Proactiv
reviews and complaints

I placed an order online with Proactiv today at 10:30am. By 3:30pm I called the 800 number to cancel the order and was given a complete run-a-round. I was told I had to let the product be shipped, they will charge my credit card, and then I can return it. I placed the order 6 hours ago, I do not want my card charged and I certainly don't want to deal with the hassle of returning something I cancelled 6 hours after I ordered it! I received a confirmation email stating the product would be delivered in 2-3 weeks, and they can't cancel. Sounds like a scam to me. I do not want this and I want it canceled NOW. I am very angry.

They continue to charge you, even after you've begged them to stop !
Their product doesn't work.
When you contact their Customer Service Dept, they ignore you.
When you post something on their Facebook page, they ignore you.
When you email them, they reply with a blanket email response that has no meaning or substance.
When you return to them an unopened box, which you never asked for, they ignore the receipt of this returned box.
As soon as I find out how to file a lawsuit vs. them in CA (even tho' I'm located in NJ), I will.
If anyone wants to join me in a Class Action suit, the more the merrier !

I signed up for one time only online and ended up paying more than what they offered me. Then i called and talked to a customer service representative . I told the representative about this situation and the representative told me that if they didn't sell it for good, they wouldn't have sold it to all people like me that are blind enough to be ripped off by them. Also the representative told me that they have the licenses to rip off people. I paid for one ended up paying the 5x more for that little free gift. Pro active is not so good as people say. Finally, people (and i also) don't know how much Pro active really cost.

Proactiv Cancellation Scam!
I wanted to cancel after 30 days of using the shipment (small bottles because 1st month trial supplies) because it made me break out even more worst than before. After calling them and talking to your "specialist” Robert, I somehow let Robert convinced me to not cancel and to continue on with using their products because he said that my outbreak will get worse before it can get better and I still have 60 to get my money back guarantee if it's not working out for me or if I'm not satisfied with their products and a new ship (2nd shipment for 90 days worth of supplies) is about to be shipped in a week to me. One important detail he left out which he intentionally failed to mention to me) was that in order to get a refund back I will need to keep all the bottles they sent me (empty or not)! At that time I still had my empty bottles, but ended up throwing them away because it doesn’t say anywhere on their website that you have to return the bottles for refund…it just says “60 days back money guarantee” if not satisfied and the specialist I spoke to never mentioned it, knowing that I really wanted to cancel within 30 days. In addition, he made it seem like it was easy to cancel and get money back by just calling them back to cancel and you will get money back if you cancel within 60 days. Now I’m not getting a refund! All this was very misleading and just a scam to get your money! On top of that I am being charged $108 for my 2nd shipment of 90 days supply! Total cost and charges about $151...yikes! I hope they don’t continue to charge me even after I have cancelled everything just recently. But I won’t be surprised if they do after reading all these Proactiv complaints. Customer service is definitely terrible when you want to cancel! Also, this product doesn’t work at least not for me…I ended up with more outbreaks and swollen, red, itchy, dry eyelids even though I did not use this product near my eye area (very strange allergic reaction, I guess). Hard lesson learned here and I will never recommend anyone to buy online because this is how they get you for your money!

I ordered the initial kit from proactiv and not only did it make my skin worse, THEY RIPPED ME OFF! It is almost impossible to cancel (have to call in and wait on hold forever) and even after I did they sent me another kit, or at least so they say. I moved from the address, which is one of many reasons I canceled my "subscription" and yet I received a letter from a shady collection agency (SKO Brenner American) saying I owe $67.89... Tried calling proactiv and of course they could not help. Do yourself a favor and save your time, money, and skin. STAY AWAY from proactiv!

Signed up for a one time purchase, but paid with card. Ended up being an every month purchase for $60+. They over withdrew my bank account, wouldn't let me cancel, and told me I was responsible for shipping anything back. The 60/90 day money back guarantee is a lie. They don't cover shipping fees, over withdraw fees, or other associated Proactiv fees. Possibly the worst company to do business with.

I have tried to cancel with PROACTIV Solution. I keep getting charged for the product...Extremely frustrating.

