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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PURE WEIGHT LOSS CUSTOMERS: SHARE NEWS & OPINIONS HERE
Pure Weight Loss Employees Get Pink Slips for the Holidays
Pure Weight Loss (L.A. Weight Loss) to Close All 400 Locations
ABC’s 20/20 Runs Free LA Weight Loss Franchise Infomercial
Hi I joined them in dec end and they closed in two weeks , i owe them the whole year lites , I sent them a refund form thrice but everytime it has come back to me….. has some one got the same problem? Has anyone got there money back???
Just another customer who is owed about $400 worth of prepaid LA Lite bars!. I am willing to
participate in a class action lawsuit if it happens.
I am so sad about everything that is going on. I joined the program in February of 2006, and I swear I knew something was going to happen after they changed their name. THe counselers who worked at the center I went to had all left, and they had one person running the place, it just seemed really bad and I kept asking but they couldn’t say anything.
So I go to weigh in at the center – ONE week before I was to get my first of two rebate checks for maintaining my goal weight for six months I am greeted with a posted paper stating they had closed 12/14 (the day before my usual weigh in)
So I am owed a total of $416.70 for both my rebates and until reading all of these comments I didnt’ even realize that I should calculate the weeks of maintenance that I had paid for, that would be six months worth (maybe a week or two more) for $234 more bucks, totaling around $650.
I filed a complaint with the California Attorney General who referred me to the PA Attorney General, I sent that paper work in on 1/22/08, again with out figuring my cost of maintenance….darn it!
I sent in my “refund application” from the PWL website and it couldn’t even be delivered.
I am so glad to see the PA Attorney general is trying to help everyone.
I joined LAWL in Feb. 2007. I had good success on the program. I FROZE my program in August with the intention of coming back in Jan. 2008. I noticed that the advertisements on TV had changed to Pure Weight Loss and I called the Center and was assured by staff that my program and prepaid bars were there and ready for me when I came back! What a joke! I don’t know how much they owe me, but I’m really upset with this situation. I would like to be included in any class action suit in California.
I got a refund check for $84 (they owed me over $1000) and it bounced!! THe bank said the account it is written on was closed in December 2007. I am filed with the PA Attn. General’s office….hope we get somewhere.
I have no clue how much they owe exactly, bought extra weeks on sales, paid some regular weeks, they took my copy of my contract when I applied for the refund, so I do not even have that. Trying to get receipts and credit card statements organized.
GOd help us all
Guess that I am one of the lucky ones – LA Weight Loss only owes me $100 – and I never purchased the bars and drinks, etc. – I knew that they wouldn’t help the weight loss and told them that I was allergic to the ingredients. Everyone must phone the Pennsylvania State District Attorney’s Office – Medical Division – They will mail you an application and provide information about the future of a legal case against this disgraceful company. The changed their name to Pure Weight Loss and then closed down their doors just a few weeks later – What Scum !!!
This A.M. I received an email about a LAWL MEMBER who had sent in the paper for refund as told on the Pure site. Her letter was returned to her as undeliverable. Well – imagine my shock when I went to the mailbox this afternoon and there was my letter sent certifed to LA/Pure returned to me as undeliverable. WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE GOING TO DO? MY CARE CREDIT ACCOUNT IS ACCRUING LATE FEES AT THE TUNE OF $39.00 A MONTH AND I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHILE IT IS DISPUTED (OR EVER) AND ALREADY OWE MY INITIAL FEE ($879.12 + $39.00 LATE FEE AND $29.00 FOR RETURNED CHECK FEE I STOPPED PAYMENT ON AFTER FINDING OUT I GOT SCREWED OVER). I am going to submit all my paperwork and a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General, have already done so to Ohio Attorney General where I live.
Pure Weight Loss owes me over $1,000!!!!! I lived up to my part of the contract. Why didn’t they live up to theirs??????? I am very disappointed in the company. Many people put their faith into this program and all they did was take our money. We should all be reimbursed!!
