Soap & Co in Westfield (Stratford City).
If you visit a shopping centre, chances are that you’ll eventually come across a kiosk selling Dead Sea beauty products. These kiosks have attracted a lot of attention, not just for the origin of their natural resources, but also for their shady practices and coercive sales techniques that would make a snake oil salesman blush.
Stop for just a few seconds to check the label and you’ll be approached by a young Israeli of the opposite sex, dressed in black and pawing at your hands to entice you to purchase an overpriced container of lotion. If you think they’re just being friendly, think again. Most of them work from scripts like this and this.
Kiosks stocking Dead Sea beauty products can be found in many malls run by Israeli companies who employ almost exclusively Israelis.
These kiosks are legitimate targets, as every sale supports companies who in turn support the apparatus of oppression in the racist apartheid state. Dead Sea Premier kiosks were targeted in April and July 2011 at malls in Auckland, New Zealand and in June and November, Seacret kiosks in Brisbane and Perth Australia were also targeted.
Seacret Flyer (Justice for Palestine, Brisbane)
The video below is an example of the sales tactics these companies use. Clearly this Israeli saleswoman won’t take no for an answer:
There’s uncertainty not just about the origin of any natural resources, but also about the immigration status of many kiosk workers. In December 2009, eight Israelis were arrested by the UK Border Agency in a Bristol mall and later deported. Arrests and deportations have also taken place in America, Canada and even New Zealand – where Israelis claimed to police that they weren’t being paid, but were volunteer goodwill ambassadors for the apartheid state!
In 2008, The Wall Street Journal published an insightful article entitled: Shalom, Christmas Shoppers: Israelis Sell Cosmetics, Toys at the Mall.
Unfortunately, since that exposé was published, the ‘cancer’ has spread.
A LEAKED US EMBASSY CABLE FROM TEL AVIV
The problem of Israelis working illegally at kiosks throughout America has become so serious that in January 2010, the former US Ambassador to Israel, James Cunningham sent a report to his bosses in Washington, DC entitled Dead Sea Cosmetics and Skincare Industry Fraud.
This diplomatic cable, posted on WikiLeaks, shed light on the activities of Israelis selling Dead Sea beauty products at kiosks throughout America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. It details widespread immigration fraud, worker exploitation, tax evasion, money laundering and the involvement of organised crime on a massive-scale. The original document is in a run-on format, so here’s an easy-to-read version.
The US embassy in Tel Aviv even went so far as to produce a video (below) warning Israelis of the risks of working illegally in America that is also endlessly played in the embassy’s waiting room, but it seems to have little effect, as many feel that stronger deterrents are needed.
The 2010 cable reveals that some Dead Sea cosmetic and skin care products that are labelled “Made in Israel” may actually originate elsewhere such as China, which has both ‘dead seas’ and cheap labour. One company allegedly manufactures soaps in the USA who employ illegal workers from Central America and then label the product as originating from the Dead Sea. Yet another reportedly imports soaps and lotions in bulk into Israel, where they are packaged before being exported and sold in America, taking advantage of Israel’s most favoured trading nation status to qualify for a reduced tariff on imported goods.
Interestingly, the cable also reveals that most companies hire only those who have completed military service in the Israel Occupation Force - which of course excludes the overwhelming majority of Palestinians.
WESTFIELD
Westfield: Too many kiosks
A company called Gadi has kiosks at the West One Shopping Centre off Oxford Street, at Victoria Place near Victoria Station and at other locations in Central London while Southside Wandsworth centre has seen a Dead Sea Premier kiosk mysteriously come and go in only a few weeks and not surprisingly, at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre in North London, there’s a SeaSpa kiosk.
However, the lion’s share of kiosks can be found inside malls owned by the Westfield Group who manage over a hundred malls throughout America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
At the Westfield malls at Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford, very close to the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, one can find Onsen and Soap & Co, who both use an Israeli sales force to flog their products.
