Complain about a product or service

Copa - Unauthorized Charges

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

Tiffany, who is on deployment with the United States Marine Corps, writes (8/7/01):
I ordered one 3-month supply of Copa Hair Care products September 13, 2000. I was supposed to be billed once and call again or mail off a form to reorder. I was billed later that month and this company has continuously billed me for almost a year to total about $421.85.

This money has been withdrawn from my account automatically every month. I have yet to receive products from these billings. I am a deployed Marine and I did not notice until recently. My bank gave me the name and number of the bank where my money was being withdrawn from (Bank One 1-888-327-1900) and they were not helpful to say the least. I do have free legal services in the military and am prepared to do whatever it takes to get my money back and spread the word about this company.

I have bounced a couple of checks not realizing there were automatic withdrawls monthly. The product did not work and my hair got so brittle that it had to be cut.

I knew it was them, they are up to the same old game but new tricks. Please put this information out there. I had to cancel my credit card and order a new one becuase of COPA Hair products to begin with, and to think that I would be stupid enough to give them my credit card number again ... please.

On September 11, 2000, Adrienne of Moffett AFB, CA, wrote:
I ordered that Copa hair care products that I saw on televison. What I received was some fat burning pills and a stretch wring thing. I figured, "Fine they got me, but they'll neverr get me again." I received my credit card statement and they charged $29.90, $5.95 on 27 July 20000, and 35.85 on 25 August 2000 without my authorization.

I have tried to call the number on my credit card statement and all I get is a busy signal. I never got the products promised and they keep charging my credit card and drivng up my balance. I don't want anything form them. I just want them to stop charging my credit card.

On September 8, 2000, "Y" of Lincoln, NE, wrote:
I ordered the product over the phone and instead of debiting my checking account for $59.85 these idiot debited my account by almost $85.00. I had another check bounce because of this. I had to pay $15.00 to have the electronic check reversed. And the company whose check bounced charged me a $29.00 NSF fee.

On September 5, 2000, Joseph of Floresville, TX, wrote:
I ordered some Copa Hair Products; which came as stated. However, a few weeks later, I received another order from them which I did requested. Apparently, they kept my Credit Card number and have placed me on a continuity ship listing. I want them to stop shipping me this product. It doesn't work.

On August 3, 2000, Mary of Charlotte, NC, wrote:
I placed an order with this company on May 9th, 2000. Since then they have taken it upon themselves to place two additional charges on my Check Card account. This is not acceptable to me and was not authorized by me. I plan to take legal action if they do not remove these charges immediately. These unexpected charges have caused a negative balance in my checking account and restricted my ability to meet my other financial obligations.

On July 24, 2000, Marsha of South Haven, MI, wrote:
I ordered the Copa Hair Care products from a TV ad and had the money deducted from my account. I specifically stated I did not want to be on the list to receive the products after the initial order. I was very specific about it. In July I was shipped another supply of the product and the money was withdrawn from my account without my consent. I want to be reinbursed for the money spent on the product and also refunded the original monies as the product did not work at all. My bank account is being stolen without my consent and it is very upsetting.

On July 24, 2000, Tennery of Monroe, MI, wrote:
I ordered Copa and was asked if I wanted the monthly product, and I declined. I was told the check would not be deducted until I had received the product. My checking account was charged right away, but it was 2 months before I receved the product. Then, unbeknownst to me, I was charged another $39.95 for a monthly maintenance package that I have yet to receive. When I have attempted to contact the company, I only get busy signals every time. I have tried for days, all at different times.

Now my bank tells me there is nothing they can do if the withdrawals continue to come out, unless I pay $20 for each retraction, in addition to any overdraft charges I may incur because of the deduction.

I ordered this product in good faith and I feel sorely used. I will never trust another infomercial as long as I live. Shame on Debbie Allen, whom I have admired and repected since her days on"FAME", for hawking products for such an unsavory and unethical company. I now distrust all television ads, no matter how much I respect the person representing them.

This may be a hard lesson but Tennery is right to distrust celebrity endorsements. Entertainers are paid handsomely for these endorsements and to them, it is "just business," nothing personal.

Brandi of Clute, TX:
I ordered from an infomercial sent a check and a month later had an automatic transaction taken out of my account for $50.00 and the bank could not find out who had taken it out. I had 3 checks bounce and had to pay a lot of fees and fines. I finally got a phone number from the bank, after paying them by the hour to investigate the transaction, and it was the COPA hair products I had ordered for my daughter.

I had never received anymore products, nor did I ever receive anything else in the mail. The evidently used my information off of my check to automatically withdrawal more money. I was told that I would have the money refunded to my account within 10 business days. It has been 3 months and I have not seen my money, and I have not been able to get through to the company. The product did not even work on my daughters hair and I have lost a total of $130.00.

Sylvia of Philadelphia:
I have the same problem as the others. I placed an order in April 2000; it's now June 2000 and I have no product. I thought I was playing it safe by not giving up my credit card number, but they still deducted a payment from my debit account. I can't reach anyone over the phone. Their unauthorized second withdrawal caused my account to be overdrawn. Ordering COPA products has caused a chain reaction of financial problems for me.

Joann of Landover, MD:
I ordered over the phone and never received anything. I called and only get a busy signal. Also I just found out today that this company keeps taking money out of my account. I request a statement from my bank to see how how many times this has been taken from my account. As of today, 6/9, $149.55 has been taken out without any products.

Diane of Largo, MD:
I haven't received anything after almost a month. They took the money, but there is no product. They set you up on this monthly plan and take the money even before you receive the first shipment, that's supposed to be sent "Rush Delivery". I have waited for this product and even promised to use it on others. They have had to go without the services I promised, and in addition to that, I've given away my money with nothing to show for it.

W.M. of Pittsburgh:
I ordered Copa in April of 2000. It took an inordinately long time for my order to arrive. The young lady who took my order had no information about the products she was selling. She was unable to answer any of my questions about the products. She tried to charge me $100 instead of the advertised t.v. special price. I had to add everything for her because she didn't know how to properly tally the total with the shipping and handling charges.

I specifically let her know that I did not want to receive this product every month. The following month, my Visa was debited for $39.95 against my wishes. When I tried to reach the company, I met with no success. I spoke to two operators who said they could do nothing to help me, that they only took orders for the product.

I contacted my credit card company and the young lady there took all of my information, and informed me of my legal rights since the purchase was made by credit card. She sent me a complaint form to fill out which I returned to her right away. she told me that this dispute could take a couple of months to resolve.

She said that if enough people complained against the company, credit card companies could revoke Copa's right to receive orders by credit cards. I am still waiting to hear from Visa, but it's only been a matter of weeks.

Copa went against my direct orders not to send me the product every month and charge my account. I also did not receive the products that they charged my account for. if that's not a violation of fair trade practices and agreements, then what is?

Jerri of Fairfax, VA:
Much the same as the other complaints. I ordered the product, did not receive it, and when I tried to call the line is constantly busy. I have tried for over a month at varying times of the day. I have disputed it on my credit card, but I was still charged another time without my authorization.

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