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LA Weight Loss Center

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The dollars fall away. The pounds? Now that's another matter. There's no end of plans, programs, gurus, diets and schemes out there, all promising easy, effortless weight loss. All of them are happy to take your money. However, actually losing weight isn't as easy ... nor is getting your money back if you decide to quit the program, as many LA Weight Loss clients have found out.

If you have any existing health problems -- diabetes, high blood pressure, depression -- or if you're taking prescription medications, it's very important to check with your doctor before starting any new diet.

Also, it's important to realize that getting out of the program can be difficult, not to mention expensive.

Rachel of Muskego, WI May 28, 2009

I joined this program in 2008-paid almost 1500. I became ill with gastrointestial problems and had to quit. I did not receive a refund. They still owe me maintenance and a refund on the bars. I'm still having gastrointestial problems from this diet.

Monique of Lakeville, MN May 19, 2009

Per the contract that I signed when I joined LA Weight Loss, I should receive 1/4 of my initial payment back after completing various stages of their program and maintaining within 5 lbs of my goal weight. I have completed all requirements on my end of the contract, including weekly "weight ins" at my local center. However, my local center has closed and I have been forced to move to weeky contact via e-mail, which I have still upheld. I should have received my 1 year rebate over 4months ago!! I continue to be ignored by representatives of the company despite my continuous requests and inquiries. There is no reason that this company should not be sued for what they are doing to consumers!

Heather of Dallas, OR May 14, 2009

I wish I would have read or known about this crooked company before I joined the center. I spent several hundred dollars joining the weight loss plan with the goal of losing 25 lbs. And was promised one year of services. I was suckered into buying several hundred dollars of bars and was told that I had to pick them up at the center or I would have to pay additional shipping cost as no refunds were being granted.

I have a pantry full of bars to this day. I have tried to call the customer service numbers (1-800331-4035 & 1-877-524-3571) several times and am not even able to leave a message. The e-mails I have sent are not being returned either. I just want the amount I spent on services refunded to me. At least pro rated for the amount I did not use. I just want to hear back from somebody somewhere. I have exhausted all other resources trying to get in touch with this darn company.

Karla of Escondido, CA May 8, 2009

I signed a contract July 24, 2007 with LA Weight Loss in Escondido, CA. I was told that they were a franchise owned by a physician and they would always be there every step of the way. The inital contract was for 15 weeks of loss, 6 weeks of stabilization and 52 weeks of maintenance. I paid 839.35. I was told that I could always amend the contract to purchase more weight loss weeks (which I did) and that there would be rebates for keeping the weight off once I met my goal weight. Once would be paid out 164.85 at 6 months of maintenance and the other (same amount)at 12 months as long as I remained within 5 lbs. either way up/down of my goal.

About 2 weeks into my maintenance time I was told Escondido's office was closing and I would have to go to Oceanside or San Diego. Within a very short time I was told ALL centers were closing and that I should quickly get my prepaid products to make sure I had them and was offered to go on the LA On the Go plan which offered a weekly call from a counselor for weigh ins etc.

I chose this option and waited for the call I was supposed to get by the end of the next week. The call never came. I tried calling NUMEROUS times and was told to wait and someone would call me (usually very rudely). I finally got to someone named Brittany who said she would be my counselor but she had to finish a call and would call me back within 10 mins. I didn't receive a call. I called again and was told she was at lunch and would call me. No call. This continued for several weeks until I FINALLY got Brittany again and told her what had happened. She said she didn't have my phone number but we started the weekly calls.

She has been wonderful to work with - very supportive and helpful. Always calls on time and lets me know when she is taking a day off and won't be calling. This has happened several times. Generally for holidays - however one week she didn't call so I called the phone in number. It was disconnected. She called the next week and explained that she worked out of her home and gave me the number.

Things have been going along fine. I passed my 6 month mark and she supposedly put in the request for my first rebate which she says takes up to 90 days to process. Two weeks ago I told her that I would be out of town for one call. She marked it on her calendar and said she would follow up the next week. I didn't receive a call. She doesn't respond to emails. So this week I waited. When 10 am - my call time passed I called her number. It rang many times and I finally got a computerized message that no one was available and to call back. I tried from another phone to see if maybe caller ID would make her answer. Same thing.

I have been trying to call the 800 number for the head office for over an hour this morning and get nothing but a busy signal. I will keep trying but I am very upset and disillusioned. I have kept up all of the parts on my end of the contract and they are just hanging me out to dry without even letting me know. I would definitely be part of a lawsuit.

It is amazing I got through the program - I made MANY complaints through the weight loss part. Basically it was a train wreck and it took my sheer will to stay with it but I did it. Now I am still due weeks/months of maintenance time on my contract AND my rebates.

Debra of Minot, ND April 15, 2009

I started on the LA Weight Loss Plan in July of 2007, so this July it will be 2 years! First, I was impressed with the professionalism and results I got. Yes, it is expensive! They start out seeming to be really concerned about your success in your goal of weight loss, but in reality, they are just trying to sell you a product so they can reap the commissions! I have had numerous disputes with the consultants there and have even contacted the corporate office with no results or even a return email!