When we raised the possibility that some of their tenants employ illegal workers, staff at Westfield Stratford didn’t seem too bothered, as the Australian-based group was co-founded by Zionist Frank Lowy, a close confidant of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Westfield co-founder Frank Lowy: Veteran of the Haganah and Golani Brigade.
After arriving in Palestine from Hungry in 1946, Lowy served as a commando in the Haganah, precursor of the Israeli Occupation Force and later the notorious Golani Brigade who were very active during the Nakba, terrorising and murdering Palestinians in large numbers. In 1952, Lowy emigrated to Australia where he made his fortune building shopping centres. Now retired, Lowy reportedly spends much of his time in Israel.
A VISIT TO ONSEN
Here’s one person’s experience when stopping at Onsen’s kiosk in Westfield Stratford:
I was approached by a very friendly sales assistant named “Yoni” who told me that their products used technology and minerals that were more advanced than any other product.
Me being very cautious and aware of marketing tactics, I wasn’t at all convinced but he was extremely persistent. He wouldn’t allow me to leave until he’d show me the face peel, so he poured some of it on to my hand. It was a clear gel substance and he rubbed it around my hand and eventually it formed white and grey particles.
He told me that it was dirt and that a clean hand wouldn’t have that dirt and said if it could do that for my hand; imagine what it could do for an oily face.
However, I was aware that all the gel needed was body heat to form those particles and it was false advertising, but I just played along.
He then showed me the hydration cleanser and milk lotion cleanser and told me a bunch of facts behind the “natural” product. He then took me to the computer screen and showed me that on the Onsen website, the face peel product was US$129.95 online, but if I bought the product at the kiosk today, it would only be £60.00 or £120.00 for both products.
I thought this was an extreme rip-off for a product I had never heard of.
“Yoni” then told me: “I wouldn’t do this for everyone but I can see that you’re interested and I’m willing to offer you my personal employee discount for £30.00 a product or £60.00 for two.” (Inside I was laughing at the fact my acting skills worked). But I told him I still wasn’t interested.
At this point, I was approached by one of Yoni’s friends who tried to sell me something else. He applied some cream under my left eye and immediately he tried to convince me that he could see my skin tightening up and my eyes were less puffy and dark.
This was a complete lie because obviously the skin under my eye was still as dark as ever.
A popular consumer website, Complaints Board details a plethora of complaints against Onsen and other companies at Westfield and at other malls throughout America, suggesting that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
SOAP & CO
Companies such as Soap & Co often recruit using their own sites and Hebrew-language online noticeboards, as well as through informal social networks shortly before they complete their military service. Most Israelis who want to work overseas know its pretty easy to find a job “on the carts.”
Here’s a Soap & Co recruitment video that promises “real money” in addition to the excitement of working in London:
272 Regents Park Road N3: The registered business address of Soap & Co. The rubbish skips outside are highly appropriate.
We visited Soap & Co’s registered address at 272 Regent’s Park Road N3 3HN in the north London Borough of Barnet ready to pose questions about their hiring of illegal workers and high pressure sales tactics.
As it turned out, the address was not that of Soap & Co, but of the auditing firm of Spencer Hyde Ltd who confirmed that they are Soap & Co’s accountants, but were not willing to divulge any further information concerning their connection with this elusive company.
So there you have it.
It’s time the Home Office, UK Border Agency and HM Revenue & Customs take appropriate action to terminate this ‘industry’ which has an unsavoury record and proven history of flouting consumer protection, employment, immigration and tax legislation - as well as international law.
Their free ride will soon be over.
Fishing for customers at ‘Gadi’ in the West One Centre, off Oxford Street (Bond Street tube).
Another Gadi kiosk, but this time at Victoria Place, the mall above Victoria Station. Three other black-clad scam artists were out of camera shot.
Here’s the Onsen kiosk in Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush).
And the Onsen kiosk in Westfield (Stratford City).
The Soap & Co kiosk in Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush).
SeaSpa kiosk in the Brent Cross Shopping Centre (20 June 2012 update: This kiosk is now run by Gadi).
They read from a script! NO WAY!!
