A number of cosmetic shops on Duval Street in Key West have been criticized for targeting tourists with scams and overcharging their credit cards. The shops are known for placing employees on the street who try to get customers' attention by offering free samples to lure them in. Now Key Westers are questioning the sales tactics and legality.
Jimm Sherrington of Key West shared with Sundial on Facebook, "Maybe reign in the cosmetic shop employees who make it uncomfortable to walk down Duval Street." And Key West resident Sue Huffaker said, "[The city should] refuse to renew the licenses on the existing shops, and refuse them to any proposed new shops."
Others have taken matters into their own hands. The Rapid Response Rip Off Team has been protesting in front of stores telling tourists not to go in. Key West Commissioner Samuel Kaufman of District 2 joined Sundial to talk about the ordinances the city is proposing to resolve the issue.
WLRN: What exactly are [cosmetic shops] doing that's illegal?
Kaufman: There have been complaints over the last several years concerning stores that are selling the so-called 'Dead Sea Products' skin care products. And there have been complaints over the years of failures on the part of the store owners to provide refunds. There certainly is the concern that's been raised by the local protest group and plenty of local residents that are concerned about the employees of these stores that stand outside and that they may be aggressive in terms of speaking with passers that go by.
Some people in Key West have responded and taken matters into their own hands. The group Rapid Response Rip-off Team ... will stand in front of shops picketing. What do you think about this group?
I guess the concern I have is I've heard from neighboring stores that are not selling cosmetic products [is they] are being hurt. And they're innocent bystanders in all of this. Duval Street's sidewalk is not a very wide sidewalk. You have many people protesting and we had one incident of physical altercation and so that sort of thing concerns me. I don't think there's any place for violence or physical altercations in any of this protest activity. Overall I think it's a good thing for residents and concerned people to raise these types of issues. None of us would support any stores ripping off tourists or locals or harassing people.
Do you think we have to legislate how business is done on Duval Street? It's the main thoroughfare for tourists. It's important to the tourist economy and if it in any way gets hurt that that's a big hit to the economy.
Honestly I don't think legislation is the ultimate answer. I think that the landlords and the store owners on Duval Street need to take their responsibility ultimately to transform the street into what it needs to become and make it a showcase street, where visitors and locals can enjoy and feel safe and have a fantastic time. I know that there are many landlords who are addressing this now and there's an effort to negotiate with these stores and with the protest group. I'm very hopeful that there will be compromise reached and there will be rules that they all agree to. The landlords have the most interest here because they have tenants and they want their tenants to remain in place and they want to make sure that the rules are being abided by.
Also in this Sundial interview: We talked to the commissioner about the city’s recent vote to ban certain types of sunscreens with chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs, like oxybenzone and octinoxate. The measure passed 7-0 but is not law yet. It will be reviewed a second time Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. Check out the full story by WLRN reporter Nancy Klingener: Key West Takes First Step Toward Banning Sale Of Some Sunscreens.