My wife and I signed two respective gym contracts at Planet…

My wife and I signed two respective gym contracts at Planet fitness (Durbanville) on 28 May 2005. Our fees were paid in full by means of a credit card. To our knowledge and understanding the contracts were to expire Nov 2008 and we had no intention to renew. After expiration, the contracts were reinstated without us being informed of such transactions. This was done on a month to month basis and commenced on 01 Dec 2008.

We appreciate the fact that according to point number 3 under the heading 'Account Deatails' of our contracts, we had to give written notice of cancellation of the contracts, which we failed to do. A debit order was also in place to facilitate the contracts on a month to month basis.Therefore the contracts were reinstated.

On the 22 June 2010 I received an sms from Pholoza Debt collectors for monies owing to Planet Fitness. I visited their office (Planet Fitness) on 01 July 2010, and spoke to Tony (the Sales Manager) who promised that a meeting will be arrange for me to discuss this unfortunate situation with Mr Bradley Emmith (the General Manager). No contact was made with me after I left the branch. Then, on the 5 July, I contacted the branch again and eventaully managed to meet with the GM on the same day.

During our meeting I was presented with internal statements, according to which we owe R5560.53 and R5560.53 on contract numbers DU14915 and DU14916 respectively. As indicated on the statements the debit orders was rejected or returned (initial debit order amounts was R179.00, increasing on a yearly basis). No record of such transactions appears on our bank statements for the dates specified on the statements. Our banking details and contact details remained the same to date, except for my work telephone number and my wife's cell phone number. There would have been sufficient funds in the account for the debit orders to be deducted, proof of this can be provided on request.

May I reiterate that at no stage did we receive any form of correspondence from Planet Fitness regarding our contracts or gym membership. Also, during our meeting on 05 July, I was informed by Bradley that no records of communication would be available to me as they do not have the relevant department to deal with such matters as ours. I then made contact - from his office - with Ruben Mapholaka at Pholoza (manager - Germiston) who is administering the collections process. He also confirmed that no correspondence was received by them re the matter between us and Planet Fitness.

Can you please advise accordingly.