Misleading representative

Good day,

Firstly, providing some insight into my grievance against Planet Fitness SA. I signed a contract with Planet Fitness The Buzz in March 2018. I used the facility on a regular basis during the 2018 period, and I was/am pleased with the facility, no complaints. For the last three months (January 2019 - March 2019) I have not used the facility on a regular basis due to the fact that I have relocated and visiting The Buzz branch was not viable for me.

I contacted Planet Fitness recently to find out what the cost implications would be to transfer my contract to a more suitable club in terms of logistics etc. I was advised by the Planet Fitness representative of the relevant costs etc, thank you and noted. In the same call I asked how many months I had left on my contract and I was advised that I was IN FACT ''NOT ON A CONTRACT AND THAT I WAS ON A MONTH TO MONTH PLAN'', confused by the information given by the Planet Fitness representative, I asked her to confirm whether this was in fact correct. The representative confirmed that this is definitely the case. The representative mentioned that although I am on a month to month contract I will need to submit a one month notice to Planet Fitness should I wish to cancel my membership. I gave thanks and ended the call.

And that brings me to my post today, I contacted Planet Fitness earlier this morning after much consideration and thought - I have decided based on the information provided by the agent that I would like to submit my notice and terminate my membership, being one month from today. As I am hardly using the facility, paying R500.00 per month seems like a fruitless exercise (excuse the pun). The representative this morning advised me that I am unable to submit notice and should I wish to cancel my contract a penalty would apply.

I am now aware that I signed a contract with Planet Fitness, however I am unhappy with the fact that I was ill advised by the previous representative - with no consideration by the representative this morning for the phone call/conversation with the previous representative. Not only is this misleading and unfair, but it has put a halt on my plans to terminate this contract.

I would like feedback as to how a representative can mislead a customer with little to regard for the customer and how a representative (this morning's representative) can disregard my questions in such an unhelpful manner. In other words, yes, the previous representative said that. But oh well, she was wrong, sorry for you. Either pay the termination fee or enjoy having your account debited for nothing. Goodbye.