LA WEIGHT LOSS: Oklahoma Centers Rumored to Close in October

This warning appeared today over at the 3 Fat Chicks forum, and was posted by hmmm. Keep in mind that this news - like the others on our list - is rumor, unconfirmed and unsubstantiated (LA Weight Loss’ policy is obviously not to comment), and should be verified. That being said, the rumors reported here and at www.franchisepick.com have had a high degree of accuracy.

Hmmm states:

October 3, 2008 is when South OKC, North OKC, Edmond and Mid West City WILL be closing their doors for good. They have not told their clients yet and starting August 25 they will only be open Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. The plan is to have everyone transitioned to “LA on the Go” by then. I don’t really know what that means or how it works though. It just makes me so sad though. I apparently have been one of the rare ones who had a really good center which for the most part had really good counselors (management, until about 8 months ago).
I have always been so proud of this program. I loved their philosophy, they really seemed to set themselves apart from everyone else. And now, to see it come crashing down, city after city, human being after human being with their personal stories thrown away like they were just some paperwork of a failed business. People who have tried other plans, lost weight only to gain it back again and again. People who somehow gather up just enough courage to try something different one more time and pour their hearts to a stranger that said, “I will help you. We will be here for you every step of the way. We’re going to walk you through this, you don’t have to do this alone.. We’re going to teach you how to eat right in the real world, with your own foods through weight loss then we’ll still be with you while you’re ‘maintainiing’ it.”
I’m so sorry for the ones who give up because of this huge mess LA Weight Loss has created…
So Oklahoma, go to your centers and get what belongs to you. Ask for your bars, or refunds or whatever you feel you need to do. But don’t quit losing your weight and being healthy!!!

Thanks go out to Hmmm and 3 Fat Chicks for the warning.

We’ll add them to the LA WEIGHT LOSS: Centers Closed or Closing (Updated List)

LA Weight Loss has 3 Oklahoma City locations listed:
Belle Isle, OK 1841 Belle Isle Boulevard, Suite L, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (405) 879-3335

Palagio, OK 10400 South Western, Suite 3, Oklahoma City, OK 73139 (405) 691-7474

Midwest, OK 7201 SE 29th, Suite 205, Midwest City, OK 73110 (405) 737-2628

Edmond, OK Edmond University Shopping Center, 1193 East Second Street, Edmond, OK 73034 (405) 340-7510

If you are a member or employee of one of these centers, ask if they will continue to sell pre-paid memberships through October. Please let us know what they say.

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LA WEIGHT LOSS EMPLOYEES: “How do you sleep at night?”

How do LA Weight Loss employees sleep at night?

That was a question asked in a recent email sent to us by a woman who had entrusted an LA Weight Loss employee with several thousand dollars of her hard-earned money… money she could not afford to lose.

She recounted how the woman had looked her straight in the eye and told her they were in this together, that they would work as a team to help her meet her goals and start a whole new era in her life.

The next week she returned to find the door locked and her team, like her money, long gone.

“Losing that much money was devastating, but that wasn’t the worst of it,” the woman wrote. “I felt absolutely violated. How do people do that to other people and be able to sleep at night?”

LA WEIGHT LOSS EMPLOYEES: Are you required to keep selling when you know your center will be closing? Do you know others who have?

LA WEIGHT LOSS: Bakersfield, CA Centers Reportedly Closing

The Bakersfield Californian reports that the now-widespread LA Weight Closures have reached the other coast. The article states that the southwest Bakersfield, CA store on Ming Ave. displays a handwritten sign stating that the center closed in July. The east Bakersfield center on Mount Vernon Avenue states that it is open limited hours, but is full of packed boxes.

It should come as no surprise at this point that the manager could not be reached and phone calls placed to the corporate office in Horsham, PA were not returned.

According to the Californian:

Both of Bakersfield’s L.A. Weight Loss Centers appear to be closing amid nationwide reports that the Pennsylvania-based company is finished.

The east Bakersfield store at 2625 Mount Vernon Ave. is full of packed boxes. A handwritten sign says it is open three days a week. A manager was not available to comment.

Another handwritten sign on the door of the southwest store at 5113 Ming Ave. says it closed in July. No customer information was posted.

Celestine Davies, 50, enrolled in L.A. Weight Loss in June. She said she was shocked when she returned from a long vacation to find the store where she paid about $500 for a 12-week program had shut down.

“I specifically asked if going out of town was going to be a problem when I signed up, and they said no big deal, just pick up where I left off when I got back,” Davies said. “They didn’t say a word about this before they took my money.”

Company representatives could not be reached for comment Friday. Multiple calls to headquarters Friday were met with a busy signal.

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LA WEIGHT LOSS: Evansville, IN Center Sold Memberships a Week Before Closing

14 WFIE  covered the all-too-common story of a woman who feels cheated by the abrupt closure of her LA Weight Loss center in Evansville, IN. 

Source:  14 WFIE 

Customers of LA Weight Loss in Evansville are coming forward claiming the store kept their money after closing. Some customers claim there were no warnings.

