Wednesday, October 17, 2012

AMC appraisal guidelines, Mary Cummins, Cummins Real Estate Services

Mary Cummins, Cummins Real Estate Services

This article is a response to an article in "Valuation Review." The article is titled  "Survey: Realtors report contracts still impacted by low appraisals. 'Realtors reported that a percentage of contracts are being canceled, delayed or renegotiated due to low valuations, blaming the process, inappropriate comparables, lender demands and AMC requirements for the issues that still plague the marketplace.'" 

Below is a sample of an Appraisal Management Company's (AMC) instructions to real estate appraisers. I took out all identifying information of the AMC and replaced it with “---.” People need to realize that we must follow all of these instructions. In the current market it is sometimes difficult if not impossible to find comparables that are similar to the subject and conform to these guidelines. In the past if we could not find comparables that met the guidelines, we could deviate and use other comparables as long as we explained things in detail. These guidelines are especially difficult with custom or luxury homes which don’t conform to the average home or with comparables that are short sales or foreclosures.

As you can see from these guidelines, appraisers now must do three times as much work than in previous years. Appraisers are now being paid less than half of the appraisal fee. The rest of the fee goes to the AMC. If we don’t follow these guidelines, we don’t get paid anything. If the client cancels the purchase or refinance contract, we also don’t get paid. If we are late, we don’t get paid. On top of this AMCs are making all orders rush orders. We have to complete all of this in two days from when the order was placed online, not from when we see the order or when we inspect the property. It sometimes takes a couple of calls to get an appointment to view, measure, inspect and photograph the subject property. Nowadays every appraisal is like a race. With condos it’s even more difficult as we must get information from the HOA or management company. 

I’m writing this just so people understand everything that’s involved in an appraisal for a conventional loan for purchase or refinance with a regular bank. 

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“By accepting this assignment, the appraiser is acknowledging geographic familiarity and competence to complete and provide a supported opinion of value in compliance with USPAP and adherence to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and all other agency guidelines. The appraiser must act and dress professionally while inspecting the subject property. The appraisal will be relied on to make a lending decision, the reader of the report must be able to understand how the appraiser arrived at their conclusion.

================================================= 
DO NOT PROCEED if the following conditions apply...
================================================= 

  • IF THE SUBJECT’S PRODUCT TYPE DIFFERS FROM THE ENGAGEMENT LETTER – STOP AND CALL --- 
  • * If the subject is a refinance but is currently listed or has been listed for sale in the prior 180 days.
  • You are not the appraiser specifically named on this order for this property as you may NOT BE PAID for the report. 
  • * Subject property is a manufactured and or mobile home. Manufactured home is defined as “any dwelling unit built on a permanent chassis, including those attached to a permanent foundation system.” 
  • * Subject property is under construction or in the process of remodel 
  • * If the Subject property is rated less than average (C5 or C6) please stop and call ---. At inspection, please take a photo of any/all factors effecting condition. You will be asked to either write a brief addendum about the condition or will be advised to complete the report "subject to repair". 
  • * If the subject has significant mold issues that need to be remediated. 
  • * If the subject is an SFR but also is income producing (i.e. working farms, beauty shop, dog kennels, dental or accounting office’s).
If you encounter ANY of the above situations, please contact your --- Order Specialist immediately for further instructions. If appraisal is completed without notifying ---, appraiser may not be paid.

==================== SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ====================

 *** Our client requires that you attempt to contact the borrower/access provider within 24 hours of receiving this order. Please contact us immediately if you have any problems gaining access to the property. ***

  • COST APPROACH section must be filled out. The source of the cost figures must be included in the report. In addition, the appraiser must document the depreciation method. The appraiser should not back into the estimated land value. Where possible, vacant land sales should be referenced. 
  • If the land to value ratio for the subject exceeds 30%, a detailed explanation is required; if the land to value ratio for the subject exceeds 80%, call --- for further direction.
  • If your subject is located in a market where marketing times exceed 6 months, then your report must include support and detailed explanation for marketing times exceeding 6 months and its impact on value. Also, the majority of your comps should show "days on market" greater than 180 days. 
  • If the subject property has security bars, you must mention if the bars have safety release latches, and if they are in compliance with local fire/safety codes.
  • If the subject is a purchase transaction, the SALES CONTRACT AND ALL ADDENDA MUST BE REVIEWED AND the impact of financing and sales concessions, if any and their effect on value should be properly analyzed. Note: The sales contract is considered a relevant piece of market data. In cases where the estimate of value falls below the contract, please provide a complete reconciliation providing the reasoning that supports the value conclusion.
  • If the subject is a refinance and vacant, please check to see that utilities are working. Please add this information to the report.

---------------------- LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ---------------------- 

  • Only a State Certified or State Licensed appraiser may complete the assignment. 
  • If the subject property is valued over $1 million, a Certified Residential Appraiser or higher is required to complete the report.
------------------- REPORT REQUIREMENTS -------------------

 For Single Family Residence and Site Condo in condo projects that consist solely of detached dwellings use form 1004. 
  • Itemized Cost to Cure is required ONLY when repairs are needed. (List cost for each individual repair item and a total cost to cure). All repair items require a photograph. If Health and safety issues are noted, please complete the report "Subject to" Health and safety items only. All other repair items should be considered in a cost to cure. Photographs are required. 
  • ACREAGE – Client requires the total site area to be included in the appraisal value (i.e. if the public record indicated a site of 64 acres, then all 64 acres are to be valued in the report.) 
  • WELL/SEPTIC - If the subject is on well and/or Septic, you must comment if this is typical for the area and if there is any impact on value. 
  • Sales and/or Listings should bracket the subject's gross living area (GLA). If this is not possible, please provide a detailed explanation.
  • If the subject's final value conclusion is above the predominate value for the area, a detailed explanation is required to explain why it is.
  • You must have two data sources for all sales in your report. One can be public records or a public records data provider but the other data source should be MLS, or builder, or broker, or agent or seller or buyer etc. It is not acceptable for the second data source to be "exterior inspection".
  • Comment on any external factors stating what type of structures or land uses are present, if they affect marketability (positive or negative) or are considered an external obsolescence (in which the box on page 1 of the URAR should be marked YES for site conditions/external factors). Address whether or not the comparables shares similar influences.
  • For RURAL: If dated or distant comps are used in your report it is mandatory that a complete and detailed discussion be made in the report about what lengths you went to find more recent and closer comps and a detailed reconciliation on which comp(s) get most weight in your appraisal.
----------------------- COMPARABLE REQUIREMENTS -----------------------

