Are aggressive sales tactics and shady procedures rampant in Hong Kong’s beauty industry?
The Post visits parlours in the city to experience how some businesses operate
Without staying alert and careful, a visit to a Hong Kong beauty parlour may result in a bill 10 times more than what was advertised, for procedures promising exaggerated results bordering on the magical.
The Post sent reporters to beauty clinics across the city and while some turned out to be honest and legitimate others had shady practices, such as persuading customers to purchase extra procedures without a proper price list on paper, as well as introducing slimming treatments with guaranteed results in just two sessions.
At one outlet on Hong Kong Island, offering a trial facial peel treatment, the reporter was repeatedly urged by a promoter to spend more on other products. She was recommended a laser treatment costing HK$880 to remove freckles, on top of the HK$350 facial treatment.
The member of staff did not press further after being told “no”, and the one-hour facial peel was uneventful, until it was time to check out, whereupon a HK$3,500 facial treatment package was recommended.
“But this is basic treatment … We sometimes suggest customers do it every 14 days,” the employee said, despite having her offer rejected.