To all,
I called Care Credit to ask them what do they recommend to do about Pure Weight Loss. They told to to file a complaint with them, so CareCredit is sending me and my wife complaint forms to fill out and return to them. A suggestion is that everybody who can call Care Credit do so to get these forms. We are also filing a complaint with the Consumer Affairs office of the state of Virginia, then we will talk to the Attorney General’s office. We all are going to have to fight to get our money back.
RE Care Credit & Attorneys General: I have posted a sample of the Care Credit form to request, the contact info for the Attorney Generals of all 50 states and other documents and continually updated info and news on this page:
> PURE WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION CENTER
You might want to bookmark it and check back often. If anyone has something to add, email me at info[at]ideafarm.net with Pure Weight Loss in the subject line.
Here are the specific document links:
CARE CREDIT Dispute Form (sample)
Contact List of State Attorneys General
Request: Also, if any of you have photos (even cell phone) of the closed centers or of some of the people being discussed, please email me with the location of the shot and permission to post it.
A Thought: Stay active and keep the pressure on all of these guys to do the right thing. Thanks for all the info and mutual support. Getting – and staying – at your target weight without them will be the sweetest revenge, won’t it?
I am one of the “lucky” ones that reached my weight goal and was due to receive a refund the week that PWL closed it’s doors. I kept my end of the contract, they didn’t keep theirs. I did not prepay for supplements. They still owe me $144.00 for the time left on maintenance and the $416.00 refund for keeping my goal weight for 6 months. This sudden break of contract in criminal. I will file with the California Attorney General.
I too was very surprised to find out that my LA/Pure Weight Loss had Closed. It’s sad when you go on vacation-return home and go to pick up more food products and get the bad news.
LA Weight Loss owes me 9 boxes of Lites.
I would like to join in on a Class Action Lawsuit in California.
They owe me over 1,000. I was using the center in Kalamazoo, MI
I also purchase the plan on march 2007 but on may i had to stop it, the i went back on october, and i did not know the center was closed until the day i stoped to pick up la lites and the surprise that the center was closed they owed me balance of 8 boxes of bars, new bars purchase and the time left of my membership we better do somenthing!!!!!!
I just heard from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office,to verify my complaint and to tell me that I should be watching the news ..should be something about it shortly.
As scary as this seem, I am owed at least $1000 for unused weeks and products. I don’t even know if my letter was delivered, but it never returned. This is insane! I am very much interested in a class lawsuit, esp. in the Indianaplis, Indiana AREA! Please, everyone, we need to stick together and get
what is owed to us!
All I want is my 20 something boxes of Mint Chocolate LA Lites!!!!! I stopped by my Pure Weight Loss center tonight and there was no one around–no hours posted! They have my files and I trusted them to keep track of what they owed me!!! I know I paid for over $300.00 worth of bars! Someone please help all of us who are out hundreds of dollars!!! Will it really help to call my state attorney general?!?!? Will filing a class action suit do any good or will it be just like trying to get blood out of a turnip?!?!?!? PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ALL OF US!!!!!!!
I have contacted my credit card companies to be told that I can’t get my money back because I already paid the bill and it is over 120 days. Well, no kidding. I did as I was told, got a refund form and sent it return receipt requested. I got a signed note, but still no refund. I finally went to the pure weight loss website and was shocked that they were closing down all together. I had been told that only my local branch was closing. I wish I had known, I would have driven over then and got my 18 boxes of prepaid lites. They should be sued but you known that we will never get our money back. They are still advertising in Canada suckering people in. They probably knew months in advance they were closing but wouldn’t tell anyone. They should be charged for fraud and be sent to jail.
Oh, and like 3 weeks of free NutraSystem food is going to cover all the money they owe me!
They owe me $846.00 for prepaid lites. What do we do now?
I am owed 28 boxes. I quit this scam in 2004 but they would refund the boxes even though I never picked them up. I was still trying to eat up the bars that were gross and most likely a scam also.
