In feeling these people should not be allowed to trade

[user1471518295]

I was in a large indoor shopping centre at the weekend, and was minding my own business wandering along the main throughfare, when I was accosted by one of the slickest salesmen I have EVER come across.

He was a representative of a company called Soap & Co and they had a stand in the middle of the mall, full of products for Soap & Co and Sakare products. I don't normally stop when shopping, but he had a good manner, and so I went to the stand. I was there about 30-45 minutes in all.

I don't consider myself to be stupid, naive or gullible. However, I was so close to parting with £380 it actually brings me out in a sweat just thinking about it!

I fell for EVERY trick in the book, despite telling him that I understood the sales techniques he was using, and being aware that these people usually work commission only. Even the one where he rubbed a "cleanser" on my wrist and lots of "skin" came off. I read up about this on the internet afterwards, and he even was using the same script (and no, my wrist was NOT dirty!!)

I was pressurised into committing to pay for three products and getting another three products free - it was like I was in some sort of trance. Just before I got my credit card out, I came to my senses, said I needed to think about it, and walked away. Even then I was STILL convinced it was the best thing since sliced bread, and was devastated to read that the products were pretty much a con, and all the clever things he had shown me were just smoke and mirrors (and lies).

So, my AIBU is am I wrong in wanting to see all companies of this type to be pushed out of the shopping malls, which gives them a semblance of authenticity. Whilst I was there, I DID see people hand over money to them.

I am feeling really strongly about it - I thought my anger would fade after a few days. But, if anything, I am even MORE irritated about this company trying to con people out of money.

Anyone else experienced this, or am I wrong and the products are, in fact, wonderful. In which case I am going straight back to buy them!!!!

I have seen this company but don't stop. I think most people fall for sales spiel on occassion even the most hardened ex sales. Yes I think they probably shouldn't be aloud to trade in this way.

I struggle to say no to slick salesmen so i make a point of not stopping...i rush past these stalls and dont make eye contact at all...btw were you in Castle Mall Norwich as there was a stall with very pushy staff selling skincare a while back.

Oo something like this happened to me before, they rubbed the stuff on my wrist and skin or something came off! I didn't really have a clue what they were on about and was stood there in a daydream thinking how soft my wrist felt.

Once I realized she was expecting me to buy something, I said I just had to go meet someone in a shop and ran off.

Very unhelpful post sorry! I had completely forgotten about it until I read your op though..

I ignore these people - if they really push it I tell them, no thanks and walk on. It wouldn't worry me if they were banned from Malls TBH, but thankfully I find them easy to resist.

Not sure if YABU or not really.

I just either ignore or say no thanks and keep walking to chuggers salespeople. I don't give a shit if they think I'm rude, I think they're bloody rude, haha.

But as long as they're not being overly aggressive and or rude to people, then of course they can trade. It's a free country. You have the power to say no .

YANBU

They are con artists and shouldn't be encouraged. I would like to see them banned, too.

Also if their products were as amazing as they claim, they wouldn't need to be grabbing strangers off the street to sell their product to on a pop up stall inside a shopping center. .

chuff the product was very good! It was the price that made me run off

Chuff - yes - you are right - I do have the power to say no. And I ALWAYS say no. But this time, I nearly said yes! I wanted to believe what they were telling me, and wanting to believe makes their story much more powerful. They prey on people's insecurities (in my case, the wrinkles around my eyes) and tell them that they can be "cured".

Ah for wrinkles you want to slab your face in honey! It'll tighten and brighten your skin.

DearMrDilkington Oh my god I just reread the op and noticed the price! Blimey, that'd definitely make me run off as well, haha.

The £380 was half price

YANBU - they are a menace. Lots of shops like this near where I work, the employees stand outside the shop with baskets of freebies (a tiny bar of soap or similar) pretending to give out samples but then literally grabbing hold of anyone that stops and dragging them into the shop for the whole sales bit.
I googled the company names & there are so many threads about scams.

One of my colleagues actually spent £500 at the shop on a bag of products. Wasn't given itemised receipt and was refused refund when she tried to return them ... all I could think is there is a SpaceNK two doors down, if you want to spend that much on skincare at least do it in a proper shop with proper return policy (and proper branded products!)

i was caught by these and parted with money.

mine was nail & hand

I am not a mug, I do not get sucked in with sales, i can kill a sales call in seconds but 35 mins and £45 later i walked away with a nail buffer and a tube of slightly vanilla smelling cream, which after a couple of hours made my eczema come up I still have no idea what made me buy it, I wasnt in a position to waste such a large amount of money on cream and it left me short for a couple of weeks.

i hate this pressured selling with a passion

Just seen their prices -

YANBU, I hate this shit. I find it quite easy to say no to the salespeople tbh, however the ones I really do not like are the charity collectors. I had some guy chase me down gateshead high street not long ago shouting about how I didn't care about abused children as I wouldn't set up a DD with him :S

DH was put on a proper guilt trip last year by a cancer collector too

I got caught out by these people in London. As you say, OP, the salesman was slicker than a greased eel. He did the "wrist rub" on me and I (foolishly) ended up paying 50 quid for a "Dead Sea scrub", only because I needed an emergency gift for a friend. I felt like an absolute mug when I looked online and found that they're infamous for this heavy handed technique. It was an actual shop in central London - not just a stall.

Used to rush by with a "no thanks" until one of the scumbags got £200 off MIL (who has dementia). Now I just rush by...

Tell them you are an undischarged bankrupt before they start their sales pitch. They treat you like you've got the Black Death then

Ooh I've had a better idea, wait for them to get halfway through the pitch, putting the creams and gel on your hands, then say "ooh this is really soothing my scabies rash!" and wait for a reaction.