  • 3 Closed Comparable Sales. All comparables must be within 1 mile from subject and sold within the last 6 months. NOTE: If comparable sales exceed proximity/sale criteria, detailed explanation is required. 
  • Provide 1 Comparable listing, if available. (TWO listings are required in a "declining" market.) Listings must support the value estimate. 
  • Please provide days on market (DOM) for each listing or pending comparable property used in the report. This would include total days on market not just the days on market since the last price reduction. 
  • If the subject property is valued over $1 million, a total of five comparables are required, the required 3 sales above, and any two additional comparables, either active pending or sold. Any other sales considered relevant, however not comparable, should be narrated within the supplemental addendum. 
  • You must make list price to sales price ratio adjustments to any listing or pending comps used in your report, or provide commentary to explain that no list price to sales price adjustment is warranted when not made. 
  • The appraiser must provide a reconciliation of the sales comparison approach. Specifically, why each of the comps used in the report were chosen and which comp(s) are given most weight in the appraisal and why. This is in addition to the reconciliation of the 3 approaches to value. 
  • Market and Time Adjustments – Time adjustments must be explained and supported with market data.
  • Across the grid adjustments – All positive or negative adjustments made to all comparables require explanation and market support. These are specific adjustments for condition, construction quality, view and location. (Example: If first 3 comparable sales are in inferior condition, it is necessary to provide a 4th comparable sale in similar condition even if it is dated or a distant sale.) 
  • A wide unadjusted range with only less conforming comparables available (causing line, net, and gross adjustments to exceed typical guidelines) requires detailed support for individual adjustments and adequate commentary is critical for underwriting purposes. Lastly, with the challenging comp data resulting in a report with higher adjustments or a wider adjusted range, the reconciliation commentary on the report needs to be very specific as to the weighting of the comparables and why as to arriving at the final estimate of value. 
  • An explanation is required on the adjustments to the comparable sales whenever the gross adjustment exceed 25% and net adjustments exceed 15%. Please be certain that the gross living area adjustments per square foot for the comparables are consistent. *An explanation is required when using comparables with a GLA variance greater than 20% * When use of dated or distant comps is necessary, justification for their use must be included. A thorough explanation of the available market data and the expanded search parameters utilized is expected.
------------------ PHOTO REQUIREMENTS ------------------ 
  • Front, rear and street scene of the subject property. 
  • Interior photographs, which must, at a minimum, include: – the kitchen; – all bathrooms; – main living area; – examples of physical deterioration, if present; and – examples of recent updates, such as restoration, remodeling, and renovation, if present. 
  • Photos of pools, outbuildings, views (if applicable). 
  • Photos of any deferred maintenance that would affect property value.
  • Original front photos of each comparables used. If MLS photos are used, a current photo taken by the appraiser is still required. Clients will only accept MLS photo if comp is in an inaccessible community. Appraiser then must provide photo of obstacle as well and a detailed explanation.
NOTE: Please DO NOT include pictures of people on any of the images in the report.

---------------- REQUIRED EXHIBITS ---------------- 
  • Location map with subject and comparables used. 
  • Subject building sketch – Sketches must include all outside dimensions, calculations, labels for all rooms and out buildings. 
  • 1004MC form 
  • A copy of the appraiser's license is required in the report.
--- and --- requirements and advisements Advisement on Private Streets 
Private Street properties only
  1. Report to provide details on whether a written private street agreement exists. 
  2. Identification of the comparables being located on private or public streets is required.
  3. Commentary on market reaction to private versus public street location is to be included.
Advisement on Adverse or Functional issues 
  • Make sure the appraiser has fully described the functional issue. 
  • Make sure the appraiser has fully analyzed the functional issue. 
  • Provide photographs
  • Make sure the appraiser has fully assessed and proven the impact on value and marketability on any adverse condition.
  • Atypical Properties 
  • Common mistake: insufficient information; make sure there is detail about what makes the subject atypical and unique. 
  • Please make sure the appraiser discusses if the subject would compete with other homes in the market 
  • Describe the type of buyer that would be interested in this kind of home in this market and discuss if it is a limited buyer pool.
  • When possible, provide homes with similar impairment or similar functional issues
Requirement on Non Permitted Additions: This is a condition of assignment
Non-permitted or non-verifiable as permitted living areas should be analyzed for their potential impact on value and adjusted. This could result in either positive or negative adjustments. Simply ignoring non-permitted areas is not acceptable. You must provide your source used to determine the additions were not permitted.

Non-permitted additions may be common and typical in some areas, having both market acceptance and a positive market reaction related to their perceived value.

In situations of non-permitted additions, please answer the list of questions below and complete the report being sure to address each issue within the addendum. The report addendum should summarize the itemized points listed below and should contain at least 1 comparable with a similar unpermitted feature to demonstrate it as being common and typical for the area and to support market acceptance. 
  1. Completed in a workmanlike manner? 
  2. Common and typical for the area? 
  3. Provides contributory value? 
  4. Are comparables with similar non-permitted improvements available and can be utilized in the report? 
  5. Affect on marketability is positive?
  6. Conforms to zoning? 
  7. Property could transfer without obtaining the lacking permits? 
  8. Property could transfer without demolition of the addition? 
  9. If destroyed, could all of the existing improvements be rebuilt?

If the quality of the added improvement is consistent with the existing dwelling, market acceptance and positive reaction exists, and there can be a reasonable expectation of its permanency, the client will recognize the non-permitted area as acceptable collateral for loan purposes. In most cases the additional living area will be reflected in the GLA; however an acceptable alternative is to account for it as a separate line item adjustment. The later may be more appropriate if the justifiable rate of adjustment for the non-permitted area is different than the GLA rate, and necessary if the non-permitted area is detached from the main dwelling as would be the case in the examples of a pool house or an in-law cottage.

If the non-permitted addition or modification has resulted in creating any health & safety issues that must be remedied, then the report needs to be made SUBJECT TO only the necessary repairs or alterations to remedy the H&S concerns.

**In California - --- does not require the appraiser to determine if Co2 detectors are present and the report should not be made "subject to" simply based on the lack of the co2 detectors.

All appraisal reports are subject to appraisal review. You may be contacted to provide responses to questions resulting from a review of the appraisal report. Additional research, analysis/and or supplemental appraisal information may be requested.

SUBMITTING THE REPORT 

For ACI's eServices or A La Mode's XSite users - Please go through eServices or XSite and submit.

*** DO NOT submit invoice with completed report. Invoices are paid 30 days upon completion of the order. Please be reminded that the order will ONLY be considered complete once our client accepted the appraisal report. In the meantime, you must
be available to make ANY corrections/revisions, if necessary.

It is important that all instructions and requirements mentioned above have been fulfilled before submitting the report to prevent any delays. Failure to comply with all the requirements will result in non-payment of the order.



Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Real Estate Appraiser, Appraisal, Los Angeles, Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins, real estate appraisal, appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins, Real Estate Appraiser, Appraisal in Los Angeles, California.


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Mary Cummins, Appraiser Rules of Etiquette


As a real estate appraiser I absolutely agree with these rules of etiquette. I can't tell you how shocking it is when I used to get my home appraised and the appraiser showed up in shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt. Yes, we live in Southern California but that is no reason to look unprofessional. If I must check the crawl space or roof, I will bring a coverall. All appraisers should follow these rules of etiquette. 

The Appraisal Rules of Etiquette

by Kevin Hopkins

In this day and age, it seems like a lot of things have fallen by the wayside and good manners should not be one of them.  When you do an appraisal, you are representing yourself and the people who have hired you. A certain degree of professionalism should always be the standard and not the exception.  With that being said, what are the expectations in this day and age? Here is a list, by no means exclusive, of rules to live by.

  • Be on time. Not half an hour early, nor half an hour late. If you show up too early, homeowners might not be prepared for your arrival and if you show up late you keep them waiting. Time is money and you shouldn't waste anyone else's time.
  • Cell phones should be used sparingly, if at all in a customer's home. Sometimes it cannot be helped, but personal calls that seem to ramble on do not endear you to anyone. If you must answer or use the phone, do so as briefly as possible.
  • Don't ask to use the homeowner's bathroom. Yes, if you ask, they will point you down the hall. But you are a stranger and should not impose except in the direst of circumstances.
  • Don't ask for anything to eat or drink. Again, take care of these needs before or after your arrival. If they offer you a drink, you can accept their hospitality but don't sit down to dinner with them.
  • Keep your vehicle presentable- inside and out. For years, UPS drivers would wash their vehicles daily to maintain a professional image and often, that is what a homeowner would see both first and last.
  • Maintain your personal hygiene as well. Some of you will laugh, but others will argue. Bathe daily, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, clean and trim your nails, shave all necessary areas, floss and brush regularly and get your hair cut at least once a month.
  • Personal attire should be business casual or better. Polish your shoes and brush off any lint. Depending on circumstances, you could get dirty. I would recommend a change of clothes and/or a pair of coveralls.
  • Laptops belong on your…lap. The homeowner does not know where your computer has been. Don't set your Ipad on their table or countertop and send a germaphobe into orbit.
  • Be prepared to take your shoes off inside. This still unsettles me a bit, but some homeowners will cringe if you do not take off your shoes inside. I know a person who refused to do so and wound up discoloring a $10,000 Oriental rug. Some homeowner's will provide you booties to wear inside, but you might be advised to bring your disposable ones and make sure there are no holes in your socks- just in case.


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Wildlife Rehabilitation Los Angeles, California: Eric Shupps, BinaryWave, Sharepoint, eshupps

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Wildlife Rehabilitation Los Angeles, California: Eric Shupps, BinaryWave, Sharepoint, eshupps: Eric Shupps, BinaryWave, Sharepoint Cowboy, eshupps, not an expert Eric Shupps, BinaryWave, Sharepoint Cowboy, eshupps, not an expe...
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Friday, September 16, 2011

Call to action real estate appraisers in California - Mary Cummins



SUBJECT: Call To Action


It’s BAD!  In fact it does not get any WORSE! Please, get mad, take action, write Governor Jerry Brown… RIGHT NOW!  This Bill is on his desk.

Governor Brown… please VETO SB706

Excerpt from SB 706:

SEC. 35. Section 11317.2 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:
11317.2. (a) In addition to publishing the summary required by Section 11317, the office shall provide on the Internet information regarding the status of every license and registration issued by the office in accordance with the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) and the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1798) of Title 1.8 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code). The public information to be provided on the Internet shall include information on suspensions and revocations of licenses and registrations issued by the office and accusations filed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) relative to persons or businesses subject to licensure, registration, or regulation by the office.
________________________________________________________________________

Below are some things you can say…  but please, don’t cut and paste the entire thing. Pick one of two or ideas or better yet, write you own comments. The facts are simple. If someone accused you of something and you had no chance to defend yourself, and no opportunity to confront your accuser, you would be smeared in PUBLIC.  How do you feel about that? Your reputation, all those years of hard work, down the drain! 
________________________________________________________________

·         The OREA website currently publishes information on suspensions and revocations (or surrenders) of licenses, following the direction and example of the federal Appraisal Subcommittee. The public is being protected now!

·         The National Registry of the Appraisal Subcommittee only lists revocations, voluntary surrenders, and suspensions of appraisal licensees, AFTER an adjudicative hearing has been completed in the jurisdiction where a violation has occurred.  This makes sense!

·         SB 706 adds “…accusations filed pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act” to the items that must be listed by OREA. Very bad public policy. This is why we  “don’t yell Fire in a Theater." It destroys people.

·         The addition of accusations to the items to be listed fails to recognize the uniqueness of the appraisal profession, as compared to other professions regulated under the Department of Consumer Affairs.

·         Even the slightest hint of unfounded disciplinary action against an appraisal licensee can be the “kiss of death” to the appraiser’s business; it is equivalent to license revocation. So you destroy someone on a whim. Bad idea!

·         Publishing accusations against appraisers on the Internet prior to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge may constitute a violation of  the appraisal licensee’s due process rights. Important in this country!

Take action now. Tell your appraiser friends. This is important.

Governor Brown VETO SB 706… please!

SB 760. Please take action immediately. Email, FAX or Call Governor Brown. Ask him to VETO SB760… this is the bill that requires “accusations” to be posted on the OREA website. So, if someone gets mad at you and accuses you of something – right or wrong – it goes public. This is bad public policy. Your reputation, the one you have spent years developing, is down the drain.
         Governor Jerry Brown    Tel: 916-445-2841
         Fax: 916-558-3160    Email: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php 


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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Saturday, September 10, 2011

9/11 remembered - Mary Cummins




As I soundly slept around 6:00 a.m. in Los Angeles, California the phone started ringing. My now ex-husband picked it up. A co-worker told him that a plane had crashed into the twin towers. My husband repeated this to me. I thought he meant that a small two seater plane had crashed into the empty Century City twin towers. Upset at being woken up for no real reason I said with great irritation "so?" The person on the phone then said "no, no, no! Turn on the TV!" We reluctantly got out of bed and turned on the TV. The first plane had just struck one of the New York twin towers. It was hard to believe what we were seeing.