* * * * * * * * * *

“The problem is LA Weight Loss has closed and I’m not receiving services I’ve paid for,” said LA Weight Loss customer Anna Baldwin. 

Baldwin says she charged more than $700 to her credit card for payments to LA Weight Loss. So finding out the store was closed on Thursday came as quite a shock.

“I was pretty upset I was never notified that they just closed,” said Baldwin. 

Baldwin says she is only about halfway through her contract and she the owner still has her money.

“I’m still just left holding an empty bag. I’m in debt now hopefully I can work something out with my credit card,” said Baldwin. 

Baldwin says she paid $400 for a year-long membership with the company.

She also claims she bought 20 boxes of dietary bars for $300 and so far has only received four boxes.

“I talked up this place that they were really helping a lot of people and for them to just up and leave, they’ve let down a lot of people”

Other customers of the weight loss program tell 14 News the store was signing people up and taking their money just a week before closing.

LA Weight Loss released the following statement: “LA Weight Loss franchise company was just notified by the local franchise owner that due to economic conditions he can no longer continue operating the local Evansville, Indiana center.”

The statement went on to leave two contact numbers to reach the owner.

Baldwin called the numbers and says she’s gotten no response.

“I understand times are hard but now i don’t have $708. So I’m hurt just as much as he is. I signed a contract but it needs to be honored one way or another.” said Baldwin. 

…14 News also tried to call the owner and weren’t able to reach him

Indiana consumers should file complaints with both the PA and IN Attorney General’s Offices.

Contact Information is available here:  Contact List of State Attorneys General

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LA WEIGHT LOSS: Attorney General Investigates Abrupt TN Closings

NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga covered the all-too-common story of a woman who feels cheated by the abrupt closure of her LA Weight Loss center.  The story also tells TN consumers what action they can take to try to get their money back.

NOTE:  While the report states “We also learned that the LA Weight Loss corporation has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy,” we believe they are referring to the TN franchisee’s corporation, not the franchisor corporation based in Horsham, PA.

Source:  NewsChannel 9

A Chattanooga woman signs a $550 contract with a weight loss center hoping she’d lose 75 pounds. She lost big, but not the pounds. She says she lost her money.

Linda Prabish says, “I’ve been abandoned and I just know I’m going to gain the weight back.” The daunting goal of losing weight just got a lot more difficult for Linda Prabish when LA Weight Loss closed its doors unexpectedly.

“She says, well we’re closing. I said how can you close we still have a contract and you still owe me.” Prabish signed a 52 week contract with LA Weight Loss last October. She says she paid $550 to lose 75 pounds. She lost about 50 pounds, but says now she’s losing money.

“I said you do realize this is a breach of contract. And all she could say was I know,” says Prabish.

*  *  *  *  * 

We also learned that the LA Weight Loss corporation has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. And now the state attorney general’s office is getting involved.

“They need to go to the attorney general’s office to make sure their name is on the list. The attorney general’s office will collectively try to get some money for them,” says Winsett. He goes on to say the attorney general’s office is collecting names for a possible class-action lawsuit.

Information that Prabish is glad to know. “They owe us quite a bit. We stuck up to our side. It’s time for them to stick up to their side.”

****

Consumers who feel as though they’ve been defrauded by LA Weight Loss can contact the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General, Robert E. Cooper, Jr.

www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/

Contact Information:

Switchboard: (615) 741-3491

Consumer Protection: (615) 741-1671

Victim Information Services: (615) 532-1971

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LA WEIGHT LOSS: Letter From Closed Chattanooga Center

The closing of the LA Weight Loss center on 2271 Gunbarrell Road in Chattanooga, TN has been getting a lot of press coverage.  NewsChannel 9 printed this letter on its website:

Source:  NewsChannel 9

NewsChannel 9 received this response from LA Weight Loss on Friday, August 15.  A company employee from the LA Weight Loss Center on Gunbarrell Road tells us they sent the following letter to their clients.

August 8, 2008

Dear Valued Client,

Thank you for choosing LA Weight Loss program and for letting us help you on your road to weight loss success.  We respect your commitment to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.  It’s an honor to have taken part in your weight loss journey and we commend your success thus far.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the franchise has made the decision to close this center.  We have made every attempt to remain open and provide service as long as possible, trying to stay in order to provide you support and guidance as you reach your weight loss goal.  Over the course of the next 30 to 60 days we will be shipping out product once we have received and verified your chart.

We have sincerely appreciated the opportunity to get to know you and to take part in your weight loss journey.  For the past eight weeks we have been fulfilling balances and will continue to the best of our ability.  During the upcoming weeks, please email us at kkidwell@lanash.com if you have additional questions.  Information can also be provided for “LA on the Go,” our online service program.

We appologize for this occurrence and appreciate your understanding.  We hope that you will remain committed to your new healthy lifestyle and continue to pursue your weight loss goal.  Again, we congratulate your decision to change your life and we wish you continued success every step of the way.

Sincerely,

LA Weight Loss Centers

2271 Gunbarrell Road #420, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Phone: (423) 893-7811, Fax (423) 893-0305

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PURE WEIGHT LOSS MEMBERS: The PA Attorney General Wants YOU!

