For the most part we just smile as we pass each other and leave it at that.

So all in all I recommend it. Just remember that as with anything in life you get out of it what you put into it.

You will not gain any muscle. I went for 1-1/2 yrs. For the first 6 months I did great. Lost about 6 lbs and several inches. From there on out, it was all down hill. After about 8 months, I started to gain weight and inches. And that was with going anywhere from 3 to 5 times a week. By the time I quit, I had injured myself on so many of those machines, I could use only about 4 of them. I gained back the 6 lbs I lost, plus another 15!! Believe me, it wasn't muscle, it was all flab. I got so disgusted that I stopped getting weighed and measured because everytime I did, I gained more weight and inches and my body fat level never went down either.

I developed costochondritis and still have it more than almost a year later, but it is getting better. That's an inflammation of the ribs from consistent, repititious overuse. When I mentioned it to one of the instructors, she told me it was my teeth causing the problems with my ribs, not the machines. After 3 months I had a problem with the thumb pad on my left hand and when I mentioned it to the instructor, she went right to the machine that I had suspected was the problem. It still hurts!

The instructors have no clue and what really bothered me was that most of them were fat and flabby!

Save your money and buy weights instead and walk. My doctor told me that's the best exercise.

kendra said:
i've been going to curves abt a month & i must say i liked it more when i first started. the staff is friendly but the women do talk alot. i now have pains in my knees, shoulders & my back which i did not have before. im not advised to stretch or warm-up before starting i just decided to do that myself. im trying to make the decision now on[...]

kendra said:
i've been going to curves abt a month & i must say i liked it more when i first started. the staff is friendly but the women do talk alot. i now have pains in my knees, shoulders & my back which i did not have before. im not advised to stretch or warm-up before starting i just decided to do that myself. im trying to make the decision now on[...]

If you can, break the contract - read my comments from 10/18/07

Bobbi

I have been going to curves for approx. two weeks. I have been 7 times. I have not been measued yet but I have lost four pounds. I have altered my diet in conjunction with working out and I am drinking approx. 100 ounces of water a day. IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT!!!

I was a Curves devotee for one year when I developed joint pain in hip and knee which made me unable to walk or climb stairs without pain and weakness. I hobbled along very slowly. I quit and a year later have begun a slow walking regimine to gain strength in my knee and hip. I think that these deep joint injuries were caused by using Curves lower body machines designed for average height women. I am 5'10" with my height in long legs. They did not fit well in most machines. The workers said it was okay, but I had to take Ibupropen to go work out. They said it was arthritis. Are there any other tall women who received injury like me? I am 57 years old and had a walking routine prior to Curves. It has been a painful journey back, but I feel strong enough to begin a slow walking routine for short distances.

My story is no different then most of the ones posted. I am overweight and miserable about it. I have tried gyms and never felt comfortable...I was to self-conscious while watching fit women and buff men do their routines. And I never new what machine to work on and how! But for my own self-esteem to improve I needed to do something and fast. I have been a memeber at curves for 1 month and I go between 3 and 5 times a week. I have not been weighed yet...I am not ready. My clothes don't feel different yet. But I feel better about my self. I am proud of myself for attempting change. I have more energy and at the same time I am finally sleeping at night. Working out regularly has been bring balance and confidence back into my life. Curves has been a blessing in my life and I intend on seeing this through. It is not about a diet...it is truely a life-style change. Good luck to all my fellow curve members...never give up!

I have lost 30 lbs. in 5 months. Curves works!!!! you only get out of a workout what you put in it. The harder you work the machines the better workout you get from it. Ive seen so many women in these clubs seeing results form the very athletic to ones who this is their first experience at a gym. Wanna know what hype is go down any diet isle at a drug store. This is real women in real towns who are seeing all the wonderful changes in their lives. Dont get me wrong not all curves are the same. I happen to live in a town where there is a shining star club and all the staff are highly trained. If your not getting a good workout then you need to be trained how to properly use the equipment. Make sure youre going fast enough to create adequate resistance, in the right plane of motion,and you stay in your target heart rate.

my contract expired over a year ago i called and cancelled they said it was fine i never signed any thing after the contract was over. i was told it was good for one year they stopped taking my daughters fees out of my account but continued to take mine out now they are threatening me that they are going to turn me in to the sheriffs dept for nsf and all the other charges there is nothing in the contract stating after a year they can continue to charge and there is nothing stating after a year that i have to sign anything the contract is only good for a year and thats it. im going to turn curves in to consummer affairs and thinking about filing charges for taking money out of my account. isnt that theft. ive been reading a lot of complaints about the same problem im having.

