Extremely Disappointed – Unjust Charges After Legitimate Cancellation

I cancelled my Planet Fitness membership in December 2024 after an unexpected relocation from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I requested a branch referral to continue my membership, but was informed there were no available branches in my new area. Despite this, and after being charged two months’ fees upfront, Planet Fitness refused to assist or make any exceptions. What’s most frustrating is the lack of flexibility for a genuine reason. How can a company not be negotiable when relocation is clearly beyond the customer’s control? After months of silence, I received a threatening SMS seven months later demanding payment for an “outstanding one-month subscription.” No prior communication, no email, and no explanation—just a demand. To make matters worse, they expect a three-month cancellation fee, which is absolutely unreasonable. What could possibly justify this? Is there a R3,500 admin cost to cancel a membership? Are 100 people working on it? Are documents being hand-delivered across provinces? It’s absurd. This kind of billing practice is unacceptable and reflects poor customer service and a lack of transparency. I do not recommend Planet Fitness to anyone seeking professionalism or fair treatment. Be cautious before signing up.