While I was watching the news the second plane struck the other tower. It was surreal. It really felt like I was watching a movie of the attack and not the actual attack. I was still watching the news when the first tower collapsed around 7 a.m. right before my eyes. I could not believe it. How is that possible? Were there bombs on the planes? I started to think that this was probably the beginning of World War III.

I had scheduled to get four kittens neutered that morning at Animal Birth Control in West Los Angeles. Still in a daze I loaded up the kittens and headed off to the vet. No one was on the streets. LA was a ghost town for a few hours that day. Everyone was glued to their TV sets. In my car I heard on the news that the second tower had collapsed. Then I heard about the plane flying into the Pentagon. It really felt like the end of the world as I drove alone on the empty streets.

When I got to the vet's office it seemed no one knew what was happening in New York because there was no TV or radio. Everyone was sitting in the waiting room contentedly clueless and quiet. I didn't say a word. They would know soon enough.

I dropped the kittens off and headed back home. While I was driving home I was thinking "why am I getting kittens neutered when this may soon be the end of the world as we know it? Will cat overpopulation really be an issue after we all get nuked?" I really thought the US was going to instantly go to war.

By the time I got back home my husband was still watching the news while getting ready to go to work. I was having the bathrooms remodeled and the workmen had arrived. I kept thinking "why is he going to work? Why am I having my bathrooms remodeled if this could be the beginning of the end?" I really thought there would be more attacks on US soil and I thought Los Angeles was a prime target.

I went online and took a lap around the stock message boards. People were trying to find stock brokers who were in the twin towers. I found out that some people I knew had died in the twin towers. It was hard to believe that I'd never see them on the boards again telling everyone to buy, buy, buy some POS stock tout job. Even though I didn't like them because they were con artists I felt bad for their families.

The shorters and hedge fund managers I knew who normally would short on any bad news were telling people not to short the market. They said it'd be very un-American to short under these circumstances. They fortunately ended up closing the stock exchanges after share prices plummeted.

Later that night on the news I saw video of people in the middle east dancing and jumping for joy over the attacks. I had an intense desire to reach through the TV and beat the crap out of all of them even the little old ladies.

For the next few days I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I really thought they might fly a plane into LA City Hall or maybe into a fully packed sports arena. I actually stayed away from City Hall for a couple of weeks for that reason. People who worked at City Hall said they had the same fear.

Over the next few weeks they started investigating 9/11. There were some middle eastern people at my husband's BMW dealership in Beverly Hills who had gone to a party in New York a few weeks before 9/11. They were questioned. They of course had nothing to do with 9/11 but if you looked middle eastern, you were going to be questioned.  People were reporting just about any middle eastern person or person they just didn't like to the FBI. It was a very stressful time.

Time passed and things started to calm down. I no longer thought it would be the beginning of WWIII so I started remodeling my kitchen. Because of 9/11 I  could not order the appliances I wanted because trucks were not allowed to transport them across the country. I had to buy whatever was on the show room floor. I was now a little pissed at 9/11 because I couldn't get the exact model of appliances I wanted for my kitchen.

It's now almost the ten year anniversary of 9/11. Everyone's a little worried about a repeat performance. If the bad guys were to attack us, how and where would they attack us? Maybe a monument building on the West Coast? A crowded sporting event? I'm sure I'll be looking up every time I hear a plane overhead today and tomorrow. September 12th can't come soon enough.


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Edward Katz Hair Design - Mary Cummins v Edward Katz. I sued Edward Katz and won. Edward N Katz went bankrupt

Edward Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Katz International Hair Design. I am making this post because someone posted that I sued Edward Katz and lost. I sued Edward Katz and won. He ended up paying me a lot of money and going bankrupt. 

Edward Katz, Edward Norman Katz is a public person. He thrust himself into a public controversy. Edward Katz is mentioned in newspaper and magazine articles. I am posting about issues of public concern. Everything that I am posting is 100% the truth backed by his bankruptcy documents, corporation status (suspended), legal filings, photos, letters... I am also posting my personal opinions and beliefs about Edward Katz of Edward Katz International Hair Design. If you see an error here, email me with proof and I will edit or delete it. 


UPDATED: Ed contacted me begging me to call him. I refused. Then he emailed me and said this page is hurting his reputation. No, he hurt his reputation by committing bankruptcy fraud, ripping off clients and trying to rip me off to my face. Now he is defaming and cyberstalking me online. I think he is upset because this post shows he lied to his wife. I think his wife is also upset that I posted her bday because she lies about her age. Edward Katz and his wife Ann Marie Katz have liked ONLY plastic surgeons pages and their own hairpiece pages. They overly photoshop all their photos. Their bios are crazy fake over the top. Who would do that?


UPDATED: I updated this few months back by reposting with added info. You can see the original post August 2011.

Edward Katz has defamed me to others. He also tried to rip me off and not pay back the money he owed me. I had to get a lawyer to sue Edward Katz and finally got the money he owed me. I post my lawsuit against him down below.



I was doing well in real estate in the 1980's. Edward Katz in Los Angeles, California asked for a loan because he wasn't doing that well. I was doing private real estate loans. He told me he used to sell insurance, actually tax deferred annuity funds. They were basically investments. I know because I took my first big commission checks and bought two though not from him. 

He said after a few years the insurance commissioner made these investments illegal for insurance agents to sell because people were being ripped off. These are investments and not insurance. He'd spent all of his savings and wanted to start a new business. I was suspect of him starting a new business but he had equity in his house so I loaned Edward Katz $40,000 which became $80,000 in 1985 against his home at 544 N. Huntley, Los Angeles, CA 90048. 

Immediately he had problems paying me. I then took a look at his business and he had no idea what he was doing. He also got in a fight with his brother Ronald L Katz who lived at 11211 Sunshine Terrace who was his business partner. He would be penniless in two months if I didn't step in. He offered me money to help. I basically took over running the company 1985 to 1988. 

Edward Katz did not invent this product. He was a client of Don Jeffries who made the product. The product is just a lace front hair piece identical to the ones used in movies. Ziggy made the same pieces. The base is just a little thicker and stronger so it'll last more than one day. Don Jeffries just decided to attach it with silicone that you buy in a hardware store so it'd stay on longer. In the movies they use a temporary glue and only use the piece for a few days. Edward Katz stole the product and method from Don Jeffries. He also stole his main employee a woman from Columbia who ran the factory Melida and a hair stylist who became the girlfriend of his brother Ron named Denise. In the beginning in December 1985 there were just Ed, Ron, Denise, Melida, Evers and me. The old factory was at 1010 Victory Place in Burbank. Bruce Bellin was our landlord. Edward Katz stiffed him in the bankruptcy filing. 1986 we hired six more people including Amira, Charlene and Katalin in the salon, Patricia, Zoila, Norma in the factory.

