Mac - Maleficent (May 15, 2014)

[Ajigglin]

the reasons why we are not getting swatches or previews even for the bigger bloggers is the counterfeiting.  When you realize the true cost of an item, and a reproduction made in say, Shanghai in a factory which has no health requirements, or even complies personal safety, water or power requirements, the cost becomes reduced by another 60%.. so the cost is frankly silly.  These sweat shop type operations can imitate any detail, except the true colour or pigmentation -- but on the outside, it looks like MAC, and it shows up like MAC to those who are not familiar with the brand.  The counterfeiters are putting BIG holes in the industry's profits so that's why they have all become jealous and protective of what they show and when they show it.  Timing a release is critical too. as for returns, there will come a moment in time, when if you bought it, you got it for life -- like a house purchase.  No trying on at home or I changed my mind cause my hubby had a fit stories.. the old buyer's remorse will be history.  

Why do you think that? If that's going to be the case, then there has to be ample time and inventory to try things out before buying.

 

[Ajigglin]

I am perfectly comfortable and content with new rules, regulations, secrecy and such. What bothers me the most is comprised quality at much higher prices. Technology has improved and new advanced formulas exists but no company should ever bank on their history. As the market changes so does customers need and requirements. The most loyal customer can be turned off by sub-par products that continuously fail to meet their expectations. Most people that are frustrated are not publicizing their change in preferences they are just doing it because they have had enough. The negative result will not be obvious immediately but over time it all adds up. Personally, I would be in favor of 3-4 well thought out collections per year versus 8-10 poorly executed ones. The joy and enthusiasm I used to have not so long ago has been deflated. I am content with not seeing stuff early, being partially ignorant to specific launch dates and intentionally missing out which is concerning. Summer may possibly end up being my first in-store purchase at an actual Mac counter. I foresee myself getting any 'must-haves' at the CCO and clearance bin if at all for the next few months. I am unable to be dishonest, lie to myself and force myself to make duds work that clearly are not worthy to be kept. I work too hard to just throw my money away frivolously. I am trying to have faith and be optimistic but I don't know how many epic fails there has to be for Mac to really wake up and acknowledge their customers true 'By Request'. Mac is making it too easy to low-buy which may not be such a bad thing after all. :2cents:

Agreed.

 

[Beautybuyer]

I think the returns need to be minimized anyway. People think oh yay free returns. Nothing is free, we as consumers PAY for those returns. The company takes a complete loss as it has to be destroyed.

 

[Ajigglin]

How so?

 

[NewChick10]

Quote:Originally Posted by Beautybuyer

I think the returns need to be minimized anyway. People think oh yay free returns. Nothing is free, we as consumers PAY for those returns. The company takes a complete loss as it has to be destroyed.


I think eventually they will start off by only allowing so many returns a year and after you have passed that up you might get red flagged in the system. I only had two returns last year. I don't think that was too bad. We shall see....

 

[novocainedreams]

I think the returns need to be minimized anyway. People think oh yay free returns. Nothing is free, we as consumers PAY for those returns. The company takes a complete loss as it has to be destroyed.

I think there would be less returns if things weren't so "limited" at least with MAC...you can't even wait to see if you'll like something before you buy it for fear it may not be available. I rarely return things, but I've definitely returned more MAC than any other brand because of availability and then it not being good quality.

 

[Beautybuyer]

Quote:Originally Posted by Beautybuyer

I think the returns need to be minimized anyway. People think oh yay free returns. Nothing is free, we as consumers PAY for those returns. The company takes a complete loss as it has to be destroyed.


I think eventually they will start off by only allowing so many returns a year and after you have passed that up you might get red flagged in the system. I only had two returns last year. I don't think that was too bad. We shall see....

I think there would be less returns if things weren't so "limited" at least with MAC...you can't even wait to see if you'll like something before you buy it for fear it may not be available. I rarely return things, but I've definitely returned more MAC than any other brand because of availability and then it not being good quality.

