LA WEIGHT LOSS RUMORS: More Centers Closing (UPDATED)
June 26, 2008 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
The Pure Weight Loss and LA Weight Loss complaints site reports rumors of LA Weight Loss centers closing:
They are closing more LA Weight Loss Centers which are managed by the LA Weight Loss Franchise Companies Corporate office (Under the Name of LATO- or LA Take Over).
By July 11th, the following centers will be closing in Kentucky:
*Elizabethtown, KY *Louisville/Hurstbourne, KY
*Springhurst, KYThey are also planning closings in other areas of the country, including:
*Butte, NE *Lincoln, NE *Bozeman, MTBeware! If products are owed to you, get into the center immediately and request refunds!
Rita
Jane Periotti commented on an LA Weight Loss post here:
They are also closing centers in Reno Nevada and Sparks Nevada….They shut down 8 LA Weight Loss Centers in Las Vegas earlier this year. So this is 10 in this state that have folded without refunding money to clients.
Bella said:
Jackson Tn is closing
Mary added:
Conyers, GA
Alpharetta, GA
Stone Mountain, GA
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.
I was an Area Manager for LAWL for the last 2 years. The handwriting is on the wall. They will soon evaporate ALA old Nutrisystem Centers. The laweightloss.com website reports that the company has 450 centers open, but it is a lot less than that. They have been closing 20-30 units now for the last several months. Many of the franchise centers were taken back over by corporate in an effort to re-invigorate the brand, but they could not make it work. Many of the centers are doing as little as $2000 a week in sales. When sales are that low, it makes it impossible to advertise. Weight Loss is dependent on being top of mind when the consumer is ready to make that call. I left the company about 2 months ago to go into another industry. I could see the cutbacks on the horizon. I feel sorry for the team members that hold out until the end.
They will soon evaporate ALA old Nutrisystem Centers.
??? Kelly: Is there a relationship between LA weight Loss & Nutrisystem? I know they are (or were) HQ’d in the same Horsham office park, but what’s the story?
Hi Sean-
Harold Katz was the original founder of Nutrisystem. He had Nutrisystem when there were “brick and mortar” storefronts (not the online model like today). He had over 2000 centers at one point driven through both franchising and corporate centers. They made false advertising claims and some clients claimed gallstone trouble and it brought the company to their knees. They closed centers by the 100’s. Most LAWL franchisees were past Nutrisystem Franchisees (although many people do not know this). Neal Smith for instance was a franchisee out of Birmingham Alabama of Nutrisystem. When Harold Katz created LAWL, he enlisted many of his successful franchisees of Nutrisystem to begin franchising with LA.
Thats why both companies were in Horsham. To my knowledge, Harold Katz has not affiliation with the now publicly traded Nutrisystem.
Wiki Harold Katz for a more complete history.
Boise Idaho and Springhurst KY are also closing.
Greenville, TN, Asheville, SC and Spartanburg,SC are also in the process of closing.
A lot of the centers are closing in my area of Alabama too. I know the Decatur center is closing and one of my friends told me there are several in the Atlanta Market Closing.
I think what comes around goes around has finally caught up with this company. Their business model only worked by being unethical. Once they started disclosing the facts to potential clients–they realized their business model was not strong enough.
In Georgia, the following centers are slated to close:
Conyers, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain
There are more center closings coming.
In Georgia, the following centers are slated to close:
Conyers, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain
Owensboro, KY is also closed
All of the Montana Centers have been axed. They are in the process of closing those. I heard Hursbourne in Kentucky was gone too.
With so many refunds being processed to clients at the closing centers, I would not think the company will be around after summer. Summer is the slowest time of year for most weight loss centers because of vacations, weddings, etc…Not factual information–just speculation. But if they are closing so many units, they can’t survive much longer–especially with today’s economy.