Later on Melida ripped us off so I guess it's even. She was making Don Jeffries' and other's pieces in our factory with our supplies. I went there on a weekend to get something and saw Tony Curtis' hair in a package with his name on it. He wasn't a client of ours. Then I looked around and found William Shatner's hair. He also wasn't a client at the time. I could tell a ton of stories about how horrible and cheap William Shatner is but another time. Leave it to say William Shatner is a horrible person who treated his wife and others terribly. This is the wife that was ultimately found dead in their pool.

Edward Katz's expenses were way too high. I probably cut his expenses in half within a few months. His product was low quality. He was using industrial Dow Corning silicone 732, 734 that you buy at Home Depot. It was illegal to put on people's skin. It actually burned their skin and the fumes were toxic. One is self-leveling, the other is not.

Edward Katz Hair Design "secret" adhesive - silicone form the hardware store

Edward Katz Hair Design "secret" adhesive - silicone from the hardware store

Don Jeffries also used regular silicone. This was the "secret adhesive" which Edward Katz claimed to have invented. He'd have it shipped to his house then scrape the labels off the tubes so people wouldn't know what it was for fear they'd "steal his idea." A few guys recognized the smell and said "is that silicone?" Edward Katz said "no, this is my own formula which I invented myself!" Tell that to Mr. Dow. I instantly switched to medical grade silicone. His base material was inferior, shiny and shredded. I found a better material. His ventilation method made the hair look like doll hair in rows. I found a better method that produced natural looking results. I also had the people in the factory change the pattern.

Here's another inside tip. The solvent used to remove the silicone is xylene. Extremely toxic, horrible smelling, will make you sick. Even with gas masks on it was lethal stuff. I cleaned a few units and was sick for the entire day. The silicone and xylene are very toxic. The other "adhesive" he sells in the shop is regular hair piece glue. It's not the silicone.

Edward Katz's method for taking heads molds was the worst you could possibly imagine. He would put cellophane on their head, put clear tape over that to try to give it shape then draw the hairline with a water proof marker. Then he'd build up a styrofoam head with masking take to try to make it fit the cellophane. I changed from silly tape on Styrofoam wig heads to plaster casts with foam forms that perfectly matched their heads. I still have my two inch notebook on all the research I did into improving the product with photos. Most of the things I did were ideas borrowed from other good companies which I researched then I'd make adjustments to improve on them.

FTR Edward Katz did not do anything himself. He tried to take a head mold once and it was a disaster even though it's an easy process. He never cut hair, never ventilated and never once put a strand of hair in a piece. He only did consultations though he'd stand next to me when I was working on some clients.

He was using synthetic hair back then, still is today. Problem with the hair is you had to bake the curl in a very special super hot oven. If it got hot and wet, it would become stick straight again. That's why Edward Katz keeps them short which I feel looks shitty. I remember once when the employees at the factory in Burbank on Victory Blvd reheated their pizza in the hair oven. The next batch of hair they baked on metal rods to put in the wave all smelled like pizza permanently. I obviously told them never to use that oven and got them a microwave.

Synthetic hair has a few problems. If you rub it, it gets super frizzed out in a totally unnatural way. If it gets hot and wet, it becomes stick straight. When I first took over this was unacceptable. Who would want to buy this product if it gets frizzed out or stick straight permanently. I did some research into other companies and found a way to get rid of the frizz and put the curl back on or off the head with a steamer. You obviously had to be careful if you did this on the head. Another problem with the synthetic hair is that light colors fade to an unnatural dull light auburn. That was permanent. We couldn't put the color back. We'd have to ventilate in more hair to try to hide it. I suggested using human hair for lighter colors. I don't know if the factory that makes the hair fixed these problems. I can only hope so.

Back to the business and legal issues. Edward Katz was addicted to Crown Royal scotch and valium. He once had a panic attack, stormed into a pharmacy and physically demanded valium. He called me from the pharmacy. The pharmacist gave him some valium. It was that bad. He was seeing a psychiatrist whom I think gave him the valium. He did not do the actual design, fabrication or cut-in. He only gave consultations. His bio in his website makes it sound like he did everything when he most certainly did not. I had to teach him how to pump his own gas. He did not know how to pump gas and he was 35 years old. His mother spoiled him and did everything for him.

We started making a lot of money and he got lazy and stopped showing up for work. Instead he'd go to Las Vegas and gamble. Other times he'd be at Hollywood Park gambling. He and his brother used to go to Hollywood Park a lot besides play tennis.

We were doing ads to get more business. In the beginning he did LA Times ads but they barely brought us any business and cost a lot. I did a test of magazine ads keeping track of every call. We stopped LA Times ads and only did LA Magazine ads because the return on investment was 100x better. I brought the ad company in house and did it myself to save the 15%.

In the very beginning we were new and no one would write editorials about us. I had to force Los Angeles Magazine to do an editorial on us. We were buying monthly ads from them. They agreed. I probably forced the first few articles then everyone wanted to write about us.

I also did the PR myself after these two nitwits who worked in the building gave us a ridiculous PR proposal. They wanted $2,500/mo to do PR. I asked them to write a sample press release after telling them everything about the business. They wrote a PR saying the product was "water soluable" instead of "water permeable." They got so many things wrong that I told them to leave. I did the PR myself getting us in Playboy, on TV, magazines and in books including one by a dermatologist to the stars. The news contacted us anytime they did an article on hair loss.

We were approached to do TV commercials on cable. The sales woman convinced Edward Katz to do the ads himself. They do this to sell ads because supposedly people like seeing themselves on TV. I told her it's not a good idea because he's addicted to valium and slurs his speech. He also has a problem speaking. She didn't listen to me. They tried to tape him doing the ad for two hours! He couldn't say more than three words in a row without fumbling. He refused to stop trying. Finally they left the room. 

We got someone else to do the ad with before and after. Phone rang off the hook. We also advertised in Beverly Hills 90210 with the most obnoxious ads you've ever seen. The ad said "if you can afford a Mercedes, Rolex, then you can afford..." There was a photo of him posing with his hand to his cheek showing off his Rolex. The Rolex was FAKE! It wasn't just a fake Rolex but it was a cheap fake Rolex. On that note so are his teeth. A client said his teeth and nose looked crappy so he had a nose job and put veneers on his front 16 teeth. His teeth were brown from constant coffee and cigarettes. They were also really short because he would grind his teeth. After he had the nose job I set up a referral system with plastic surgeons who did hair replacement. I told them I'd refer surgical candidates to them if they referred non-surgical candidates to us. Worked out well.

