LA WEIGHT LOSS Employees Admit They Deceived Members

As LA Weight Loss centers close abruptly throughout the US and Canada, we receive stories from LA Weight Loss employees attesting to the fact that many of the weight loss facilities continued to sell long-term programs right up until the day before they are closing.

Some employees admit to knowing in advance, others claim their franchise owners did not tell them that the center would be closing and that their members would be left stranded with neither their money nor the promised products and services they paid for.

On the post LA WEIGHT LOSS: Employee Alleges Unethical Closing Practices Jessica wrote:

“I was a sales Counselor for LA weight loss who then changed their name to Pure Weight loss. I loved to working with the clients and I really believed in the program. What made me extremely upset was when I found out tuesday morning that by the next week I would no longer have a job. The night before, I sold an A package for 1300 dollars. I had no idea that they would be closing the door. It really bothered me that they never told me and let us sell product like that!!! What makes it worse is that the headquarters was located in PA and people knew me around town. The corporation does not have to run into clients who want a refund, I do and I do not even have the information so that I can help them. I still run into clients who do not have their refund and it has been close to 2 years!!”

On the post La Weight Loss ex-employee warns of closings. Don’t prepay! Charlotte, NC  wrote:

I worked at LAWL in Charlotte are NC. I was let go for caring too much about the clients. I got inside word that our stores were closing down and though I did not tell the clients (tho I wish I would have) I did tell them to get all of their products because so many were closing down and I wanted them to be safe. When our District Mgr heard of this she let me go and held a big meeting for all the centers in north and south Carolinas assuring them that I was bitter and full of lies, that in fact they were growing and would not be closing…….6 weeks later low and behold all my friends went to work to find the locks changed and notes on the doors. Worst place I’ve ever worked, all the upper management got EXACTLY what they deserved, my heart goes out to all the clients though, good luck.

On the post LA Weight Loss Charlotte Franchisee Sheds Unwanted Members, Employees Desi Alexander* wrote

Hi there, when I heard of this terribly tragic end to LA Weightloss of Charlotte, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for both sides of the complaints. Both the employees & the clients. I was the manager of the Rock Hill, SC location for 6 months. We were trained to steal peoples money by the owner of the company, [name withheld]. I made Mr. [name withheld] so much money by taking the money of people I knew would likely not complete the program. Mr. [name withheld] often gave cash rewards to those managers who could get the most money off of people…

It was so bad, that clients gave clothes to one of my staff member who couldn’t even afford to clothe her child. Meanwhile, the center was earning over $30,000 per week. The company’s success rate at the time I was employed there was less than 10%. I came upon clients that were robbed out of weeks, food and essential tools so that they could meet their plans because of the owner.

* The identity of this commenter has been questioned by another commenter.

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LA Weight Loss to Pay Refunds to New York Members

Here’s the story posted on Fitness Business Pro:

ALBANY, NY — New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced last week that LA Weight Loss Centers Inc. reached a settlement to pay $275,000 in refunds to thousands of New York state customers who paid for but never received services after LA Weight Loss closed its doors in January 2008.

Cuomo’s office has identified more than 100 customers so far who were affected by the closures.

“As more companies fall victim to the harsh economy, they still have an obligation to abide by the law and be forthright with their patrons,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Many New Yorkers who paid for and never received services from LA Weight Loss now have some vindication.”

In January 2008, LA Weight Loss Centers closed all of its 45 centers in New York state, then filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Philadelphia. Cuomo’s office had received several complaints from customers who did not receive a refund from the company or did not have the charges removed from their credit cards for advanced payments.

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LA Weight Loss Took Our Money, Then Closed

Comments and complaints are pouring in from LA Weight Loss customers who are finding themselves without their weight loss program, without the products they paid for, and without a way to get a refund. Vicki Carter wrote: “Hi i know how you all feel as well, i joined LAWL the beginning of oct 08 and then brought a friend with the bring a friend promotion, we were never told that the business was having problems, they took our money talked me into getting a visa card to pay for my bulk bars, and then announced they were closing the office in our area down and that we’d have to go to an office an hour away. then the next week we hear they’ve gone bankrupt, we filled out our refund papers as to date have not heard a damn thing from them… i too am tryoig to understand how a company that charges so much money and had so many offices could have gone bankrupt. i’m wondering if i’ll ever see my $300 odd again, i was lucky enough to have only had like 10 box’s of bulk left and went and got them very quickly…” Have you been burned by LA Weight Loss?  Share your story below.

