Bee & Co. Skincare Stores Face New Allegations of Coercive Sales

New allegations involving Bee & Co. skincare stores in California are raising concerns about aggressive sales tactics, particularly involving customers who say they were vulnerable to high pressure during lengthy interactions with employees.

New Customer Allegations

The allegations center on Bee & Co. locations operating in Southern California shopping malls. Several customers have described being approached outside the stores and offered free samples, demonstrations or skincare treatments before being encouraged to enter the store.

Some customers say that what initially appeared to be a complimentary offer eventually turned into a lengthy sales presentation involving expensive skincare products and treatments. The allegations have not been proven in court. Bee & Co. and its parent company, Mazal Group, have denied wrongdoing in connection with the claims.

Customer With Learning Disability Describes Spending Thousands

Gabe Cota, who has a learning disability, said he spent more than $3,000 following an interaction with a Bee & Co. salesperson. Cota said he was initially approached with an offer for a free sample. He described having difficulty processing information and said he struggles to say no to people.

According to Cota, the interaction eventually resulted in purchases he did not originally intend to make. Cota also alleged that after returning to the store for a facial he had already purchased, he attempted to prevent himself from spending additional money by locking his debit card. He said a salesperson later convinced him to send $300 through Zelle. Cota described the experience as upsetting and said he believed he had been pressured into spending substantially more money than he intended.

Another Customer Allegedly Spent More Than $50,000

The allegations follow the experience of Victor Chisholm, a 30-year-old man with an intellectual disability who said he spent more than $50,000 during multiple visits to Bee & Co. Records associated with the dispute reportedly showed more than $41,000 in payments for skincare products and a red-light device. Chisholm also said he sent more than $10,000 in tips through Cash App to two employees.

Chisholm’s attorney alleged that employees used high-pressure tactics during the sales interactions. Chisholm has said he did not intend to spend the amount of money ultimately involved. Bee & Co. has denied wrongdoing regarding the allegations.

Allegations Involving Older Customers

Other complaints have involved older consumers. One complaint describes an 80-year-old woman who allegedly spent nearly $3,000 after being encouraged to enter a Bee & Co. location.

Another complaint involving the company’s Westfield Topanga location alleges that a customer was initially offered a complimentary facial and later pressured into purchasing products costing thousands of dollars. The complaint alleges that the customer repeatedly indicated that they could not afford the purchase but was subsequently presented with a lower price. These complaints represent allegations made by consumers and are not findings that Bee & Co. violated the law.

Questions About The Sales Process

At the center of the controversy is the alleged transition from free or low-cost offers to expensive purchases. Customers say employees may initially approach shoppers with complimentary samples or treatments. Once inside, customers can be presented with additional products and services. Some consumers allege that employees continued making sales pitches after they expressed reluctance or said they did not want to spend additional money.

Critics of high-pressure retail sales practices argue that consumers should be able to clearly understand the total cost of a purchase and have adequate time to make an informed decision. The allegations involving Bee & Co. are particularly significant because some customers have identified disabilities, age or difficulty processing information as factors they believe affected their ability to resist the sales pressure.

BBB Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau include allegations concerning Bee & Co.’s sales practices. Complaints associated with the Westfield Topanga location describe customers allegedly being approached with free offers before becoming involved in transactions involving thousands of dollars.

One complaint alleges that a customer was charged more than $22,000 across several transactions and was encouraged to provide an additional $5,300 tip. Another complaint filed in 2026 alleges a purchase exceeding $6,500 after a customer was initially approached with a complimentary offer. The complaints are consumer allegations. A BBB complaint does not establish that a company committed wrongdoing. The BBB profile also states that the Bee & Co. location is not BBB accredited and that Bee & Co. retail locations are independently owned and managed under licensing agreements with Mazal Group LLC.

Congressional Attention

The allegations have also attracted attention from Rep. Brad Sherman, whose district includes the area surrounding Westfield Topanga. Sherman has indicated that he plans to raise concerns about the allegations with California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The involvement of an elected official does not establish that the allegations are accurate, but it demonstrates that the complaints have moved beyond individual customer disputes and into broader questions about consumer protection.

Company Denies Wrongdoing

Bee & Co. and Mazal Group have denied wrongdoing related to the allegations. In communications concerning Chisholm’s dispute, the company’s attorney denied the allegations and disputed aspects of his account. The company also reportedly offered to refund money under certain conditions related to online comments and communications about the dispute. The allegations remain contested.

What Consumers Can Do

Consumers shopping at mall-based skincare stores can take several steps before agreeing to expensive treatments or products. Ask for the complete price before beginning a treatment or accepting a package. If a salesperson says an offer is available only for a short period, consumers can take time to consider whether they actually want the product. It can also help to request a written receipt, cancellation policy and refund policy before completing a major purchase.

Consumers should also remember that accepting a free sample or complimentary treatment does not mean they are required to purchase additional products. For anyone who believes they were pressured into an unusually large purchase, keeping receipts, credit-card statements, payment-app records, text messages and other documentation can be useful if they decide to dispute the transaction or seek legal advice. The allegations surrounding Bee & Co. remain disputed, but the growing number of consumer complaints has raised questions about how aggressive skincare sales are conducted and what protections should be available to customers who may be particularly vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics.