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.
Sue of Monterey CA (02/20/07) I paid 800 upfront for services advertised on a TV program I saw. After 3 months I was treated like a 2nd class citizen and was so uncomfortable I couldnt go back into the establishment. They made me cry, treated me like I was always cheating on the plan, telling me I needed to buy fat blockers, buy there Lite bars. I wrote a letter to the corp office explaining my situation and they invited me back saying maybe they could change my plan and let me see another dietician in the office. That wouldn't work for me, the office was so small and sometimes there was only one person there to help you and it was always the individual that always made me feel uncomfortable. I feel they took my money and didnt provide the professional service they sold. It wasnt until I saw the show on 20-20 where I knew I wasnt the only one they treated like this.
Sandy of Spokane Valley, WA February 20, 2007
Sandy of Spokane Valley WA (02/20/07) I too went into LA Weight Loss when my hopes were at their lowest. It sounded perfect. The price didn't seem so bad until I got in there. The advertised specials were no longer in existence...the day I was there. I was to pay over 800 immediately but was assured that I would get half of that back after I met my goal. Ok, so if this really works and I will get at least 400 back, then it might be ok.
There was high pressure sales and so I caved and signed up. Who wouldn't when they are promising this is it!!! I did ok but felt disappointed when each time I went for a consultation I was hit with a sales gimmick. You really need these bars, they are going to make you succeed....... I would tell them I didn't want them and couldn't afford them. Oh, but you can finance them or you can get a great discount if you buy today....... Again, feeling pressured to buy I caved.
Yes I was weak, but I felt they wouldn't help me if I didn't buy their products. Every time I went in, I felt as though they were trying to sell me something more and that was the goal rather than supporting and encouraging me. They didn't really care what I was going through. Then after three months on the program, I had personal issues. My mother almost died, my work was requiring more time so I wasn't able to go in three times a week for consultations. It may not have been so bad but there were NEVER enough employees at this center so you always had to wait and wait to see someone so time was definitely an issue.
Therefore, I told them I wanted to continue and didn't want to jeopardize my money/sucess and would like to be on hold until I was able to resume coming in. They said that was fine so I got completely involved in what was happening in my life and didn't return. When things finally settled down, some months later, I went back in. They never once called me or wrote me to encourage me, to see if I was coming back or if I had fallen off the face of the earth....... I was disappointed in that as I thought this was to be about support and encouragement. It wasn't.
Randall of Olean, NY February 18, 2007
Randall of Olean NY (02/18/07) My wife and I signed up for the program like many others and got suckered into going over 4,000 in debt with program cost and pills, ect. The program did not work much at all.
I was having a sodium deficency which was causing me to have light-headed spells. I was execused from the program with a doctor's note BUT only received money back for the time I didn't use on the program. My wife is terrifed to continue after seeing me in my sick state. Yet, LA Wight Loss will not refund our money which has put my family in such a financial hole that we have moved in with my in-laws.
Natalie of Santa Maria, CA February 17, 2007
Natalie of Santa Maria CA (02/17/07) I too was manipulated using extreme sales pressure along with emotional pressure to spend way too much money on a program that does not offer anything of value. I spend almost 500 on a year membership, not to mention what I spend on supplements and vitamins.
Severe economic consequences. The timing was right around Christmas, and because I was made to feel bad about not adhering to the program, I slipped up during the holidays and never went back. I received 1 phone call in 3 months.
Dana of Valley Center, CA February 17, 2007
Dana of Valley Center CA (02/17/07)
I just saw the 20/20 story on LA Weight Loss and the same thing happened to me here in San Diego California. They got me by playing on "dating again as a single woman in her 40's and if you want to even THINK about internet dating, you better be able to take a picture". There have been no follow-up from counselors, no "counseling" - just buy, buy, and buy. They refused any refunds.
I lost 2500.00 and gained 10 pounds.... I would like a refund of my money and if they could take the weight back, too, that would be great!
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