Add me to the list of those who think the environment is only ultimate for the middle aged soccer moms and the retired. And boy, did they have attitudes that can give the 15 year old with a mohawk a run for his money (while complaining about "these kids nowadays".)

Not long after I signed on for a year, they cut an hour off the morning, an hour off the evening, and added an extended mid-day break. If I remember correctly, they were open 8-12 (last workout 11:30) and 2-7 (last workout 6:30) Monday-Friday. Saturdays they closed before noon and Sundays they were closed. At the end of the year, I paid just as much if not more than I would've paid had I signed up for a multi-function full-fledged fitness facility open all but a collective 14 hours all week.

Because of the "flexible schedules" they obviously could not find regular, full-time employees. They hired girls in their early twenties (I went to high school with some of them) who were otherwise busy in other areas during their shifts: college studies / social life. They were all relatively in shape until graduation and knew nothing about the struggle to lose weight after an extended period (or lifetime) of obesity and their attitudes reflected this. None of them were interested either in weight loss, helping people, or really anything else than a temp job that doesn't hold them down from their other professional parting position.

Might I add that when I was looking for a job I applied at the local Curves. They did not pay much more than what the minimum wage was at the time. Something tells me that if someone went into cardiac arrest, the girl at the counter would not know how to handle the situation without a written guide and the grace of EMS.

kimberly garza said:
my contract expired over a year ago i called and cancelled they said it was fine i never signed any thing after the contract was over. i was told it was good for one year they stopped taking my daughters fees out of my account but continued to take mine out now they are threatening me that they are going to turn me in to the sheriffs dept for nsf a[...]

I know women who have had similar experiences with Bally Fitness and Jenny Craig, as well as a long list of complaints on Consumer's Report and the Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in the industry.

I joined curves in January 2007 and it is pretty good but make sure you check the hours of operation as the one in gulfport closes for almost 2 hours at lunchtime and then at 6:30 in the evening. I am going to cancel my membership early as i found another gym for $20.00 a month with more equipment and longer hours which suit me a whole lot better. The only downside I didn't much like was the owner pushing her fundraising on you each week when I am on a tight budget and have my own personnel agencies I donate to. If someone is thinking of joining I would ask for a 2 week trial to make sure you know what you will get for your money. Also I never let them take my monthly fee out of the bank. I still paid the same as everyone else, but told the owner I didn't want the direct check withdrawl method. hope this helps in deciding. Make sure and check out what else is available in your area. I wish I had done that first.

I was wondering if Curves was specifically designed for weigh loss? I am not over-weigh what so ever but I could use to tone-up and I have severly low energy levels, I'm 23 and I don't think I should feel this way. I want to join a program where I am told/shown what to do. I haven't joined a gym in the past because I don't think I could motivate myself to go. It seems more like humiliation to me, I wouldn't know what to do once I got there. This Curves is on my way home from work and 2 mintes from home. Is this the place for me?

Hi everyone I was just wondering if Curves was aimed towards a certain age group. I haven't saw anything on the websites about what age group Curves is trying to target because I was told it was for the older generation but I'm not sure so if anyone knows anything please let me know.Thank-you.

I joined because I had two chiropractors (in different states) tell me that the excercises would help to strengthen my bad back. If you aren't "winded" after a workout, you haven't put what you need to into the workout. There are a couple times each workout that you are to test your heart rate. Annamarie

I have been a member of Curves for two years now.
I love it! The first month I worked out, I lost
7 inches and 10lbs. I have now lost a total of 36 inches and 23lbs. Don't tell me it does not work.
I have gone from a size 16 to an 8. I feel great.
The cardio benefit is wonderful. I have a shape to
my body that I could never achieve with walking
or dieting.

