Is this a scam? (Victoria Barnett "lifestyle package")

quink

I was approached yesterday afternoon just outside Liverpool Street station by a man who said he worked for “Victoria Barnett”, a lifestyle and marketing company. Basically, he was selling a lifestyle package (whatever the hell that is), which basically consisted of getting a big discount at a London hairdressing salon for a year (cut, colour, head massage, etc) for £30 rather than £130, along with one of those photoshoot sessions with free champagne and access to a top nightclub afterwards, and free treatments at this massage/facials place called Cucumba. He also said you got free entry to this bunch of nightclubs for 5 years. He said it was usually £550, but he was offering it for £60, as he worked for this company with a marketing budget of £25,000, and they found it more effective to sign people up for this package, and then people tell their friends about the salon, club, etc, and then they end up using it full price, so it attracts business for them. Now, I understand word-of-mouth advertising, and all that, but the fact this was on the street, and it all seemed a bit “off” just rang alarm bells for me.

When I uhmmed and aahed about it (trying to think of a polite way to say no!), He then offered to take his commission out of the price, which would have brought it down to £45. I still said no, so then he then asked me what it would take to make me sign up. I said it all sounded great, but I’d like some time to think about it (if it was legit, this wouldn’t be a problem, right?). He said that he was happy to do that, but whenever he gave people his number, they never rang him back and signed up. He didn’t give me his number, and I got the feeling that it was a now or never kind of thing.

He was very nice, and charming, and I can’t say I wasn’t tempted, as it all sounded pretty good. But it just seemed a bit weird, and I certainly wasn’t about to hand over £60 quid on the street to a complete stranger. He had another guy with him, who was talking to other women, but I couldn’t see him when I left, which again made me wonder.

I looked up their website when I got home, and again, it all looks legit, but there’s very little actual information on there, and I’m still not convinced. The guy at Liverpool Street had a glossy pamphlet, which he gave me plenty of time to look at, but I noticed quite a glaring spelling error on there – if it was this expensive marketing promotion, surely they’d have it checked and proofread?

So what do you guys think? Did I pass up a great deal, or was I being scammed?

maninthestreet

Never buy anything from any Tom, !!!!!! or Harry or who stops you on the street and tries to sell you something. There were bound to be strings attached to the deal - although the photoshoot may be free, chances are you will be 'expected' to buy a portfolio of the photograhs, at some vastly over inflated price. The free entry to nightclubs for 5 years would also have strings attache as well. Basically your £30 would buy you very little.

Sooler

quink wrote:

I was approached yesterday afternoon just outside Liverpool Street station by a man

... say no more lol, need you ask.

hollydays

Never hand over cash to someone in the street.You could maybe next time ask them to go with you to the Transport Police to be checked out,or the P.S.whichever is nearer.THeir reaction would be your answer.

As to the offer it-if it WAS genuine- was possibly things like,you would get treatment from the most unqualified trainee,and only appointments when they wanted you.Having re read your post,they probably would have pressured you into to having more photos taken,thats where they make their money.Re the night clubs,perhaps the entry was allread technically free anyway,or the drinks horrendously expensive with your free entry ticket.The stated value of the whole package has probably been an exaggeration(read lie) as this person was paid on commission.