Misrepresentation & double standards

My son entered into a 12-month gym contract from 1 Oct 2025. As he's a student, I signed the debit order on his contract. He was given a student discounted fee. Before the contract was signed, I specifically checked with the salesperson if the monthly fee of R395 would be for the duration of the 12-month contract and he confirmed that it would. This was all done in writing on Whatsapp. Virgin Active now increased the fees to R513 from the 1st of Jan 2026. I queried this with Virgin Active and showed this Whatsapp communication to "ambassador" at the gym, but she was not interested, as the contract provides for an annual increase. My son would not have entered into the contract (and I would not have agreed to pay his fees) if the fees were going to be increased after only 3 months. It is clear that there was gross misrepresentation by Virgin's staff member, clearly to get a sale on his books..., and now they are not taking responsibility for this at all.

My son decided to cancel the contract. According to the contract, all that is required is for him to give 20 business days' written notice, which he did. I personally went to the gym to deliver his written and signed (by him) notice, but they refused to accept it, as he is older than 18 and they insisted that he delivered it himself. Never mind the fact that I am the person on the contract who is responsible for payment of his membership fees. This condition is not stipulated anywhere in the contract.

My son managed to cancel the contract telephonically (directly in contradiction to their contract terms), but the early cancellation penalties are calculated on the higher fee and not the agreed upon fee.

It seems that Virgin Active can add their own non-written T's & C's when it suits them, but when they are shown a written confirmation regarding a fee arrangement with their salesperson, they are not interested.