Consumers and employees BEWARE of LA Weight loss Franchise CO. They are in fact closing multiple units monthly. Everytime they take over a market from a franchise owner (because the owners were going into bankruptcy due to lack of support from the corporate office-Currently several of the owners have filed suit against Harold, Tim Britt, Bill Warin and Kriti McKenna for violation of the UFOC agreement-Not sure if Deb Towes was named in the suit because she is not an officer of the company) they make empty promises to the staff and clients acting like they are riding in on their white horses. They will start having blow out sales on product, DO NOT PRE PAY for product or you will regret it. Within a month to 6 weeks of the take over BAM! They start closing centers, changing pay structures, cutting staff. It is common practice to only have 1 person in center for the whole day to service clients. There goes client service. Then the refund request start coming in by the droves. The managment staff is put under a lot of pressure to make sure that certain amount is sold weekly if it is not there is hell to pay. In the end the result is always the same, the market shuts down. 100s of centers have already shut down across the US and now they are moving to Canada. They have just taken over Toronoto and centers have already begun shutting down. I agree with Kelly, the company is going to have a hard time surviving the summer. If they do survive then they will have to face Nov and Dec which is just as slow as summer if not slower for the weight loss industry. I am sure it is not easy being in the shoes of the individuals that make the business decisions for this company but wake up you keep getting the same result-FAILURE! Hasn’t Harold had enough bankrupt companies? He is not a stupid man, change your business model it obviously is NOT WORKING. I wish all current clients and employees much luck and strength. You are going to need it.
All the Colorado centers are scheduled to be closed by August 29, 2008.
How do you Know this? Or, where do you receive your info from?
Wow Kelly I hear you and I still hope you are wrong. I no you no how much I care about the clients and I have and will continue to give 100% to the end. If the company doesn’t care all of my members now and at the centers in the state we both worked will always know I did my best to help them and I really do care. It will really suck to see it end, but I will be able to look them in the eye and know I really did help people.
Chattanoga, TN will be closing by the end of July.
Still praying
How do I get nearly $5,000 that I paid in advance back from them? Someone help! The Fresno California locations just took me for a big ride! Can anyone help with getting this back?
Shame on them for doing this to us who trusted them with our health and money.
Evansville, IN is now closed.
The Columbia,TN site closed as well. I was only a member for 2 weeks when they closed. I complianed enough that they refunded me a portion…. then they CANCELLED THE CHECK!!!!!! LA Weightloss is a horrible company and I hope they all close
If the FTC is in business to protect consumers, why has the FTC permitted ineffective regulation to enable experimenting franchisors to sell unviable franchises to innocent franchisees, who then have to “stiff” the public when they fail?
Let’s look at the real problem here and how can it be fixed?
Before you believe everything that you read…consider the source….
I have had worked with Kelly and Donna, aka DV in the past. In my opinion ethics wasn’t a strong suit with either. Funny, though Kelly doesn’t mention she failed as an area manager, took a demotion, then “left the company”. And Donna, it’s sad that you accept a paycheck from a company that you criticize with your old buddy. What does that say about your character? It’s really pathetic that you criticize a company and a program that actually works, and has worked for myself as a client, yet you will happily spend its money…hmmm, ethics and character at work…
Companies do restructure, or buy and sell offices, it is business. Look at the coffee shops, some reputable ones are struggling too…It is business, and with the economy, I cannot blame any business for trying to make it with today’s economic conditions.
But shame on both of you, you could discourage someone who needs help and could get good, caring help, like I did, and from succeeding on a weight loss program. I hope you both sleep well at night, but then that is the time that spineless creatures crawl under their rocks…right? But as the saying goes, misery loves company, and you two are a couple of the unhappiest people I know. I almost feel sorry for you. No, I should feel sorry for people that believe you, and actually believe you to be credible. But, then again, they do not know you…do they??
Hopefully they remember the old saying… believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see… and ignore unhappy, disgruntled lonely women, who have nothing better to do than to try to be vindictive. Please do us all a favor, find a hobby.
Consider the Source writes: Before you believe everything that you read…consider the source…
CTS: We don’t really care about the source. We care about whether the information is accurate. So far, people have been posting warnings and rumors about store closings and they have turned out to be true. It appears that the centers continue to sell prepaid products and services even after they know that they’ll be closing and will not be around to fulfill them. Can you help shine some light on that issue?
