HOW MUCH DOES PURE WEIGHT LOSS OWE YOU?
December 28, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
[PICTURED ABOVE: SCREENSHOT OF THE PURE WEIGHT LOSS WEBSITE]
(FranchisePick.Com) Shortly before Christmas, Pure Weight Loss (formerly L.A. Weight Loss) abruptly announced that it was closing all 400 locations nationwide by January 4. Many Pure Weight Loss customers, some of whom had signed up only the day before, learned the news by reading a sign posted on a locked Pure Weight Loss door. Many vented their frustration to hapless Pure Weight Loss center employees, who were still reeling from the news that they would be ringing in the New Year from the unemployment line.
Many Pure Weight Loss customers prepaid hundreds, even thousands, of dollar on in fees and for Pure weight Loss food products. We’re inviting Pure Weight Loss customers to answer this question in the comment section below:
HOW MUCH DOES PURE WEIGHT LOSS OWE YOU?
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From Dayton, Ohio. I paid for all of my LA lites up front to get a discount. This closure was not even talked about. You would think they would have enough courtesy to at least call all of the clients instead of just chickening out and closing the doors. I’m very upset. Please help.
I jointed Pure in November, was told I could start program after New Year’s. When I called to set up an appt. to start, no answer. Went to web site – saw notice they were closing. They ROBBED me of $872.12 on a credit card they offered. Have notified Care Credit and file a dispute form and also mailed in refund paper to Pure Weight Loss. I am on Social Security and cannot afford this loss.
I read several postings about the money LA Weight Loss owed various customers. I lost 43 pounds using the program. When I signed up, I set my goal at 25 pounds. At the point in time when I was due my first payment for achieving my goal (I was promised 25% of the initial charge), I was told that I had gone over my goal and would receive nothing. At the end of the program, I moved to another location. I was not given the other 25% promised because I had not visited the center every week. The center was over 200 miles from my new home. I attempted to visit the center that was close to my home but was told that it was owned by a different franchise. Therefore, I would have to become a member at this center (even though I did not want to lose any more weight). What a rip off! I have since gained the weight back (and it brought friends). Not a long-term solution.
Could some help me figure something out?
I have sent in the refund form to Pure Weight Loss for the weeks and bars not used. But I am thinking about disputing the rest of the amount (the bars I took and the weeks I used) with Care Credit. Here is my thinking:
I was at the peak of my weight loss when they closed (I had only been in eight weeks). After they closed, yes I had some bars (not enough to last the entire time I would need to lose the weight though) and I knew the program so technically I could have continued on. BUT my main reason for going to Pure Weight Loss was the counseling. I have learned from years of dieting that I am not good at this on my own, and the fact that I knew I had to go weigh in with one of my counselors put on enough pressure for me to be good and keep on my diet. Once they left, I totally reverted back to my old ways and I have now gained all of the weight back. So as I see it, I am exactly where I started before I went to PWL except now I am out $400 (that’s assuming they refund me the rest of the amount) which means that I can’t even afford to go pay for any other weight loss program!
Do you guys think this is solid grounds for disputing the charge, EVEN if Pure Weight Loss refunds me the other amount? Please let me know! Thank you.
To Emily:
I am just like you. The whole reason I joined was because I needed to be accountable to someone to keep me on course. I’ve hit my old ways of eating too, but not as bad. The last time I went for a weigh in they told me the bars were on sale and tried to get me to buy more, but I already had bunch at home that I got tired of eating so I said I’d think about it. Boy, I’m glad I didn’t buy those. I’m getting ready to send in my refund form, but I’m guessing it’s for nothing. I will be really surprised if anyone gets anything back. I’ve got a bottle of juice left, so I’m going to get back track in the next couple of weeks.
I am furious that a company can close without warning to its clients. The least they could have done was give notice to all of its loyal clients and make certain that each client received all of the LA Lites that they prepaid for. Outragious to go there and find only a note on the door. To those struggling to keep on track–The basic formula for eating presented by LA or Pure Weight Loss–or whatever it is– was sound. It is ultimately up to us to talk ourselves into longterm lifestyle change. We have to exercise, realize our triggers like stress and resist what causes us to eat the wrong things or too much. If you fall off the wagon, just start again and keep on plugging one day at a time. Best wishes to all. In the mean time, we need to fight these so-in-sos and let them know that we will neither give up our hope for weight loss success nor our money without a fight!!!