My main complaint is the promises they give but don't follow through with. One such case was I earned a merchandise credit for referring in new clients. But then that credit of 100.00 was taken away later when they later cancelled because the products made them sick. Presently, one of the consultants won't even look at me or take my appointment. She will take the next one waiting instead of me. I was just explaining to her one day why my cousin had to quit as the products had made her sick. The consultant got really loud and not very respectful to me. I told her that I did not appreciate her tone of her voice to me. She told me if I didn't like it, then I was to leave, which I ended up doing!

I did complain to the center's manager as she was there to witness the situation. Nothing was done about it. I can't believe someone would get that angry over me just explaining the situation and then tell me to leave when I am PAYING them to be there! I do think I did not get my money's worth out of that consultation. This has been almost two months ago and she still will not talk or do my consult. I am paid up until October 2009 and am not quitting to just let them have my money! This place started out as a very nice place to go, but now it is different and difficult. I had many pounds to lose. If you only have a little weight to lose, this place may be OK. But for the long haul, it is not ideal. Eventually, they become your friend and you lose the professionalism that they should keep regarding your contract, payments and results.

Johnetta of Toledo, OH April 12, 2009

they went out of business and care credit expects me to pay for it

Oscar of Phoenix, AZ April 6, 2009

I joined LA fitness about 2 years ago (What a pleasure it was to join them). After August 2008 I didn't have the need to use the facilities, therefore I canceled the memership (late August or earliy in September). I have not attended LA fitness since August and I sent a form which I downloaded from the internet requesting cancellation of the membership.

After 2 months they continue taking money from my bank account, I called them up and they said they didn't get any cancellation. In November I sent another cancellation wichh I picked up from the actual store. By December I noticed that they continue taking money out of my account. At that moment I cancelled my credit card in order for LA Fitness to stop taking money from it.Until today they keep harrasing me to pay them the monthly fee. Of course by now is not only one month , but it is over 100 due to the late fees.

I have contacted LA Fitness by phine and in person at the Tempe facilities and they don't care other than collecting money. At this moment I am refusing to pay, they already took like 3 months. I would like for LA Fitness to stop harrasing me. Like a said earlier it was a pleasure to join them and now it is the biggest hassle of my life.

Collection fees for 116.36 as per today, 4/6/2009. Due to the Collection Notice I am afraid it could damage my credit line.

Jessica of Corvallis, OR March 23, 2009

I signed up for the weight loss program in March of 2008 to prepare for my wedding in August 2008. I did well on the program thanks to myself, for I did not receive support from the staff. When I would go in for my weekly check, (a 45 mile drive for me) they would have a notice on the sign in board saying they were understaffed for the day and could only do weigh ins, no counseling. When August came around I put my account on hold, so I could enjoy my wedding, and my honeymoon.

When I got back I never heard from them, they never returned my phone calls, or e-mails. Now when I e-mail corporate I get a very weird response, in all lowercase, very unprofessional wording, and they never respond to my reply. This is so frustrating! Now they have abandoned their clients, and I understand times are tough, but at least give us OUR money back, or even a nice notice would of been nice! I didn't know they were closed until finally I found an article online. I would of been a lot happier had they just sent out a little postcard or something, letting the clients know what was going on.

Aside from the couple hundred dollars they owe me, it hurts to be brushed off as nothing. The clients of LA weight loss supported their business, and trusted in them, and they just left us. I have tried to start the diet again on my own, but haven't been doing that well, because since I can't buy the products I don't know what my servings are suppose to change to and there is no one to ask.

Connie of Kiel, WI March 23, 2009

The L.A. Weight Loss Centers have closed doors in Sheboygan,Wisconsin right before Thanksgiving. I tried numerous times calling the Headquarters in North or South Carolina and talked to a person who said I needed a contract, but the only thing I had was receipts. They told me I had to have a contract. I opened my case in July of 2008 hoping that this program was going to work (it didn't work). I'm out of 1300 for a year of the program with the protein bars they wanted us to purchase and never will see again.

I can understand how many of us wanted to lose weight and trusted a program that seem to have made false advertisement and at what cost to us that was willing to lose weight in their program. Right now I'm still struggling in loosing weight and may not trust another weight program that I have to pay for. The phone number that they gave us could not get a hold of anyone and the number that I did get that was directly to them all I got was a person by the name of Amy.

I have been emotionally depressed about this program and very upset with them that they would take advantage of people who want to lose weight. Every time I think about this I just want to cry emotionally. Because they would be this cruel.

Cathleen of Chubbuck, ID March 23, 2009

I signed Rory up for the program here in Pocatello, Idaho so he could have one on one contact to help him lose weight. We signed the contract in September 2008 and we were informed in October the office was closing. We were told that we could get a refund in full minus the 1st month we were came to the Pocatello office on November 7th. When I went down on November 7th the office was closed and empty. No one was around. I have contacted the Idaho Falls office and no one will return my calls for the last several months. I have also email the corporate office since they will not answer the phone or return messages.

We did not have the money to begin with, but I came up with the money as my son's health is very important to me. Rory has also tried several diets on his own without success. He needed the one on one contact. This money can be used for a gym contract or other diet solution.