I would write articles and press releases. Edward Katz said he had to take credit because he was "Edward Katz." I said okay. Edward Katz was asked to write an article for the "Hair Loss Journal" American Hair Loss Council Newsletter in 1987. I wrote the article and Edward Katz signed it as the author. We were invited to the hair loss conference held in Century City because of the article I wrote. They asked him to speak. I told them it's not a good idea because he's not a good speaker. They did not listen. I have a copy of the newsletter with my article in it. Just posted it below.

Edward Katz got nervous and got loaded on valium. He got up there and slurred his speech for 30 minutes until they had to physically remove him from the stage. They asked him to leave twice but he refused. They had to grab him by the shoulders and shove him off the stage. He talked about "we should call it a unit and not a hair piece or toupee"... for thirty minutes! I was so embarrassed that I had to leave the room after ten minutes. They never asked us back again. Below is the cover of the newsletter announcing the symposium. Everyone else was professional and a good speaker.
Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Edward Katz International Hair Design, symposium 1987 flop

We then had more business than we could handle. All of this success went to Edward Katz's head. He stopped showing up for work save for raiding the kitty. Many clients paid cash. He also stole directly from the accounts. He would double and triple bill Burt Reynolds. I told him he can't do that. It's illegal and wrong. He also ran up huge gambling and credit card debts. He was gambling away money in Las Vegas. I finally had to sue him because he was commingling, double billing clients and stealing which is illegal. I can't be involved in that. Below is a summary of my lawsuit. I'll post the entire thing later.
Mary Cummins sues Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz of Edward Katz International Hair Design
He locked me out of the building. Fortunately I'd taken detailed photos of everything and copied all the books. The employees also let me back in. I could have legally gone back but I would not be a part of the business if he was going to break the law and steal. I just wanted the money he owed me. I went back to real estate where I made even more money. 

After I left the business instantly started failing. I ran the business, was the secretary, cut hair, prepared hair, designed units, oversaw the factory, did PR, advertising.... He stole all the money and payroll checks bounced. He asked me to come back and help him. I was making more money and said no way. He told me he was going to go to Las Vegas and gamble to make back the money he lost gambling. I said "whatever." Of course he lost more money.

He tried to get out of paying me, credit cards and Las Vegas gambling losses by going bankrupt. He said to my face while smiling "I will never pay you back the money I owe you!" Well, he did, and then some. I knew he was committing bankruptcy fraud and had the proof. In bankruptcy docs he said he had no inventory. He said he closed down the business, sold all the assets, the business no longer existed. He filed for Chapter 7 which is liquidation, dissolution of business. All he did was move a half a block away. He took all the inventory, clients, accounts....with him. He did not liquidate or dissolve. The name and phone number was the same. He moved from 3575 Cahuenga to 3535 Cahuenga. The business at the end of the hall had been begging to buy our lease for a big profit because they needed the room. I bet Edward Katz sold it to them and kept the profit. I threatened to turn Edward Katz in for bankruptcy fraud if he didn't pay me. He paid me. I still had a deed on his house. When he refinanced couple of years later he paid me even more money. I made out very well.

UPDATE: I will post about how things worked at Edward Katz Hair Design when I was there. Each client had to buy two units generally. They ran from $1,800 to $3,500 depending upon size. We had to pay by the square inch for people to put the strands of hair in the piece 1-2 strands at a time. One unit would be worn while the other was in the factory being cleaned. They would add new hairs as needed.When you clean the unit with xylene and a brush to remove the silicone it also pulls out some of the hair. This must be replaced. Back then we charged $35 for cleaning and reapplication with a haircut and shampoo. Sometimes when Ed was being really nasty he'd intentionally pull the hair out of some guy's units so they had to pay for repairs. After I left I was told he just padded the bill saying there was repair when there wasn't. Very unethical.

I personally would not recommend Edward Katz's product/service for a few reasons.

One, Edward Katz is unethical. He used to pad some client's bills especially celebrities or wealthy people. It's also expensive. I'm sure there are others out there making a similar quality product for less.

Two, this product is delicate. The mesh frays easily because there is no real base under the mesh. When you use xylene and a brush to remove the silicone it pulls the hair out. This has to be replaced which costs money.

Three, synthetic hair is not that great. It gets frizzy or instantly becomes stick straight when introduced to warm water, sweat. Some lighter colors fade to a very unattractive color. If I were to have a piece, I'd go with real hair. If you use this piece with only tape and remove for sleep, showering, jacuzzi, it wouldn't be as bad. I don't know if the synthetic hair has improved or not.

Four, the silicone is not legal to use on skin. It's very caustic. People's skin would burn. Also, when it lifts it turns white. You can see the white through the base. This is even worse with people with dark skin. I actually found, invented a new adhesive which is legal on skin and doesn't turn white when it lifts.

If you are thinking of getting a piece, here is some advice. The most important thing is design and color so it will look natural. You want the right density, hairline, color that matches your age, head, face and existing hair if you have any. I may write an article on proper design and color later. If the piece is too thick, hairline too low, it's only one color that is too dark for your age, it will look unnatural and that's the main thing you do not want. Remember, people only notice the bad ones. You don't notice the good ones. William Shatner looks like shit. It is soooooo obvious.

You also must cut in the piece properly. If you are blending with existing hair in the back or sides, you have to feather it in a little. You don't want a line of demarkation. You don't want the hair on the edges to all be the same length. Remember you hair will grow. The piece will not. You need hair of various lengths on the edges to properly blend in between hair cuts.

Here I am at Burt Reynold's Jupiter Theater in Florida. He invited me there to do his hair which I did. I did his hair for a few years. In fact I did most of the clients' hair myself for a while. I have many more photos.

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design,  back room

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design, office

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, back room

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, office. Some of those autographs Edward Katz forged. He forged Cybille Shepherd's autograph. A client said "doesn't she have an 'e' on the end of her name?" As soon as the client left Ed took the photo off the wall and fixed it. 

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, lobby. I would post our articles on the walls
Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Katz International Hair Design, Burbank Factory

Edward Katz International Hair Design, Edward Katz, front door

Edward Katz International Hair Design, Edward Katz, entrance. Ventilator dropping off a head to pick up a check.

Edward Katz International Hair Design, Edward Katz, office, forged autographs

Edward Katz International Hair Design, Edward Katz, phallic shampoo bottles

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design and Mary Cummins
Burt Reynolds head, toupee, hair piece, Mary Cummins. I found Burt's head mold which I took. This was just the first layer of design. You see direction of hair and density. I hadn't written highlights, gray...anything else yet.

Burt Reynolds autographed photo. I didn't ask for this. He gave it to me as a gift when I went to his house to do his hair. Turns out an old lady signed these things for him because she had nice writing. Mary Cummins, real estate.