They owe my wife and I $1392.36 (82 boxes @ $16.98 each).
Oh My God!!! Where do I begin? My center was in Sanford, Florida. I have never been a part of LAWL only Pure Weight Loss. They were a JOKE from the begining. I should have known better when every week I’d see a new face everyday. I was like, “where is so and so?” They were like oh she just quit. I too was HIGHLY recomended to sign up for this CARE CREDIT. Of course I was approved. The only purchases on this card was for THIS program. Everything from Take Off Juice, to bars to the cook book. I was so mad when they would tell me you have to spend $150.00 in order for it to be on your care credit. Who’s policy was that? So I would (like the sucker that I was) bought stuff. I have called Care Credit and the Florida Attorney General office, hopefully they will get back to me. I am so MAD at these people for not even calling their clients to warn us of the situation. No call, no letter no NOTHING!!! Shame on THEM!!! Oh yeah, I charged the whole program plus products. They owe me $566.15 to be exact. Please anyone out there please keep me posted on any new developments. Let’s bring down these people and NEVER GIVE UP on getting our money back!!!!!
They owe me 24 weeks of lites!
I also sent my refund application and it just got back as “undeliverable”. I have requested a “dispute charge” form to Care Credit and I will also call the news channel in Texas… we have to do something to this thieves!
I received a card in the mail from Jenny Craig the other day for a 30 day free weight loss program. They obviously have given all their client lists to other compainies so they have all our info. If anyone in Danville, IL is filing suit I’d love to be in on it since everyone is saying the refund forms are coming back.
Pure weightloss owes me for 53 boxes of lites and 75 weeks of program. If anyone knows of a class action suit, please let me know. I paid $1645.73 in full. I submitted online complaint on the PA attorney generals website. I also submitted refund form to Pure Weight Loss, but no response back. Good luck everyone.
they owe me about 800.00 and i have heard nothing yet. i submitted my request for reimburstment the day they told me they were closing, but someone did sign the return recipt
I am one of the thousands that were taken by PURE WEIGHT LOSS, I was given 2 numbers and an address that are not in service. I sent the form they provide on the website along with a copy of my contract certified mail and I just got it back , the address is not valid.
IS THERE A WEBSITE WHERE WE CAN KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OTHER PURE WEIGHT LOSS CLIENTS AND BE OUR OWN SUPPORT.
Please help me!!!
Thanks,
Maria Medina
I joined in August 2007 in Hesperia, CA they closed their doors in Dec. 2007, changed their name to Pure Weight loss. I have submitted refund application certified mail (2 times) both times it has been returned undeliverable as addressed. I will try to send a complain via the Bankruptcy Court in Pennsylvania. I figure they owe me $800 which was conveniently placed on a Care Credit Charge Account (thru LA Weight Loss) so they received their money and I am still paying on the Credit card. Filed a dispute with them as well, wonder if they will go after LA Weight Loss or Pure Weight Loss, whichever it is now? Plus like everyone says they are still doing business in other locations, such as Orange County California. I would be interested in seeing how we ALL can get together an file a class action law suit against them.
Thanks…
La Weight Loss/Pure Weight Loss owes me close to $2600 for unused La Lite Bars, services and other items I purchased. Like Barbara I put it on Care Credit Card. I sent them my refund application form at the beginning of January 08 and I haven’t heard anything from them. I have contacted my local Attorney General in Washingston State and filed a complaint against them. I was only on the program for a very short time and it makes me really mad that they took advantage of all of us and took our money!!!!
Barbara, I am with you about the class action law suit. Count me in!!!!
Thanks
They owe me $827 in prepaid undelivered bars and service weeks. I have sent in the refund form Certified Mail to the address contained on it (local address) and after I didn’t hear anything, I also sent a refund form Certified Mail to the headquarters (form downloaded off their website). I just looked at the tracking info on the USPS website. It stated that an attempted delivery was made this morning and a notice was left. That means there is no one home at the headquarters.