LA Weight Loss Emails Infuriate Member

“I live in Saint John, NB. When they told me that the center was closing they gave us all an email address to contact. When we contact the email address this is what we got in response:

” Dear Chelsey

Thank you for your note.

We are sorry that our Centre closing has caused you some inconvenience and concern.

We acknowledge receiving your request for a refund. Please note, that should you wish to continue on the L A Weight Loss program, you can do so by taking advantage of our “LA-On-the-Go” program. This program will provide you with weekly one-on-one counselling over the phone and access to our optional products. LA-On-the-Go was designed for clients who could not attend the Centres on a regular basis. Should you wish to reconsider, then kindly contact laonthego@lawlmaritimes.ca or call 902-830-7076.

We are now in the process of getting all the client files from the Centre. As the Centre is closing on Dec. 5, we anticipate receiving the files by no later than Dec. 15. Upon receipt of the files we can then look into your request and establish, what amount, if anything, is owing. In the interim, we ask you to please be patient as we do our best to attend to these issues as quickly as possible.

We thank you for your understanding while we go through this process.

Yours truly,

Customer Service”

Then when I replied again on January 5 and asked when I could expect my refund this is the response that I received:

“We take this opportunity to inform you that LAWL Maritimes Inc., the company that operated the Centre you attended, has been put into receivership by the secured creditors of the Company.

Unfortunately as a result of the receivership, the Company no longer has any capital and is unable to provide any refund. We are sorry but we are unable to process your request.

Customer Service”

NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND I SUPPOSE NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS?” WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW

 

LA WEIGHT LOSS: Owner Blames Franchisor for Closing

“A local weight loss centre has closed its doors without warning, stranding clients who are now wondering if they will ever get their money back.

LA Weight Loss, located in the Dorwin Plaza on Dougall Avenue, was closed Tuesday, informing clients in a note taped to the front door that it will not be reopening.

“Our franchisor has informed us that they are closing their business,” the note read. “That means that we are unable to buy product from our franchisor or get any of the other support … in order to operate our centres.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

“The note also wishes LA Weight Loss clients ‘all the best’ in their efforts to shed unwanted pounds…

“‘I am very upset,’ said Windsor resident Lynn Long, who joined LA Weight Loss in August, forking over $700 for a year of diet and weight-loss ‘coaching.’

“‘I figure I’m out about $400,’ Long said. ‘And I don’t think I’m going to get it back.’

“The note on the door didn’t include any phone numbers to call or information about membership refunds. Long said she has been trying to reach someone through the United States-based LA Weight Loss Centers’ customer service line, with no luck.

“‘I kept getting the message that their mailbox is full,’ Long said.

“According to a customer service representative reached late Tuesday afternoon, the Dougall Avenue centre is owned by an independent franchisor, Michael Schneer.”

Excerpt Source:  The Windsor Star

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Worth reading: LA WEIGHT LOSS

> PURE WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION CENTER

LA WEIGHT LOSS: All Ottawa Locations Close Abruptly

“All four LA Weight Loss centres in Ottawa abruptly shut down on Monday, apparently without warning to customers or employees.

“According to media reports, local employees weren’t aware of the closures until they arrived at work this week. Customers looking for a refund were encouraged to call LA Weight Loss’s customer service line.

“However, OBJ’s call to that number was directed to a full voice mailbox. The diet program’s website still lists the Ottawa locations as active.

“The franchise, operating under the name LA Weight Loss Franchise Co., has shuttered a number of locations this past month, including all nine in Atlantic Canada and all 10 in Charlotte, N.C….”

Excerpt Source:  Ottawa Business Journal

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Worth reading: LA WEIGHT LOSS

> PURE WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION CENTER

Closing Canadian L.A. Weight Loss Offering Members “LA on the Go” Phone Counseling

According to the Chronicle Herald, all the L.A. Weight Loss Atlantic Canadian franchise centers are closing Dec. 5, 2008.  Instead, they will offer a phone-counseling service called “LA on the Go” to their stranded members.  According to the Chronicle-Herald:

David Shneer, president and CEO of LAWL Maritimes Inc., said in an email Tuesday that the company, which operates LA Weight Loss Centres in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Sydney, is changing its business model. “Over the weekend, we decided for two main reasons that we cannot continue to operate the centre-based business,” he said. “So we have informed our centres that we are going to close.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Mr. Shneer… said LA Weight Loss clients have the option of continuing with the company’s LA On the Go program or requesting a refund. The LA On the Go program was designed for clients who could not visit the centres, he said. “It provides them with weekly one-on-one counselling but just over the phone instead of in the centre,” he said. “They also still have the same access to optional products.”

