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Original poster

To warn you about this scammy make up sales technique

125 replies

Ohnowattsthis · 21/06/2016 07:19

I feel terrible. My mum came back from a trip away with a present for me. A gift bag with a couple of pallets of make up in it.
I think she got it in Norwich or a motorway welcome break type place.

From what she has said and looking up the company I feel the sales pitch was most unfair.
The company is called make up essentials and I have put a pic up of their product with a logo. They are nicely packaged but pound land quality.
It seems that my mum was handed a 'free' gift bag that they then said was free when you brought a little brush. ( a mean trick)
They told her that they were about to move into the department stores and that the gift was to give to your family so they could try the products ( this is how they got her! She would never spend the money on herself but was pleased she could treat me) but they are not - I found this link talking about their scam sales here www.beautiful-solutions.co.uk/2013/10/brand-rant-avoid-this-brand-makeover.html?m=1
From looking up online I can see she mush have paid £35 for a shimmer dust brush and then got the 'free gift bag' the quality is so bad the whole set together can't cost more than a £10.
To show how rediculous they price everything to make you think the gift bag is worth £200 there is a 'make up tips' book ( about 8 pages and laughable) that they say they change 10£ for!!!!
I'm so gutted they got my mum. She is late seventies and very kind, she wouldn't have got it for herself or even spent £35 on a make up box for me usually she just thought they were being kind!
I haven't told her, but I feel sick with these cheap nasty scam products in my house.
If they approach you can I ask that you pull them up on their sales technique. No- the bag is not a free gift. No- they are not a high end make up company.

To warn you about this scammy make up sales technique
OP posts:
notamummy10 · 21/06/2016 10:07

I hate those scans, they tell me that they are America's best selling brand... What they don't know is that I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to make up brands. I just tell them I'm nipping to the cash point but I don't go back and avoid that area for a bit!

notamummy10 · 21/06/2016 10:09

That being said, I haven't seen these scams for a while. They used to either stand in the middle of the shopping centre or in the entrance of WH Smith... WH Smith still allow these charities to try and stop people, it puts me off going into the store!

Kittencatkins123 · 21/06/2016 10:10

Also I do think it's hard for some people to say no! Especially if they haven't encountered this kind of thing before, are super polite/sweet and don't have the 'no such thing as a free lunch' motto ground into them by living in London for 15 years. These people are using con type techniques, being aggressive and taking advantage.

Love to your mum Flowers

CharminglyGawky · 21/06/2016 10:12

I don't think it is a scam but it is horrible and hugely unethical. I got caught a couple of days before Christmas when I was tired and just stood there holding this bag as this woman tried to get me to hand over £50 (maybe they are pricier at Christmas?). I got out of it by asking if it was cruelty free... Suddenly then she didn't mind taking the darn thing back.

Normally I can walk straight past these people with a clear 'no thank you' but somehow this woman got me to engage without me meaning to. Now if I see them they always seem to start with "Do you wear make up?" Obviously assuming all women do. I just say no and keep walking!

GeekLove · 21/06/2016 10:20

I thought if someone actually handed something to you as a gift THEN expected you to pay for it, it was known as 'incitement to treat' (not sure what the correct syntax is) and if you were to walk off without paying they couldn't do you for theft?

Correct me if I'm wrong.

GloGirl · 21/06/2016 10:23

I've just reported this to You and Yours radio 4 show, can't believe how many MNers have been clobbered with it. Never even heard of it.

fuckincuntbuggerinarse · 21/06/2016 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

easiersaidthandone · 21/06/2016 10:31

I would feel sick to my mum has a mental illness and quite often gets caught out by this kind of thing it drives me mad! I think you need to point it out to her that she's not got a good deal, It's horrible when someone thinks they have done something nice for you but if she is likely to fall for something like this again she needs to be warned to stay clear.

Saw them at services traveling up the M40 ,Moto Services Cherwell Valley, Bicester, had a pitch there pestering people to death. I avoided them stood the other side of partner after a bad experience when I was younger.

