Man alleges Bee & Co. coerced him into $40K purchase and $10K tips
A developmentally disabled customer claims a Bee & Co. store in a Southern California mall pressured him into spending over $40,000 and sending more than $10,000 in tips.
Victor Chisolm, a 30-year-old man with developmental disabilities, alleges that staff at a Bee & Co. skincare shop in Westfield Topanga Mall used aggressive methods to compel him to spend $41,747 on products, including a red-light therapy device, and to send $10,120 in tips to two female employees through Cash App. According to his lawyer, Fred Voigtmann, Chisolm was taken to a back room, berated, and ultimately surrendered his debit card to leave the store, while a receipt marked "NO REFUNDS" denied any return.
The attorney argues that certain store policies may violate California law. The Better Business Bureau has logged additional consumer reports describing similar high-pressure sales pitches and large, unwanted purchases. Bee & Co.'s parent, Mazal Group, declined to respond to the complaints, and the Better Business Bureau noted that Mazal is not an accredited member.
Why it matters
The case highlights potential consumer-protection issues with aggressive retail sales tactics targeting vulnerable shoppers.
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