Inactive at Proactiv

05-01-2007

I had acne. I tried stuff and then I bought Proactiv.  I saw the infomercials for two years before I decided to finally buy the stuff.  I bought the 30 day Sampler Kit.  The first thing I don't like is that this automatically puts you in the Clear Skin Club where they charge your account and send you Proactiv every thirty days.  The Proactiv didn't work for me and I didn't want this stuff anymore so I decided not to use this product anymore.  I send numerous reply emails to cancel this membership and still I got no response.  Yesterday, I called their Customer Service and I was on hold for thirty minutes before I could be connected to a representative.  The first representative I talked to was unable to help-he said he was having computer malfuctions so I was told to call back and explain that I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THIS PRODUCT, I WANT THE MONEY REFUNDED TO MY ACCOUNT AND I AM UNHAPPY WITH THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE! ARRRGHHH! I tried to explain to the first customer service that I was on hold for thirty minutes before I could talk to someone and I asked to be transfered to someone who had a working computer.  He said, "Ma'am, we are not allowed to transfer calls-you'll just have to call back" and then he hung up in my face.  After another hold for half an hour, I finally talked to someone with a working computer but she kept trying to sell me other Proactiv Products on other payment plans.  She wanted to know why I didn't want to receive Proactiv anymore (duh, it didn't work).  But she still insisted that I try another payment plan of sorts.  I hate this Customer Service department.  I was never issued a so called account number, they couldn't find my name in the system but somehow they charged my account and I have yet to recieve the product that I am supposed to return to get a full refund.  

Basically, they suck.  And I'm not too hot about their product either.  However, what might work for Jessica Simpson and Kelley Clarkson may not work for me.  I have no quams about their product actually-for some reason I broke out more after using Proactiv-but their Customer Service Department SUCKS! They are rude, inconsiderate, and incompetent.

Happy Shopping! 

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Comments

Kinglis2
On January 06 2007 at 10:01PM Kinglis said:

I've heard terrible things about both the product and the service, and the scheme to keep you locked in. If you google reviews, they get universally slammed by customers.

I know it seems counter-intuitive to do anything but zap zits with industrial-strength fire-breathing chemicals, but have you ever tried Burt's Bees? I'm addicted to one of their cleansers - lemon with poppyseeds, I think - and as gentle and as natural as it is, I haven't had a single breakout since.. and it's been over a year.

User-default
On February 01 2007 at 08:02AM Tenmile said:

I actually use the stuff and it works really well for me.

But I agree about their customer service and their privacy policy. They say they don't share your ONLINE information with ONLINE companies, but guess what? They don't say a thing about snail mail. I had to complain to get them to stop selling my name, and the only reason it worked is because I used a fake last name to track who was selling my name to whom. They were caught.

I have to admit, I occasionally do work for this company as a consultant for other products. And that said, I think all you need to do are a few things:

  1. Escalate your calls. Ask for a supervisor. If they refuse, tell them you are about to initiate a chargeback on your credit card
  2. If you get charged, and you return the product, initiate a chargeback. But don't do it if you keep the product, unless you explicitly in writing cancelled the 'clear skin club'
  3. You can decide the timing you want your box of replenishment. I started using the product (no I do not get it free) and was freakin pissed that they took 3 weeks to send stuff. The reason is they ship US Postal Service Bulk rate, so they are very slow. Adjust your timing, because I was not getting my stuff fast enough.
  4. The fine print is really true: Your results will vary. Some people have acne that Proactiv cannot really tackle. But it worked wonders for me and I really like it, as much as I hate the smell of the stuff and the expense.

Finally, look at Zeno (Amazon.com sells this). It's expensive, but apparently for breakouts it really can 'zap' a zit.

Good luck

User-default
On February 05 2007 at 10:02AM Mrmeauff said:

I had acne for years and tried a variety of different products, both over the counter and prescription, will little to no relief. A few years ago a friend of mine told me to try taking salmon oil and it has worked better than anything in the past. You can get it at any drug store in the vitamin section. Take 2000 mg every morning. Good luck!

Images
On July 05 2008 at 12:07PM Imjustagirl said:

I HATE Proactiv. They are the worst company. They have so many self serving rules that can not be break. All they care is money. I gave then disposable credit card number every time I place order. I have to use their product ( maximum strength) that works some what. I reactivate my account after try to find other products that might work for me for a few months, so I don't have to deal with proactiv. They said, since I have been gone I have to start with regular products. Next time I MIGHT be able to get the maximum strength product that works for me and that the RULES, no exception. I said what the different now or 2 months from now? I know that maximum strength works best for me in the past, and the price are the same. What kind of logic is that? I want products to work so I remain a customer. The acne Nazi, still said NO. I can get the extra strengths at the next shipment in 2 months. I also ask for 2 bottles of lotion and one cleanser, and skip to toner which do nothing for me. I try to tell them what works for me in the past. Guess what the acne NAZI would say? NO, I can not ask for any combinations that works for me. I have to spend $45 for what they willing to send me. I pay shipping and handling which they will get here in 3 weeks. I don't remember the last time I ordered anything online that take 3 weeks to arrive. ( they must have turn around and pay US postal 1 dollar to mail the product out, and pocket the rest of money they charge) I hope that 2 dermatologist chicks that own the company, chock and die on the caviar soon. Don't they have class of ethic in Med school!

Please give suggestion on any other product that might work, I am willing to try. I hate this monopoly acnes company that only care about money.

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