Burt Reynolds autographed photo. Mary Cummins

When I left he immediately went to Florida to meet with Burt Reynolds our client to beg for money. He met a hair stylist there. They ended up getting married 25 Nov 1992 in Nevada, Ann Marie MacDonald. It says "religious celebrant" but he's Jewish and she's Catholic. How did that go? Now she's his Vice President I think. Looks like the same person. It's a good thing because he can't run a business by himself. All that shit they wrote in their biography is obviously bullshit. I have all of my lawsuit documents to prove it besides photos and my research notebook. Below are his bankruptcy documents which also prove this. 

Here is the docket for Edward Katz's bankruptcy case. 

Here is Edward Katz's notice of bankruptcy filing

Here is Edward Katz's bankruptcy creditor list. You see my name and the name of my lawyer in there. We got paid part of what was owed. The rest didn't. As soon as I showed my physical proof of bankruptcy fraud which he committed, he paid me. He really should be in prison for bankruptcy fraud. He should also be there for bank fraud. He lied on his credit card applications. This guy is just one big story. Gordon Gitlen and Cheryle White in the list are my lawyers. I also won legal fees against him. Oddly enough even though both of these lawyers are my age they both died of rare illnesses.
http://www.marycummins.com/edward_katz_hair_design/edward_katz_creditors.pdf
Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design, Bankruptcy

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design, Bankrupt


Here is copy/paste of the text of the filing. I just noticed that he also took his insurance company bankrupt. This is bankruptcy fraud because he went Chapter 7 which is liquidation. He did not liquidate. He kept the business, name, phone numbers, employees, clients, inventory...and moved half a block away.

1:88-bk-20106-AG Edward N Katz
Case type: bk Chapter: 7 Asset: Yes Vol: v Judge: Arthur M. Greenwald
Date filed: 09/22/1988 Date of last filing: 04/21/1995 Date discharged: 01/20/1989
Date terminated: 04/20/1995

Parties with aliases

Edward N Katz
544 N Huntley Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90048-1923
SSN / ITIN: xxx-xx-xxxx
(Debtor)
aka    
Edward Norman Katz
aka    
Dba Edward Katz International
aka    
HAIR DESIGN INC
aka    
Fdba Edward Katz Insurance

The funniest part is I see him sometimes at a gym on Beverly and Sweetzer. He walks around bald. If his product is so great, why doesn't he use it when he's not in the office? He claims you can swim, play tennis in it but he won't even walk on a treadmill with it on.

That said I would prefer a man trim it short or if he's lost most of it, shave it off. I have never cared if a man has hair on his head or not. If a guy really wants to wear one, fine, just get one that looks natural.

I never signed a gag order. I could reveal all of the clients but I most certainly won't. Burt Reynolds admits he wears a piece and has taken it off on Johnny Carson a few times. William Shatner was not a client at the time. Everyone knows they both wear pieces and have since they were very young. Edward Katz told the Los Angeles Times May 2013 that Burt Reynolds and William Shatner are his clients. I signed a non-compete for five years which was up in 1993. I have no desire to go back into that business. I could never tell anyone what I did for a living. I never put this on my resume.

I'll post more documents later. I was really hoping to forget about this experience but some crazy lady is posting that I lost the lawsuit. I won the lawsuit against Edward Katz.

Edward Katz owns and lived at 544 N. Huntley Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048. I had the loan on his house. He finally paid me off in 1994. The attorney David Gill was a school friend of Edward Katz. He helped him commit bankruptcy fraud. Sure there is a statute of limitations so it doesn't matter if I post this. He then bought a house at 1621 Magnetic Terrace, Los Angeles, CA 90069. He owns both with his wife. I think this is the hair stylist he met in Florida. The name Ann Marie sounds familiar. Burt and my employees both told me he found a hair stylist in Florida and married her. It's just so funny reading Edward Katz's website and seeing him taking credit for all of my work. I'm sure his wife must be the one running the biz because Edward Katz is not capable. His birthday is October 2, 1948 so you can tell him apart from the many other Edward Katz in Los Angeles. His wife's name is Ann Marie MacDonald born March 27, 1965, lived in Massachusetts and Jupiter, Florida.

I just pulled up some more lawsuits against Edward Katz. He stiffed the guy who sold him a pool table and lost. He appealed then he finally agreed to pay the guy the money he owed.

Case Number: 06M11584 ACME BILLIARDS,INC. VS. KATZ MR., EDWARD Court: Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Filing Date: 08/17/2006 Case Type: Small Claims (Limited Jurisdiction) Status: DISPOSED BY JUDGMENT

He also tried to stiff the Pacific Bell Yellow Pages and lost.

Case Number: BC278704 PACIFIC BELL DIRECTORY VS. EDWARD KATZ ETC ET AL
Filing Date: 07/31/2002 Case Type: Breach Contrct/Warnty(Sellr Pltf) (General Jurisdiction)

I just read more of his website. He states he's a philanthropist who helps out his employees and causes? When I was there he did not want to give the employees health insurance. He also hired illegal aliens. On top of this he paid them cash under the table to finish units at home. I had a fear some employees were taking them home and making their kids make them. I told Edward Katz that I was going to tell the employees that we don't allow kids to be working on the units because child labor is illegal. He told me to shut up. I also told him that we have to tax or 1099 them as independent contractors. Again he told me to shut up.

Here are photos embedded from Edward Katz Hair Design website. The first one shows shitty shampoo with a fake plastic trophy. He bought that fake trophy on Hollywood Blvd. Notice he covers up the label. Who puts their "products" with a fake trophy? Speaking of products I used to order the shampoos and conditioners. It's regular shampoo that companies buy at a huge premium and sell for a huge profit. The shampoo sells for $12 but it's worth $1 max. You'd be better off buying the cheapest shampoo at Ride-Aid.

Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, hair design, shampoo, condition, crap

This next photo is again embedded from Edward Katz website. It shows frightened most likely illegal aliens in the factory being paid minimum wage with no insurance. As I look at the factory I can clearly see they are using the same head molds and designs I developed, used from when I was there. I see no improvement at all in the product. After 20 years they have not improved on anything since I left.
Edward Katz, Edward N Katz, Edward Norman Katz, Hair Design, frightened Mexicans
The more I read on his website the more revolting it is. I bet he went back to using regular cheap hardware store silicone after I left. I have a feeling his wife wrote this website. It's full of spelling and grammatical errors. The grandiose and completely false claims are nauseating. "He's the best wig designer in THE WORLD!!!" "He is an artiste!" She says she went to Boston University but I see no evidence of this at all. I'm starting to believe her education is as fake as his reputation, history, "inventions."