I’d appreciate it if you could avoid ad hominem arguments (where you attack the person, not the point they’re making). I don’t have time to edit out personal attacks. There are more serious issues here, don’t you think?
Companies do restructure, or buy and sell offices, it is business. Look at the coffee shops, some reputable ones are struggling too…It is business, and with the economy, I cannot blame any business for trying to make it with today’s economic conditions.
Starbucks is closing 600 stores. However, Starbucks corporate communicates this upfront in a professional manner. They aren’t selling year contracts for thousands of dollars, or taking orders for coffee, then closing without warning and not communicating with the customers they’ve left stranded with neither their money nor a program.
How is this helping people get good caring help?
Well all I can say is I have not said a negitive thing here! I am still there still helping people and as I said praying that Kelly and others here are wrong. Ethics, how can you say that about me because I do care and I know I have seen lives changed by this program. I wish whom ever this is making personal attacks without a reason. I can only assume who would do such a thing be cause I only know one or two people in the company it could be.
Again I am and have said I am still praying the rumours are wrong!
DV:
I agree. People should not be making personal attacks against individuals here. That’s not what the discussion is for.
However, DV, is praying for a good outcome enough? Most of the employees of Pure Weight Loss claim that they were taken completely by surprise when they learned their center was closing. They had signed up people the same morning and took their money for services they will never benefit from and products they will never receive. But they claim they had no warning.
However, LA Weight Loss employees must surely know how Pure Weight Loss folded abruptly and left thousands feeling tricked and cheated. (PWL was a separate company – but the same system). You and the other employees surely read here and at Weight Loss Complaints about the widespread closures and the LAWL customers being left stranded. Can LA Weight Loss employees really be surprised if their manager tells them at 4 p.m. some day that this is their last day and the doors will be locked for good?
If that happens, do you feel that the employee who took $1500 cash from some woman at 3 p.m. for a program she’ll never receive is really in the clear, ethically, because she feigns surprise and had prayed about it?
Are you really helping people by putting their finances and self esteem at risk?
LA WEIGHT LOSS: Widespread Closures Reported Across the Nation
LA WEIGHT LOSS EMPLOYEES: “How do you sleep at night?”
LA Weight Loss Complaints
LA WEIGHT LOSS: Evansville, IN Center Sold Memberships a Week Before Closing
To my knowledge no one at LATO has done that when we have had a center to close in my area and combine with another center we tell the clients that are current and we will not sell a program that last longer than we will be there. Now granted I have only been here to see one center close and we handled it thaat way. I do know of a center in the same state owned by someone else that closed with no notice at all to anyone including employee that was waitng outside that center to go to work. I helped any member that called me from that area with a center near them and did all I could to help.
I would not do that or be part of it.
The system is a great system.
I care deeply about my members. I am hoping this is all going to work out and this can continue helping men and women change their lives.
Dear Consider the Source, Sean, DV and all the other people on this site,
Someone has been using my name writing terrible things about LA Weight Loss and LATO as well as being very negative and nasty. Although I did leave the company and not that it matters….. but because I wanted to move back to Louisville from Memphis. There was already an area manager for this area at the time, so I took a demotion to have a job on my return. I am very close to my family and have some terminally ill family members here. I wanted to be back in Louisville for them.
I am saddened by all the closures and changes because as my letter of resignation to Debi Toews stated I will always believe LA Weight Loss is the BEST weight loss program ever! Anyone that truly knows me knows this to be fact. It is why I stayed through some tough times….and I don’t feel the need to comment on the negative things said about me personally. Those who know me wouldn’t actually believe that I would ever write those things to begin with and this is for all of you who don’t know me.
I will ask the person who is falsely using my name to stop immediately. I have contacted Sean from this site and will look into this legally if it continues.
[We have very few rules about posting comments. One of them is not using other people's identities, either directly or implied. Do that and you'll not only get blocked from the site, you risk legal exposure.]
Thank you Sean for handling this so promptly! I also appreciate your change as KH Poser for the person falsely using my name! Apparently they consider me a more credible, reputable source than their true self.