I too have been shafted by Pure Weight Loss. They owe me over $1500. I submitted my refund application by Certified Mail. I’ve been tracking it since I mailed it. The post office left a notice and it was never picked up. I received a message today from the post office stating they had moved and left no forwarding address. So much for our refunds. Also, the end of November I was notified by my centers manager about a great opportunity. Pure Weight Loss was offering an add-on to current clients. 20 weeks worth of lites plus weeks added onto my program for $464. It seemed like a good deal, so I did it. How many other “suckers” did it? I now see that Pure Weight Loss just lined their pockets a little more before ditching us. I’ve written my attorney general’s office and I hope everyone affected by this does the same.
Emily-Of course dispute the charges!!! I disputed with Care Credit & my credit card too as I only put a portion on my CC (thank God!) I signed up for the TOTAL PROGRAM-not just the bars…..you are not receiving the total program so why should you pay for it? Care Credit has received many many disputes over this company why shouldn’t you? I doubt anyone is receiving refunds if they went bankrupt.
Because they have filed bankruptcy, sending in the refund form will not get you anywhere. You need to file a claim with the bankruptcy courts. Whether we will get anything back from that or not remains to be seen. Here is what the Ohio Attorney General’s Office sent me in regards to the bankruptcy:
US Bankruptcy Court, Clerks Office
900 Market St. Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Regarding case #08-10315
Ask for a proof of claim form.
I was in the 16th week of maintenance after losing 42 lbs with the program. For the most part it was great, although we got hosed in the end. Has anyone in Florida made contact with the attorney general? They owe me $465 for plan and bars not used. I would be content just getting the bars. By filing a grievance with Care Credit, do I stand a better chance of getting my $$$$ back?
If you paid for services with a Care Credit account through GE and still have a balance, call their Customer Service and tell them you are impacted by the LA/Pure Weight Loss situation. They will send you a dispute form to complete. Once you send it back, they will send you a confirmation which takes approx 38 days. Payments must be made until you recieve their acknowledgement that you are disputing a charge.
They owe me $405
this is suzie from up above, has anyone gotten any thing about crdit care about getting crdit back from them I HAVE ABOUT 450.00 of bars i havnt gotten yet. Do you think they will credit us for that.
I know quite a few people that followed the program & lost weight. I was impressed & figured that if I paid in advance for weeks, products, it would help me stay committed. And it did. However, the Company was not committed to us.
Face it the money we paid is not gone. It is just in someone else’s bank account. A class action suit will only get us back a small percentage in maybe 2 years from now. I stand to loose $1,600. Yes, I too sent in for a refund. I still have weight to loose. But I will not sign up with any company that requires cash up front. I put my program on credit card. So swallow hard & learn from the school of hard knocks.
I checked around & the only place I will consider is counting points with Weight Watchers. Registration for now is free & all you have to do is pay as you go. Makes sense to me.
I am one of the scammed in Florida. $1500! Playing on people’s weakness is a sinful.
I got scammed in Texas! What a hard lesson to learn! NEVER pay for anything up front! I haven’t figured out what they owe me but I am sure its over $1000 and also all the lites!
I just saw the document where they have filed for bankruptcy. They owe me 500.00 plus 26 boxes of lites and 50 weeks of maintenance. I feel physically sick. Do we have any hope?
Has anyone yet received anything from Care Credit saying they will take off the charges? Will they refund money I have already paid on my care credit? I am waiting for their dispute form in the mail, but I’d really like to know first of all IF I can expect the money back. And if so, how soon? I am a college student and I cannot stand to lose this money! I also tracked my refund form I sent to PWL and, as someone else said, the post office says they have moved and left no forwarding address. What a scam! The least they could do is refund us after we all had to deal with this stress!
-Emily
had just purchased five more weeks of weight loss and ten more boxes of bars, plus still having my 6 weeks of stabilization and 30 weeks of maintenance. I am unsure how many bars they owe me as I really didn’t keep track but I think it was around 35. had gone on vacaton after Christmas and went back to my location to weight in Jan 7th and the place was closed. My place is in Michigan. It says on the refund application that these sites are independantly owned . so who do you contact then. I was thinking about our local district attorney and then our attorney general. Anyone else from MI and have you submitte anything or contacted anyone???
Today I got another bill from Credit Care – I had stopped payment on a check when I found out what was going on at Pure. Credit Care charged me $39.00 fee for returned check and $39.00 late fee. I am up to almost $1,000.00 on my card and don’t know how to stop this from happening. I am disputing charge and filed papers w/Pure to get refund, but how long does it take? I am really concerned.
