I had the same problem, so went to talk to the people upstairs in the office. They told me that kiosk workers are only allowed to approach the public if they make eye contact with them and have to maintain a distance of 3ft. They said that they are quite strict on this and issue warnings to the workers if they do not follow this. Might be worth having a word with them. If enough people are having a problem and these people are warned to stick to the guidelines shopping might not be that much of a hassle.

I agree!!!! I can't walk form one end of the mall to the other without some sort of garbage being shoved in my face, If I wanted fake hair, cell phones, soap, fluffy pillows, or some other useless item I would ask for thier assistance. I hope Stoneridge makes them stop this agressive and annoying sales pitch.

I agree, they do get to be a little too much sometimes. I have purchased products from kiosks before too, so I don't mind them being there. But, they shouldn't approach people like they do. What I have been doing lately, is walking through the mall on the upper level in order to avoid them, then only coming downstairs when there is a store I wish to visit on the first floor. This has been helpful, so maybe give that a try.

Me again. I think I'll print this email thread and discuss it with mall management next time I've over there. Thanks for the feedback.

I agree! I can't stand walking down the center aisle of the mall, and don't even reply when I see them making their way towards me....."Can I ask you a question?" or "Would you like to try......" I think it makes our mall less "class" and more "trash". We see you, and if we want our hands lotioned we will come to you!

How about a polite "No thanks" and a quick trip to the mall administration office to complain.

As obnoxious as it is, we have to sympathize with the poor part time workers at the kiosks who are pressured to increase sales. Bashing the kid at the kiosk isn't as effective as having mall administration caution the kiosk concession owners.

In this case, Top-Down is better than Bottom-Up.

I am so happy someone brought this up! I NEVER make eye contact with any of these people, yet every time I am at the mall they are accosting me saying, "can I ask you a question?" The people with the hair-straightening wands and the hand lotion are the worst. The one that makes me laugh are the girls modeling the sarongs while dancing to cheesy music playing in a tape deck.

I would have no problem with the Kiosks as long as the people did not approach me. They are more aggressive than most store employees.

I always found the presence of the kiosks in Stoneridge Mall quite a curious phenomenon. The kiosks are simply at odds with the upscale stores that typify the Stoneridge Mall. I've never purchased anything from the kiosks and never will, simply because their merchandise appears subpar and because I wonder how much confidence they have in their businesses if their only investment in it is a flimsy portable kiosk.

No, I'm not criticizing the young people who work at the kiosks, but rather the decision of the Stoneridge Mall owners and operators to allow the incongruous presence of these merchants in the mall. It's the Stoneridge Mall, not a gypsy camp.

Last week I entered the Mall through Macy's Woman on my way to Penny's. After dodging and weaving my way through a sea of salespeople trying to put stuff on my neck, grabbing my hand to see if I needed lotion, and generally begging for my attention, I dragged myself to the information booth and said I would like to complain. She gave me a very sympathetic smile, said they were trying to get it stopped, and gave me a comment card to fill out with my complaint. If everyone filled out a negative comment card, maybe the mall management would put a stop to it.

How funny.... I just came across your post and was so angry and snapped the other day when I went to the mall because of this exact same thing.... I walked from one end of the mall to the other and every single "Middle Eastern" kiosk worker approached me aggressively and said, "Ma'am, can I ask you a question?" This is what I finally said after the 4th annoyance.... "Can I ask you a question? Would you please leave me alone?"

I hate to be rude, but it's tiring. I am planning to write a letter to the mall.

Irritated in Pleasanton

Thank you so much I thought I was alone with this feeling about kiosks...when will it stop!!!!

AROMATHERAPY PILLOWS KIOSK: We purchased some Comfort Spa Aromatherapy Herbal Slippers for Christmas and when we opened them up they were mismarked. We went to return them and "the Mananger" gave us a very hard time. Has anyone have issues with these Middle Eastern very aggressive and dishonest sales people that always work in teams and offer "zip the lip very secret between you and me prices"?