(KGTV) - The San Diego-based company behind a popular bracelet is in hot water after customers say their advertising falsely led them to believe purchases benefited Costa Rican artists.
Pura Vida Bracelets, founded in San Diego by Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman, started out selling bracelets advertised as being made in Costa Rica and benefiting local artisans. Since then, the bracelets have been featured by celebrities and become a popular accessory.
This week, the company sent emails to customers apologizing for any confusion over their products. In the email, Pura Vida said they have received customer feedback that their marketing caused confusion as to whether their products are all hand-made in Costa Rica.
"Recently, we have received customer feedback that our advertising, marketing, and/or packaging materials may have caused some confusion as to whether our products are all hand-made, solely by local artisans in Costa Rica, and that the purchase of our products helps support the full-time jobs of local artisans only in Costa Rica.
"Based on your support and the resulting growth of Pura Vida Bracelets, the Pura Vida Bracelet product you purchased may not have been hand-made by local artisans in Costa Rica."
The company said as a result of their business, products have expanded to being made, assembled, and distributed from within several countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, and others.
Pura Vida, which has a storefront in La Jolla, said they have also altered language on their website to reflect the change in advertising.
Customers unhappy with the products due to whether or not it was made in Costa Rica can have their purchase refunded in full online.
