B2M-ing Depots Rant

[abbyquack]

So I had no idea why MAC wouldn't allow depots til I talked to the manager of a MAC store over the phone today and she said the reason is, since the Pro Pans can also be B2M'd, people could bring both in for B2M, thereby cheating the system. I now understand the logic (I thought it was so as to limit the B2Ming or something, I dunno), but I think it's still crap. Because as someone else mentioned, you could always put your pigments in another jar and still b2m, or brush cleaner in another bottle (as I do sometimes), and it counts.

Then, I had this idea: What if MAC stopped allowing the pans as b2m, and instead allowed depotted e/s? That way, they'd not have to worry about the double b2ming, and although a few people would be put out by not being able to return their pans, the amount of happy people would increase ten-fold, and I'm sure we'd keep buying...or they could just condition the pan returns to only those with the original magnet and MAC label on the bottom- pretty reasonable, IMO.

I'm sure MAC will probably not change the policy any time soon, and of course we are talking about a free product that they are not obligated to give away anyways. But I am interested to know your thoughts.

 

[pdtb050606]

Ok so here are my thoughts...I understand what the ma's prob mean (there is always someone wanting to cheat) BUT, if that's the case then if you B2M the pans only they should be required to have the original sticker and magnet, there would be no reason to remove either thing you know? I don't think it's fair you can't take back the depots b/c you are actually spending more on the shadows in the pot vs. the pan form ($11 right?) AND you're buying the palette to put them in. All that aside the whole B2M program is just another great reason to love the brand, but I just think that part stinks

 

[simplyenchantin]

Wow, I thought we were allowed to b2m with depots using just the plastic casing. You're right about them needing to change their policy - how could people use the pan for b2m after using the plastic casing unless it had an original sticker and magnet? It's pretty obvious which metal pan is a depot and which is just a pan bought on it's own. They could simply refuse to b2m for the depotted pans *unless* it's in its plastic case.

 

[abbyquack]

^^simplyenchantin, it just depends on the store, it seems a lot of locations are not accepting them now, so if you're lucky you live near one that does take them. My counter accepts them but I am going to San Diego this weekend and I want to go to an actual store so I can get e/s and l/g but most of them don't take them so I guess we'll see what will happen.

And Pdtb, ITA with everything you say. I obviously am grateful for B2M, but I feel that the program rewards MAC's most loyal customers, right? So for every 1 product they give me free, I purchased 6. Since I have 130 empty eyeshadows, that means I must be pretty loyal to MAC, which is why I think the policy should be altered a little bit. Otherwise, one of MAC's most (relatively) loyal customers is, in a way, being snubbed. On the same note, it upsets me that some people would cheat that system though, b/c it ruins it for everyone else.

 

[TISH1124]

None apply to me ...I depot and never take in pans...and they have taken as many as I bring in...No questions ever asked

 

[Ruby_Woo]

I think its is fair for them not to take depots. The thing is that you use up a product and return the package in its entirety. If you place a pigment or brush cleanser in another container, thats fine because it doesn't affect the packaging, depotting does. And it wouldn't be fair to those who buy in pans to get their right to B2M because others cant follow a rule. Its a great program, people just need to abide by the rules.

 

[purrtykitty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby_Woo I think its is fair for them not to take depots. The thing is that you use up a product and return the package in its entirety. If you place a pigment or brush cleanser in another container, thats fine because it doesn't affect the packaging, depotting does. And it wouldn't be fair to those who buy in pans to get their right to B2M because others cant follow a rule. Its a great program, people just need to abide by the rules.

OK, fine. But then MAC needs to be consistent about the policy. It should either be no depots across the board (at f/s or counters) or depots are acceptable, but pans aren't. If MAC really took the time to write a detailed policy and educated its employees on it, then there wouldn't be so many issues. It really bothers me when I B2M at my counter (where I can use depots), but I'm only limited to a lipstick. Personally, I think the B2M options available at f/s locations should be expanded to the counters, too.

Sidenote: I'm anxious to see if I can B2M with some depots at a f/s location this weekend.

 

[panda0410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby_Woo I think its is fair for them not to take depots. The thing is that you use up a product and return the package in its entirety. If you place a pigment or brush cleanser in another container, thats fine because it doesn't affect the packaging, depotting does. And it wouldn't be fair to those who buy in pans to get their right to B2M because others cant follow a rule. Its a great program, people just need to abide by the rules.

