| Well, I broke my own rule and purchased some products from a kiosk at my local mall during Christmas. Never do this, unless you're buying a calendar, candles, or socks! The lovely saleswoman (Tal) called me over and started rubbing eye cream on my face, pouring on the flattery about my looks, etc. The eye cream appeared to work so I agreed to pay $99 for it even though Tal assured me it was worth $250. I figured I could give the eye cream to my Mom, or sister, or someone. After Tal ran my credit card through their kiosk-style computer console, I signed the screen and thought I was done. She immediately started in on my teenage son with flattery and some "deep peeling" rub which she said was $29. I heard $29 and clearly my son heard $29 because he offered to buy it himself. I told him I'd buy if he really wanted it, then Tal jumps in and says "It has to go with some moisturizer as well" and she sticks both in my bag. Next, Tal motions me back to the computer where she showed me the "value" of what she has set me up to purchase, then the actual amount I am expected to pay...$330! Yeah, $330. I told her that was a lot and I already spent $100, so she pulls out all these receipts from other people (victims) who got great deals based on the "value". I again told her that was too much, so she agreed to credit back the first purchase and bundle it ALL up with an extra tub of moisturizer for $270. Now here is where it gets interesting. She runs my card again, hands me a paper to sign (not on the screen this time) and distracts me with a free fingernail kit she places in my bag while I sign. As I handed her the signed paper I notice it said $353.07 and I bring this to her attention. She takes the paper, turns to talk to her "associate" in Italian (I think), then turns around to explain that the other person is higher up in the company and she can't give me a credit. At this point Tal offers to give me back the difference from her own money, but of course she only has $40. I thought 353 - 270 = 83, not 40? Right then I heard my inner voice saying "Dude, just go home, asses the damage, have a beer, then come back and get a refund for the stuff you don't want". Well guess what? Printed on the bottom of the receipt, which shows only 3 items not the 6 in my bag, is NO REFUNDS. Gulp. I went home and immediately checked my bank account and found TWO charges, one for $213 and the other for $353...gulp, cough, gasp! That's 566 dollars for...uh...skin cream! That same night, I receive extremely bad family related news and realized I needed that money back. I felt, under these new circumstances, I might have a good chance to get a refund. Two days later I went back to the mall, met the "manager" named Sean, and explained my situation. He gave me the name and number of the "owner", Itay. I called Itay, he sympathized with my situation, gave me a fax number with instructions, and offered to refund my money. Well, I faxed, and I called, and I texted, and I called, and I got nothing. Nothing, but 566 dollars of skin cream. Joy. Please, stay away from their kiosks and don't buy their products online! They're just bad. |
