Complain about a product or service

Copa - Doesn't Work

Copa Hair Products • Doesn't work • Not received • No refund • Unauthorized charges • Copa responds --- • Copa Settles Federal Charges

On September 14, 2000, Tina of Richmond, VA, wrote:
I ordered the COPA hair straightening system. It did not work at all. In fact, it made my hair dry and brittle. So, I called the customer service number (516-433-4954) on August 15, 2000 to find out what I need to do to return the product and get a refund. I was given an address (201 Port Jersey Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07305) and was told that my request for a refund was being processed as we speak and to expect a refund within 3 to 7 business days.

By August 31st, I still had not received my refund. But, the 2nd installment for the purchase was taken out of my checking account (I used my debit card). So, I called to find out the status of my refund. I was told that the refund was approved on August 21st and I should be receiving it within a few days. Two weeks go by, so I called again, on September 14th, and inquired about my refund. This time I was told that they had not received the returned product; that it may be sitting in the warehouse and that is why I had not received my refund, but she would go ahead and process the refund.

I explained to her what was told to me the other two times I called, and that the product has been received because it was shipped via FedEx. She told me that she has no idea why I was told those things and that it will take at least 28 business days to receive my refund. My response was, "So now I have to wait 28 business days from today, when I was told on August 15th that I would receive my refund within 7 business days." Her answer was yes. I just hung up. I was so angry.

I checked with FedEx to see if the package was delivered. As I expected, it was delivered on August 17th at 10:08 am and signed for by an S. Gonzalez.

On August 21, 2000, Mary of Frederick, MD, wrote:
I ordered the Copa product about 1 month ago and have not been satisfied. I intend to return it. However, I found that an unauthorized amount of $84.00 was withdrawn from my credit/check card from MWI Essentials. I have since researched the companies on-line and found numerous complaints such as mine leading me to believe that these two companies are partners and have stolen my money. I may have to discontinue my credit card or take these people to court if I don't get my money back, which means time away from work.

On August 13, 2000, Ghislaine of Liverpool, NY, wrote:
I ordered the Copa product for my daughter. It didn't help at all. I returned everything I received since it did not work for her hair right away. I called the company many times asking for a refund. I received partial credit for a membership that I didn't agreed to. I'm still waiting for credit for all the products I received and returned that were unopened. I'm still receiving charges for products on the credit card that were unauthorized.

On August 12, 2000, Doris of Honolulu wrote:
I received a product that didn't work. There was billing to my checking account for months when the product was not received. Each time I contacted the company to have them stop withdrawing money out of my account, to no avail. Lastly, after a cancellation, money continued to be withdrawn out of my account for many more months! I lost lots of hair due to misrepresentation of the product, with resulting emotional duress. I have incurred loss of monies that have never been refunded.

On August 7, 2000, Cynthia of El Cerrito, CA, wrote:
Delivery took six weeks or so and the product did not work. When I hadn't received the product after several weeks, I phoned and was told that due to the popularity of the product it was backordered. Eventually, I received the product and after three uses, the main effect was to dry out my hair.

On July 30, 2000, Joyce of Hertford, NC, wrote:
I ordered the COPA Hair Release system off TV. I tried it and it did not work. Since they said it was a gradual release and I would need to try another pack, I did so and it did absolutely nothing to my hair. You can tell where the new growth is on my head. I have been charged on my credit card and even been sent another kit I did not order.

On Oct. 27, 2000, Lynee of Browns Valley, CA, wrote:
I purchased this product from the tv infomercial in April of 2000 and used it in Sept./Oct. 2000 -- two applications and no change in my hair except to make it much drier than usual and there is absolutely no change in the texture of my hair after two applications. I wasn't looking for straight hair, just less kinked/wavy. Now I have a horrible head of hair and have to wait out the next 2 months to get it back to normal unless I can find a product I can use over it to restore it to its usual texture. If I can find out what to use on it to "relax" it again before two months are up I would be very appreciative since my holidays are pretty much ruined since I can't do anything nice for my hair at this point.

My hair has always been admired but now even I can tell it just isn't "me". I have been married for 20 years and my understanding husband has been kind enough not to say anything about my hair but he always used to say it was pretty. Now he says nothing at all and that hurts me since I know what he is thinking. I just began a new job and this is how my new co-workers see me -- they have no idea what my hair should look like and I am afraid to go back to my old co-workers' office because they would be shocked. I am being held prisoner by my own hair and by COPA.

Christine of Nashua, NH:
I have had the same problems these other women have been complaining about. I orderd the Copa hair product and they said I should receive it in about two weeks. Finally, after eight weeks it did arrive.

When i read the instructions on the packet it said do not use if use you use a blonde hair dye. I asked the women on the phone before I purchased Copa if it could be used on hair that has been bleached and she said "oh ya" any hair. I did not use it on myself, instead I tried it on my eight-year-old daughter who has straight hair just a little bit of curls and frizz at the hairline and it did NOTHING.

I used another application and once again it did nothing. I also ordered the conditioner that they offered but have yet to receive it. But of course they did bill me for it. I have tried to call over and over and have always gotten a busy sign.

Darlene of Manassas, VA:
I paid approximately $100.00 for the Copa Hair products and it does not work, I returned the item for a full refund and they have to date sent me a refund, I have not called, I was going on line to send them an email, when this screen popped up. There really should be more consumer information about these types of companies in order to make us a smart consumer. It did not affect my hair at all.

Monica of Columbia, MD:
I ordered the COPA prodcuts after seeing the informercial back in April 2000. I received the product approximately 4 weeks later and used it as directed. It did nothing dramatic to my hair. I saw no difference in the curls, no looser than before I used it.

I have yet to receive my next package as of today June 16, 2000. I never received one in May and I have been charged as if I was still receiving my order. After reading the other complaints I am disappointed to learn that this seems to be the way this company does business. I am curious to see if Debbie Allen, COPA's spokeperson, is aware of this practice.

I would like a refund on what I have purchased/used and a credit for what I never received. I am just disappointed that a black company is out here doing such a poor job in satisifying the public. As an African American woman, I am embarrassed and very disappointed. I try my best to support my own black-owned businesses. But, poor customer service is color-blind and unacceptable from anyone.

Jackie of Richmond, VA:
Like the others, I also ordered the Copa system and found it to be worthless. Not only did it take 5 weeks to arrive, after I was told by the telemarketer that would only take 2 weeks, but I did not receive the shampoo and conditioner. There was a sticker on the invoice stating that those items would ship separatly (I have yet to receive it after 2 months). I've tried to reach them through the TOLL number provided but no success. I find it odd that there is an 800 number to order the worthless product, but when service is needed, you get nothing. Customer service is useless and I find myself getting more and more upset. Now I'm stuck with unruly hair and have to wait 60-90 days to get a perm.

Colette of St. Thomas:
My husband bought the product for me but I used it on my daughter's hair. Her hair remained the same way. I left it on for the time they said and her hair remained hard and dry. There were to moisture nor curls as they claimed would happen. I ended up buying a Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginning kit and that is what straighten her hair.

Sonya of Davis, CA:
I placed on order via the telephone to purchase this product, knowing that the money back guarantee will protect should the product does not work for me. I placed the order, received it, tried it and nothing happended. I tried calling several times to request my money back and for the address to return the product. The number always rang busy.

I finally went online where I discovered other women having the same problem - not being able to get through on the customer service line and not getting their money refunded. I spent countless frustrating hours on the telephone trying to get through. In the meantime, I received ANOTHER order in the mail, charged to MY credit card without my authorization. I refuse to pay money for a product that does not work.

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