OK... I did it too. E-mailed Oprah, that is. I don't know how eloquent it was, though. Hey... maybe we should send something like this to Ellen and Rachael Ray too!

Ohhh Rachael Ray...she's so funny! I love her and Ellen!

As for the 20/20 piece, I went to the website and watched it last night. Very one sided. You can't be talked into anything unless you're open to it. Yesterday I went to WI and they had a slip of paper in my file saying I could bulk up on bars again at a 'reduced' price. I said no thanks at this point, and that was that. No pressure, no push. I don't know if my center is the exception or the rule in this regard, but I have found them to be helpful, educated, professional and supportive. Of course they try to sell once in a while - they are a business. I walked in there knowing that! So they are the business and I am the consumer. We'll get along just fine if we both know our rights and behave respectfully to each other. That's how it's worked for me so far.

And if the woman interviewed gained 12 lbs by the end of the program, then she wasn't following it. The only times I gain are when I make choices that are not right for me!

^^ Exactly.. But human nature is to find other things to blame besides ourselves.. So the diet wasn't working? Well.. It can't be my fault.. It must be a scam!!!

God.. Some of the people on that message board are pathetic..

donisha-

I have a question to ask...if I may. :)

There are the LAWL corporate stores, and there are the franchise ones-same company, but the franchise ones are allowed to be more lax, because an individual owner is in charge, rather than corporate LAWL, correct? Why doesn't LAWL have stricter rules and regulations governing their franchise stores? It seems that would save a lot of grief, and the "bad centers" wouldn't be allowed to do what they do to some of their customers.

This is just going by what I have read over the years moderating in here-that the franchise centers tend to be a lot "worse" compared to the non-franchise centers...

It seems like that would be the "ideal" solution...to not franchise out without regulations that would provide better customer support and more consistency between this center and that one...

Did that make sense? :?: :lol:

Amen, Aphil!

Aphil, you have an excellent point, unfortunately I am not sure why they do not tighten the guidelines for their franchises. I mean I would think if you were going to share the same name, you would want your name to be thought of in a positive light. I will ask her that the next time I go in there, because I was wondering that myself.

I asked my COD about why the fracnise facilities and coporate ones have different information, and they really didn't have an answer for me. It is pretty sad that there are some big inconsistencies. Luckily, I go to a corporate center and the girls are really on top of getting the latest info!!

I go to a franchise center, but luckily, it's a decent one. There are about 9 stores in the area that are part of the same franchise. I am not happy that we still don't have the plan updates from last year yet, but I am happy that they still view the LA Lites as optional. Granted, they give you a hard sell in the beginning, but they DON'T try to make you cry. And, during the time that I was trying out the diet without the Lites, they were still very supportive during that time. Also, they have never tried to push any of the other foods or supplements on me either. The only time they suggested I try one of their other foods was when I wasn't using the Lites and was having bad chocolate cravings. The manager asked if I'd like to try the biscotti. And, at $6 per box, she couldn't have made too much commission on that!!

Yeah, that whole "if they cry.." thing made me sick. Our COD people are always happy and celebratory when they talk to us (sometimes a little too much, haha) - they never try to make us feel bad so that we'll buy things from them. They just try to get us all excited about this new thing or that new thing (to which if we say No, they let it go.) I hated the 20/20 thing, too.

Boooooo 20/20!!!

Hey, Donisha, you need a new picture for your avatar - you are SO much skinnier now!!! :D

I agree with Aphil on this. My center is a corporate center, and they are not high pressure sales at all. Ever. Down with the franchise!

My Center is corporate and I couldn't love those ladies (and one great guy) more! Going there feels like going to visit friends... I walk in the door and everyone's like "oh look, it's Kim." and I feel really welcome. I never thought I would EVER get on the scale in front of anyone, but I feel totally ok with it there. Everyone at my center is on the program too, so we exchange little tips and tricks too. Just goes to show that you can't trust the media!

I would like to add my 2 cents worth. I love the COD that I go to. They are considerate, they offer but don't push. Heck, my doctor doesn't listen to me the way they have. They are happy for me with every tiny little improvement I have and offer good suggestions on how to make it better. I have absolutely no complaints. I wish they had talked to me. But who wants to hear good stuff? It's so much more sensational to hear scandal.

Not sure if I'd say "down with the franchise" as a blanket statement. If it weren't for the franchise centers, I wouldn't be able to even do LAWL. Closest corporate center is 2 hours away for me. I do agree that corporate should be more involved with the franchise centers and keep better controls on them.