Hi thereIn February 2021, I decided to j...

Asked by Anonymous on 02-08-2021 10:42:01
Question posted in the Consumer Protection Law category relating to Western Cape

Hi there

In February 2021, I decided to join virgin active. I went to the one at cape gate, I spoke to one of the staffs there and was really specific about my request:

basically I came here in Cape Town on the 2nd of November to be with my partner, when I got here I applied for a spousal visa to stay in the country, I told the staff that I needed a short term gym membership because I wasn't sure if I was going to get the visa or not , to which I was told that they don't do anymore. He insisted I should go for the one year contract and if anything, I should meet with him and he will cancel it for me. And also I get the month of April for free ...I thought that was nice and I signed the contract. 

i started going to the gym n even booked  a personal trainer.  First my card didn't work and the staff had to touch in and out for me. So I wasn't qualified for the April free month coz they think i didn't come.  

then my visa got rejected, and immediately I phoned virgin active to let them know and they told me I should go to the store. I did n told them the situation, they started telling me I should pay for the cancellation etc etc , I told them about the dude that dealt with me initially and was told by him that he would sort it out but he was nowhere to be found.  And because time was ticking and had to act fast, they told me to freeze the account AND I DID JUST THAT! While I was dealing with my visa, and also lost my job, I was depositing money on my account to pay my solicitor and the immigration office etc ... next thing, virgin active took that money from my account which left me with nothing and delayed my application and I had only 10 days to find money. I phoned virgin active, they said somebody hacked into their system and they can't give me any information and that my account is still active etc. months went by, they were still taking money from my account, I kept calling and I was getting the same hacking business. I sent them several emails and no reply from them. 

Can they still legit charging me for the service? 

thank you 

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