I had the same experience with both the 1/2 off offer and the 5 month deal. Second year in a row on the 1/2 off deal. It seems to work that way every year with those guys. The plans will auto renew at the higher (egregious) rate unless you call and negotiate it with them. If you have time to do that every year - or every 5 months - go for it. Bottom line. They know that something more important than chatting with them (like a job, a child, eating, sleeping) will involve your time or you will forget and they will get you at the crazy rate. It's a really, really sleazy way to run a company! They must have found a bang up sales manager from one of those health clubs that sprout up and do the same thing.