My thoughts exaclty.
All Things Sephora
- Thread starter Bcteagirl
- Start date
Audrey C
Well-known member
I must be the only Rouge member who is more than happy with the program. Free shipping anytime to Canada? hUGE! We also get advance sales, bigger discounts, etc. i got a free Dior lippie. What exactly do people expect?! In comparison, I've spent way more than $1000 at MAC without ever getting a discount or giveaway. No one seems to mind that though. I don't get it.
shontay07108
Well-known member
I'm just thankful for the free 3 day shipping. Free 2 day would be perfect, but it's alright. I hate standard shipping with a passion and sometimes I place an order, forget something and need to place another. At least this way I don't have to pay shipping twice. So, thanks for that Sephora. Still, more than 15% would be nice. All the money I spend there each year I should at least get a one time 30% off my purchase. They'd make way more money off of me that way, to be honest.
commandolando
Well-known member
TOTALLY agree! if i had to choose between the two companies, i would choose sephora (and i have a mac pro card) free shipping, NO SASS on returns - we don't even need a receipt! plus, we can walk around sephora with our baskets and not have to wait for an employee to grab us something.. (when MAC is busy, that can a real bitch) i also don't see why sephora should give our +1's a makeup bag filled with samples, that should only be given to customers who have proven their loyalty. i think it's more than enough to give the discount, coffee & treats....if i wasn't a huge makeup lover and received those privileges, i'd be pumped!
boschicka
Well-known member
I think the problem is that Sephora really hyped up the Rouge status and then didn't exactly deliver on that. If they had just said Rouge gets free 3 day shipping and maybe a small perk here and there, I think people would feel differently. I really liked during the 20% off sale last year that we were able to share the discount with a friend. That was fun. I do find it a little odd that I will be getting a sample bag and my guest won't. It will just feel weird, but I already told her about it and she was just happy to be getting the 15% off, so i suppose everyone's sense of entitlement is different, lol! But I respect everyone's opinion on the matter and I hear both sides of it.
shontay07108
Well-known member
Yeah, I don't even go to in-store events. My one friend that wears makeup is never able to take advantage when one these discounts roll around for various reasons. The only thing is the free shipping. Otherwise, I wouldn't even mind if my status slipped. I'm in no danger of that, though b/c I have a serious makeup obsession. I always find something to buy.
LiliV
Well-known member
This is exactly how I feel. The way they hyped it up I was expecting a lot more free full sized perks, and not ones that were there for 4 minutes and sold out. And maybe an exclusive sale. Not one available for VIB/BI a day later I mean VIB Rouge exclusive sales. I have 0 interest in events or make overs I just want more free stuff lol I love the free shipping, but beyond that, meh. I really hope that doesn't sound whiny it's just honestly how I feel about the whole program so far
Spectacular
Well-known member
I think it helps a lot if you're from Canada since with the prices and shipping that is really a perk.
For US Sephora members though I can understand the beef. I am only VIB but even I (before Rouge was introduced) felt it was kinda worthless. The discounts are nice, but that's it, two major discounts a year. When Rouge was introduced I definitely remember Sephora hyping it up and even I was going, "Wow that sounds awesome, shame I'm not going to be Rouge but that's awesome." But so many months into the program I do feel like they let Rouge down. Unless I'm wrong they have the exact same discount amount as regular VIBs, they have the free shipping already available to Flash Members, their in-store events are either makeovers via the beauty station (good or bad depending on if your staff have any skills/you even like having makeup applied to you) or small events where you have to make GWP. Its sort of the same issue with MAC where some ladies/gents don't really like going to stores so anything offline doesn't appeal to them.
I figure maybe full size samples regularly (or at least monthly), those unscheduled gifts they advertised...I know Sephora doesn't *have* to offer anything, and if people are happy then I'm happy, but I do think it'd be nice to try and at least give a quarter of what they get from their customers.
For US Sephora members though I can understand the beef. I am only VIB but even I (before Rouge was introduced) felt it was kinda worthless. The discounts are nice, but that's it, two major discounts a year. When Rouge was introduced I definitely remember Sephora hyping it up and even I was going, "Wow that sounds awesome, shame I'm not going to be Rouge but that's awesome." But so many months into the program I do feel like they let Rouge down. Unless I'm wrong they have the exact same discount amount as regular VIBs, they have the free shipping already available to Flash Members, their in-store events are either makeovers via the beauty station (good or bad depending on if your staff have any skills/you even like having makeup applied to you) or small events where you have to make GWP. Its sort of the same issue with MAC where some ladies/gents don't really like going to stores so anything offline doesn't appeal to them.
I figure maybe full size samples regularly (or at least monthly), those unscheduled gifts they advertised...I know Sephora doesn't *have* to offer anything, and if people are happy then I'm happy, but I do think it'd be nice to try and at least give a quarter of what they get from their customers.