Within the coming weeks I've decided to post how everything is designed, made and cut in. This is just a regular hair piece with no sub-base that is glued to the scalp with silicone or at least it was when I was there last.

I just went through my huge notebook. I scanned factory and salon work flows which I wrote. I also scanned the supplier list and a letter showing I was the General Manager. There were three months when Edward Katz didn't even show up for work. I also found the article I wrote for the magazine which Edward Katz took credit. I have some old ads and a pic of him on the flyer for the hair loss seminar where he bombed.

A quick story. A business celebrity made an appointment under an assumed name. He asked to meet after hours and wanted the office clear. I did that. He walks in and I instantly recognize him. I actually never knew he wore a piece because I never got that close to him. He goes to consult with Edward Katz. Ed comes out and says "give me Burt's file." I said "hell no!" He said "the guy doesn't believe we do Burt." I said "he knows we do Burt or he wouldn't be here. This is a test to see if you will protect his identity or share his file with someone else." Then Ed grabs the file, I grab the file, we wrestle for the god damn file while I'm whisper screaming at him telling him to let go. He of course is stronger than me, grabs the file, puts it on the table open in front of the celeb. The celeb instantly gets up and runs out the door. I didn't even have to say "I told ya so!"

This is what an idiot Edward Katz truly is. He would constantly reveal our clients to people! He didn't just reveal celebrity clients but also regular clients. We had two models who agreed to be before and after models. We could reveal those two people. I told him he has to stop revealing the clients. One time a tv show writer came in. Edward Katz stupidly showed him the file of another client...who was also a tv show writer that the other person knew. The client then said "hey, if I become a client will you also be showing my file to people?" Edward Katz said "nooooooooo, of course not." Not true. We had polaroids of clients without their piece on in the files! Edward Katz would share these. I was totally against this practice. We obviously fought about these issues. He is so incredibly unethical and doesn't care about people at all.

I dug up more information. Edward Katz's brother was Ronald Lee Katz born 1943. He died in 2000. They originally called the business Katz International Hair Designs. His brother didn't have a hair problem. Their mother's name was Blatt. She died from diabetes, old age around 1989. The people in the Burbank factory were Melida from Colombia, her mother Maruja, Zoila, Norma, Evers, Patricia. We also had a Korean contractor named Choo. I also found my profit and loss statements. We were grossing $40,000/mo, netting $17,000 after expenses with ten employees. I also did all the accounting and banking.

It seems I have a copy of all the client sheets we had at that time. A few of the celebs are dead. I'll post my work flows in a few minutes. I won't be posting the client files.

Going through my notebook I found the new adhesive I was working on right before I left. I have an adhesive that is safe, doesn't turn white, lasts longer and is approved for human skin. I remember when I left thinking "I finally have the holy grail of adhesives and I'm leaving." Edward Katz International Hair would truly be a top contender if they had this adhesive. I also found a ton of base and hair samples plus all the how-to's that I wrote for procedures. Going through my notebook makes me sick that Edward Katz took credit for all of this.

Here are my written work flows. I also made all the forms. As you can tell Edward Katz did nothing but consultations. We'd have one or two a day. Every month I would go over income and expenses from a chart I made monthly. I still have these. I would note new clients, where they came from, number new orders, reorder... After two months he said he didn't give a shit. At that point I took over everything including hiring new people when needed.

If you look at the last page you can see our shampoo order form. Back then we sold it for $9/bottle. We bought it for 75 cents a bottle from a company who probably paid 10 cents for it. This is regular shampoo, nothing special. We just specified type, scent, bottle, bottle top and our label. In the beginning we (me, obviously) put the labels on by hand. We finally got another process later as I did not have the time.

http://www.marycummins.com/edward_katz_hair_design_work_flow.pdf

I found some labels in my notebook. The bottles were brown, 8" tall with a gold pop top that had a round end. The shampoo was white. Edward Katz chose the bottles and shampoo. Yes, they were extremely phallic. It was so over the top that I thought it was ridiculous but everyone thought it was pretty funny. This was the first time they had pop top bottles. Photo of the bottles above.

Someone who worked at the company contacted me from this blog post this morning. They told me they haven't changed anything since I left. I left in 1988, 25 years ago. I improved the product 500% within the first year. They've done no improvements since then.

The letter below clearly shows I was the General Manager. All Edward Katz did was consult. In fact I hired someone else because Edward Katz is the worst person to model the product. He has almost 100% hair loss. He also grinds his teeth so the muscles on the side of his head would cause the unit to pop off every day in the front and sides. He had to reglue daily with regular hairpiece glue. He'd do a shitty job getting glue all over and always looked horrible. He still looks horrible. The reason his hair line is so far back on the top and sides is because it would instantly pop off if we placed it on his normal hairline. His ego is the only reason he's still the "spokesmodel." They need someone else. His unit also looks ratty, dry and spikey like William Shatner's. That's because he's using synthetic hair which straightens out if you get it warm and wet, i.e. shower, jacuzzi, sweating while playing sports...

Edward Katz Hair Design - Mary Cummins is the General Manager

Edward Katz Hair Design - old ad
I'll try to find the stupid Rolex ad. It was so obnoxious that we actually got hate mail which was great for business. It's the same photo but you see more of his super FAKE Rolex. I think that is Ed's old nose in the photo above.

His corporation is suspended by the State of California.
Entity Name:EDWARD KATZ INTERNATIONAL HAIR DESIGN, INC.
Entity Number:C1408837
Date Filed:06/03/1987
Status:SUSPENDED
Jurisdiction:CALIFORNIA
Entity Address:*3575 CAHUENGA BLVD., W-#660
Entity City, State, Zip:LOS ANGELES CA 90068
Agent for Service of Process:JEFFREY F. SAX
Agent Address:MASUDA & EVANS, BROADWAY PLAZA,STE. 3305, 700 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
Agent City, State, Zip:LOS ANGELES CA 90017



Here is his insurance license information. 

Name: KATZ EDWARD NORMAN
License#: 0420510
Resident Insurance Producer
License type: Accident and Health
Status:
Inactive
Status Date:
10/31/1997
Expiration Date:
10/31/1997
License type: Casualty Broker-Agent
Status:
Inactive
Status Date:
10/31/1997
Expiration Date:
10/31/1997
License type: Life-Only
Status:
Inactive
Status Date:
10/31/1997
Expiration Date:
10/31/1997
License type: Property Broker-Agent
Status:
Inactive
Status Date:
10/31/1997
Expiration Date:
10/31/1997
Business Address: 544 HUNTLEY DR LOS ANGELES, CA 90048
Records 1 to 6


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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