More Hong Kong consumers allege coercive beauty sales in wake of Opatra crackdown

Hong Kong consumers are alleging aggressive sales tactics in the beauty sector following a crackdown on the UK-based brand Opatra London. Legal experts warn that such practices may violate the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, which prohibits harassment, coercion, and misleading conduct. Two Opatra London managers have been arrested, and customs officers are investigating six customer complaints involving disputed sums ranging from HK$1,800 to HK$100,000.

Opatra's Hong Kong operations have suspended, and its headquarters in the UK stated they have agreed to halt operations. John, a 22-year-old university student, recounted being approached by a saleswoman at a Lionesse shop in Tsim Sha Tsui who handed him a "free sample." The saleswoman applied skincare products without his consent and pressured him into purchasing a HK$30,000 facial package, despite his request for a monthly payment plan.

After unsuccessful attempts to make the transaction, the saleswoman took his credit card and made multiple attempts, resulting in five unsuccessful attempts. The bank blocked his card due to suspicious activity, and John ultimately paid HK$2,500 to a merchant named "Vertex Innovations Limited." When he sought a refund, Lionesse denied the allegations of high-pressure sales practices and offered to exchange products of the same value.

The experience left John feeling psychologically distressed and wasted time on organizing bank records. Another incident involved Wong, a 42-year-old clerk, who alleged a similar tactic at a Log-on shop in Kowloon Tong. A saleswoman applied a product directly onto her skin without permission and cornered her while attempting to sell high-value products.

Wong filed a complaint with City’super, which investigated the incident and offered her a gift box. However, the company declined to provide a refund, citing standard authorization procedures between the bank system and the merchant terminal.