Esporta deceitful sales man.

AlissaPhoto

Over a year ago one of Esporta's reps came into the restaurant I was running.

He wanted to offer me a corporate deal and explained that the first 2 months were at a higher rate and then it would automatically reduce to the lesser amount.

I asked him if I would need to call a number or if there were any other conditions to actioning the deal - but he said it was automatic.
I was previously at a gym where it was just £35 a month, so wasn't about to leave that one unless they could beat my current deal = which he assured me THEY WOULD.

Over the next few months a relationship was built with the business and we began to give all their members and staff 20% off out food and drink.
This wasn't in writing, just a verbal friendly agreement.

After 6 months I checked my bank balance to see that I hadn't been getting the reduced deal I was promised, and contacted the gym to try to arrange a refund.

I haven't got a copy of my agreement (one of my assistances tidied the office and threw it away), but the gym have one, and say there is no mention of a corporate deal, and I have signed for a regular contract - so they wont be giving me a refund.

At the time of signing for the deal, the Esporta rep made a few X's on where I should sign and commented how it was a boring document and made great bed-time reading material - but it was company protocol.

Looking back this should have been a warning sign, but I took this guys word for it - and he was really friendly every time I saw him.

To make matters worse, I am now unemployed - but they want to continue to charge me for another 3 months to "see-out" the notice.
There is no-way I can afford the premiums now I am job-less!

They said they don't do refunds and the best they can do is remove the admin charges related to cancelling my direct debit without notice.

I can't believe that such a high profile company can get away with such deceit, and are refusing to have any empathy to the situation.

They have recently been taken over by virgin active, they know the guy who sold me the "deal" but he no longer works for them.

Is there anything I can do? Or am I going to spend all my JSA on paying for a gym I dont use?!?!

Help!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi AlissaPhoto

Virgin Active has asked us to post this on its behalf. MSE doesn't endorse anything a company says on our forum.

Hi Alissa, I'm sorry to hear of the problems you're having cancelling your membership with Esporta. As you mentioned Virgin Active UK have acquired Esporta and I'm our Member Relations Social Media Correspondent and would like to help you sort out your contract cancellation. If you could email me your membership details at Heather@virginactive.co.uk I will look into your account further and see if we can help you out.