LiliV
Well-known member
^ that's another thing I forgot to add, it's not that I dislike the perks they've had so far it's just the quantity issue annoys me and it also only happens every few months it seems, unless I'm missing emails. I haven't seen a Dior lipstick promo (or something similar) every month. Wasn't that like Jan/Feb? Nothing since then
shontay07108
Well-known member
Alright, this is bugging the hell out of me : You know, I'm not gonna fall on my hands and knees and thank the makeup Gods that Sephora throws me crumbs. Yeah, they don't have to, but so what? It doesn't mean that when they do, it can be lame and I can't have an issue with it. It doesn't matter what another company is doing. Sephora is a huge business and they could be doing more to make it even bigger, bring in new customers, make existing ones even more enthusiastic. There's always a way. Yes, I will keep buying from there. The fact that I believe they can and should do better won't stop me from buying from there, but it's totally weak to say that we should be ever so grateful for whatever they're doing and not to say anything about it if we take issue with it. But anyway..back to some actual makeup talk.
novocainedreams
Well-known member
I think the problem is Sephora way hyped it up to be this big special deal and really....have not delivered. I get that free shipping to Canada is a huge deal, but for me, someone who can get free 3-day shipping by spending $50, it's not that big a deal, not to mention, the program where people paid what, $25 and get free shipping? So I have to spend $1000 and they only had to spend $25? I don't see the perk for the VIBR. And for me, regardless, it takes at least 4 days to get my package since they don't count the day you order, and I live across the country from the shipping location. As for MAC....they have never offered deals, that's why people don't make a big deal, Sephora is constantly pushing this or that program, so people do have a right to say something in my opinion, if they're going to make a big talk, then they better follow it with a big walk. Don't say they have all these great things in store for VIBR and then throw a gift out (where I *still* have to pay a certain amount to get it) every few months and think that's enough.For me, it's fine, it was an experiment, I thought hey I'll se if they deliver, they haven't, so I won't be spending all my money at Sephora, I enjoy buying from Nordstrom, where I get free shipping, free returns, no questions asked, no time limit, points towards deluxe samples, $20 gift note for every 1000 Nordstrom points earned. THOSE are the kind of perks Sephora should be giving.
shontay07108
Well-known member
Nordstrom notes are the best thing ever.
LiliV
Well-known member
I remember when Nordstrom still charged for shipping then once they changed that I started ordering from them so much. Packages come super fast (from Sephora too for me, but Nordstrom is always a little quicker) and they get new collections sooner. And carry Chanel makeup, it always irked me that Sephora doesnt
shontay07108
Well-known member
Yup and Nordstroms is definitely leaving Bloomingdales in the dust, too. They get things so early. If Nordstroms carried MUFE and Urban Decay I really wouldn't have a reason to go anyplace else.
boschicka
Well-known member
Agreed! Overall I really love their selection & it seems to be growing all the time. Maybe we'll be seeing those brands some day. I would love Illamasqua too.
Audrey C
Well-known member
Rouge got a higher discount percentage and earlier sale dates than VIB last fall I believe (20% vs 15%) plus first crack at new collections (Divergence, the new Hourglass Ambient blush). A bit like what MAC used to offer pros. It looks like we're getting a longer sale this time as well. I think they are prioritizing us.
I guess I had lower expectations, but I'm a businesswoman. $1000 in sales is equal to perhaps a couple of hundred in profits (if that) after cost of goods, salaries and leases, advertising, etc. Are they really supposed to just completely hand that back? They're a business, not a non-profit. Not saying it's people here, but I've read comments about people expecting full-sized goods free every month or quarter. I don't see that as either realistic or reasonable. Others are annoyed that they lost free shipping privileges after placing multiple very small orders (I read that someone placed more than 20 individual $1 orders). No business can afford those kind of practices.
I personally find Sephora very generous. Their return policy is great; if I want to return a MAC item, it has to be within 30 days and I need to pay to ship it back. There's none of that quibbling with Sephora. If a product purchased online doesn't work for me, I can take it back to the store. I don't take advantage of that, but I do appreciate it. I also love their sample bundles and other special offers; I get that vendors provide them, but I'm not getting the equivalent from other stores/counters. MAC has certainly never offered me a discount, advance access to product or free items despite buying from them for 20 years; shipping isn't free here either (although they issue frequent codes).
To each his/her own, but I'm happy with the program. With skincare for the household, I'll probably qualify again this year.
I guess I had lower expectations, but I'm a businesswoman. $1000 in sales is equal to perhaps a couple of hundred in profits (if that) after cost of goods, salaries and leases, advertising, etc. Are they really supposed to just completely hand that back? They're a business, not a non-profit. Not saying it's people here, but I've read comments about people expecting full-sized goods free every month or quarter. I don't see that as either realistic or reasonable. Others are annoyed that they lost free shipping privileges after placing multiple very small orders (I read that someone placed more than 20 individual $1 orders). No business can afford those kind of practices.
I personally find Sephora very generous. Their return policy is great; if I want to return a MAC item, it has to be within 30 days and I need to pay to ship it back. There's none of that quibbling with Sephora. If a product purchased online doesn't work for me, I can take it back to the store. I don't take advantage of that, but I do appreciate it. I also love their sample bundles and other special offers; I get that vendors provide them, but I'm not getting the equivalent from other stores/counters. MAC has certainly never offered me a discount, advance access to product or free items despite buying from them for 20 years; shipping isn't free here either (although they issue frequent codes).
To each his/her own, but I'm happy with the program. With skincare for the household, I'll probably qualify again this year.
PixieDancer
Well-known member
I see both sides of this "debate." I'd have a hard time judging if this was a debate team! I love my spicy Specktra peeps!
Audrey C
Well-known member
Who said anything like that?
sujusarangx3
Well-known member
I don't think the higher discount percentage is true, it has always been 20% for everyone in the fall.
PixieDancer
Well-known member
I DO have an issue with Sephora's email system. I'm VIBR and RARELY get those VIBR perk product emails! Most of the time I hear about them on here and by the time I go to try to use the exclusive codes, the products are LONG gone! I think every VIBR should be getting the same emails. It seems like they stop sending them once the products are no longer available, so if your email is further down the list, you never get them at all! That does seems shady.
