Cosmetics Shops Sign Consumer Agreement

Cosmetics Shops Sign Consumer Agreement

The Key West Rip-Off Rapid Response Team has reached agreement with the owners of two Duval Street cosmetics shops.

Owners of Soap Stories at 404 Duval St. and ERA Ageless at 617 Duval St. have signed a five-point consent agreement that implements a 30-day return policy and the posting of signs stating the policy, and requires the business to except returns sent by UPS, FedEx and USPS. The agreement also requires compliance with all city codes, and prohibits employees from grabbing or touching customers on the street in front of the store.

One of the stores, ERA Ageless, recently returned $8,550 to a 68-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran. The vet, Robert Lapworth of Flourtown, Pennsylvania, claimed in a complaint to the City Code Department that the business violated code and took advantage of his disability.

Bruce Mitchell of the Rip-Off Rapid Response Team says he hopes the two stores will live up to their agreement and improve their business practices.

“These repeated consumer rip-offs on Duval Street give the whole city a real black eye and need to stop,” Mitchell said.

The signed and notarized consent agreement stipulates that no protests will be staged in front of the stores at 404 and 617 Duval St. as long as the businesses adhere to the agreement.

The Rip-Off Rapid Response Team is a local consumer advocacy group that concentrates on Duval Street cosmetics shops. Goals include educating visitors and residents, stopping improper and illegal cosmetics sales, and helping victims recover their money. The group previously picketed cosmetics shops that fail to refund consumers money or agree to abide by city code and reasonable return policies.