I have had experience with Premier Dead Sea products in Sweden, but not Orogold. Though after a week in London I could spot Orogold representatives a mile off and was able to avoid them.
From what I understand, the two product ranges are owned by the same company and all the staff that I have met tend to be Israeli. Mostly men but some women as well.
In Stockholm about two years ago every single mall had a kiosk selling Premier Dead Sea products. The sales people would jump out at you as you walked past and offer to buff your nails or moisturise your hands. If you made the huge mistake of making eye contact or slowing down, you would find yourself railroaded into trying a product. They would then offer you several products and every time you said no the price would drop. Until in the end you had a huge range of products for what a single product initially cost. I come from Africa so I am used to pushy salesmanship and haggling. I have been to India where people run after you trying to pull you into their shops. But this was in another league entirely. To my shame I ended up buying body butter and handcream, which would ‘last a year’ and which was ‘guaranteed to work or your money back’. I found out three things in the next few days – 1) several of my students had been harrassed into buying their products, 2) no way do they last a year and 3) despite their promises, the receipt (which they carefully fold before giving it to you) clearly states no refunds.
Well within a year all these kiosks disappeared, never to appear again. I think there were several complaints. In Sweden pushy salesmanship does not go down well.
In London, the Premier products seem to have been replaced by Orogold (which is made by the same company). They are sold from shops rather than kiosks but the premise is the same. Aggressive sales tactics and dubious claims. I saw three in High Street Kensington, two in Covent Garden and several near Oxford Street. The staff stand on the pavement with a tray or a basket holding samples. If you slow down to take one or make eye contact they start shouting at you ‘where are you from?’ and ‘let me show you something.’ If you step in you are subjected to the same hard sell as for Premier. You are offered more and more products for less and less money. No matter how much you buy they will always try and sell you more. My guess is, you will be subjected to the following:
- ‘Let me put some eye cream on you because you need it’
- ‘whatever products you are using now do not work’
- ‘you don’t look after your skin, do you?’
- ‘The main ingredient in these products is gold’ (but they will not let you read the actual ingredient listing, which states that gold is the second smallest ingredient)
- ‘Don’t let my colleague see that I am giving you all these products because I will get into trouble’
- ‘These products will last you two years’ (50ml facial moisturizer? I don’t think so, dude)
- ‘If you are not happy you can get your money back’ (receipts are stamped ‘no refunds’ but they fold the receipt so you can’t see that)
- ‘This offer is only available now’
- ‘I am not going to be here tomorrow so if you wait you won’t get this deal’
- ‘I have sold £5000 of products today which is why I can offer you this good deal’
- They will babble the names of several scientific ingredients
Having done a search on their products I have found that they seem to operate all over the world with the same tactics. If you are unable to avoid walking past them completely I would say speed up and don’t make eye contact. Or look very cross. Or do what I do and tell them I am black-listed for bad debts. Or tell them you already use the products and rattle off a few names of the products that you have memorised.
Hopefully, instead of multiplying over the next year or so they will be forced out of business for bad business practices and low sales. Their products are actually not bad but I would rather go without than have eager beavers putting pressure on me to spend thousands just because I want a night cream.
I would be really interested in hearing from people who have experience of this brand and the way they operate.
I start vigorously shaking my head and emphatically saying, “No!” over and over as I am walking through the mall and they start to approach me.
I have never heard of that brand here in Paris.
However if l went anywhere near them they would be very disappointed as l don’t use beauty creams apart from hydrating creams. So they could try as hard as they want, l would not even accept a sample of their products. I only use a few well known brands and l am not willing to change.
Would love to hear what products you use Nathalie!
I like to use various brands such as Clarins, Dior, Lauder, Guerlain, Avene or Embryolisse. Never “anti wrinkle” or “anti ageing” products as l don’t believe in their super powers but only hydrating products. My skin doesn’t show any sign of age, lines or wrinkles and l think that a well hydrated skin is less prone to show signs of age. But that’s my humble opinion, of course!
I love Embryolisse! I also don’t believe in anti aging products but I like being moisturized.
Yes, they push product like mad, sure, they will talk you to death. I tried stuff from Orogold and was happy with it because it does work. You don’t want the things, just walk out and don’t sweat it. I doubt Estee Lauder would go down on the price much, but surrree, it could happen!
I do like their night cream I must say but the hard sell puts me off as they always try and push more on you.
You are absolutly right !! They did it to me in Atocha station ( Madrid ) . they rip uou off and they are not cheap products !!