Hi Antony
I don’t think they actually READ from a script, but more like WORK from one.
Thanks for your comment.
Shocking!
Excellent work!
Thanks for the post, This was exactly what I needed to see.Good list, keep up the good work.
Embassy London
Hello.
I am a 40 years old woman, Muslim, who was born in Turkey and for the last 25 years live here in London.
I am married and have 3 children.
About the accusations you have made – I don’t know about the other carts, all I know is that I have purchased the Onsen products at Westfield Stratford, and been using them for the last 6 months, and all my friends and family tell me I look younger.
Since I was so impressed and satisfied with the products I send there all my friends.
I was also like you very curious about the nationality of the employees at the kiosk, but for your knowledge, the person that assisted me was Spanish. I know that some of their employees are from Israel, but the products work, so you think that what matters to me???? The product is not Israeli, it is from Japan, and it is amazing for my skin, and this is all that matters!
I hope the people who are reading the article will give the product a chance before using any misled judgement.
Dear “rikahsh”
Why does your email address have a Hebrew name?
You’ve been exposed for who you are מַיָּה (Maya)
You guys are sickening to me. Grow a pair and stop knocking off companies and products. your stupid enough to fall for a sales trick thats your fault.
I have shopped at the onsen store in wesftield londen. Products work great. Everyone skin is different and reacts different to what the product does . do some research before knocking off someone next time. London Born now in the us. You guys are something else.
check out their site and order from their if you cant handle sales tactics then maybe you should stay home.
Anthony, the Internet is full of Onsen reviews like this: http://goo.gl/89j79, this: http://goo.gl/ZdgEc and especially this: http://goo.gl/EMtay
All the evidence proves that Onsen is a scam and a retailer that all prudent and intelligent people should avoid like the plague.
Wonder what your connection is to Onsen since you’re so keen to defend them.
By the way, Onsen doesn’t have a store in Westfield London. These ‘cowboys’ flog their overpriced rubbish from kiosks.
Also, do check out the next comment.
It cheers me up to see these pro-Islamic websites, doing what they do best. Twist the truth and talk shit.
Please visit the Zio-nuts page to read our reply.
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Awesome post about the Westfield-Dead Sea kiosk connection. The truth is slowly coming out.
Does anyone know of any anti-Westfield campaigns?
I was fooled into buying some stuff off Onsen in Westfield Stratford, my stomach churns when I think how easily they got my money. I feel like boycotting Westfield.
This sounds like motivation enough to start a boycott Westfield campaign Anthony.
Is there any reason to believe the Dead Sea Cosmetics products are unhealthy or dangerous?
Unhealthy? Dangerous? Ahava claim their products are paraben-free, SLS/SLES-free, and approved for sensitive skin. But their factory is based in an illegal West Bank settlement and they use mud sourced from occupied shores which is forbidden as pillage under the Geneva Convention.
Occupation is both unhealthy and dangerous.
You also may want to check out EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
There are also Israelis selling dead sea or onzen salts in Singapore malls (under raffles place), and in Thailand.
Thanks Martin. This scam seems to be widespread.
My friend has just purchased some Gadi products for me today at House of Fraser! I wasnt to up for it as it was a hard sale by presumably an israli man.
Do you think i should take it back as im a little worried on the testing and safety of these products after reading this. Also i am suprised at house of fraser for letting this happen!
Would appreciate some info from some one ;/
We would be the last people to suggest returning a friend’s gift, but…
The consensus is that we would return it for ethical reasons.
In the first instance, try and find out exactly where the Dead Sea natural resources that are supposedly in these products originate. If Gadi isn’t transparent about the origin of the ingredients in their products (don’t hold your breath), then we would seriously consider returning it for something more ethical that isn’t sold by them.
Remember, occupation is both harmful and unhealthy for untold thousands of people.
These con artists make it awfully difficult to return any of their products. If it was purchased in a House of Fraser store, then you should have no problem returning it. If you do experience any difficulties, then demand to speak to a manager. Failing that, keep a record of what was said and by whom and then file a complaint with your local authority’s trading standards office.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Hi
Thanks for your reply..