That is a problem with Mac. But from working in sales before. There's always your good customers who only return every now and then but with all things there's people who heavily abuse the policy. People buy things sample it out and then return and buy something else. It's a bad circle. Of course we would know which customers do this however we couldn't just say, "well you abuse it so you can't do it". The policy has to change for everyone. It sucks but some people make lots of returns. Not to mention if hundreds/thousands of people are making returns it adds up. Nordstrom is a great example. They used to return EVERYTHING even from other stores. They've had to since tighten their policy. Yah they take returns from their store still but it's not as loose as it used to be. It hurts consumers over all. People hate price increases but merch goes up, wages have to be paid, etc. company's will always recover or at least try, their losses. Just my two cents

 

[Mac-Guy]

Just my two cents

I totally agree.

 

[Mac-Guy]

the reasons why we are not getting swatches or previews even for the bigger bloggers is the counterfeiting. When you realize the true cost of an item, and a reproduction made in say, Shanghai in a factory which has no health requirements, or even complies personal safety, water or power requirements, the cost becomes reduced by another 60%.. so the cost is frankly silly. These sweat shop type operations can imitate any detail, except the true colour or pigmentation -- but on the outside, it looks like MAC, and it shows up like MAC to those who are not familiar with the brand. The counterfeiters are putting BIG holes in the industry's profits so that's why they have all become jealous and protective of what they show and when they show it. Timing a release is critical too.

as for returns, there will come a moment in time, when if you bought it, you got it for life -- like a house purchase. No trying on at home or I changed my mind cause my hubby had a fit stories.. the old buyer's remorse will be history.

Well said.

 

[Audrey C]

the reasons why we are not getting swatches or previews even for the bigger bloggers is the counterfeiting. When you realize the true cost of an item, and a reproduction made in say, Shanghai in a factory which has no health requirements, or even complies personal safety, water or power requirements, the cost becomes reduced by another 60%.. so the cost is frankly silly. These sweat shop type operations can imitate any detail, except the true colour or pigmentation -- but on the outside, it looks like MAC, and it shows up like MAC to those who are not familiar with the brand. The counterfeiters are putting BIG holes in the industry's profits so that's why they have all become jealous and protective of what they show and when they show it. Timing a release is critical too.

as for returns, there will come a moment in time, when if you bought it, you got it for life -- like a house purchase. No trying on at home or I changed my mind cause my hubby had a fit stories.. the old buyer's remorse will be history.

I wouldn't have a problem with a no-return policy as long as I've had the opportunity to try the product myself.

For foundation, that means I want a sample so that I can put it on myself (the way I wear it, not sheerer or more heavily), see it in natural light, make sure it isn't going to oxidize on me or break me out, see how it holds up over the course of a day, etc. That's easily done with MAC, Clinique or Sephora brands.

For colour products, I want to be able to try it on and then go outside and see it in natural light. That's what I do with most other brands but can't always do with MAC. I don't return very much from MAC (last item was Instigator) and would return even less if I could try it on. If MAC changes their policy to no longer allow returns but increases inventory to a reasonable level so that I can try before buying, I have no problem with that. If they maintain the same really low levels (often 3 to my local counter, which means I have to buy online to have a chance of getting many items) and don't allow returns, then I simply will buy other brands. I'm not willing to play roulette with my money because they like to play the hype/LE game.

I've shifted away from MAC on many categories (foundation, blush, eyeliners, setting powders, even eyeshadow) so I'm mainly buying lipstick and the odd EDSF/MSF from them at this point. I love MAC lipstick and easily BTM for four of them each year. Unfortunately, they're often the first item to sell out in LE launches so if I couldn't try first or return I'd shift to other brands there as well.

I don't doubt that some people abuse return privileges; that's often what triggers change in policy.

 

[lipstickjunkie]

I think there would be less returns if things weren't so "limited" at least with MAC...you can't even wait to see if you'll like something before you buy it for fear it may not be available. I rarely return things, but I've definitely returned more MAC than any other brand because of availability and then it not being good quality.

MAC just thinks "put a limit & lock" on all LE products because of the impulse buy. But are they really gaining anything with all the returns coming in ?Especially with the MSF in FOF . Im returning the one I ordered from the website and keeping the one I got at Nordstrom cuz it has a lot of gold in it. And I think there are so many others doing the same. If they put out samples of the collections before they come out they would have so much less returns, pocket alot more money because people actually know what they are buying. Instead, MAC enjoys the rat race when a new collection comes out. So in reality everyone loses. Its so unnecessary though. And I think they would have happier customers if they allowed us to return to any MAC locations. My mall has 3 MAC stores and if I order online it has to go back through the online order its just ridiculous. They need to hire a new team of people to change some of the stupidity going on with sales & marketing!

