Planet Fitness are sly money hungry animals

TLDR: Planet Fitness failed to cancel my contract twice and didn't respond to any of my queries after saying they would. Money hungry poorly managed company

In 2020 during lockdown Planet Fitness seized collecting money for the duration of the lockdown. I didn't realize thoug that they had paused my contract during this time. In July 2020 when the gyms were allowed to open I phoned customer support to cancel my membership which ended in the June/July of 2020. The lady was helpful and said my contract was cancelled and the ticket number went through and I owed R1800 due to the months of lockdown.

November 2020 Planet Fitness calls me and says my account is in arrears, I told the lady I had cancelled my contract and she said there was no record of this cancellation and that I owe R2100. I told her that it was Planet Fitness who made the sole decision of not charging me and that they never informed me that my contract had been extended. At this point, by going to the bank, that I was also R600 in bank fees because the debit orders never went through. December 9th 2020 Planet Fitness Debot Collection phones me and says my account is in arrears, I explain to her I have been sending emails and phoning waiting for a response to discuss my account. She instructs me to get an affidavit and email that through. I get an automated response they'll get back to me, which they never did. January 2021 Planet Fitness calls again asking me when I'll pay, I tell the gentleman I have been awaiting a response the whole time, he too says they'll get back to me.

Today, 4 February 2021 I get an email from SayaRecoveries saying Planet Fitness has handed over my account to them. I phone Planet Fitness asking for details, the gentleman said to me I have to handle it with Saya and I owe R2450. Saya is also charging me an additional R320 to resolve the issue. They are a money hungry poorly managed company. For reference my friends at Virgin Active have had none of these issues and weren't charged for lockdown and were given the option if they want to continue the contract after lockdown.