So the other night, while trying to get through some much dreaded xmas shopping at Canal Walk, I got cornered by a crazy salesman who just wouldn’t let me go…
He was an Israeli guy named Oz (well that’s likely not his real name) with a very heavy accent and he was punting a skin care range called Oro Gold which claims to contain 24 karat gold in the products. He also claimed that gold can actually be absorbed by the skin and that it had huge anti-aging and anti-inflammatory abilities blah blah blah, etc etc.
Oz totally freaked me out. He was very aggresive in his sales manner and I felt totally trapped… He forced me to sit there while he plastered all kinds of products me, telling me in detail how “magical” each one was. I knew 100% that his pitch sounded way too rehearsed and far-fetched. But you see – I’m someone who hates confrontation, making a scene or drawing attention to myself in situations such as these – so he had the perfect captive in that chair.
Eventually I felt so bullied, I decided that my only way out would be to just buy something and get outta there. I settled on this24K Deep Peeling facial scrub cause it seemed pretty descent when he did his little demo. Oz started with an insane price of R2400. When I said that’s way too much money for me, he then said because he “really likes me” he can give it to me for R1500. I still wasn’t biting, so he then went down to R1200 and eventually R1000. I was like OK fine, I’ll take it for a bloody grand then. I just want to get away!!!
I thought I was finally free… but no… there was of course more…
Then he started with some mineral make up range and a body range made out of Dead Sea minerals. The make up seemed pretty descent, but also had crazy crazy prices. The body products were also fine, but then again – they’re just pretty standard body products and again the prices were seriously steep.
I got bullied into a 2nd product – an Obey Your Body Dead Sea Mineral Salt body scrub, starting off at a price of R750! Yes – for a bloody body scrub! It eventually came down to R250 and I gave in. I really really just wanted to escape…
Aaaarggghh!!!
The next morning I confessed my stupid purchases to my beauty guru, Leigh, and she directed me to this link where they explain how gold actually doesn’t really do anything for your skin. Oh how awesome. But then again – I kinda knew that already.
Then I did a bit of research online and found that the crazy prices Oz was quoting was total bullshit. That Oro gold face scrub you can pick up on Amazon.com for $37.10 (normal price $114.95). At the current USD to ZAR exchange rate of approx. 8.3 – that means even if I was buying it at the normal price, I’d only be paying R954. So where the hell did the original price of R2400 come from?
That body scrub you can get on Amazon.com for $14.21 (normal price $59.99) – again that’s way below his R750 opening offer.
I also found tons of complaints here submitted by woman from across the US to the US Complaints board. They all make mention of the pushy sales tactics, false pricing and false information about their returns policy.
I have since tried the face scrub and can tell you that its crap – the scrub turns into a glue like texture which sticks to the little fine hairs on your face and it’s a total bitch to get off. Not cool. I have also noticed lots of little bumps on my face which was not there before – kind of like a minor allergic reaction. I’m likely just going to bin it now.
So ja – I was an idiot – I should have been more assertive and told the guy to piss off. But instead I allowed him to make me feel awkward and uncomfortable. I can assure you I will NEVER fall for something like this again.
I wanted to share my story to avoid others from falling for the same scam. I don’t think his stand is still at Canal Walk – because he did mention that he was only there for the day. But I’m sure he’ll be popping up at a shopping centre near you. So keep an eye out people, please…
xxx
How do you know if products from amazon is authentic? Have you bought anything from amazon and are you happy w it?
I buy online all the time without issues. Haven’t bought specifically from Amazon yet, but they are one of the biggest online retailers in the world, so seriously doubt they’d be selling fake goods.
Same experience at Suntec City mall in Singapore, while I was on holiday, two days ago. They wouldn’t let me off without a purchase. Thank goodness the guy (Eastern European or Middle Eastern) who claimed to be the manager mentioned the nail file, which I have tried before. I ended up just buying the nail file for S$40.00 (that’s about US$30.00). I just wanted to get out of there! What a harrowing experience! In a mall… and I love shopping. I felt so drained after that it almost ruined my day.
What a sucker I am. Next time, I will not even look. No to free samples. Look away and just keep walking.
You are right, ma’am. Malls should take responsibility. It may be legal, but it feels very creepy. It’s harassment, really.
Luckily the shopping centre involved let me know that they won’t be allowing those guys back into their mall. So at least that’s something.
