California shoppers say skincare stores pressured them into spending thousands

California shoppers, including those with disabilities and older adults, claim that they were pressured into spending large sums of money at Bee & Co. mall-based skincare stores, according to CBS California. California Congressman Brad Sherman, whose district includes the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, plans to bring these allegations to the attention of California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The investigation stems from a previous story by CBS California Investigates, where Victor Chisholm, a man with an intellectual disability, stated that he spent over $50,000 during several visits to Bee & Co. last spring. Chisholm felt pressured into using his savings account, even after expressing that he did not wish to spend such a large amount.

Other customers, such as Gabe Cota, who has a learning disability, also allege that they were coerced into spending more than $3,000 at Bee & Co. after being drawn in by a free sample and a compliment from a saleswoman. Cota felt trapped in the sales process and is slow to process information, making him vulnerable to sales tactics. Both Chisholm and Cota claim that the same salesperson used flirtatious behavior and sales tactics to make them feel pressured into making purchases.

Mazal Group, the parent company of Bee & Co., recently settled a class-action lawsuit from over 100 customers in Hawaii, who alleged unfair and deceptive practices and nearly $1 million in losses. The company denies any wrongdoing. Despite the allegations, Westfield Topanga mall is evaluating legal remedies, as the treatment of the customers has been described as deeply troubling.

The allegations are not exclusive to Bee & Co.; Mazal-affiliated stores at other Westfield malls, such as Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks and Santa Anita, have also faced lawsuits for elder abuse and deceptive sales practices.