More L.A. Weight Loss Stores Close Their Doors
More L.A. Weight Loss Stores Close Their Doors Save Email Print
Posted: 11:09 PM Jul 30, 2008
Last Updated: 6:08 PM Jul 31, 2008
Reporter: Janet Kim
Email Address: janet.kim@wkyt.com

A | A | A

More customers at L.A. Weight Loss centers in central Kentucky are reporting closures.

We've learned that the Frankfort store is now closed. Members there were told to go to the two Lexington locations instead, but both of those have shut down as well.

Members say they're concerned about how they'll be refunded for pre-paid services.

L.A. Weight Loss member Marcie Morrow says last week it was business as usual at her L.A. Weight Loss at Beaumont Centre, but this week was a different story.

"I went in there yesterday to do my normal weigh in, and the door was locked; the lights were off," says Morrow.

After contacting the fitness program's district manager, Morrow says she and other confused members were told the two Lexington L.A. Weight Loss centers were shutting down, and it was unclear how and if they would be refunded their money.

WKYT tried contacting L.A. Weight Loss managers at the Hamburg Pavilion but employees didn't comment and would not confirm whether offices were closing down.

However, Morrow says she was already given some options for her time and money lost, but it didn't include money back.

"She also suggested that maybe we take what fund we were due out in product as a trade out, but at this point, I don't need any product, just the service promised," says Morrow.

Morrow says she spent $2,000 on the program but credits it for helping her lose 60 pounds.

"My feelings are hurt because I had been doing so well, and I wanted to finish it," says Morrow.

So far members tell us they haven't received any written notice about a closure.

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Posted by: Current Employee Location: San Diego on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Update on the San Diego LATO (Corporate owned take over centers) in the San Diego Market: It looks like corporate is starting to shut down the San Diego market as well now. 3 Centers just closed the doors recently, and the centers in Chula Vista, El Cajon are rumored to be closing soon as well. That will leave only the Mission Vally, Poway and Oceaside locations open and only 3 out of the original 9 that were in operation (La Jolla was closed quite some time ago). in the San Diego area. (edited)

Posted by: Misty Location: Lexington on Aug 17, 2008 at 05:11 PM
This is such a shock. I am a new customer to LA Weight Loss, so now I am out 798.00 for the program and have already preaid 150.00 for produts that I have not received. As a ocnsuer what are we supposed to do? I hae contacted every person I have ben givena reference for, but have been gien the run around and have not gotten replies This is SO unfair and unethical that these scumbag franchise owners didnt even give any notice. Is it so much to ask to receive at least a letter? There has to be something we can do.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Aug 1, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I can tell you for a fact if the company is filing for bankruptcy no clients nor employees will be paid for their last hours worked and NO REFUNDS either. no employees knew what was going on. Only the district manager and the owner. Nobody wanted the centers to close, but with the economy, buisness like these slow down, and there is not as much money to spend. As of today there was a sign on the Beaumont center door that said "closed today" and this was at 3 pm. There were "new hours" posted which read MWF 9-6 and Sat 9-12. Obviously this is a lie! With an ignorant sign I can see that they are closed for good. What a joke!!

Posted by: Becky Location: Frankfort on Aug 1, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I was a member of the Frankfort LA Weightloss and never received any formal notice of them closing the Frankfort location other than a note on the door. I have since been going to the Lexington Hamburg location and didn't know about that being closed until today. I am extremely upset and disappointed in the owners unprofessional and underminding ways. The consumers nor the employees deserve this type of treatment. I am going to request a refund immediately as they did not fulfill their obligation to me as a paying consumer.

Posted by: Sam Location: KY on Aug 1, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Does the L.A. in the name stand for Liquidation of Assets? It's kind of funny that if you put the letters LA in front of something, people will believe it is the best. Same thing as having someone with a British accent hawking some goods on television. Everything is better in Los Angeles and British people (and their accent) are much smarter than anyone else and more believable. What does this post have to do with the story in question? Nothing, just felt like posting a comment...LOL!

Posted by: Virgil Location: Richmond/Irvine on Aug 1, 2008 at 05:14 AM
Well all I have to post is a site I found via Google that will show that LA Weightloss is a national scam and here is that site http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q5=LA Weight Loss&searchtype=0&q1=ALL&q3=&q2=&q7=&q4=&q6=&start=0 Also if something is not done by the state or even on a national level to ensure that all that got ripped off by this company then you can expect other companies to simply start similar practices.

Posted by: Sheri Location: Frankfort on Jul 31, 2008 at 09:57 PM
I lost 70 pounds on the program. However, my mother went on it and it made her really sick. She had all kinds of problems and they would not let her out of her contract. She was in really bad shape and the doctors could not figure out what it was and it started when she began the program and when she stopped the program she got better. But, again, they will not refund her money and they are still making her pay. She hasn't been on the program for 9 months now but is still paying. Unforunately, my mom is not the only person I know that has had issues with getting their money back from them.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Jul 31, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Zat - I heard it was Baskin Robbins. :)

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Anonymous on Jul 31, 2008 at 08:11 PM
As a former employee I was trained to get clients to buy buy buy as much of the program services and products as possible. We were trained to manipulate clients' desperation to lose weight and turn it into profit for the company, with little or no commission. I am glad to see them go.

Posted by: ghettochip Location: richmond on Jul 31, 2008 at 06:22 PM
that's what the business gets for ripping people off. it was a bad business and it's good that it ends this way. i am very sorry for those who don't know how to get money back, but you have many options and I am almost certain you will be happy in the end.

Posted by: RALPH Location: PIKEVILLE on Jul 31, 2008 at 06:08 PM
SOUNDS LIKE THE OWNER GOT HIS POCKETS FULL AND PULL OUT!

Posted by: Mark Location: Lexington on Jul 31, 2008 at 03:00 PM
local management didn't close these stores. the owner did. and he did so without proper notice to la weight loss clients AND employees. it's unfair to place blame on l.a. weight loss' local employees. they had no control over the decision to close.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 31, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I hear they are putting in two Krispy Kreme outlets in these locations.

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