Lately, (well more like for a couple of years now) I’ve been concerned about my excessive hair shedding. People always tell me it’s normal to shed lots of hair but anyone who lives with me will attest that I shed too much hair. I knew it was serious when hubby suggested I go see a trichologist about my hair.
A few weekends ago, I got intercepted at the mall and was convinced into buying a S$28 voucher for a hair treatment at the newly opened Beijing 101 in Sengkang. I figured why not, I might as well give it a try. But deep inside, I kinda knew I was up against major hard selling when I redeem that voucher. After all, I’ve been in the same situation before and if anything, I should have learned my lesson.
So yesterday, I went to Beijing 101 to redeem my voucher. A hair consultant greeted me and asked me to fill up an information sheet then proceeded to check out my scalp with a magnifying camera that’s connected to the computer. She then told me I was losing hair and that my pores are clogged with oil. The consultant then explained to me that they had herbs and shampoos to repair my follicles.
Then it’s basically a template for hard selling from there – they first tug at your insecurities, pick at it, scare you, give you an expensive solution, then offer you discounts.
In theory it should be easy to avoid being hard sold into something but in reality, only the tough will survive with their wallets intact. This is not the first time I’ve been pressured to buy something. I’ve experienced this with Senses Renaza before. All I wanted was to use up my first investment – over S$2k. But everytime I go there, they keep selling me products and more and more packages. And even though the facials are great, I get exhausted by being pressured to buy stuff. They un/knowingly exploit the fact that you’re drunk with relaxation and would probably agree to anything. I tried everything from repeatedly reminding myself not to buy anything to leaving my credit card at home. Eventually, I just stopped going there even if I still have unused sessions with them. I realized it’s just too expensive and traumatic to go back there.
Well the good thing that came out of it was, now, with Beijing 101, I can see through the marketing and make a better decision of whether the service is really worth it or not.
They also made it easy for me because when I walked in, there was no relaxing spa scent to mess with my brain. I found the shampoo and the tonic they applied on my scalp nauseating. And they didn’t have that expensive, relaxing spa ambiance that would make me consider a S$3.8K package worth it. Whether it works or not, I do not know. I do realize that 1 shampoo session will not stop my hair from falling.
Maybe if I get desperate…
10 responses so far ↓
1 Jim // May 21, 2010 at 6:55 pm
When i went to Beijing 101, it is really nice. I used to have moderate to severe hair loss. The therapists are v friendly and the tcm doctior took my pulse and told me that my shen is weak… think he means kidney.
the costing was quite exp as i remember but i saw pretty good results like i have hair growing in patches where it had been bald just a few months back.
you need to ahve patience to go for their treatments regularly and just need to have faith.
At least it is better to pay a little bit more and see good results than to go shop for cheap bargains and dun see anything right?
2 Ms. Tsiken // May 23, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hi Jim,
It’s good to hear that it works! I guess I just don’t like the pushy marketing. But based on your comment, I’ll sure to keep Beijing 101 in mind when my hair fall gets really bad.
Thanks for your comment.
.-= Ms. Tsiken´s last blog ..DFA and DTI issue warnings to OFWs against franchising scams =-.
3 gry // Jun 5, 2010 at 6:19 pm
felt very angry…. being cheated over 1.5k in Citispa & tell myself never sign package easily. But today just went for the beijing 101 as well just to try out the voucher also. Dun want to take the treatment, because i din feel my hair loss serious till need so expensive treatment. but keep forcing me to take 20 sessions… after keep saying dun want & she agree, but when i made payment for the products she suddenly offer me 5 sessions force me to take. it was so expensive 5 sessions for 529!!! may be drag too long & just take it. very regret, they said cannot refund….
4 Starry // Aug 4, 2010 at 6:12 pm
It’s thought provoking to read about the accounts of customer service. Ms. Tsiken, believe you are an advocate of customer service yourself. What do you think if we can explore on the topic further? Drop me an email if we can discuss further.
5 JN // Oct 6, 2010 at 4:52 pm
What is it in Singapore that makes us go bald? I’m having the same problem. I didn’t have this in the Philippines.
6 rog // Feb 14, 2011 at 2:32 am
i also wnat to go beijing 101, my friends told me to try it, but im afraid that they will charge so high… is there anyone can tell home much it would be? per session…
7 Bvlgr // Apr 11, 2011 at 5:20 pm
BeiJing 101 is another Big Scam, they will sell you things that are very cheap and they will force you to sign package. After that, they will tell you all sorts of scare techniques. My friend has tried it and they say it doesnt work at all. A complete waste of $$$.
Don’t be fooled by them, don’t go and patronize them.
8 Vivi // May 28, 2011 at 8:53 am
I signed up for a Beijing 101 package and the experience was an unforgettable one— because it’s the MOST expensive investment I’ve made for vanity’s sake!
9 GG // Aug 1, 2011 at 11:59 am
Same here for me, especially if the treatment is for grey hair it will be more costly and you will not see results very soon.
During the weekly cost of treatment, the staff will keep pestering you to buy or upgrade to other products which will expedite results.
I believe that we will see results, but its a long term treatment and after tons of money spent on it -up to five figures.
I will not continue even if I dont see any results at the end of my sessions.
10 Pri // Jan 9, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I thought I was the only one! Recently I took up the offer of 8 treatments for $88. A con to sign me up for a package worth more than 2k. Worst is that they don’t take NO for an answer. Is it even allowed per the Consumer Regulations in Singapore? The SO CALLED $88 for 8 treatments lasted barely 1hr. I had no experienced anything like this before in any other country. I was told that they treatments work so I really wanted to give it a try but I was SOOOO put off by their sales tactics, its just DISGUSTED ME that I just wanted to get out.
I really wish the authorities would do something about such false offers and aggressive marketing.
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