Wuv, if you were my coach, I would be able to justify the cost difference between IP and alternatives. As it is, my coach doesn't really care as long as I'm on time for my appointments, leave within 10-15min, and buy as much stuff as possible. She never let me know that some of the supplements are optional, tried to push the cleanse on me like it was mandatory, etc, etc. We also have a personality conflict -- she's too nice and I'm strong willed, so when I said I was planning to have some drinks at a bday party 2 weeks in, she said ok (thank heavens I have you guys to stop me as I never really though of it as being "wrong" since she said it was ok).
There's another coach across town that 2 friends go to and I think some people on here. She is probably more like you Wuv, knowledgeable, able to hand out tough love when needed, listens to her clients, etc, etc. She said she'd see me and not charge the up front fee again so I'm deciding if I want to do that (probably a 30-45 min drive depending on the time of day) or if I want to go it alone...either way, next week I'll be leaving my current coach.
And Wuv, I know we all think it but thank you for sharing your experience with us too!!! And your tough wuv