Here’s Why These ‘Aggressive’ Cosmetic Merchants Are Under Investigation In Hawaii (Lahaina: sales)

[prospectheightsresident]

Scott Wise and his wife Sherry flew to Maui last fall to escape Colorado’s winter. The septuagenarian couple looked forward to spending some relaxing time with their kids and grandkids.

But a stroll down Front Street in Lahaina’s historic district soured the Wises’ vacation bliss when a pair of young shopkeepers confronted them on the sidewalk. The saleswomen beckoned the Wises inside their shop which features an expensive line of cosmetics.

Scott brushed them off. But Sherry, who goes by Sher, got lured in. The bait? A complimentary eye treatment that purported to reverse signs of aging.

“She said ‘I’ll go in and take a look and be right back out.’”

After about 90 minutes Sher reemerged from the shop, La Belle Ame, holding a package. Scott asked her what she had bought. She demurred, saying only “she had gotten something for herself.”

Later that evening at the couple’s rented condo at Sands of Kahana, Sher told Scott what had happened. Under extreme sales pressure, she had used the family credit card to purchase $4,531 worth of cosmetics.

“My wife kept saying that it was her granddaughter’s birthday, and she couldn’t stay long. But the salespeople in essence ignored that, insisting that my wife needed to take care of herself and her skin,” Wise said.

“They were browbeating her and refusing to let her go until she was finally so confused and frustrated that she was going to agree to anything just to get out of the store,” he said.

The couple returned to the shop the next day to try and get their money back. An employee gave them a number to call and request a refund. Wise called but nothing ever came of it.

Wise filed a police report.

https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/04/he...ion-in-hawaii/

I see Scott allowed his wife Sherry to remain inside the shop for 90 minutes without checking in

All the laws and investigations in the world are not going to stop people from falling victim to such foolishness. It is very difficult for me to feel sorry for these folks, tourists or residents alike.

[RocketDawg]

Sounds like the same sales pressure as timeshares.

[Futuremauian]

Originally Posted by prospectheightsresident

https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/04/he...ion-in-hawaii/

I see Scott allowed his wife Sherry to remain inside the shop for 90 minutes without checking in

All the laws and investigations in the world are not going to stop people from falling victim to such foolishness. It is very difficult for me to feel sorry for these folks, tourists or residents alike.

All of the cosmetics shops on Front Street have aggressive foreigners here on work visas peddling expensive cosmetics. Both male and female, young, attractive and pushy, from Israel, Argentina, and other places, with excellent English skills.

I would agree that their pitch is a bit over the top, but I don't understand how someone cannot say "no" and walk out. Was she held against her will?

Spa treatments at hotels and on cruise ships are similar. Visitors are relentlessly harassed to buy. How can a massage be relaxing when accompanied by a high-pressure sales pitch?

[prospectheightsresident]

Originally Posted by Futuremauian

All of the cosmetics shops on Front Street have aggressive foreigners here on work visas peddling expensive cosmetics. Both male and female, young, attractive and pushy, from Israel, Argentina, and other places, with excellent English skills.

I would agree that their pitch is a bit over the top, but I don't understand how someone cannot say "no" and walk out. Was she held against her will?

Spa treatments at hotels and on cruise ships are similar. Visitors are relentlessly harassed to buy. How can a massage be relaxing when accompanied by a high-pressure sales pitch?

I will say that I don't enjoy being hassled in this way. But I guess I always took it as a part of living in a touristy location and don't support cracking down on the practice. I dare say that most tourists know enough to stay away from such individuals, but it only takes a few to make the practice financially worthwhile for the admittedly shady characters.

[trinity1111]

The red flag here was the use of the word "Free".......
"Free" almost always comes at a price .......

[whtviper1]

The cosmetic scam is not unique to Hawaii - they are aggressive at the Forum and Grand Canal Shoppes in Vegas.....