Barb -
The refund requests are not getting to Pure. They have left that address and left no forwarding order. The only way we are going to get money from Pure directly (at least as I see it) is if we can get in on the bankruptcy filing and be listed as one of their creditors (basically that they owe us).
Care Credit is NOT affiliated with Pure, so do not stop payment on that credit card until they have acknowledged your dispute of the charges.
Thank you all for the info. I am out almost $2000 in weeks, bars, and supplements they were supposedly getting from another store. I just joined in October and have not been in for a bit. I have been trying to call but no one answered. Then I went online and found out they closed. I am so sick about this.
Pure Weight loss, you owe me 20+ more bars and a visit, What happened? Looking forward from you to send me the bars or refund me my money….I’m sorry, i really like your product….
I live in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Question: I’m trying to determine the dollar loss for commenters who say “They owe me 56 bars,” etc.
What is the approximate value – or range – per bar? What did each car cost you?
Thanks
Pure Weight Loss owes me $250.00 and my husband $250.00. We submitted the forms for reimbursement only to find out Pure Weight Loss left the Horsham facility with no forwarding address.
As a vendor of this corp. doing emergency service for them right up till the very end. Not once did anybody let on that stores were closing. They owe me about $6,000 for service that were performed at their Forest Hill, NY location.
I purchased more weeks and other products three months ago. My back went out and I tried to call the center so they can hold my weeks but I didn’t get an answer. I google Pure weight lost today and found out they are out of business. No one informed me of this… I invested over $2500 in the company and only lost 15 lbs. I have al this product left and don’t know what to do with it. I can’t joint another program… I’m so MAD
Ty-Hesha
I guess I got lucky…I didn’t pay upfront (was paying for bars as I went along). I also had my enrollment payment paid over time and still had a couple of payments left. They tried to get me to ay almost $800 upfront, so I’m glad I didn’t do that after all!
this is all to sad, we put our trust in la-weight loss, they sare the one who shouls had told us they were closing up. But my Bible told me not to put my trust in man, I should of listen.
ann you are correct… I should have not joined and just prayed about loosing weight. I paid $1400 in advance and have used about $100 in bars. what am I going to do now????
Pure owes me about $401- some for the maintenance and stabilization I never got to use and some for bars I never received. I am devastated by this. As someone who has struggled with weight all my life, this was actually working for me. I had lost 60 lbs and was excited about the possiblity of losing more. Now, I am just crushed and emotionally drained.
I have tried the 877 phone number and now it is constantly busy. They owe my wife and I $2,000. Who do we turn to about getting our money back?
JOAN
JAN 28, 2008 AT 9:34 AM
I AM OUT $517.90, I BROUGHT LA NUTRITINAL
BARS. WHO DO I TURN TO ABOUT GETTING
MY MONEY BACK?
Hey all!!! Okay.. We need everyone’s help here!! LITERALLY!!
There is a news lady, who is a PWL client, in the Pennsylvania area and she would like to do a story. She is compiling some numbers. Anyone who either didn’t get paid.. or received a “bad” paycheck we need information from. Now, I know not every employee is on the blogs, but, please call around and pass along this information…
Anyone who has received bad paychecks and/or didn’t get paid at all!!
Also, anyone in the PA (Philadelphia) Market that doesn’t have a problem with being interviewed via the TV press.. Please let Ruth know.. She is forwarding all the information to the TV lady..
Any Questions????
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My husband and I were both clients of Pure Weight Loss. We paid for 71 weeks each in advance. Pure Weight Loss owes each of us $250.00 or $500.00 total. We submitted the form for reimbursement as instructed via registered mail. Pure Weight Loss closed the designated Horsham PA location and left no forwarding address. Looks like they never intended to pay us back what they owe.
They owe me $1440
When I called to ask about the stores closing I was told to mail my information to the location at Harsham, PA. It just came back as undeliverable. Has anyone else sumbitted a request for reimbursment and had someone respond? I live in Washington State.
They owe me over 1000. No one even contacted me to say they were closing or told me. I just found out when I stopped in after vacation to find the former store empty. I’m complaining for sure. Is there any class action lawsuit in Florida?