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L.A. Weight Loss Atlantic Canadian Franchises to Close

According to the CBC News, all the L.A. Weight Loss Atlantic Canadian franchises will be closing Dec. 5, 2008.

There are a total of nine L.A. Weight Loss franchises in Atlantic Canada, and all will be closing their doors for good on Dec. 5, putting about 40 people out of work.  According to the report:

“Franchise owner David Shneer told CBC News Tuesday that things have been tough for a while, but the ongoing global economic crisis has made it impossible to stay in business.

“He added that many consumers do not think weight loss is a necessity when times are tough.

“Clients who enrolled for longer-range programs can obtain refunds, he said.

“Pennsylvania-based L.A. Weight Loss has seen other franchises close over the past month, including operations in Oregon, Montana and Wisconsin.”

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LA Weight Loss: Store Closing List Updated 10/17/08

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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 10/17/08

AZ Chandler
AZ Baseline
AZ Scottsdale

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

CA Oceanside (closing)

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

MS Southaven
MS Tupelo
MS Columbus

MT Bozeman

MT Butte
MT Great Falls

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

TN Memphis
TN Germantown

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

UT Draper
UT Provo
UT Murray
UT Layton
WA Salmon Creek
WA Vancouver
WI All centers (closing)

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LA WEIGHT LOSS CLOSING RUMORS Friday, Oct. 17

News and rumors of closings erupted this morning, as did rumor of an impending announcement from corporate of closings of LA Weight Loss Centers nationwide. Here’s what our readers report:
Denise:

Latest Of LA Weightloss: Oceanside center is closing as well. It is so hard to believe that they are all closing. This program has been my life saver and now it’s gone. I called in to get my file and they are not allowed to give them out as they are property of LA Weightloss. I thank all employees at the Escondido branch for all their help and support. I lost 40lbs and have 44 more to go.

DD wrote:

I believe Vancouver and the Salmon Creek, Washington centers will be closing too. The Vancouver manager was recently fired (as she should have been a year ago) and the Salmon Creek manager may be asked to over see both centers. I think they are merging to close soon as they also closed another center not 20 miles north of Salmon Creek. They are showing all the same signs and red flags that you can read about all over the internet, that warn of a closure in the near future. Get out while you can. They are not a trustworthy company. The plan is most excellent tho’. Hilary

Beth wrote:

I was told this morning that all Wisconsin centers are closing. When I asked about a financial refund, I was given a blank stare followed by the response that I will probably be losing my money. I had a feeling this was coming as they hours and days were continually cut and they cannot keep a staff.

Dave wrote:

Great Falls and Butte Montana are closed.

Rita J Wilson:

Add these centers to your closing lists, they were just announced yesterday:
Southaven, MS
Tupelo, MS
Columbus, MS
Memphis, TN
Germantown, TN
-Salt Lake City Area including
Draper
Provo
Murray
Layton
Phoneix Area including Chandler, Baseline, Scottsdale

Tom wrote:

According to a report from vendors of LA Corporate, they’ll be announcing on Friday, Oct. 17th that the Franchise Corporation and all LATO centers will be closing effective immediately.
The source of this report was a senior LA Weight Loss executive…so this is not a rumor or speculation.
There was not mention of how this would immediately affect franchisees, but since they count on corporate for products, and most count on them for advertising production and even media buying and placement, it’s unlikely they could continue, or would want to continue under the LA Weight Loss name.

Nicci wrote:

Yes, Tom is right. Goldsboro and New Bern, NC are both losing their LAWL franchised centers. The announcement is to be made tomorrow the 17th of October. I picked up all of my prepaid bars today, but still have 9 months worth of one on one counseling due to me. I am furious! Like a previous poster stated they are stealing out money. IMO they are in breech of contract and should refund that money. No if, and’s or but’s about it.

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