StrictlyMumDancing & NCGone are you sure it wasnt called Victoria Jackson? It is an American makeup company. I was about 18-19 when I got pestered into getting they wouldn't let me leave until i'd purchased something in the end bought a large eyeshadow pallet and got some other pallets free one that looked like an iphone. Think it cost me £20 The eyeshadow I still have 8+ years later it has actually been good quality and stays on all night unlike some really cheap and/or more expensive makeup but the sales technique was horrendous on the verge of holding you against your will I had people stood all around me preventing me from walking away.

I fell for it but it only took that one time and I've never stopped for anyone since!

Love the comments about them handing you the free gift and you walking away and then them following through the shopping centre!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 21/06/2016 10:32

Why are they in the likes of WH Smiths at all?

I saw a lot of people give them a wide berth yesterday in my local branch of Smiths.

kali110 · 21/06/2016 10:35

Thing is though you've linked that one page that says the blogger felt it was a scam, yet i've just googled the brand and other people really like them.
Just looking at their website i'd believe the prices your mom was told too.
I may not think the prices on the site are worth it, but still.
Companies do sell like this now ( atleast they do in all the shopping centres where i've been) and have for ages, it's not a scam.
They don't force people too buy it.

GeekLove · 21/06/2016 10:52

fcba That's what I mean with respect to 'invitation to treat'

londonrach · 21/06/2016 10:55

They tried it in whsmiths on me. If its free its free not if you buy x amount. I think i dumped the bag on the floor and left without buying my ink carriage so loss to whsmiths

MyCatWasRightAboutYou · 21/06/2016 10:56

I'm sorry about your mum, that's awful. :( Taking advantage of people's politeness is disgusting. I have social anxiety, so I'd probably pay just to get away from them and avoid being embarrassed.
I'm also pretty into makeup and have never heard this company mentioned anywhere before.

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 21/06/2016 11:01

These people are often at Wetherby Services.

I've always wondered what the catch is. They do thrust the bags at you first.

DJBaggieSmalls · 21/06/2016 11:10

I loathe these pushy sales techniques, and the whole 'its a gift' scam. The local Hari Krishnas used to target kids and scam £2 out of them for incense sticks.

notamummy10 · 21/06/2016 11:12

Attila I really want to know why WH Smith allows these companies and chuggers to stand in their entrance... Surely that would put people off from going into the store? Ah well, WH Smith's loss is Ryman's gain!

WhisperingLoudly · 21/06/2016 11:22

I assume WH Smiths get a commission for permitting it - at my local store they stand right at the door and must put numerous people off.

Would love to hear WH Smiths pov

Emochild · 21/06/2016 11:34

It would be unusual for the store to get commission but they will charge the cosmetics company to rent the space

alltoomuchrightnow · 21/06/2016 11:37

BHS used to allow them to 'trade' in their stores. That really surprised me. They are extremely pushy and aggressive. Being in sales myself (but management retail and with social skills) I politely declined. Next time won't be politely. They literally followed me around the store saying that I looked like I knew my makeup. Hmm… but not your market stall shite, eh mate...

notamummy10 · 21/06/2016 11:59

They even try and stop people who are just walking past the store... It gives on my nerves!!

PatMullins · 21/06/2016 12:10

The ones at Bluewater are horrible.
I was once walking past the one outside Disney Store on my own and two of the men both came at me from in front and behind; they got really nasty and intimidating when I said I wasn't interested.

MyCatWasRightAboutYou · 21/06/2016 13:35

Had a read of the blog. Surely if they're claiming it's made by the high-end parent brand's factories then that's illegal false advertising?

WeAreTheOthers · 21/06/2016 13:54

Happens to me all the time, I think I just attract nutters. If I'm bored I occasionally see how long I can string them along for, much like I do for sales calls, chuggers and PPI/accident helpline calls. I know it's a dick move on my part but frankly, I despise those people.

StrictlyMumDancing · 21/06/2016 14:04

Ah, easier yes Victoria Jackson. The booklet is called Victoria's Secrets. I do still have the multi makeup travel thing because its handy for holidays. I didn't get on with most of the other stuff (not that I remember what it was, I just binned it in the end!). Yes, the sales technique was awful. I really did think I'd be pinned in broad daylight if I didn't pay out then and there.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2016 14:07

The people yo complain to are the CEO of the companies concerned.