Complaint Review: Tresor-Rare Hanalei - Hanalei Hawaii

On the last evening of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, I had the misfortune to cross paths with this merchant.  I was in Ching Young Village shopping center looking for some last minute gifts to take home for family.  As I walked through the Village, I was stopped by a young woman outside in the courtyard.  She encouraged me to come inside one of the storefronts for a moment.  I never considered that I would be taken advantage of in the way that I was while shopping for last minute trinkets before flying out the following morning.

My husband finished up with his shopping and found me inside the store.  The woman discussed her Tresor Rare skin products and made offers to me on products that were discounted.  I agreed to make the initial purchase.  At no time was it disclosed that these products could not be returned for a refund.  I guess when I agreed to the initial purchase, I had "mark" written on my forehead.  She now had someone in the store that was suseptible to her persuasion, and then brought in the "master" to go for the "kill".

She offered to have another representative give me a facial.  At no time was I told that this facial would be anything but complimentary.  My husband was encouraged to leave the store and "go have a drink".  I met with the man who was to give me the facial.  A bottle of wine was brought out and I was taken to a curtained room.  Wine was poured and I was given a facial, while he promoted the use of the Tresor Rare product line.  He stepped out several times, probably doing a "high-five" with the other two representatives in the store.  He was quite charming and more wine was poured.

He sold me on products, which were continually discounted as the facial and wine-drinking progressed.  It was late and I wanted to rejoin my husband, and get back to my accommodations to pack for my early flight off the island.  I finally agreed to purchase the products.  He indicated that they would be shipped to my home since I was traveling.  He had me sign a credit card receipt and I was sent on my way.  I took one box of product with me from the initial purchase from the young woman.  Never was any "no refund/no return" policy disclosed to me by either person.  I had been given several glasses of wine.  When I was told that my receipts would be emailed and products shipped to my home, I left the store to find my husband.  He was not interested in "go have a drink" and returned to our car to wait for me.  I was distracted with my upcoming flight and packing, and did not consider what had just happened to me.  

We flew out the next morning.  We flew to the Big Island.  I never opened the one box of product that I took with me from the store.  However, my head had cleared and I realized what had happened to me the previous evening.  I immediately emailed to request that the order be cancelled and assured the representative that I would return the one box of product by Priority Mail on Monday.  I purchased on Friday evening and cancelled the order on Saturday evening (24 hours later).  No product had been shipped to me at that time.  The representative did not respond to my cancellation request for a couple of days.  As promised, I was at the USPS to mail the product back on Monday.  I carefully bubble wrapped it, insured it and requested Signature Confirmation.  When the representative finally contacted me, he indicated that there were no refunds or returns on promotional products.

That is when I decided to dispute the charges with my credit card company.  When I returned home the following week, the USPS Priority package was awaiting me at home.  It had been returned back to me since I sent it to the store instead of their P.O. Box.  It sets at my home unopened.  Days later, after returning home, I was notified that the additional product had been shipped.  I cancelled this order over a week prior to the shipment.

I submitted over 30 pages of documents, pictures and explanations as to what had transpired, and requested charge backs for the two transactions, which totalled close to $4,000.

The owner indicated that all return policies had been disclosed to me by staff.  Really?  I never saw the owner, so how does he know that is what happened?  He indicated that there was a sign at the register.  Really?  How big and can it really be seen by customers?  He indicated that I signed receipts with the policy at the bottom.  Really?  How come I didn't leave the store with these receipts, but was told that they would be emailed to me?  The owner said that I had not returned the products.  Why would I return products to a shady business that has indicated that I would not be entitled to a refund?  The owner also indicated that if the product was returned that I would be charged $400 for the facial. Really? Wow, I really had been ripped off in a spectacular way.

I provided pictures of the unopened shipping boxes.  I indicated that all I was awaiting was word that I would receive a refund if I returned all the unopened products.  That word never came.

I have received notification from my credit card company that I signed receipts indicating no returns/no refunds.  I am now responsible for these charges.  I am disappointed that I was not protected by my credit card company.  This was absolute fraud.  I have never been emailed copies of credit card receipts on any retail purchases in the past.  Why did this merchant do this?  I think there is a distinct possibility that perhaps they needed to alter the receipts with the no refund/no return policy.  Why else did I not receive original receipts at the time of purchase?  Fraudulent sales is the answer.

I have been in contact with the Tresor Rare company.  Customer Service indicated to me that they are the Distributor and that the store is independently owned and operated.  Perhaps, but this isn't the only store selling Tresor Rare products that have rip-off reports.  Tresor Rare must support these types of sales tactics and methods to separate the unsuspecting from their money.  They will not offer a refund because the store is independently owned and operated.  In essence, they a party to all of this sales activity.  Apparently, they condone these fraudulent sales of their product.

Beware all.  If Tresor Rare knows of these activities by the stores that sell their product (which they do), then they are evidently in cohoots with this type of activity.  One absolutely has to question the product they are pushing if they need to utilize such unscrupulous selling techniques and fraudulent activity.