For the person who thinks I am a very unhappy, miserable, unethical person…I wish you the best. I have always truly cared about my clients both past and present. I would not have chosen to help others meet their goals in weight loss to draw a paycheck. Anyone that knows the job will understand the emotions that you go through on a day with the clients. If I just wanted to draw a paycheck, well, you can do that a lot of places and not help others at the same time!
To DV….keep on helping your clients and we both know prayers do work. Our problems may be great but our God is greater! Do what you can while you can and maybe the downsizing will help them to get more stable and then re-open centers at a later date????? Who knows??? All the best to you!
Who knows what you can find out about yourself when you google your name….I suggest everyone do this in case someone is taking your name as someone did mine! The best to you all!
I care deeply about my members. I am hoping this is all going to work out and this can continue helping men and women change their lives.
It is clear that a great many LA Weight Loss employees care about their customers. And on the practical side, you’ve got to make a living, feed your family, etc. so there’s a strong motivation to hope (or pray) for the best and keep selling.
However, there are things that you can do to minimize the risk to your members, correct? For instance, you can urge them to pay with the Care Credit credit card and tell them that this gives them protection, that if for any reason they have a complaint they can charge it back.
Isn’t that true? Aren’t those who pay cash or with a check running the most risk?
And can’t managers discuss these closures internally, and ask ahead of time what the records handling procedures are in the event of a center closing, or other situation?
Are there other things employees can do to feel like they are conducting themselves ethically and not putting their members at risk?
Rumor has it that the franchise corporation has laid off scores of people in the last couple months, with as many as 20 being let go this week. Could be a natural result of having fewer locations, but certainly not a positive sign.
I AM CURRENLTY EMPLOYEED BY L.A. WEIGHTLOSS AND AM VERY FRUSTRATED BY ALL THE NEWS FLOATING AROUND. TIMES ARE VERY TOUGH RIGHT NOW FOR ALOT OF BUSINESSES, AND WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO PROVIDE AN EXCELENT SERVICE FOR OUR CLIENTS. NOBODY EVER KNOWS FROM DAY TO DAY WHAT THE ECONOMY HAS INSTORE FOR US. BUSINESS HAS BEEN SLOW LATELY DUE, IM SURE, TO THE SUMMER MONTHS AND PEOPLE DOING OTHER THINGS. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT L.A. WEIGHTLOSS IS AN EXCELENT PROGRAM AND DOES WORK!!! IF WE ALL HAD EXACT INSITE INTO WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS WE COULD MAKE FUTURE OR ALTERNATE PLANS FOR OURSELVE. UNFORTUNATLY WE DON’T AND CAN ONLY DO OUR BEST FOR OUR CLIENTS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS. I KNOW, FOR MYSELF, THAT IF AND WHEN THE TIME COMES THAT IM NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE CENTER, I WILL GIVE MY NOTICE AND LEAVE WITHOUT TAKING $$$ FROM PEOPLE ON A FALSE PROMISE….
…IF AND WHEN THE TIME COMES THAT IM NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE CENTER, I WILL GIVE MY NOTICE AND LEAVE WITHOUT TAKING $$$ FROM PEOPLE ON A FALSE PROMISE….
It seems that one of the problems is that employees aren’t told in advance. so you could take someone’s money for a long-term program in the am and find out your centers closed in the pm.
Stacy, at the very least shouldn’t you urge people to never pay cash – to at least pay with a credit card so if something happens they can get it charged back? Also, should you really be selling longterm contracts and prepaid bars that customers could never receive?
Isn’t that part of caring about your customers?
