Onsen skin care kiosks

Have you ever taken a stroll through the mall and got accosted by one of those Onsen skin care kiosk salespeople?  These folks are selling skin care products that have ingredients in them from the Dead Sea. Have you fallen prey to their extraordinarily high pressure sales tactics? Did you kick yourself repeatedly as you walked out of the mall wondering what the heck just happened to make your wallet so much lighter?

If so, you're not alone. It happened to me. I've read it's happened to numerous people all over the country. Some people have spent upwards of $1500. I consider myself lucky that I got out of the grasp of the kiosk lady for under $40.

On the way home I was playing the scene over in my head - why didn't I just walk away? I can't believe I didn't walk away! What was wrong with me? Right foot, left foot. Repeat.  Pretty simple.

But for some reason, I didn't walk away. 100% my fault. I take full responsibility for parting with my funds. Then I thought maybe I didn't do something so brainless and gullible - maybe the product I purchased was the cure to wrinkles, softer, dewy skin and world peace.

I came home and promptly researched the product on the internet. That sick feeling that I had leaving the mall returned as I read the lackluster reviews of the entire Onsen line.  It was now official - I wasted money on something I didn't really want, need or set out to buy.


Sure, no one held a weapon to my head and made me purchase the item. But the sheer pressure of the sales pitch was overwhelming. The tiny woman selling the skincare line was like a saleswoman on steroids. She was funny.  She was cheerful, she was persistent and above all,  she wasn't letting up until she made a sale.  She had the eye of the tiger and I was her prey.

At some point after seeing the reviews of the skincare line, I'd mistakenly thought that no real harm was done. I'd simply return the product the next time I was at the mall and get my money back.  Sadly, here's where things take a turn for the worse.


On the receipt, I notice no information on the store. No store name.  No address. No telephone number. But they kindly remembered to put on their receipt, at the very bottom the words that stung as I read them: No Refunds. Exchanges within 14 days.

I certainly didn't want to exchange the product. I didn't want it or anything else from the skincare line.  I wanted my greenbacks back! But I knew it was my fault for not walking away. Then I thought, "What kind of company sings the praises of their product, yet doesn't stand behind the product when you come to your senses".

I'll tell you who - the Onsen venders at mall kiosks nationwide. I'm determined to get my money back.  I'm going to chronicle my journey in getting my money back from the Onsen seller.
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