If you haven’t seen the BBB page on them, go there for additional information on filing a claim on a bankrupt company.
http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=Y&compid=23001399
I was told to contact an 800 number where I could speak to a customer service agent. I did, and received a voicemail stating no one was available (even during the business hours stated in the message). Finally, I made contact with someone who emailed me a form to mail out certified to their center requesting a refund, still waiting on a reply!
They owe me a very hard worked for $360.00!! or a 22 hour day of work!
What’s sad about this is that I see LA weightloss has a new site, like they are back in business outside of Texas.
I read some of the comments and I am so depressed. The company owes me $5,000 YES That is FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. I prepaid for boxes and didnt use them for a while as I was very ill with cancer. I asked for a refund for six months and never got one!!!! I am still hoping. But I do have approx 20 boxes of LA Lites [del]. Anyone have any suggestions on what steps should we take to try and get our money refunded? We all need to stick together no matter if the company owes you a $1 or $10,000.
I am definitely in on a class action suit — please let me know if someone is looking into one.
Pennsylvania: Tom Corbett (R) (717) 787-3391
1600 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov
To everyone……
Call the Pa States Attorneys office, they will send you a form that you can submit. This is the place to file, as they are handling the bankruptcy case…
I called, and got my form, now if we all send them in the States Attorneys office can see the magnitude of the deception…..
United We Stand,…..so get your form, fill it out and send it back in…..
Even if nothing comes of it, it will officially show to what degree this company stoled from the public…..
Texas attorney General Greg Abbot 512-463-2100. Has anyone from TX called? I’m about to. My husband and I went to the Watauga center.
I belonged to the La/Pure weightloss in Richmond, Indiana went there for 2 years. They had all of us rejoin for the mere 49.00 and that is non refundable, i had that on my charge card and i called them and disputed the charge and they took it off. When i talked to the c/c company they told me that the one i talked to she had handled 20 cases and they would fight it out in bankrupcy. It stinks today i received my certified mail returned to me i am sick over the whole mess. They owe me over 500.00. I hope someone does a lawsuit too they deserve it. You know the sad thing is they will start up again after the bankrupcy is over with a new name new plan. I need help in getting my money back. Thanks in advance.
Ok Ladies and Gentlemen, I hate to be the bearing of bad news but for all who hope for a Class Action Lawsuit, you are more than likely wasting your time. I am sure one will be filed but in all honesty, when it’s all said and done, it will be years down the road and who ever is awarded anything by the court will only get pennies on the dollar. My best suggestion to you is to file dispute with your credit card companies. I did that with mine and the removed the charges with in 2 business days. Good luck to you all!
I am writing this again….and would like everyone who is following this to acknowledge you are contacting the Pennsylvania States Attorney’s office. Don’t worry about a class action lawsuit right now….just get your paper work to the States Attorneys office who is handling the bankruptcy case.
Pennsylvania: Tom Corbett (R) (717) 787-3391
1600 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov
To everyone……
Call the Pa States Attorneys office, they will send you a form that you can submit. This is the place to file, as they are handling the bankruptcy case…
I called, and got my form.
If we all send them in the States Attorneys office can see the magnitude of the deception…..
United We Stand,…..so get your form, fill it out and send it back in…..and note here that you are doing it so everyone can see some action being taken……Complaining is good, however action is the only way to resolve this….call and get the form, fill it out and send it back in….NOW>>>>
I too am out nearly $2000….I feel this is the only way of possibly getting anything back.
They owe me $900.00 for prepaid lites. I’m located in CA and I’m having a very difficult time getting any phone number that is answered. What do I do now?
I guess I will just add to everyone else’s complaints. I am owed over 500.00. The certified mailed refund request was returned to me today as undeliverable and the 800 # was nothing but a busy signal all day. That is what prompted me to look further on the web. I am not happy with what I am reading. I already balance transfered the credit cards that were used. So I guess I am really screwed now. These companys thrive on targeting individuals with low self esteem in regards to the way they look and feel and when put in the hands of trained sales people and success posters will pay whatever it takes. I was one of those people. I truley believe that people will get what they deserve, in the end. These people will be judged one day, and god help them.