I am interested in going to curves but I am already quite thin and I just really want to tone up. I know if I had the proper workout I could have a body like on a magazine (not to sound conceided. I have a very high metabolism as it is...but I have never worked out because I've never needed to. Now that I am getting older I have gained inches here and there and just want to get back into shape. Is this something curves could do for me? Or is it too easy for those who don't really need to lose wait?

I will start off to say that I am sure Curves has worked for some women, otherwise it would not be around still I suppose. I sifted through the comments here and other places and talked with a friends mom who works at a Curves back at home. The idea of having a place just for women is great, unfortunately, this place is not going to be right for a large portion of women who are looking for more than going from 289 pounds to 200.

I am 27 years old, 5'3" and 120 pounds, i am not sure of my body fat but know that has always been in the average range. I think these details are important when people give reviews of a gym. Although everyone is different, it gives you some type of scope of who would be a good candidate and who would not.

I and probably the above poster, Candyce, are not. I tried out 3 gyms recently including Curves. The first two gyms were your typical gyms. I worked out with a male trainer, and encountered some sore muscles the following day each of the 3 sessions... but also notice firming...yes after just 3 work outs... in my abs and tricepts... areas that women notoriously have trouble firming. While i was uncomfortable with the 20-1 male-female ratio, I thought it was at least a decent workout and that I could do the same workout again with out a trainer and get similar results. He was able to answer my barrage of questions and gave me some good tips. The main point here though is that you know a good workout when you get one... you can tell if something is working your body after just one or a couple sessions.

Curves was a much different experience. I was welcomed in and felt much more comfortable there... but really, being at least 10 years younger and 100 pounds less than every woman in the room, including your so called trainer, would make any woman comfortable with themselves. My 'trainer' showed me each of the exercise machines and explained that 'air or something in the machine built up, so the more you pump, the more resistance it builds.' Some of the machines i pumped 30 reps on each 30 second set, but it never got very hard, and was aerobic but not at all pushing my body whatsoever... I really should have felt some of them on my already sore muscles from a home workout but nothing. You truely do not get out of these machines what you put into them. My 'trainer made the comparison of the machines to running in place in a swimming pool. If you find this difficult, then Curves may be the place for you. If you find this easy and more cardio than anything else, then Cuves probably will turn the same results.

When I asked questions about the machines, the 'trainer' couldnt answer them or just agreed with me. Not at all helpful. To her credit, she seemed very aware about the knee position to avoid injury to them, but that is somewhat common knowledge I suppose.

In addition to the unchallenging machines and the overweight, unknowledgeable trainer, the wood planks with a matt on them that are placed between each machine are really just pathetic. My 'trainer' explained that I should run in place or do jumping jacks for 30 seconds on them. I can do that at home for free, why would I pay 25 dollars a month for it? It seriously seems like the curves franchise sat around and thought... 'what is the cheapest workout equipment we could get, i know, a square of wood!' Furthermore, while she waited for me to complete each machine, she did 'example' cardio workouts on the planks, which consisted of flopping her arms around in something she called a dance move. She was more likely to hurt herself then get a decent 30 seconds of cardio in. I stuck mostly to knee highs and jogging in place.

Even though I really thought the whole place was a joke, I completed my 3 time trial to be sure. Each time I added another circuit and each time I could have made several more laps around even though I was going my fastest and hardest. Each time there were no sore muscles, no noticable differences in my body or energy, no helpful advise, no in shape women in the place including trainers, and no contract.

I will not be signing up. I wanted to put up this review to warn others that this place is great for overweight women that need to focus on aerobic and easy cardio to loose pounds, but for those that are in the proper weight range and want to tone up and look better, you simply wont get that from the machines, no matter how fast you pump on them.

Also a warning to those who are effectively loosing weight at Curves. Of course you will loose weight if you put in a good workout. Cardio is the key for that, anyone can tell you so. For any long term plan to be effective, it must include upping the weights and workouts. This is because your body adapts and you will plateau, it is just a matter of when. This is something you will never be able to overcome at Curves.

The day that I find a regular type gym that is for women only, we will be onto something.

