I would support making fixed term contracts for gyms in particular (plus possibly cable) just plain illegal. There is absolutely no reason why such places can't

I would support making fixed term contracts for gyms in particular (plus possibly cable) just plain illegal. There is absolutely no reason why such places can't charge month-to-month. None. Even "initiation fees" should be illegal. At least cable requires a box. I read a story recently about Planet Fitness (IIRC). They realized that certain equipment was popular (eg free weights, racks) so they could remove that equipment and people stopped showing up but a good portion of them kept their membership. So the number of members per location is extraordinarily high. This is incredibly profitable. I, for one, just hate all this adversarial bullshit you have to deal with on a daily basis. I don't want to fight to cancel something. It's one reason I don't pay for some publications that do good reporting because canceling those is notoriously difficult. So instead they get nothing for me but of course they've done the math and the people who don't cancel make them more money than people who don't join because of this. Another thing: automatic price rises. Cable is the worst for this. You can go through a dance of cancelling to get a lower rate. If you don't your $60 FIOS bill will turn into $150 in a few years without intervention. I'm so tired of the constantly nickle and diming.