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Originally Posted by mitziedoll
Also, with such great colors and options sometimes the girls (usually pretty and young) get made up like drag queens (No I don't think Electric Eel would be a good highlighter). Sometimes I think they get hired because they are pretty or edgy and not because they know anything about cosmetics or cosmetics application. Many do not know the products well. Many discuss the price before the product which is a huge turnoff. In some occasions I remember dropping 300.00 or more and not getting so much as a thank you for my business. I wonder if it is because they are young or rude (I am only 25) Most of the artists I have had the most luck with are actually male.
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I think you are overlooking the fact that you HAVE to wear certain looks at MAC. Although in your off time you might like to look more natural, it is part fo your job and a company expectation that you wear your makeup according to the "MAC look". Right after a launch, you are expected to wear the looks from the face charts which are very dramatic.
Good communication is a very important factor that must never be overlooked. Are you proactive when you get your makeup done? Do you tell the MA you would like it very natural? (no blues, no outrageous shades, ect.) Or do you say "I don't know do whatever" in which case we are encouraged to use the newest colours and looks which might not be to your tastes.
That actually is another preconception that is wrong is that the artist would ONLY know how to do dramatic makeup because that's what they happen to be wearing. That's the same notion that only an artist that is of your exact same colouring, age and facial features would be able to do your makeup properly.
Also, it's interesting you say you prefer male MA's instead of females. This is an unfortunate occurence that seems very common at the counter. The men would be juggling 2 customers who for whatever reason didn't want any of us ladies to help them. I think we women have to try doubly hard to fight the perception of being bitchy, while our male counterparts aren't held accountable for the exact same behaviours.
Also your point about you spending 300$ so you should go first in queue, I'm a little gobsmacked at the sense of entitlement here. Honestly, if some less well off working person has been patiently waiting and they can only afford a Spice lipliner, do you think it's fair they be bumped back so you can be waited on first?
If only the "I spend more so I should go first" theory worked everywhere, I would never have to stand in line at the grocery store again.
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Originally Posted by mitziedoll
Because of my love of m/u I am not going to write off MAC although I have discovered great customer service with other lines. For instance a Giorgio Armani associate Rhonda from Brea Nordstroms calls me when new colors come in and greets me by name when I meet her. If she is busy which she often is she is courteous and thanks me when I have waited. She also not only shows me the products but the looks and how to apply them so they look GOOD on me and not overdone.
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Remember, when you work at Nordstrom, you HAVE to call customers. It is actually a huge expectation of your job and part of your review! MAC is normally busy enough not to have to rely so heavily on this, but other lines that are slower are constantly reminded to call people when it is slow. I'm not saying the person is not providing you with good service, jusy letting you know that it is nothing unusual. You are actually expected to call people everyday and follow up to promote sales.
Also, while I worked at MAC I did have business cards and I also had loads of repeat clientele who would wait for me specifically or call me to find out if I was working when they wanted a makeup application.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitziedoll
I guess Im not in the minority in the opinion that MAC is the Cheesecake Factory of makeup. What your getting is quality fare but a chain like following and one of those annoying vibrating buzzers to hold while waiting for a table. The same colors are being repeated over and over again like a flavor of the month except with different names and creative "limited edition" marketing schemes. What happened to the MAC that was like an upscale sushi place. Sorry to vent but working for MAC Im interested in knowing a bit more about you, a refreshing minority, providing good customer service.
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I agree with you on these points. MAC has changed very much and it has become more common, more chain-y and more corporate compared to the small, cutting edge and artsy company it once was. I've been a MAC customer since 1988 when it was really small and only in 2 places in L.A. but I know those days are loooong gone and now it is what it is. A big, corporate business who's goal is to make loads of money.
That however, is nothing to do with the people that work there, they didn't make it that way, the company fat cats decide how things are run. The workers can only 'fight the system' so far.
I'm not dismissing any of your points as invalid, because obviously it's you opinion/experience but I would say cut the people some slack, working behind a makeup counter is NOT an easy, play all day job. Most of us just do the best we can to get through the day as I'm sure you do in your job!
You're right in saying that people who provide great service in any sort of retail ARE a minority, but much of that is down to a company's hiring and training.
. And then they go, 'This one' and hold it to your face. "Oh you want, "O" lipstick, that's the manufactures number. They feel so stupid.
