Virgin Active Cancellation Penalty *******

We all know that Virgin active already carries a reputation for not treating the customers fairly at time of cancellation – it’s really is their thing and after speaking to only 3 colleagues, it’s clear this not only my opinion, but their reputation. It’s disgraceful how many people actually fall for the “but you signed a contract” argument when it comes to early cancellation, but never read their contracts to know.. Nowhere does the contract stipulate a 40% of outstanding balance of an entire contract fee. It only stipulates that “a reasonable cancellation fee” will be charged. However, Virgin active deems 40% of your entire outstanding period, as a reasonable fee. Myself being an example, this translates to just short of R3000 for me to cancel. What they do realize (after me pointing it out to them) but absolutely blatantly and arrogantly ignoring, is that the Consumer Protection Act specifically prohibits the calculation of an early cancellation fee under any circumstance to negate the consumer’s ability to cancel. Meaning, If I can’t afford such a large amount to be paid to cancel, they must lower the fee as it completely negates my ability to cancel. As such, they literally forced me to continue with a contract, or lend money to cancel the contract, even though there was no Virgin Active in proximity to my new home – which is not my fault nor my doing.

The problem with such an absolutely insane cancellation fee charge, is that Virgin Active cannot even begin to explain what you get in return, because they cannot provide you anything in return for the excessive amount. It costs Virgin Active NOTHING if someone cancels, yet they still make this money – for nothing. I cannot use their facilities once I’ve cancelled, yet, I still have to pay for months that I cannot go to the gym (remainder of the contract period).

Virgin Active has very cleverly and arrogantly made it acceptable to take your money and return absolutely NOTHING for it when you cancel. Last time I checked, this was the definition of Theft. It may have gone unnoticed if they haven’t made the amounts so incredibly unfair and massive ito their cancellation fees. You disgust me. I think you forget what happened to Cell C in a similar situation. **Wishing I had rather used that money for a billboard instead of unwillingly and without my consent giving it to you forced by the circumstances you created.