3/12/2012

To: Proactiv Solution – Billing Department
From: Tony Romano
I ordered the product early December 2011 (a few small bottles of solution and a brush) for my wife as a Christmas gift. She and I are both senior citizens. Almost 70.
After I presented the gift to my wife she thought it was funny – believe me she does not have acme.
Shortly after that we received another package of your products. I phoned our company and explained that I did not order anything other than the original package.
The phone person for Proactiv asked me if I opened the second package. I replied that I did not open the package. I was instructed to address the package back to Proactiv and I would be credited for the return. I mailed the second unopened Proactiv package from our local USPS mail facility to your company address.
On January 10, 2010 after speaking to another representative on the phone I received the email from Proactiv addressed to me and showing “Account Cancellation Confirmed”. *A copy attached to this fax.
I have never received credit $19.95 for the second package. To make matters worse you have billed my credit card again on February 23, 2011 for $19.95 a total overcharge of $39.90.
When I phoned this evening March 09 in the evening your phone operator advised me that he did not see any bill to me for February. Attached is a copy of my credit card billing showing the $19.95 on February 23rd .
I will wait seven days from the date of this fax and documentation sent to you. If your company has not communicated to me in writing regarding the appropriate credit and the amount of that credit I will seek a formal solution.
Respectfully,

I have had the same experience as everyone else on this board. The only way to address this appropriately is to go directly to the Attorney General's website for IA and file a consumer complaint.

The following link will take you to the online form, http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/file_complaint/online_2.html

Also, if someone sends you unauthorized product you can keep it at no charge. The company has no authorization to charge your bank account, which is a felony, and you can inform you bank to refund or block any charged from Proactiv.

On December 3, 2011, I placed an on-line order for the Proactiv Kit for $35.95. The next day I received an e-mail stating that my card was not accepted. I called in and spoke to a representative and he told me not to worry that the order would still be processed. On December 5 I was told that my order could not be processed and to try another card. I don’t have another card so I told the representative to disregard and cancel my order. Obviously, this was totally ignored by incompetent workers. On December 8 I went to the mall and purchase one tube of refining mask for $31. This is money that was withdrawn from my account. On December 16, I received an advertisement from Proactiv and I called and instructed the representative to please, please, make sure my account was closed. Also, refrain from future communication in regards to ordering items. I am only interested in my refund. I also spoke with Billing Specialist, Barbie and informed her that I had indeed cancelled the order and due to the negligence of Proactiv representatives my bank account was negative -$37 for ISF. She stated she would refund me the $35.95. I thought I was done with Proactiv, but this is when the trouble began. On December 17 I received an e-mail from Proactiv at 6:18 am and on the same day I responded (see Doc #1). A few days later I received a 2nd kit. Now my account is even more in the red. I called and spoke with representative Laura on December 21. She assured me that my account was indeed closed and that I would receive a total refund. I still had doubts of the ability of Proactiv representatives, so I called December 23 at 7:03 am and spoke with Mark during which time I requested a supervisor and was connected to Beth. Of course Beth tells me the same thing Barbie did which is of little satisfaction. After returning home from a family holiday event on December 27, I find a letter from my bank (see Doc #2). FYI: And make sure you read the last sentence that is underlined in the bank document. Now, I am charged twice for ISF and will be charged $10 per day until my account is at a plus. As a potential customer I did everything necessary to cancel this transaction short of driving to the corporate office and it was still fruitless. I spoke with Billing Specialist, Sandi on December 27 and of course had to repeat the same information again. This company needs to heighten their training. There is no excuse why this activity went on for more than 2 weeks. You people have the same information on the same computer screen. You are either lazy, incompetent, careless, or all three. And if the bank contacts me with additional charges I will forward them to you and if necessary to the BBB. After this situation is resolved, remove my name permanently from Proactiv.

Dorothy Woods
4827 N. 47th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212

[protected]

Proactive is absolutly the worst company I have ever had to deal with. For starters, their product DOES NOT work and their automatic billing is the stupidest thing I have ever head. You can change the frequency but you can't just decide to order it when you want. After I cancelled my subscription because the product didn't work I was sent another solution. I called up their customer service and the agent told me to send it back and make sure I keep the tracking code. I though this is great! She is telling me the best way to get my money back. Wrong. They do not care about our tracking codes or anything. It has been over 2 months and I haven't recieved any money back. Almost $90. So I emailed them with all my information and they just sent me a standard email back saying it was past the 60 day return policy and they wont help me. I returned it well within the 60 return policy dates and they still wont help me. They just keep sending me automated emails. I am so furious with this company. BEWARE!

