More Hong Kong consumers allege coercive beauty sales in wake of Opatra crackdown
More consumers in Hong Kong have come forward to allege aggressive sales tactics across the beauty sector, including credit card abuse, unwanted physical contact and pressure to buy costly products, on the back of a crackdown on the local operations of a UK-based brand. Legal experts warned that such practices could breach the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, which prohibits harassment, coercion and…
More Hong Kong consumers are alleging aggressive sales tactics in the beauty sector following a crackdown on the local operations of a UK-based brand, Opatra London. Legal experts warn that such practices could violate the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, which bans harassment, coercion, and misleading conduct. One company, Lionesse, has suspended operations of its four Hong Kong branches following the arrest of two managers accused of coercive sales.
Customs officers are investigating six complaints involving disputed sums between HK$1,800 and HK$100,000. Two consumers, 22-year-old university student John Cheung and 42-year-old clerk Wong, have detailed their experiences with aggressive sales tactics. Cheung was approached by a saleswoman offering a "free sample" at Lionesse, leading to multiple attempts to process a HK$30,000 facial package transaction on his credit card.
Wong claimed to have been pressured by a saleswoman at Log-on shop in Kowloon Tong to purchase high-value products, with the saleswoman allegedly grabbing her hand and cornering her. Both consumers are seeking refunds and facing significant psychological pressure from the incidents.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