I was in contact with the PA Attorney General’s office last week. They are actively investigating the closing and subsequent bankruptcy of Pure Weight Loss and the actions of Pure Weight Loss CEO Vahan Karian (aka Vahan Karabajakian).

If you were a member or employee of Pure Weight Loss, and have lost money or were otherwise injured by their abrupt closure and unethical business practices (no matter where you reside) you are urged to fill out a complaint with the office of the PA Attorney General. You may just get your money back, yet!
Here is the message from the Attorney General:

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has been involved in the Pure Weight Loss case since January, 2008. Please use the following link to review our press release detailing our consumer protection lawsuit against PWL and the company’s owner:

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=3343

PWL, based in Horsham, PA, filed for bankruptcy shortly after the business ceased operating, January. The bankruptcy case, along with our consumer protection lawsuit, are both still actively working through the state court system and federal bankruptcy court.

We continue to encourage consumers who believe they suffered losses because of PWL’s actions to use the following link to access the online complaint for our Health Care Section (That is the section of our office handling this case):
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/complaints.aspx?id=458

At the very least, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped bring Mr. Karian to justice, and helped the PA Attorney General send the message that they will not tolerate this kind of mistreatment against consumers.

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LA WEIGHT LOSS: Centers Closed or Closing (Updated List)

Weight Loss Complaints is sponsor-supported. Sponsored links:

This unofficial list is compiled and updated through comments, tips and rumors supplied to us by anonymous LA Weight Loss employees, LA Weight Loss members and ex-members, and news reports. Please post any corrections, additions or insights in the comments section below. Thanks!

LA Weight Loss Centers Reported Closed or Closing Soon
Updated 8/22/08

CA San Diego
CA Escondido
CA Encinitas
CA Bakersfield - East (Mount Vernon Ave.)
CA Bakersfield - SW (Ming Ave.)
CA Poway (San Diego)
CA Chula Vista
CA El Cajon

CO Colorado Springs (Closed 7/08)
CO Denver (Blvd Ctr – Sept. 08)
CO Aurora
CO Boulder
CO Lakewood
CO Centennial

GA Conyers
GA Alpharetta
GA Camps Creek
GA Lawrenceville
GA Stone Mountain

ID Boise,
ID Nampa

IN Evansville
IN Vincennes
IN Terre Haute
IN Bloomington

KY Elizabethtown,
KY Louisville/Hurstbourne
KY Springhurst
KY Frankfort (Closed 08/08)
KY Lexington Hamburg Pavilion (Closed 08/08)
KY Lexington Beaumont Centre (Closed 08/08)
KY Owensboro

MT Bozeman

NE Butte
NE Lincoln

NV Reno
NV Sparks

NC Jacksonville
NC Wilmington (Closed 7/08)

SC Asheville
OK Oklahoma City - North (10/08)
OK Oklahoma City - South (10/08)
OK Mid West City (10/08)
OK Edmond (10/08)
OR McMinnville (09/08)
OR Sherwood (09/08)
SC Spartanburg

TN Chattanooga
TN Bartlett (8/29/08)
TN Columbia
TN Kingsport
TN Jackson
TN Bristol
TN Johnson City
TN Greenville

TX Temple
TX Waco (September 26th)
TX Killeen (September 26th)
TX College Station (September 26th)

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Weight Loss Complaints is sponsor-supported. Sponsored links:

LA WEIGHT LOSS: Former Employee Guilty in Drug Smuggling Conspiracy

A former LA Weight Loss employee, who was in prison for a credit card refund scam while she worked as a customer service supervisor for LA Weight Loss in Horsham, was convicted of a new scheme to smuggle prescription drugs into prison. Her partner was serving time was serving an 18- to 45-year prison term for stealing prescription pain medications from cancer patients.
Nice people.
Source: Prisoner to get added time for smuggling drugs

“A Hatboro woman will serve probation for conspiring with another woman to smuggle prescription drugs into the Montgomery County Correctional facility where they were inmates last year.

“Lisa Sauter, 35, of the 2700 block of Kentner Road, was sentenced in county court to four years’ probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to violate state drug laws…

“Tressler said the probationary period will run consecutively to the one- to four-year prison term Sauter received in connection with a probation violation stemming from a separate 2004 conviction in a theft-related case…

“Sauter, according to court records, pleaded guilty in 2004 to a charge of theft by deception and was sentenced to seven years’ probation in connection with her role in a credit card refund scheme while she worked as a customer service supervisor for LA Weight Loss in Horsham.

Authorities alleged Sauter stole more than $21,600 during her involvement in the scheme…

Sauter admitted to the violations and a judge revoked her previous probationary sentence and imposed the one- to four-year prison term against her.”

The LA Weight Loss Human Resource Department must be very proud.

LA WEIGHT LOSS: Lexington, KY Centers Close, Bartlett, TN Next

LA WEIGHT LOSS: Multiple Centers Close in KY
Rita J. Wilson Reports:

Here are more closings:

-All Lexington Kentucky Centers closed last week.

-LA is closing Bartlett, TN on August 29th, 2008

Thanks, Rita

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