I joined back in march of 07. I am a struggling college student and really couldn’t pay for this program to begin with, but I knew I needed to do something drastic to get the weight off. I was blown away when the bars were 1100 and some dollars for the 82 week program. I didn’t know that price when I signed up. Anyways, I can’t believe this happened!!! What are we supposed to do, they still owe me 42 weeks and god knows how many of those damn bars. I don’t really think the program worked for me, so i thought nothing of it when they stopped calling me until I went to pure weight loss today!!! Is there going to be a class action suit or something…I mean there should be!!! I feel they owe me all of my money back or at least 1000 for the unused weeks and bars!!!! I could really use that money to pay the ridiculous interest rate on CARE CREDIT….23% what a joke!!! thank god i transfered that balance….please email me if we are sueing them!!!
If anyone else is considering transferring their balance from the original credit card where they charged their order, DON”T DO IT! I am betting it will be much harder to dispute the charges for this once it is paid in full on that original card.
The first thing that I would do is alert the credit card company you charged the payment to that you will be disputing the charges. CONTINUE MAKING PAYMENTS, so that your card does not go into default and effect your credit.
Transferring this original balance to another card will make it extemely hard to dispute later. The new card will not have made a payment to Pure WLC, their payment will have gone to your original credit card company. That payment will not be the one under dispute.
Good luck everyone, and don’t give up on your weight loss efforts.
I enrolled in LA Weight Loss in August 2007. I was pressured into paying the full amount for 74 wks so the lites would be cheaper. I have 58 wks left and was never told the center was closing-even when I asked the lady who worked there in Dec ‘07. I went to the center on Jan 4,08 and a note saying it was closed. They owe me $800 dollars which I will never see since I mailed in the refund request and post office said the location was closed with no address to forward the mail. I feel ripped off and devastated since I didn’t have the money to pay up front anyway. This is in TEXAS so if anyone knows how to get your money back in TX, let me know.
Keep checking here for refund information, forms and updates:
http://www.franchisepick.com/pure-weight-loss-refund-information-center/
Some of the files posted there include:
- Pure Weight Loss Bankruptcy Petition 1/11/08
- REFUND APPLICATION for Pure Weight Loss Customers
- Contact List of State Attorneys General
Also, lots of links to Pure Weight Loss stories, info and discussions.
If you have forms or links to suggest, you can email info[at]ideafarm.net. Include these words in the subject line, please: Pure Weight Loss.
Thanks for sharing your input, support and info with others. You ARE being heard.
I dont inderstand why the Pure center i was going to had an open house on Monday adb Tuesday then started telling people they would be closing on Wednesday! They owe me $300!! I was signed up for only 1 week when they closed!!!
CJ: What location had that Open House?
FYI all: I posted the Care Credit form (as a sample) on this page, along with the refund request and links to all the Attorney Generals of all 50 states. Thanks, Brenda, for the CC form:
http://www.franchisepick.com/pure-weight-loss-refund-information-center/
Not only have we lost money on what they owe us, but now we are all sending letters “certified” and having to pay for that too, to only get them back in a few weeks marked “undeliverable”. Someone said they opened under a different name…PureMedLoss???. How does this happen? where is the Better Business Bureau?????
I’ve been in the program since 2001 a life time member. I just purchased another bulk of lites, maintence weeks along with stabilization. I put the charge on my Care Credit card. The total was $1500 which I have paid half of the account. All together I have spent well over $5000 thousand dollars. I purchased all the snacks, vitiams, fat burners, take off juice, etc. on a monthly bases. I was in the process of relocating from Philadelphia to Charlotte not thinking that I would have to save all receipts and I have misplaced my enrollment contract or either thrown away by accident. On top of this I’m a displaced employee from Wachovia Bank and quess what department I worked (Class Action Suits) so I’m ready for this class action process to start.
They owe me over 4000.00 because I paid for 2 of my sisters to join. Needless to say I am not happy.
I, too have been “bilked”..Port Charlotte, Florida..came back from vacation right after Christmas with a phone message left frome one of the girls in the office telling me they were “moving the office”..guess what, nothing’s there at the new location, the old location is locked up tight. I’m out $800 in bars, powder I ordered but didn’t receive and 6 months of stabilization and 12 months of maintenance! Darn right I want to be included in a class action!
“PURE” owes me like $2,000 for all i paid for in regards to weeks and lites and other diet supplements. I refuse to pay my CC because i feel that i shouldn;t have to pay for a service I didn’t recieve. Anyone else feel this way???
I’m from texas, and does someone from each state need to start the class action in their state, does one individual need to contact the attorney general? I’m ready to get started. I’m calling attorney general office today, but if you know more lets get started.