Sales tactics used by beauty clinics often involve various marketing strategies. For example, customers are first talked into purchasing a beauty course, then coaxed into handing over their credit card for immediate payment. In some cases, customers are offered installment plans, such as paying half the amount first and settling the rest later. These methods can place customers under pressure, especially if they are reluctant to make a purchase but feel coerced into accepting the offer. In many cases, the promised results fall short of the advertisements. Some clinics even shut down before completing the services, leaving customers with no way to reach them. This creates serious obstacles for those seeking refunds or trying to assert their consumer rights.
Characteristics of Unfair Service Practices
Services offered by beauty clinics should be conducted with transparency and in full respect of consumer rights. The following cases may be considered unfair practices in the context of beauty services or the sale of beauty-related courses and products. In such cases, consumers may be subject to exploitation, undue pressure, or
Services offered by beauty clinics should be conducted with transparency and in full respect of consumer rights. The following scenarios may constitute unfair in the context of beauty services or the sale of beauty-related courses and products. In such cases, consumers may be subject to or deprived of the legal protections.
Pressuring customers to surrender credit cards unwillingly, including urging them to increase their credit limit in order to purchase courses beyond their financial capacity.
Clinic closure before completing prepaid services, leaving customers without the agreed-upon treatments they paid for.
Selling overpriced courses or making exaggerated claims, which raise unrealistic expectations that are not met by actual results.
Pressuring customers into purchases against their will, such as using emotionally manipulative language, implying negative consequences for refusal, or physically preventing them from leaving the premises.
Requiring advance payment without guarantees or a clear receipt.
Demanding customers to pay in advance, such as paying half the amount first and settling the rest later, without a clear contract or terms.
Providing services that do not meet agreed standards, such as using substandard equipment or unqualified personnel.
Abandoning operations or closing the clinic, making it impossible for customers to receive services or claim refunds as per the contract.
Characteristics of Unfair Service Practices
Services offered by beauty clinics should be conducted with transparency and in full respect of consumer rights. The following cases may be considered unfair practices in the context of beauty services or the sale of beauty-related courses and products. In such cases, consumers may be subject to exploitation, undue pressure, or
Services offered by beauty clinics should be conducted with transparency and in full respect of consumer rights. The following scenarios may constitute unfair in the context of beauty services or the sale of beauty-related courses and products. In such cases, consumers may be subject to or deprived of the legal protections.
Pressuring customers to surrender credit cards unwillingly, including urging them to increase their credit limit in order to purchase courses beyond their financial capacity.
Clinic closure before completing prepaid services, leaving customers without the agreed-upon treatments they paid for.
Selling overpriced courses or making exaggerated claims, which raise unrealistic expectations that are not met by actual results.
- Pressuring customers into purchases against their will, such as using emotionally manipulative language, implying negative consequences for refusal, or physically preventing them from leaving the premises.
- Requiring advance payment without guarantees or a clear receipt.
Demanding customers to pay in advance, such as paying half the amount first and settling the rest later, without a clear contract or terms. - Providing services that do not meet agreed standards, such as using substandard equipment or unqualified personnel.
- Abandoning operations or closing the clinic, making it impossible for customers to receive services or claim refunds as per the contract.
Mana Boonsong, Director of Consumer Protection Division 1 at the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), told Thai PBS Verify that the OCPB plays a key role in protecting consumers in the beauty service industry. Relevant laws and regulations include the Announcement of the Contract Committee on Designating Beauty Service Businesses as Controlled Businesses Requiring Itemized Payment Receipts B.E. 2563 (2020). This announcement prescribes that, once a consumer makes a payment for a beauty service course, the business operator is legally required to issue a receipt containing clear and specific details, such as the name and address of the business and the authorized issuer, the consumer’s name, the start and end dates of the service, terms of use, and the total service fee.
Mana Boonsong, Director of Consumer Protection Division 1 at the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB)
If a consumer purchases a beauty course but has not yet used the service, they have the right to cancel the contract within 7 days. The business operator must refund the full amount. If payment was made by credit card, the operator may deduct a credit card processing fee, as permitted by law or stated in the agreement.
If the consumer was pressured into purchasing a product or service, e.g. being prevented from leaving the premises or having their credit card used without full consent, they may file a police report as a precaution. In cases where the clinic closes down or terminates the contract unfairly, the consumer has the right to request a refund. Essential documents include the receipt, proof of payment, service contract or agreement, promotional materials used to persuade the purchase, and any other information that outlines terms and guarantees.
As a preliminary measure, the Consumer Organization Council has recommended guidelines to help prevent consumers from being misled or pressured into purchasing products or services as follows:
- When purchasing a product and suspecting that the price may be inflated, consumers can conduct a preliminary price check through various websites related to the product. They should also compare prices across multiple stores. If the price appears unreasonably high, consumers should contact the seller to inquire about the reason for the discrepancy. Most importantly, inspecting the product before making payment is essential to avoid being scammed.
- If concerns about product pricing persist, please contact the Department of Internal Trade, the agency responsible for overseeing and regulating product prices, by calling 0 2507 5530 or the hotline 1569.
- A written request to cancel the service contract and refund the money may be prepared, stating the reason that, “the purchase of goods or services was influenced through coercive or unfair persuasion, which constitutes a violation of consumer rights,” in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979).* The request should be sent via registered mail, and the proof of delivery receipt should be retained as evidence.
- If no response is received, or if the company or store responds but does not accept the terms proposed in the contract cancellation letter, consumers may file a complaint with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) or the Consumer Organization Council.
Under the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979), consumers have the right to freely choose products and services. If a business operator employs coercive or unfair persuasion to induce a purchase, such conduct is considered a violation of consumer rights. In such cases, consumers are entitled to appropriate remedies for any resulting damages, including the right to cancel the contract, request a refund, return the product, or request an exchange.
