Don’t fall victim to malicious selling techniques

　People with a lack of business knowledge are frequently approached by fast-talking sales people who push them to buy products and services they don’t need.
　Students who are currently 18 or 19 years old are free to contract without the consent of their parents, etc. On the other hand, they are not protected by the right of rescission of a contract by a minor. It is necessary to keep in mind that some business operators target new adults who lack social experience and have no legal protection. It is important to be careful on a daily basis to stay out of trouble.
　Not only that, but students themselves often get into multi-level marketing schemes and prey on their friends. So whoever is selling and whatever they are selling, you need to be on guard against solicitations and contracts.

〈Common malicious selling techniques〉

●Appointment sales
　With this technique, the seller tricks the victim into coming to a coffee shop, business office, etc. by telling them via telephone, mobile phone, email, or social media that they’ve been selected for a free gift or that they’ve won a prize. After they arrive, they’re pressured into buying an expensive product.

●Romance (dating) sales
　Here, the victim is contacted through social media or via a matchmaking site. Once the victim has met the trickster a few times and developed romantic feelings for them, the trickster might say something like “I failed to meet my sales quota this month” or “This product is perfect for you.” They get you to buy something at a high price, and once they’ve completed the transaction, their interest in you quickly cools. Romance sales is often combined with other selling techniques.

●Sales through hard-to-break contracts
　On the street near stations or in entertainment districts, you might be asked to fill out a questionnaire or if you’re interested in modeling work. The smooth-talker will then take you to a coffee shop or business office, where you’ll be urged to sign a contract for an expensive purchase.
　The product is often jewelry, art, cosmetics, or educational materials with member services.

●Multi-level marketing
　A friend might ask you if you’re interested in an easy way to earn some money. But it’s really just a pyramid scheme based around products. Under Japanese law, it’s referred to as “chain selling.”

●Hypnotic sales (SF sales)
　Hypnotic sales is where the seller brings together a large number of people at a public square, public building, hotel, etc. on the pretense of selling them daily goods or foods at huge discounts. They then get the crowd excited by giving away items for free or at incredibly low prices, which strips the participants of the ability to make calm decisions. They then get them buy a high-priced product,which was the goal all along.

●Supernatural (good fortune) sales
　After asking the victim what they are unhappy or worried about, the seller informs the victim that they will be cursed unless they hold a service to quieten the spirits of the dead. This service requires the use of seals or prayer beads that are sold to them for an exorbitant price.

●Impersonation sales
　This technique involves the seller dressing up like someone from the fire department, post office, NTT, etc., and then using confusing language to convince you to buy a fire extinguisher, telephone, alarm, etc.

●Qualification sales
　Here, the seller tries to get you to enroll in an expensive course to obtain a bona fide professional certification or a certification that no one has heard of, by telling you that taking the course will exempt you from having to take the national examination. They will charge you high lesson fees and sell you high-priced educational materials for an unfruitful course.