 

[Wolverina]

Ok I know this is slightly OT but I am getting super impatient waiting on del Toro's take on The Haunted Mansion to happen! I would welcome a collection associated with that film as well

 

[Wolverina]

That is a problem with Mac. But from working in sales before. There's always your good customers who only return every now and then but with all things there's people who heavily abuse the policy. People buy things sample it out and then return and buy something else. It's a bad circle. Of course we would know which customers do this however we couldn't just say, "well you abuse it so you can't do it". The policy has to change for everyone. It sucks but some people make lots of returns. Not to mention if hundreds/thousands of people are making returns it adds up. Nordstrom is a great example. They used to return EVERYTHING even from other stores. They've had to since tighten their policy. Yah they take returns from their store still but it's not as loose as it used to be. It hurts consumers over all. People hate price increases but merch goes up, wages have to be paid, etc. company's will always recover or at least try, their losses. Just my two cents

When I started working at Nordstrom, we were all introduced to the stores return policy by way of the anecdote of the customer who returned her boots years after purchase in a box that had obviously been used as a kitty litter box. Oh and the fury of a Marin soccer mom who is challenged when returning her 3/4 empty Studio Fix. Holy hell, the entitlement.

 

[Kristin Bacon]

Ok I know this is slightly OT but I am getting super impatient waiting on del Toro's take on The Haunted Mansion to happen! I would welcome a collection associated with that film as well

me too~ i love anything about ghosts. im obssessed with the paranormal all around.

 

[OctoberViolet]

Ok I know this is slightly OT but I am getting super impatient waiting on del Toro's take on The Haunted Mansion to happen! I would welcome a collection associated with that film as well

me too~ i love anything about ghosts. im obssessed with the paranormal all around.

same with me. I love these boards. Not only do you meet fellow makeup addicts. You meet people with similar interests and obsessions as yourself. Very cool! I would love a scary/ghost collection.

 

[Wolverina]

me too~ i love anything about ghosts. im obssessed with the paranormal all around.

Ok so I've always been the same! I now work in a place that feels about 500x more haunted then the Winchester Mystery House. We are completely forbidden to talk about it and I've never experienced any place as eerie in my 37 years. All my coworkers seem to experience the same things in the same areas, it's terrifying!

 

[Kristin Bacon]

When i worked at Sally Beauty there was a customer that drove me nuts. she would come in every few days and exchange a few nail polishes she had done her nails with and say she didnt like them. then get a few more, and a few days later do the same thing. and she would do it with hair color, bring in the almost empty container and say it didnt work and ask for a refund or exchange.... she did it so often she had all these reciepts with my hand writting on them to go thru every time from the last few times oh man!! my DM said i jus had to give her the refund or exchange. we had to throw all that stuff in the garbage.

 

[Wolverina]

[COLOR=6600CC]same with me. I love these boards. Not only do you meet fellow makeup addicts. You meet people with similar interests and obsessions as yourself. Very cool! I would love a scary/ghost collection.[/COLOR]

Hallelujah! I'm not the only one! :::Snoopy dance:::

 

[Wolverina]

When i worked at Sally Beauty there was a customer that drove me nuts. she would come in every few days and exchange a few nail polishes she had done her nails with and say she didnt like them. then get a few more, and a few days later do the same thing. and she would do it with hair color, bring in the almost empty container and say it didnt work and ask for a refund or exchange.... she did it so often she had all these reciepts with my hand writting on them to go thru every time from the last few times oh man!! my DM said i jus had to give her the refund or exchange. we had to throw all that stuff in the garbage.

Oh I commiserate! These people are so clueless and infuriating. I think everyone should have to work retail and food service at some point in their life.

 

[StrongWoman]

I agree with what everyone has said regarding the economy requiring changes in company return policies. However, I just want to note that even salespeople know which colleagues will employ unethical sales a tactics, too. I always advise people to bring a friend to their makeovers, to Google product reviews before heading into Sephora or a department store, and to know how much they want to spend before they enter a potentially pressuring buying situation. When consumers are armed with knowledge, they are less likely to buy into fad products like cooling powders or products that they have no time to work into their makeup routine/skin are regimen. Thanks to all the Specktra boys and girls that share swatches, FOTDs, and reviews so we can make good decisions!