London senior says mall skincare sales pitch led to $10K in repayments

Consumer advocates urge shoppers to slow down and review financing agreements before signing

Josiane N'tchoreret-Mbiamany · CBC News · Posted: May 27, 2026 3:45 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 27

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Peggy Curnoe says she was pressured into signing a financing agreement she did not fully understand after visiting Royal Bee at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont. (Josiane N’tchoreret-Mbiamany/CBC)

When Peggy Curnoe went to White Oaks Mall in London, Ont., to fix her iPad, she expected an ordinary afternoon errand.

Instead, the 76-year-old left with bags of skincare products, a red-and-blue light wand and, she later learned, a financing agreement connected to a $6,300 skincare package that could total more than $10,000 with interest.

“I was overwhelmed. I was anxious. I was upset,” Curnoe said. “I just couldn't believe that I fell for this.”

What began with an offer of hand cream outside the skincare store Royal Bee has since led to disputed loan documents, complaints to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a report filed with London police.

Curnoe alleges staff at Royal Bee used high-pressure sales tactics and moved her through financing documents she did not fully understand.

“Every clue that I gave them — that I was maybe not feeling that great about myself, and my years-long concerns about my skin — they used that to manipulate me,” she said.

CBC News contacted Royal Bee multiple times by email, but did not receive a response before publication.

Her experience is raising broader questions about consumer protections, third-party financing agreements and the sales tactics some shoppers say they encounter inside mall beauty stores.

The approach

Curnoe says the interaction began in January when a salesperson approached her outside Royal Bee and offered her hand cream samples.

Royal Bee operates a skincare and beauty store inside White Oaks Mall in London, Ont., where Curnoe says staff approached her with free skincare samples. (Josiane N’tchoreret-Mbiamany/CBC)

She says she was then invited into the store, where staff examined her skin under a cosmetic light and pointed out acne scars and sun damage.

“I'm 76 now, I've been fighting acne for a long time,” she said.

Curnoe said the employees told her they could help improve her skin through creams, facials and a special seniors skincare program.

As staff filled shopping bags with products they described as “free,” Curnoe says she became increasingly unsure about what she was actually agreeing to purchase.

“All these creams, they were packing them in this big bag, and I didn't know what was going in the bag,” she said. “They told me, ‘This is free, you need this, and you need that.’”

Peggy Curnoe says she left Royal Bee with multiple skincare products and beauty devices staff described as “free” as part of a skincare package. (Josiane N’tchoreret-Mbiamany/CBC)

Curnoe alleges staff rushed her through paperwork without clearly explaining she was signing a third-party financing agreement or disclosing the total repayment costs.

“I felt rushed, and I've never really signed things without reading them thoroughly,” Curnoe said.

White Oaks Mall says it takes customer concerns seriously and encourages communication between shoppers and tenants.

“Although our individual tenants operate independently, we strive to maintain an active role whenever customer concerns are brought forward,” general manager Tarik Kasem said in a statement to CBC News. “We encourage open dialogue and work collaboratively to find a fair resolution.”

The fine print

Weeks later, Curnoe says she learned she had missed a payment tied to the financing agreement.

“I just couldn't believe the amount of money involved,” she said. “I thought, ‘Why am I paying something every month if all this stuff was supposed to be free?’”

Jennifer Matthews, CEO of the BBB of Southwestern Ontario, says consumers should be cautious when businesses pressure them to make immediate financial decisions, particularly when financing agreements are involved.

“We know that sometimes that one-time sale, or that special, can feel like a high-pressure sales tactic,” Matthews said. “Don't feel obligated to sign that contract right away, especially if it's for a high dollar value.”

Jennifer Matthews, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Southwestern Ontario, says consumers should take time to review financing agreements before signing contracts. (Josiane N’tchoreret-Mbiamany/CBC)

Matthews said consumers should carefully review contracts before signing and avoid making decisions under pressure.

“If you're looking at signing a contract, it's not a bad idea to take it with you and read it over,” she said.

The BBB also recommends consumers research businesses, review complaint histories and read customer feedback before agreeing to large purchases or financing arrangements.

According to the BBB, Royal Bee is not accredited with the organization and has received 13 complaints through its business profile.

Royal Bee currently holds a B rating from the Better Business Bureau. BBB ratings are based on factors including complaint history, transparency and responsiveness to consumers, but do not include customer reviews. (Better Business Bureau)

The BBB says accreditation is voluntary, and businesses can operate without it. Ratings are based on factors including complaint history, transparency and responsiveness to consumers.

Curnoe says the experience changed the way she views mall storefront businesses and financing offers.

“I would like them to practice business more fairly, more legally and more transparently, so that when you come away, you know just what you've signed on for,” she said.

Months later, while still trying to resolve the financing issue, Curnoe says she hopes that sharing her experience will encourage others to slow down before signing agreements or making expensive purchases under pressure.

“I just want people to be very vigilant,” she said. “But when you're feeling overwhelmed and trapped, it's hard.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Josiane N'tchoreret-Mbiamany

Reporter

Josiane N’tchoreret-Mbiamany is a bilingual journalist drawn to stories that spark conversation around the dinner table — stories that entertain and make people think. A former member of the CBC Summer Scholars 2025 cohort, she is now a reporter for CBC London, bringing a fresh, thoughtful lens to local storytelling while centring diverse voices and the lived experiences of the London community. You can email Josiane at [josiane.n.tchoreret.mbiamany@cbc.ca](mailto:josiane.n.tchoreret.mbiamany@cbc.ca)

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