I also hate those guys. They always try and throw a compliment your way to get you suckered in. I always ignore them, walk around them or pretend I’m on the phone. Sorry that they trapped you. It totally sucks and they really need people to just tell them to bugger off.
We also have them up here in Pretoria. They once almost manhandled my aunt who didn’t want to stop to listen to their shit – don’t know what the fuck they’re trying to do – harassing people like that. I usually ignore them because they do actually also try to get the attention of the men.
next time someone tries to fob something off to you, walk in the opposite direction of them or as far away from them as possible (seeing as you don’t like confrontation). otherwise just whip some bethelsdorp attitude out and klap them
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Soooo glad I’m not the only one that thinks malls should take some responsibility! I love the mall, but they def make the experience unpleasant! Always have to brace myself when I walk by.
Yeah, I’ve definitely learnt to be more firm with these kind of guys now. Once you give them the smallest gap – you’re stuffed. No response from Canal Walk yet – did email them. So I’m guessing they don’t feel it’s their issue. A shame really.
I HATE them! Dead sea, oro, and other kiosks at malls with pushy sales people! They’re all over the local malls and are always saying “free sample” or “can I ask you something?” I just pretend I can’t hear them… Then they have the nerve to make me feel bad by making it seem like I’m the rude one. Now, I just say , “You already asked me” without breaking stride.
You chicks are waaay too nice. I just blatantly ignore them and act like I can’t hear them when they call out to me. One time one stepped out in front of me as I was walking and blocked my way with a product in hand and I was like ‘Excuse me?!’, gave her a nice shoulder shove/skeef combo and marched straight on. You girls need to harden up. X x x
I’m taking you with as my bodyguard next time! xxx
I got cornered by the Dead Sea products salespeople at Cavendish. After buying a nailkit that I didn’t need just so that I could get away from an incredibly pushy and exhausting salesgirl, they also started pushing other sales items towards me. It was a nightmare.
Eventually I had to get rude as I couldn’t see any other way out. These sorts of kiosks are positioned in the most awkward places, like by escalators or in the middle of corridors, so everyone’s bound to be caught at some point. I really don’t think these should be allowed at malls anymore, judging by the mass of negative complaints on hellopeter.
I have emailed Canal Walk management – they should take some responsibility for the people they allow in their centre. Or at least just take note of these guys and not allow them in again. I hope they take note at least.
Can not DEAL with those people. And they’re cropping up everywhere, even the airport is not safe anymore! I’m in shopping malls fairly regularly for work, and it seems like there’s a new “amazing”, “miracle” product that some dodgy israeli is pushing on poor, unsuspecting shoppers every week. The most recent being a GHD equivalent (same price, supposedly better quality – yeah right). I really have an issue with these guys as they take advantage of the fact that most people (me included) don’t like confrontation in the middle of a busy shopping centre, won’t call them out on their bullshit claims and will eventually give in to their pushy sales tactics just to be rid of them! I guess what they’re doing is legal, but it really doesn’t feel like it should be. Thanks for sharing your story, sorry you got scammed, sales people who play on people’s emotions and insecurities are the worst kind of scum!
Totally agree – they are scum. Thx for the supportive words.
So, i gather there is NO return adress or complaints department.
I won’t leave it there (you know me … always shoving my boobs in one’s face) and i certainly won’t stop telling all, untill the right people hears it. It is absolutely ridiculous that these people keep getting away with this kinda shit. You should not merely lie down and accept it !! It is allot of money intended for the bin.
I don’t have any contact details for their alleged SA head office in JHB. Probably because it doesn’t exist… check out these two complaints from JHB ladies on Hellopeter.com:
http://www.hellopeter.com/oro-gold-cosmetics/complaints/r10-000-4a-facial-product-that-has-burnt-my-skin-685425
and
http://www.hellopeter.com/oro-gold-cosmetics/complaints/orogold-cosmetics-638919
At least it sounds like I got off lightly compared to their stories.
Oh crap, they got u!!! They are super pushy! I’ve just told them a million times I’m in a rush! The key is to whip out your phone, pretend u busy on it and avoid eye contact… NEVER STOP, lol…
I gave that dead sea products crap away, its total nonsense! They suckered one of my clients to buy it and he gave it to me…
Yeah, I know. Sometimes I hate myself for being too nice. But I’ve learnt my lesson now.