I have just had the two purchases refunded to the sum of £240 with no quibble
I went straight to the store manager who asked no questions and was baffled by the fact I did not go to the Gadi salesman first. As she seemed happy to refund I didnt go into too much detail about my reasons for returning said items but did tell her to do some research on the Gadi companies. The beauty manager of the store seemed rather cross with me for even questioning the products and company, to whom I also told to do some research and then she might agree with me.
I hope House of Fraser tighten there belts and look into this and stop supporting these rougue traders!
Thanks again
Kim
A happy ending!
Something for us to follow up on.
Thanks Kim
So I was stopped by these guys today at the meadow hall shopping centre in Sheffield. They tried the trick of rubbing these minerals in to my wrist. This mineral lotion then precipitated (white) and they claimed it was dirt!! Unlucky for them I had been operating all day as a surgeon and have scrubbed by hands > 24 times with chlorhexadine so no way could my hands be as dirty as they claimed!! But danger is I can see many people being duped… Surely trading standards should be informed…
Hi and thanks for contacting us dhirar.
Any idea of what the company or product’s name is?
Regardless, action is only a click away: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/sheffield/
thanks for the link it is soap and co
wah! I feel gutted. I bought from Soup and Co. in whiteleys shopping mall. I really wasn’t planning to buy but the Jewish seller was very nice and persistent(he told me he is jew as we get into chatting about cultures). But never crossed my mind that this has anything to do with the illegal occupation.
The seller would of told you anything to convince you to purchase the product, but it’s a safe bet he was Israeli.
There’s a chance you could return it, even though you may have to be persistant. These lotions and potions play havoc with people’s skin if you now what I mean. If they refuse, contact your local trading standards office and raise a fuss.
Soap & Co don’t disclose where their product’s ingredients originate from or where they are manufactured. They could come from an illegal settlement in the West Bank, but then again, they could also come from somewhere in the Far East.
Good luck.
I fell victim to these people after several nights of being up at night for my sick children. Everything you say about the scripts is true, and they are very persistent and coercive to the point of being quite intimidating. I was deeply troubled by having been sold £700 for £250 – I just felt that if they could give such a huge discount it was basically peanuts to make and relied on the trickery of magnets etc. I looked them up when I got home and found this posting, and many others beside. I managed to take most of it back the next day and the manager did this weird thing of pretending to make a phone call before agreeing to my refund. The whole thing was very uncomfortable and slightly sinister. I cant believe they are able to sell legally in this manner.
Also forgot to mention, I had already spent £160. They like to sell you one lot of stuff, get the money in the bag and then go on to the next. I tried to get the whole lot back but they talked me into keeping the first purchase and maybe I got off lightly as they could have made me keep all of it. They graduate to more and more expensive items, making sure you pay as you go. I felt sick when I read this posting and the products aren’t that special.
We’re very sorry to hear what happened, but were glad that you were able to obtain a refund. Sorry to say that your experience is not all too uncommon.
These companies not only use unethical and high pressure sales tactics, but they also lack transparency and always, ALWAYS refuse to say exactly where the natural resources that they claim are in their products originate.
You can turn your negative experience into a positive one by publicising this as much as possible to people and institutions of influence.
If enough people raise a fuss, someone’s got to act.
Good luck and thanks for sharing.
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I was approached by one of these skanks, I told him alot of the things you mentioned in your article and I think he was really shocked that I knew so much. I walked away feeling very satisfied. To add insult to injury though, a friend of mine told me that when she was approached by one seller, he actually mocked the very people they steal alot of the ingredients to make this rubbish!! The nerve.
Thanks Aura for sharing. The more people who are aware of these con artists, the less successful they’ll be and the greater the chances of driving them out of business permanently.
We’ve heard your friend’s experience before, as the young Israelis staffing these kiosks are fresh out of the IOF and not surprisingly, many express little or no sympathy for the people whose land was stolen and natural ingredients plundered.
Thanks again and well done!