Kim & Others:
A few years ago everyone would be suffering in silence and guys like this could find some other rock to hide under until things died down. But I assure you these posts and comments are being read and these Attorney Generals, the media and others are feeling the outrage. Just do a google search for Pure Weight Loss and these comments come up near the top. Keep commenting, keep the pressure on, keep digging, keep pushing… and demand that you get what’s coming to you. I have no doubt that the online commenting and blogging spurred the PA AG in filing suit against these guys as quickly and aggressively as they did.
I applied for my refund the day I was told the center was closing–the third week in December. I have yet to receive any type of response. I have been attempting to contact Cust. service and have been unsuccessful. I researched a little further on the internet and found this message board. I am sick about this. I am owed over $1200.
I was searching online and came across this new website-LA Weight loss Centers. Looks like the same LAWL website to me with only a few minor changes and a new name. What’s going on-are they back in business with a new name. This is pretty shocking. Can they actually do it legally.
Just an FYI! I filed on the PA state attorney generals website..its easy-DO IT!!!
Attorney General Corbett announces consumer protection lawsuit over sudden closure of Pure Weight Loss chain; refunds sought for hundreds of consumers
Pure-Weight-Loss-Bld-366×244
Click photo to watch video of lawsuit announcement
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the filing of a consumer protection lawsuit against Pure Weight Loss, a national chain of weight loss centers based in Horsham, Montgomery County, along with company owner Vahan Karian, also known as Vahan Karabajakian.
Corbett said the lawsuit was filed against the company, as well as Mr. Karian personally, alleging deceptive marketing and sales of long-term contracts for weight loss supplements, pre-packaged food and weight loss counseling services. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Karian, as President, sole owner and sole shareholder of the company, was a co-participant in this deception and shares a responsibility for consumer losses.
Corbett said that in December 2007 Pure Weight Loss suddenly announced plans to close approximately 400 stores across the country, including 47 locations in Pennsylvania. The closure of the chain resulted in more than 850 complaints from consumers who had prepaid as much as $2,000 for food products and services that were never delivered.
“Taking money from consumers for goods that cannot be delivered is a clear violation of Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection law,” Corbett said. “In this case, we believe that Pure Weight Loss continued to sell long-term contracts to consumers even after it was clear, or should have been clear, that those contracts could not be satisfied.”
According to the lawsuit, Pure Weight Loss continued to aggressively market long-term contracts for weight loss services in the fall and winter of 2007, despite numerous financial difficulties, including tax liens, legal judgments and lawsuits against the company filed in several states.
Additionally, Corbett said that the company allegedly continued to sell contracts even after announcing plans to close all of their stores. According to consumer complaints received by the Health Care Section, Pure Weight Loss stores were accepting pre-payment from consumers as late as December 18, 2007, four days after the company posted a notice on their website that all of their stores would be closed.
Corbett said that consumers were allegedly encouraged to purchase long-term contracts, many lasting a year or more, and were promised the regular delivery of weight loss products as they were needed. Consumers pre-paid for these services, often paying several hundred dollars in advance.
Pure-Weight-Loss-Poster-366×244Corbett said that following the closure announcement, consumers were instructed by Pure Weight Loss to pick up products from their stores prior to January 4, 2008, or file a claim for refunds – but the defendants failed to pay refunds to all consumers or provide all of the products or services which had been purchased.
Corbett also noted that following the closure, the Pure Weight Loss website instructed consumers to contact other weight loss companies for “discounts” or other special offers – though none of those promotional offers constituted full reimbursement for the payments made by consumers.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that some of the “special offers” listed on the Pure Weight Loss website were misleading and deceptive. Many of these offers provided little or no actual financial benefit to former Pure Weight Loss customers, and were essentially identical to offers those companies were providing to any consumer.