Yuh huh.... and what about the LE shadows that ONLY come in pots? We cant depot them to put in a palette under this provision so we end up carting about unlimited numbers of potted e/s which is a HUGE inconvenience.

It also discriminates against those who DO buy propans to 1) avoid the whole depotting/B2M issue and 2) use soley for palettes since NO LE e/s are currently made in propan form.

 

[TISH1124]

The problem is there is no set rules...People are not intentionally disobeying rules...rules vary from store to store. Some say no pans...some say must have pans....some say no depots...some say depots are fine. My MAC could care less about the pans...so I am not breaking the rules because I don't return them...so I am not affecting or hurting anyone who does return the pans....If they want consistency....have consistent rules across the board. Then maybe everyone will follow the so called...non at present time rules

 

[astronaut]

I have an idea, accept pro pans when they have the magnet and sticker. I don't think you can cheat that. If people would cheat with depots twice, then wouldn't they just have a plain 'ol pan the second time around? You can buy tons of those online for pigment pressing and such! Just require the sticker along with magnet and pan!

Then accept depots as well. We all weeeen.

I fortunately have had no bad luck with being able to still b2m my depots. I make no secret about it. I always put out my depots on the counter one by one in front of the MA, with all of them looking obviously mutilated lol.

 

[caffn8me]

There is a financial aspect. The plastic used in pans has little recycle value for its volume and weight. The pan though, being aluminium (as we Brits call it), is actually quite valuable and is also extremely recyclable.

M·A·C won't be throwing the pans out but selling the scrap metal. The payment received may well fund the cost of recycling the plastic. Without the pan, it will make the recycling much less economical.

 

[NatalieMT]

I've never had a problem returning depots, my counter has never said anything to me, however I have bought some replacement metal pans, identical to the MAC ones to put into the depots should a problem ever occur.

I agree with those who say depots should be allowed along with pro pans, which are obviously different due to the magnet and the label, which I can imagine would be very hard to reproduce in order for anyone to cheat the system.

I like depotting, which in turns makes me spend more at MAC on their palettes and e/s, knowing I have an easier way to store everything. I don't think I'm doing any wrong by returning my depots for B2M, after all I still paid for every single one of those products. I guess we could discuss this issue over and over but at the end of the day MaC makes the rules and it's up to a counter/stores discretion as to what they will and won't accept.

 

[MissResha]

what's B2M?

 

[Shoegal-fr]

OMG, i didn't know pro pans were allowed for B2M!
*going downstairs to do B2M* lol

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissResha what's B2M?

Back to Mac - returning your containers to MAC for recycling


M·A·C Cosmetics | Service clients | Programmes et services

 

[Dahlia_Rayn]

Tish, I just found out yesterday my MAC store is not accepting depots anymore, since you're still not having problems I'll just send you my empties K? Lord knows I don't need another lipstick, in fact I think the weight of a single lipstick will break my train case right in half! I'll start collecting them for you right now, it'll be my penance for not sending you a gift for the SS exchange.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

I've never run into a problem with B2Ming depotted shadows, but with all of this talk, I've opted to just use the Coastal Scents pans from the palettes that I put my shadows in. At first I thought it was smart, then I thought it was cheating, but then I realized that I didn't care either way.

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dahlia_Rayn Tish, I just found out yesterday my MAC store is not accepting depots anymore, since you're still not having problems I'll just send you my empties K? Lord knows I don't need another lipstick, in fact I think the weight of a single lipstick will break my train case right in half! I'll start collecting them for you right now, it'll be my penance for not sending you a gift for the SS exchange.

That is horrid...I just went in today and exchanged too....That is so crazy!!! send them on girl...I will get you something for them...

 

[pdtb050606]

Just take the pro pans with magnet & sticker-no exceptions and take the depots then everyone would be happy

 

[TISH1124]

My friend was talking to the mgr in her MAC and they said that the new B2M memo they received is being misinterpreted by the MA's if you have a problem with them accepting the pots without the pans...you should have them call the B2M CS dept for clarification because they are supposed to accept them. So I would try having them call CS if they refuse to take them.