Planet Fitness Predators

My son took out a Planet Fitness contract in May 2007. He came to me in December 2007 in desperation and told me the story of what had happened and how inflexible and uncompromising the predators at Planet Fitness had been. He had been brought up that if there is a problem, face up to it, explain & discuss with the parties involved and find a way forward that both parties win. He had tried this but had come up against a brick wall.

My Life Partner was horrified and furious at the way the whole situation had been handled! He firstly attmepted to contact the Planet Fitness Manager in Plattekloof to discuss the situation. He left numerous messages & was assured that his call would be returned - STILL WAITING!. He then resorted to contacting the Head Office and attempted to speak to the Sale Manger ( on several occasions), but couldn't get past his PA, who assured Tony that his call would be answered - STILL WAITING!

Watch this space for his account of his experience with the Planet Fitness predators!

April 2008 saw me getting a call from a very distressed G to inform me that he had received an email from the pre legal team at Planet Fitness - which he forwarded to me. Once again , Tony tried to speak to Vinolia and reason with her - AN ABSOLUTE EXERCISE IN FUTILITY! I am sure they sit there with a script that they read from! After a half hour of futile engagement, she advised Tony that the only way was for someone to take the contract over, pay the arrears and a transfer fee & he would be out of the contract. Alternatively, he could "buy" himself out of the contract at over R4000 - Yeah right, this is an option for someone who has, in all honesty, gone to them and told them he can't afford R329 per month. Just where is he supposed to find R4000! Talk about mindless!

I then decided, as a Mom, that the best & cheapest way for me to help him , was to take over the contract! I spoke to Vinolia, told her I would take over the contract & asked how to go about it. Well, that took me 3 - 4 emails to finally find out how to do it! I was then hounded to pay the money, which I did and asked for confirmation of receipt of payment and instructions on how to proceed.

Once again, the predators, once they had the money, "forgot "how to communicate! A month after the money had been paid over, I had still not heard from them. Due to business commitments, I was unable to actively pursue this but a week ago I had a gap & decided to finalise the process - how complicated could that be?? BIG SHOCK!

In the past week I have made in excess of 12 phone calls, LEFT MESSAGES & sent numerous emails - and guess what - LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE! SURPRISE , SURPRISE!!!!

I have subsequently decided that for the sake of my sanity, I will settle the contract and stay with Virgin, where I am very happy!

I have just put down the phone from them AGAIN, trying to get the settlement figure. The string of excuses is a mile long, their business ethic is pathetic and even denials that emails were received from me, after I received read receipts that the emails had been read!!!!!! THE LIES CONTINUE!

Beware of this organization, they have no idea what customer service is all about & only know how to coerice, and pressure unsuspecting clients into contracts that don't suit them.

Watch this space for the next " exciting" episode!