Complaint 24K
From St. Maarten News Network 3/7/18 interview with Mr. Dimri regarding his business & staying in St. Maarten. Investors are from Canada. Business caters to tourists. They never force anyone to purchase products. They only give free samples. Because tourists & others complain about barkers in Philipsburg, Mr. Dimri assured that his employees would not harass island visitors. The company provides training for employees.
Based on reviews on the internet for Dor 24k stores our experience in Philipsburg stores is not unique: target Senior Citizens (I am 76); impression they target one tourist to the location & lure to 2nd location for free facial; misrepresent products, themselves, TV celebrities endorsing products; use of scare tactics such as spots on face could be cancer & products will prevent from becoming cancer; feeling scammed after leaving store; not explaining No Refund policy- no refunds should be a Red Flag – online purchases have 21 day refund; staff being condescending to customers.
They may refuse proposed resolution but we can make others aware so other tourists are not caught unaware of the tactics used to get their business.
Since 2010 we come to St. Maarten every September including during Irma. We have built relationships with the staff at the businesses we go to every year. We are timeshare owners at Divi Little Bay and attend St. Martin of Tours Church when here.
We tend to avoid Mr. Dimri’s stores when in Philipsburg where they hand out free samples, ask to see your eyes, & try to make you buy the hand into the store for free eye treatment. On 9/13/19 I got lured in one of the stores because I needed some moisturizer. Of course, I had to have the eye treatment. Later I realized they sold me a different type of product instead of what I asked for. I will try to exchange as this receipt says exchange within 14 days. The salesperson said owner was in town (not actually owner) for the grand opening of a new store in St. Bart’s- offseason strange time for this. Referred to him as Dr. Dom & if lucky he would have time to demo free facelifting treatment. She took me by the hand to another store (should have run away).
Dominick started with treatment. Said only needed to use once a month so creams last 6 years. Called me Mom and he was like a son to me, age spots were precancerous & creams would fix this. He called this respect. I call it condescending. He did half of the face, had husband check results. Asked price & he said $6000 & came down to $3900. When I said no he walked out of the store. He came & said $2900. Very pressured, stupidly agreed so 2nd side of face treated. He wanted the promise to only use his products & tell no one how much I paid. I was not given any products but told they would ship from Las Vegas, NV and I stated verbally & on Customer Shipping Form they would not be shipped until 9/20/19 as no one would be home to get the package until after 9/21/19. Based on later texts with Dom this was ignored so in effect he broke our agreement. I also put X inbox for ground transportation- free delivery. Again I stupidly did not read any refunds nor did anyone explain this. In another place says exchange within 14 days. They also said as soon as the package arrives open all the cream boxes to sure nothing broken. This also ensures all are opened & can’t be exchanged. Amount of $2900 scribbled out &3100 written in. By this time I was anxious to leave the store so I accepted the explanation that this was shipping. I took no products with me, just understanding they would ship on 9/20/19.
Text from Dom 9/13/19 so I would have his cell number: Hi it’s your son Dominico the cream guy.
9/14/19 to Dom: I really financially should not have been charged $3100 on credit card. My husband has a heart condition & medication is over $300 per month. He goes in the hospital soon for a heart procedure. I would like you to cancel sending the products on 9/20/19 & refund $3100 to our American Express. A true son would look out for parents and do this. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
9/14/19 from Dom: No refund mom. We already sent your package. I'm sorry company policy
9/14/19 to Dom: We agreed it would not be shipped until 9/20/19 because no one would be home until after 9/21/19-even noted this on the sheet when I wrote address. After checking the internet for company discovered several complaints regarding high-pressure tactics such as you all use including in St. Maarten- those customers had products in hand. Also, your products appeared to not be in the top 10 ratings. If the alternatives are a complaint with American Express, Facebook, BBB, Twitter, Divi Bay Staff, to warn guest about your store tactics in St. Maarten, etc that is what I will do especially considering others who complained had products in hand & I do not. Since your company is based in Florida, I will file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs if you don’t issue a refund to my American Express by Monday morning. Also, you shipped already when I specifically said not to ship until 9/20/19.
9/14/19 from Dom: I don’t appreciate the way you talk to me at all!!! I was extremely respectful & kind to you no refunds. Have a great day. And I respectfully tell you to go ahead & do whatever you like. On all the receipts you signed very clear no refunds!!! Thank you have a great day nobody pressure you & you know that. It was the exact opposite. I was extremely nice to you & you loved everything!!! There is a lot of bad things online, you should know better. I respect you have a great day
(Sent picture with forms and receipt saying no refund. Also shows where I wrote Ship Date 9/20/19)
9/14/19 to Dom: We will do what we have to do
9/14/19 from Dom: very clear all over your signature. No problem have a great day
9/14/19 to Dom: Did you not read ship date of 9/20/19 on the paper you sent?
9/14/19 from Dom: We ship the package immediately you will get it on dates you asked but it’s already out because we don’t want you to wait for the package to get there the day you asked for that’s respect
9/14/19 to Dom: I asked that it not be shipped out until9/20/19 as we will not be home until after 9/21/19. You did not respect my request.
9/14/19 from Dom: My dear the package will be at your house the date asked but we always ship it out so you get on-time you asked.
9/14/19 from Dom: I really respect you & you make me feel a little bit uncomfortable so please I don’t want to feel like that because to me you like a mother, it’s not about the money. All I really did for you at my store is respecting you
9/14/19 to Dom: My other two sons lookout for me & will be upset about spending the money
9/14/19 from Dom: You didn’t spend money you bought something that is very important & good for you &you deserve it
9/14/19 to Dom: With much regret, because it puts us in financial distress, we will do what we need to do.
9/14/19 from Dom: No problem.
Margaret Bristow