Corbett said that Mr. Karian, as the owner and sole shareholder of Pure Weight Loss, was aware, or should have been aware of the financial difficulties facing the company, as well as the apparent inability of the company to fulfill the contracts it was selling. The lawsuit argues that Mr. Karian was a co-participant in this consumer fraud and shares a responsibility for consumer restitution.
To date, Corbett said the Attorney General’s Health Care Section has received more than 850 claims from consumers approaching $500,000 for undelivered Pure Weight Loss products or services. The average claim by consumers is $880, though some consumers paid in excess of $2,000 for goods and services which were not delivered.
The lawsuit against Pure Weight Loss and Mr. Karian seeks full restitution for all consumer claims, along with civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation – or $3,000 for violations involving senior citizens.
Additionally, the lawsuit also asks the court to order Mr. Karian to forfeit all profits derived from these unfair and deceptive acts and to prohibit Pure Weight Loss from operating in Pennsylvania until all restitution, costs and penalties have been paid.
Corbett encouraged consumers to call the Attorney General’s Health Care Section Hotline at 1-877-888-4877 or file an online complaint using the Attorney General’s website.
Corbett said the Attorney General’s Health Care Section is processing complaints from consumers across the country. Consumers living outside Pennsylvania are encouraged to file online complaints with the PA Attorney General’s Office as well as their own state consumer protection agency.
The lawsuit was filed in Commonwealth Court and will be handled by Chief Deputy Attorney General Thomas M. Devlin, along with Deputy Attorneys General Nicole L. VanOrder and Timothy E. Gates, from the Attorney General’s Health Care Section.
I would like to know where the contracts and folders are that were kept for clients. Did someone order that they be burned?
Many clients prepaid, like myself, because there was a reduction of fees for prepaying, and they were promised that the plan could be “put on hold” with no penalty.
Can’t lose?? Well I did – over $2,000 which includes a year’s plan for my daughter, 4 months for myself, and countless “bargain” bars.
Ive been waiting for this question! We need to get our Attorneys on this. The files should have been given back to the clients. I smell a hugh Law Suit involving millions of people. This information is way too personal to be floating around out there. I’m ready for the fight. To LA AND PURE Owners: you can run but you cant hide
I believe i’m still owed $400.00 however, i was able to file a claim with my credit card for the final purchase i made just six days before the center announced it closing. So far I pervailed with the credit card and rec’d a credit – its been six weeks.
I’ve also filed a complaint with the Illinois State’s Attorney office and encourage others to do the same.
During my 8 weeks on the program, i became freindly with one of the counselors and she had provided me with her personal phone number to reach her if I had questions about continuing the program after they closed- i appreciate this – but the employee were provided with absolutely no information on the closings, refunds, etc.
What amazed me, was the fact that just the week before the announced closing, there were promotions for bars, supplements, etc. After the closing was announced, i asked my counsel if there was any indication that this was coming. She stated that the only thing that was strange, was the fact the the manager recently (within the month) started instructing the counselors to punch more of the bars that were already paid for.
After the announcement was made, i tried contacting my center – no answer. when i drove to the center on various days and times – the lights were out and the doors locked – nothing posted about the closing either.
I sent them 2 or 3 e mails – never rec’d a response.
Once i even remained on hold for over 90 minutes at their 800 # only to list to their recorded message that “someone will answer your call shortly”. I have sent two certified letters asking for refunds (in December and early January) and also filed the complaint with the State’s Attorney.
There is nothing but FRAUD in the manner that the centers closed.
They owe me over 1300.00 depending on the fees charged it’s probabley more. I call NYS Consumer Protection and they referred me back to PA Attorney Generals number 1-877-888-4877. Also got official notice in maile today that they filed chapter 7, does this mean not to expect the refumd promised and I have to take action to get my money back?
LA Weightloss/Pure Weight Loss owes me 147 unused weeks and 9 boxes of lites. They have filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy which probably means I can count my money as good as gone. What can be done against companies like this that steal unsuspecting customers’ hard earned money?