VIRGIN ACTIVE DAINFERN CONDONING ********** MEMBERSHIP CONTRACTS BY SALESPERSONS

<p>I had an unprofessional encounter with a salesperson by the name of Lebogang from Virgin Active Dainfern. Upon learning the adequate procedures in which membership contracts are conducted and processed; it was clear that I had been dealt a bad hand by Virgin Active management and staff in terms of service.</p> <p>I was approached by this salesman from Virgin Active Dainfern who offered me a 1 year off peak gym membership at Virgin Active Menlyn (gym where I reside). This was the most affordable and convenient package for me, according to the information I recieved from the salesperson.<br />The salesman requested that I specifically fill in parts A and E of the contract which requested my personal details and banking information. He then requested I sign the contract and insisted that he would fill in the remainder of the contract from work.</p> <p>I recently relocated, and required information about my membership and was referred to Virgin Active's Admin department which notified me that I was signed up for a 2 year membership instead of the 1 year membership I had asked for.<br />Out of concern, I requested that a copy of my contract be mailed to me and learned that the document presented to me was not the contract I signed.</p> <p>It seems the salesperson tranferrred my information onto a new contract, which allowed him to manipulate our agreement into a 2 year contract which I was not even aware of. Not only was the contract presented to me by Dainfern Virgin Active not the 1 year year contract I requested or filled in; it was a 2 year contract filled in and submitted by the salesperson who also happened to forge my signature. Had I not needed to relocate and speak to admin; I would not have known about this compromising situation.</p> <p>Upon notifying the Virgin Active branch of the ********** activity I had realised, I was requested to write a statement indicating what materialised on the day I signed my 1 year contract, and further submitted copies of my ID, an affidavit from the police station, including older legally binding documents which indicated examples of my handwriting and original signatures.</p> <p> </p> <p>I forwarded this information to the general manager, admin (Joyce ) and sales manager (Teboho) of the branch but was soon dismissed and told that according to their personal judgemnet, the signatures looked the same; which was evidently untrue.<br />The general manager made a comment that had the salesperson not quit his job, they would have been able to deal with the matter adequately.<br />This comment by the general manager is a clear indication that processes were incorrectly handled and that the company is at fault. Here is the general managers comment below :<br /> <br />"I need to apologize to you profusely about how the presentation was done. I believe it was unprofessional and in Lebo's car. It is unfortunate that the Consultant in question is no longer with the business, otherwise I would have addressed this and taken action. I can assure you that this is definitely not how we do business. This contract should have been completed in full in your presence before you sign it. All other terms and conditions should have been explained to you."<br /> <br />I forwaded the matter to Head Office (Roslyn ) but was once again redirected to an incredibly rude general manager (Khosi) who resorted to raising her voice at me over the phone during a conference call organised by Roslyn. It then became apparant that none of these people I had interacted with were prepared to assit me in a truthful and just manner. It felt as though they were looking out for the ********** salesperson instead of prioritising my urgent and valid issue as a consumer.</p> <p>The sales and general manager offered to change the terms of the contract from a two year to a one year agreement, but refused to adhere to my request to cancel the ********** contract on account that it is invalid, and they are unable to account for the original agreement I signed. They are still not willing to take any responsiilityfor the *****ulant contract or assist me beyond their poorly informed judgement.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I suggested that only a writing or signature specialist would be able to provide a valid judgement since they were refusing to believe the evidence I was providing. This was followed by a comment suggesting that their judgement was sufficient and that I would have to resort to other means to find justice.</p> <p>I've since recieved threatening comunication from the salesperson who is accountable for forging my signature, and no further communication from Virgin Active management or Head Office.<br />I had also requested a copy of their company policies to better understand their administrative and membership contract signing processes; but was told by assistance from head office that they could not provide me with what I was looking for; neither did she know what the company policies are. When I asked to speak to someone from Head Office who could assist, the lady hung up on me and refused to take my calls thereafter.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have been notified by salespersons from other branches that my issue is common; that there are many cases where salespersons from Virgin Active change contract details to earn more commission. <br />This leaves me to believe that I am one of many in this position.</p> <p> </p> <p>I've since been seeking legal advice which has been a tedious and stranious process.</p> <p> </p> <p>I refuse to be a silent victim of corporate crime.</p> <p>Any assistance that will lead me to justice will be greatly appreciated.</p> <p> </p>