
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 18, 1990                   TAG: 9006160116
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SPA MEMBERS MAY BE ENTITLED TO REFUND

Lexington Fitness Center, the health spa formerly located at 18 E. Nelson St., Lexington closed for business around April 1. Members of this center who have unexpired contracts may be entitled to a pro-rata refund on the unused portion of their membership.

Members who financed their memberships through the health spa or a finance company related to the health spa aren't obligated to continue their payments as stated in their original membership agreement.

Under the Virginia Health Spa Act, any holder (financial institution or health spa) of a membership lien cannot collect any further payment from the member once the facility has closed.

Consumers should notify their finance company in writing that they are cancelling their contracts pursuant to this act and will be ceasing payments.

The act states that when a health spa relocates or goes out of business and fails to provide alternative facilities within five miles of the location designated in the health spa contract, the member is entitled to a refund on the unexpired portion of his or her contract.

Any Lexington Fitness Center member who has not yet filed a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs in Richmond, but feels he has grounds for a claim, should submit a written complaint to the division by July 11. Mail a copy of your contract and proof of payment with the complaint to P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, Va. 23209.

To obtain a complaint form, call the division at (800) 552-9963.

Toys recalled

Toys "R" Us has recalled 16,000 musical instruments because the paint on them contains too much lead.

The recall involves multicolored plastic Music Master Xylophone toys because they contain lead in excess of the allowable limit established by federal law. The instruments are labeled SX-305, SKN 421944, Shinnihon.

Also, General Toys of Los Angeles is recalling approximately 2,400 wind-up plastic toys because they may pose both a fatal choking or puncture wound hazard to small children.

The second recall includes: The Happy Flapping Car, models 8668 and 8228; The Happy Tricycle Police & Thief Motorcycle, model 636; Cycling Bear, model 6968; Naughty Bear, model 6976; and Ice Cream Van, model 6973.

The toys were sold nationwide before March of this year.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said there had been no reports of injuries involving any of the toys.

Consumers should take them away from children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.

by CNB