YOUR EXACTLY RIGHT! I WON’T KNOW FOR SURE, BUT, HOPEFULLY, I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL AND BE INTUNE TO THAT. I DO ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO PAY WITH CREDIT CARD FOR THAT REASON AND ,TO BE HONEST, I NEVER BULK THE BARS TO MY CLIENTS. I FEEL THAT “YES” IT A COMMITMENT ON THEIR PART TO STICK WITH THE PROGRAM, BUT LOOKS WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CENTER SHUTS DOWN. I KNOW THAT I PERSONALLY AM DOING WHATS BEST FOR THE CLIENT, BUT NOT ALL EMPLOYEES DO. WE ARE TRAINED TO PUSH THE BARS AND PRODUCTS WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ME. IM AN HONEST PERSON, AND ONLY SELL WHAT THE CLIENTS NEEDS. I HAVE WORKED WITH VERY STRONG SALES PEOPLE AND IT REALLY DOES TURN MY STOMACH TO WATCH THIS PROCESS. THE FACT THAT WE ARE PAID POORLY BUT GET A COMMISSION IS WHY SO MANY OF THE COUNCELORS ARE HIGHT PRESURE. MY ONLY ADVICE TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS IS TO AS A TON OF QUESTIONS, SCOPE THE CENTER OUT AS TO CLIENT ACTIVITY AND BY ALL MEANS ASK FOR A BETTER PRICE. WE ARE ALWAYS RUNNING HALF OFF SPECIALS ON THE PROGRAM AND ASK WHEN THE NEXT PROMOTION MAY BE. MORE THAN LIKELY YOU WILL RECEIVE IT AT THAT TIME. MY TIME AT L.A. IS LIMITED DUE TO ALL THE ???? AS TO THE FUTURE OF THE COMPANY, BUT AGAIN, IT IS AN AWESOME PROGRAM AND WOULD HIGHLY RECOMEND IT, BUT AGAIN… CHECK OUT THE CENTER THE BEST YOU CAN!
Stacy brings up some important points. When businesses fail or don’t live up to their promises, not only do clients suffer, but so do hundreds and possibly thousands of employees, many of whom are doing their best to help their clients. There are also vendors to consider. If LA closed it’s doors, it’s likely they’d owe considerable sums to their vendors, who also probably number into the hundreds. Then there are the franchisees, many of whom are small businesses dependent on the parent company for products and support.
So I don’t think anyone wants a company to fail. But LA Weight Loss (both the corporate arm that became Pure Weight Loss), and the franchise corporation have proven themselves time and again to use what many states consider illegal tactics to drive sales. The franchise corporation is being sued by at least one state (Oregon) for repeatedly violating their trade polices, and failing to pay the fines issues in previous rulings against them. The same thing has happened multiple times in the state of New York. There are several other states that also have levied fines against the franchise corporation for these sales tactics. These are all documented instances that can be found on many of these states Attorney General websites.
The big question is, why can’t LA Weight Loss sell and price their program based on it’s merits? It seems to be a VERY sound, nutrionally based program. They have hundreds of thousands if not millions of successful clients. Why is it necessary for them to use deceptive tactics to succeed? Why do they time and again close stores in such an unprofessional and unethical manner? Why do they promise refunds and not deliver?
This is at the heart of why there is so much negative buzz about LA on the internet. All most people want is to get what they pay for. Unfortunately, many clients are not getting that at scores of LA Weight Loss locations.
The weight loss business is not like a retail store. It’s a personal, health based, emotionally charged issue. LA has a responsibility to put the health and welfare of their clients first. And they’ve proven time and again this is NOT what they’re interested in. No one would argue that they need to charge a decent fee for their services. Most people don’t complain about having to pay for those services up-front. What most people complain about is the deception used to get them to buy the nutrionally suspect LA Lites, supplements and other food products, and the hidden setup and enrollment fees that take a program advertised at $7-$10 week, to double that amount.
The company I work for is a vendor for the franchise corporation. Hence my interest in their status. We hope they survive as there are many wonderful people that work there. But as a vendor, we too would be seriously impacted if they do not.
Let’s hope they’re closing stores and laying off employees at corporate to get “leaner” and not just as a measure to stave off closure.
Tom writes: The big question is, why can’t LA Weight Loss sell and price their program based on it’s merits? It seems to be a VERY sound, nutrionally based program. They have hundreds of thousands if not millions of successful clients. Why is it necessary for them to use deceptive tactics to succeed? Why do they time and again close stores in such an unprofessional and unethical manner? Why do they promise refunds and not deliver?
