Zerona Canada
Queja 230385 Detalles

I spoke to Laura Akong, the owner, prior to Feb. 27, 2013 and advised her that I would call back after my holiday which was to end on March 9, 2013. When I got back, I called her office about
3 times to get ahold of her and she called me back after the third call when I explained to her staff that as she was not calling me back, I had a concern about the Company and were they about to close their doors. She then called me back and told me that she had not called me as she had a family emergency and I had nothing to worry about. We spoke about the program and the fee and I tried to get her to reduce her price, or at least take half now and when I was half way through my treatments, take the other half. She advised that she was not able to do this as she had to pay head office the entire amount and she would be responsible for giving them the full amount and she would be out money. She then, all of a sudden, remembered that head office had a half price offer online and that she could give me that price which was the monetary damages above. She also advised that if I gave her a cheque or cash, I would not have to pay taxes so I gave her a cheque. I then asked for a receipt and was told their computer was not working, but, they could give me a receipt next time I came in, which they did.

On March 12, 2013, I paid and had my first treatment. On March 13, 2013 I found out from my Doctor that I had a disease called Hypothyroidism which stops me from losing weight and actually causes weight gain. When I went back for my second session on
March 14, 2013, I advised the receptionist of my problem and she was going to check with Laura to make sure I could continue with the program. I advised that I was on medication, but, the medication was not weight inducing medication. I called back when I got home and the receptionist told me that Laura advised that it was ok to continue with the treatments. At my third session, I was concerned that until my medication actually started taking affect, I should stop going for treatments as I did not want to waste them.
The receiptionist said that would be fine and I knew that I had one year to take all the treatments.

On March 13, 2013 I decided that I was feeling better and might want to start taking my treatments again. I called the office of Zerona and a recording said that they had closed their doors and that I should contact head office. No number for head office was left on the machine.

I have obtained the phone number to Zerona Canada head office. Called and every extention number I dialed was not a working line except one. I left a message with the person at that extention to contact me as I am trying to get ahold of their Executive Office and the ext given on their recording does not work.

I did find an article online of another person who went to CTV news about her similar concern and the article stated that Laura Akong says that she would not respond until she spoke to her lawyer.
Zerona Canada head office says that they can not help clients in Winnipeg.

I've contacted another company in Winnipeg, Inches A-Weigh, and they told me that they are not Franchisee's of Zerona because Zerona takes too much money from their Franchisee's and they can not survive as a company.

Given all the information above, I do believe that Laura Akong knew that she was going under when she took my money. I believe that Zerona Canada head office should be responsible for the actions of their Franchisees. If Zerona Canada head office are not willing to assist in this matter, I do believe this is a total scam.

Can you please let me know where to go from here. Do I join the Class Action suite against Zerona or is their a better way to get my money back?

Thank you

Cathy (Personal Information Removed)