i ordered some trial tablets from proactive for which i had to pay postage which i did i had read the terms & conditions and knew if they didnt work i could cancel within 14 days but i didnt receive the trial tablets so i had forgotten about them but when i looked at my bank statement the company has taken £75 from my account i didnt cancel because i didnt get the trial now im told i cant have a refund i wasnt expecting this money to be taken from my account so it has resulted that i cant cover my monthly outgoings from my account

I ordered proactiv online because I saw advertising on tv that it is only about $19-20 for 3 steps acne treatment. However, I ended up ordered about $30 something bucks because I decided to get an extra item. On my proactive account stated that my shipment frequent is 90 days or (3 months). At first I expected that I receive same package in every 3 months but I was surprised within 20 days. They billed me $60 something dollars so I called them why I was charged for the product again when its not 90 days yet. They explained confusingly that it is 90 days supply. I still do not understand what that is so I asked to cancelled any further shipment, the customer service said I will not receive or charge for any further shipment. And if I return, I will get refund for the product price. Once I received the 2 package that they charged me, I decided to keep them because I dont want to pay for extra shipping fee that I have to ship it back. I thought I had a peace of mind because of the called I made ealier. However, about a month later, I am charged again at $29.95 and they said I will be charged again next month for $29.95 because I didn't return it the ptoduct. This is shady and seem like fraud to me because I didn't sign up for monthly payment unless they tricked me while I ordering it the first time.

I own two websites and shop online daily, so I don't consider myself somebody that can be easily duped by a website! And yet, somehow, I got tricked into Proactive. I'm a careful online shopper - not some old lady that can be tricked into donating money to a Nigerian Prince via e-mail! - and yet when I ordered, I didn't notice that APPARENTLY somewhere it says that they will keep billing me. I kept trying to cancel, but they alleged that I'd already signed up for a 90 day supply. They are so rude on the phone and I expected so much more from a large, national company. They are NOT honest and clear about this ongoing subscription at ALL. BUYER BEWARE!

Do not order ProActive. I have now cancelled twice. I filed a fraudulent complaint against this company with my bank. However, they tell me the only way I can keep them from future charges is to cancel my charge card and get a new one. I am furious!
When I placed the initial order, I was never told that I would need to cancel a "membership". Why would I want or even need a membership to purchase acne wash? After receiving the "membership" shipment, I held my temper and cancelled on March 15, 2011. You guessed it, I just got another charge. WHAT? I shop online religiously and have never had a problem like this. ProActive is an absolute scam and the WORSE experience I have ever with a company.

ProActiv continued to charge my credit card after cancelling product.
The company is unwilling to refund charges and Francine actually informed me that I needed to dispute their unauthorized monthly charges with my bank. I reported this activity to my credit card company as FRAUDULENT credit card charges by this company!

I ordered the proactiv 3 step system and paid 19.95, however, I was charged again a few months later in the amount of 27.94. I did not purchase anything, so I don't know why I was charged.

I ordered proactive for my son to use. He used it the first month, but didn't work.I called to cancel, so that they won't charge my credit card every month. I called 3 times, to my surprise I still recieve their product and they still charge me for thet.I called my credit card, they advised me to return the product.I am so frustrated with them, they tell nothing but lies.They lied about the date of my first call, lied about sending a confirmation letter via email to show order cancellation,
This is the worst company I have yet to deal with.
LIARS, THIEVES

Proactive is the worst decision you will ever make!

I ordered one 19.99 package the next month without me buying any other they just sent more and more and more I called and said I dont want anymore I want out.. And they said okay well this would be the last time you will receive anything and here goes now.. Charged 27.60 for something that havent asked for didnt receive and definetly dont want.. Specially since it does not work!

Please please please please do not order from proactive, they are just a scheme!

Why does Proactiv keep getting away with ripping people off with unauthorized charges on creditcards and the orders. They come up with every excuse there is to keep charging you for orders you did not make. Cant every on see this is the biggest scam ever. This company is worse than Bernie Madoff! Hopefully more people will come foward and the truth about this company will be exposed. They only want your money, tell you what you wanna here and then when you have already placed an order, this is where the problem starts. They keep shipping you stuff and keep charging your credit card on purchases you did not make. They tell you, you enrolled in a monthly shipment order when you actually did not. I hope the company goes out of business