Tom: Thanks for an insightful comment. I wonder the same thing myself. Having hosted thousands of comments on both LAWL and Pure Weight Loss, what amazes me most is the customer loyalty. Many members are more upset about losing the program than losing their money. Most would stick with LAWL if they could. And these people are paying thousands of dollars up-front. I know the business is advertising intensive, but how can they not make a go of it honestly and ethically? Nutrisystem did the same thing out of the same business park years ago.
Harold Katz is a wealthy man. He didn’t get that way by not understanding this industry. I’m sure there’s a reason for the way they go about things that pays off for him – I just don’t understand what it is. What does he understand that we don’t?
It occurs to me that maybe what he understands is that weight loss centers are just based on a huge lie people tell themselves. After all, people have been throwing money at this problem for 30 years and they’re fatter than ever. Maybe he understands that the only thing that really works (eat right and exercise) is not what people are willing to hear – or pay for. At least long term.
People want to be lied to – and are willing to pay for it. The more they pay, the more they believe. And LA Weight Loss is only too glad to give them what they want. Too bad the pesky law keeps getting involved.
Sean,
But let’s not forget that Mr. Katz was forced out of Nutrisystem in 1986, and not long after, that business model imploded. They limped along for another decade before their recent revival as an online weight company.
He also bought several other health-based companies along the way, among them Gloria Marshall Health Spas, which a short time later also went bankrupt.
Sean writes:
I’m sure there’s a reason for the way they go about things that pays off for him – I just don’t understand what it is. What does he understand that we don’t?
The key phrase in that sentence is “pays off for him.” No one would argue that salesmanship is key in business. Up-selling is an art form. But there’s a difference between up-selling a client and duping them. Unfortunately, it appears sales are more important to him and his companies than actually helping clients. They could STILL sell their LA bars, supplements and food, but do it in a way that’s above board…and likely achieve similar sales numbers. But they choose not to.
In college I was a bartender and we were taught to upsell premium liquor. When customers ordered a bourbon and coke, we could’ve said: “would you like Jack Daniels?” Most people would say yes, not realizing it costs 50 cents more than the house bourbon. But we were taught to say: “for 50 cents more I can put Jack Daniels in that that for you.” Virtually everyone I asked would get the Jack Daniels.
A silly example, but the point is, the first way made it sound like Jack Daniels cost the same as the house bourbon, which it didn’t. The second made it clear JD was more expensive (and better) than the house bourbon. But in the end, the increased sales were probably about the same.
LA’s franchise division has had 12 years to choose the high road, and they haven’t done it. When selling becomes more important than the product or service itself…you’re in deep doo-doo. I fear LA is up to their knees in it about now.
There is a certain entrepreneurial type of person who – given the opportunity to make the same money by either legit means or by a con – will choose to con people every time.
In general, con artists are savvy people with the same instinctive, communication and persuasive skills that make a master salesperson. They could make just as much – sometimes more – without the risk or having to look over their shoulders the rest of their lives. But it’s just not the same for them if they’re not pulling something over on someone… if they’re not profiting on someone else’s trust, stupidity, gullibility, delusion or misfortune.
Sad…but probably true. I have to say this is about the best site to get the truth about franchise based businesses I’ve ever seen. I only stumbled across it while doing a google search about LA Weight Loss store closings.
In an online environment where most information is either untrue or some form of corporate “spin,” It’s amazing how remarkably accurate the information is here….and most of it comes from people visiting the site.
THIS is what the internet was meant to be. A resource for people to share information free from the hype and propaganda that comes from the corporate world.
Tom wrote: It’s amazing how remarkably accurate the information is here….and most of it comes from people visiting the site.
THIS is what the internet was meant to be.
Thanks… and I agree. I’ve been in franchising for 20 years and believe that the Internet can finally revolutionize franchising… for the first time the good, legitimate opportunities can be set apart from the not-so-good and from the out and out scams.
Also check out http://www.UnhappyFranchisee.com, which we put together to identify and highlight the stories of franchisees who had bad experiences, and to give them a chance to share the lessons they learned. In the end, we’re not out to bash individual companies but get the information out so that both franchisees and legitimate franchisors can learn and improve. Up til now, it’s all been corporate spin in the entrepreneurial press.