Hello everyone. I am a 39 year old woman who is 5'3" and weighs about 126lbs. Before my youngest child was born, I had a personal trainer and I was in the best shape ever. Due to working full time and running a household I find that curves is something that I am able to commit to at this time. Since the birth of my child 7 years ago, I was down to my weight once and was able to look good in a pair of jeans. At that time I was a curves member. I decided to join curves again because it fits my life style right now. I just recently quit smoking and really want to be healthy again. I will be joining curves tonite and will update everyone on my progress.

I jus want to give all you ladies who are interested my personal feelings towards my wife's curves experience. I have seen my wife lose 45 -50lbsin her first yr . Her self esteem is amazing & her her outlook on life is so make more positive.Also our sex life has gone from once - twice a month to 2-3 times a week . Girls just try it most will like it & SO WILL UR HUSBANDS OR BOYFREINDS.

Curves in my small town is gossip central with very little encouragement unless you fit in with the central group. Women are mean, pushy and downright rude to other members. The environment is horrible and you are forced to face these awful women for an entire 30 minutes a day in the circle fashion setup. If you even make eye contact they smirk and make rude comments. I saw very little results there, even when following the suggested regimen. I was sadly disappointed, as I had heard wonderful things about the place in other towns. Also, my job has erratic hours and curves is only open M-F 8-6, not very user friendly for working women. I also experienced severe back pain from the machines, and the owner even admitted this was common and she suggested "skipping" certain machines because they commonly cause back problems. I was stunned. I now have back pain on a regular basis a year after stopping the workouts. This place is a scam--no one there was fit or healthy, including the owner and employees. I don't know how anyone feels accepted or loses weight in this toxic environment. Save your fees and buy a treadmill. Be aware not to get caught in a contract you can't get out of, even an injury they caused! From what I have been reading, the founder is a right-wing nut who is anti-choice! This is a "women's facility"? Maybe for women living in the 1950s!

well iv been a member of curves now for 2 weeks and i really enjoy the work out and i feel good and have lots of energy afterwards ...but i just wanna add a comment about the membership ..here in ireland u have to take out membership for the year and it comes out of your bank every month ..wat the curves i attend told me is if i get ill or similar they can freeze the payments for a while till im ready to go back ...a year is a long commitment and i feel you shud be able to do it by the month ...thats just how i feel ...

Most businesses now days do require a 30 days written notice and its always in every contract. It's pretty much legal in any business.

I joined Curves once, sent in my letter giving them a 30 days notice, (I had surgery and had to stop exercising) and never had any problems. Sorry you had issues with them, I enjoyed going when I was able to.

Toni

I joined the local Curves about a month and a half ago. In the first month I lost 7 1/2 inches and about 8 pounds. I like the program. Unfortunately the franchise has been sold and the new owners are now changing the hours. Closing for midday. But the worst part about the change, rumor has it, that her husband is her business partner and will be with her when she works at the gym. Most of the ladies are very uncomfortabl with this, but we are unsure what we can do about the situation. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Janet

I joined curves in 2007 and signed a contract to have automatic payments deducted from my checking account. The facility I visited was poorly staffed; some of the younger members were pushy and rude. The instructors had no patience for new clients like me. I felt like if I didn't keep up with the herd; the instructors had no patience. I worked out for about one month, then came time to weight in and be measured. I lost 6" off my breast area, but gained 4" on my waist. I was terribly upset. When I asked why? A finger was shoved at my belly and I was told: "Maybe you need to lay off those burgers." I can't tell you how humiliating that was. I didn't return and payment for the next twelve months continued to be taken out of my checking account. I never got my signed copy of my contract stating that I need to give one month's notice to opt out. As was the case today, when I discovered that a 13th payment was taken out of my checking account unauthorized. When I went to the facility to see the owner, she wasn't available. One of her instructors called her on the phone. She told me that she would not refund my 13th unauthorized payment because if I didn't cancel one month prior "it was just my tough luck!" I paid a 50% discount to join Curves. The fee was $75 and $44 for the first month, then $44 dollars consecutively for the next 12 months. I was never called with any concern or consideration as why I had not returned. So, I'm out $497 of 13 mos. That I did not get anything out of. Today, I tried to get a copy of my contract and got the same damn excuse, "Oh, the copier is not working!" So watch out or you'll be ripped off just as I was.