Interesting article from a business research company about Harold Katz, current owner of LA Weight Loss Franchise Corporation.
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history/Mi-Nu/NutriSystem-Inc.html
There are reports from vendors of LAWL Franchise Corporation that they will announce Friday (Oct. 17) that the Franchise Corporation and all LATO centers will be closed effective immediately.
What this means to franchised locations is anyone’s guess, but without the support of the Franchise Corporation, I imagine it would be difficult for the franchise stores to remain open under the name LA Weight Loss for very long.
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.
Well I still believe the majority of the LA employees’ in the centers wanted to believe it could make it. I did however leave my position there and I am so sad to see it happen. I hope maybe they can turn the LA program into something done on line or via mail like they did Nutra system.
If you asked the members and staff they would say how it really is the best way to eat and it is different than the other programs. I hate to see it go away.
A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS GIVEN THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. I LEFT MY POSITION AT L.A. WEIGHTLOSS 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE I KNEW THAT SOMETHING “FISHY” WAS GOING ON. I WAS TOLD VIA MY SUPERIOR THAT, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, I HAD TO CONFORM TO THE RULES OR SEEK OTHER EMPLOYMENT. THE NEW “RULES” WERE TO CALL PEOPLE ALL DAY AND BASICALLY ASK THEM TO COME BACK IN AND TRY TO SELL THEM SOMETHING, ANYTHING!! IM SORRY TO SAY, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS HIRED TO DO NOR DOES IT MAKE ME HAVE THAT “FEEL GOOD FEELING ABOUT MYSELF”…. I TOTALLY SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WAS KINDA FORCED OUT SINCE I WASN’T BEING A GOOD ROLL MODEL TO THE OTHER EMPLOYEES. ( I HAD WORKED THERE QUIT AWHILE). I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONES STAYING OPEN ARE ONLY OFFEREING ONE TYPE OF PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO BE PAID FOR BY C.C. AND HAS AN AUTO RE-NEW CONTRACT ON IT TO BE CHARGED EVERY 6 WEEKS… WHAT THE ????? IM NOT HAPPY ABOUT SEEING THIS COMPANY GO THROUGH THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM, BUT JUST THINK THAT NEW AND CURRENT CLIENTS SHOULD BE “SMART” AND DO THEIR RESEARCH PRIOR TO JOINING “ANY” KIND OF PROGRAM IN THIS BLEAK TIME.
ALL MILWAUKEE CENTERS ARE CLOSING ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008, THEY ARE OFFERING AN LA ON THE G0 (CALL IN ONCE A WEEK NOT TOLL FREE FOR YOUR COUNSELLING) TALK ABOUT BEING STIFFED FOR PRE PAID SERVICES- DOES ANYONE WANT TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT? I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TRUELY PISSED OFF. BUT QUESS WHAT THE PROGRAM WAS WORKING FOR ME…. GO FIGURE
Actually, all the centers in AZ are also closing. I was told I would get all of the bars I prepaid for BEFORE they close in 2 weeks, so we will see. As far as the On The Go plan, the center staff knows nothing about it and wants me to sign something to say that I am ok with transferring to it. They also say that they will put a note in my file in case I don’t like it and want a refund, however I am fairly sure that it won’t happen. I need the accountability and that’s what I paid for. I was actually looking into a Class action suit, Washington State had one on the selling practices and it looks like the consumers won that suit.
We’ll see.
I would just like to say…everything you are reading is true. We haven’t closed yet, but I haven’t slept in forever and possibly developing an ulcer. Everyone on my staff doesn’t want to take anyones money or sign them up on a program. NO ONE has said anything to us about closing…i love how they keep everything hush hush…it not fare to the clients. I believe in this program and in the clients. Its just hard to do what you are suppose to when you don’t know what’s going to happen, yet you do know. What the clients don’t understand is yes they are losing out on money but so are we…this is our job and our life too. So many angry clients taking it out on the staff. I’m sorry but I can’t afford to drive to work or pay bills, b/c our checks are 50%-75% less than usual. Everyone needs to survive somehow! This is the easiest program EVER! How couldn’t anyone follow it or be sucessful? We are at a 6 Week Auto Renewal Program right now and it is the worst program! Wasn’t the whole standard of LAWL, “we provide three unique phases” now we only provide 6 weeks, you must bulk bars at consult, pay for a start up pack, ect…this costs maybe $50 less than a LA Complete? I believe the only reason they are doing an auto renewal is if the clients forgets to cxl they recieve more money. Corporate (Amy Miller) said they are taking it one day at a time to see which center will close first…they already let go Maureen (Corporate Trainer), and way up in the Aug comments about Montana, we just were told they are closing Nov. 7th. So I don’t know where that person got their info. All we would like is to forwarn the clients that trust and respect us. If you have any info about the MN, WI, IA centers please post something!
My only comment to clients…find your contract! It states on there if we up and move you receive a refund of full program and product…talk to a lawyer talk to the surgeon general of PA and whichever state you are in.
As a counselor at LA, I’ve been following this site for several weeks. It seems that this is the only way we can get any information regarding the status of our jobs…For a while we ignored the writing on the walls, but now we know its not a matter of IF we close, its WHEN.
My question is for other LATO employees out there, when/how did you find out your center was closing? Corporate is giving us nothing…What other services are available for our clients that we care so much about? I’ve heard “LA on the Go,” but to my knowledge that program hasn’t been around since last November.
Our center has created somewhat of a plan-notify clients as soon as we know something concrete, give them as much product owed as we have(we also have started stocking up as much as we can for when the day comes), provide them with the menu changes etc. that they will need to continue their weight loss, and the possibility of offering email counseling through us(of course we won’t be paid for this, but we care about and want our clients to be successful). We have been instructed to continue business as usual and only if clients ask, are we able to tell them “We know as much as you do, if you would feel more comfortable taking all your product owed with you-we encourage you to do so.” Sadly enough this is a true statement. We don’t know what is happening, no one will tell us anything.
It breaks my heart everyday I work to hear clients say, “I don’t know what I would do without you(LA).” It is so hard to just go to work because I don’t like continuing on like everythings going to be ok. Other centers may be different, but we care about our clients deeply, there is a posting out there called “How do LA Employees Sleep at Night?” I will tell you, at least at our center we don’t. We’re up worrying about the clients that rely on the program to save their lives, the amount of money that our clients have invested-and the very real possibility they may not see any of it back, we’re worried about how we’re going to get paid and continue to pay our bills since we were unable to submit payroll last week, we’re worried about the backlash from clients when the center closes.
Since we became aware of the closings we have stopped selling large amounts of product unless the client can take it all with them, significant amounts of time(we’re basically giving free weeks unless a client insists on purchasing them[it does happen-believe it or not]), our manager is still taking new clients, although it is my understanding that the new clients are being informed of the uncertainty with how long the center will be around. This job used to be so rewarding, but now its just depressing.
*I’m also curious as to where all this information is coming from, I called a few centers today on the “already closed list” and they’re still answering their phones-business as usual, and several posts have gone “missing” from this site or have been under “maintenance” for weeks!*
I have been told by execs at LAWL that the only centers remaining are a few in Minnesota, and the Madison market who will eventually be closed by November. They give the centers 6 weeks notice, fire all the counselors and assistants and leave the center manager to shut it down and fulfill product orders. They have done this so there would not be large media attention to the closings–meaning they closed in waves. My understanding is the company is declaring bankruptcy by years end. They simply cant make products for just a few number of centers that are left and make a profit. They want to be clear of the debt before the new year (2009) gets here.
Hope this helps. I would recommend getting your resume ready or look for more reputable weight loss programs to work for such as Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers.
Rita
Thank you Rita for your information! I have already found a new position, but am going to stick it out with LA as long as they will let me for the clients. The employees at our center have committed to coming back for the last days(without pay) to do whatever we can to help make this easier on our clients. It makes me sick that they would leave just our manager to handle our 300+ clients all coming in upset and concerned. No one person should have to take that all on! It is going to be extremely emotional and stressful(for clients and employees) even with staff coming back to help. We dread the day we get the call…
Again thank you for the information and any more you have will be greatly appreciated.