Bad experience at MAC store...

[eighmii]

I live in West Palm Beach, Fl and I ALWAYS go to the MAC store in Palm Beach Gardens rather than the one in Boca. The MAs in Boca are so snotty (but you have to realize the area.. its just as rich of an area as Gardens.. but they are freakin snotty rich people. I hate Boca period. And the MAs in the Boca MAC represent Boca well). Palm Beach Gardens mall is mostly a designer mall too, but the MAs there are sooooo much nicer. Theres a guy who works there who always helps me and HE IS THE reason I go there..

Makeup is like my favorite thing in life. So I want to enjoy shopping for it. Not feel like I'm being bothersome getting a couple eyeshadows..

 

[Jill35]

I'm sorry

I don't know why they have to act like that. I think it's a universal MAC thing. Very rarely do I run into one that is actually nice and helpful.

 

[thelilprincess]

yeah, i had some not so great service the other day at a freestanding MAC. i walked in looking for a coral l/s. one MA was helping a customer and i was standing right there next to them (b/c they were right in front of the l/s) waiting to get helped. other people walked in way after me and she told those other people that she would be with them right after helping her current customer. i had been standing there for a few minutes already, holding a tube of l/s trying to find a free MA to help me so i can "clean" it with some alcohol before swabbing it on myself. another artist was just standing there talking to 2 friends. others also looked busy, so i wasn't expecting service right away - but i was right infront of that girl when i walked in and she completely ignored me and offered to help people that walked in way after i did - they hadn't even looked at any MA items, they literally walked through the door and she offered to help them next.

anyhow, the MA talking to his 2 friends finally noticed me (i was also right next to them, but they were "behind" me as i face the counter) and he cleaned the l/s then went back to his friends to chat. i tried the l/s then left. didn't feel like purchasing anything from them. i've been to the MAC counter at Nordies and Macys and have purchased from them in the last week - the helpful MAs made those shopping experience a bit better.

 

[Shimmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill35 I'm sorry I don't know why they have to act like that. I think it's a universal MAC thing. Very rarely do I run into one that is actually nice and helpful.

This is categorically untrue. The *vast* majority of the MAs I've dealt with have been fantastically helpful, as well as enthusiastic about the product.


For every MA who is working and doesn't provide 'great' service, there is a customer who walks into the store/counter with a closed off vibe who somewhat creates the experience for him/herself.

I'm not excusing bad service by any stretch, but these people are not automatons who live and breath to service anyone who deigns to walk up to the counter and buy a lip pencil. They're human beings working to pay bills by doing a job that while it's a LOT of fun, is extremely demanding mentally and physically. They're expected to be friendly, helpful, and knowledgable 110% of the time while taking the abuse that is hurled at them consistently everyday.

No, I can't say that I agree with your post, because taking all of that into account, most of the MAs I know do a helluva job.

 

[Beauty Mark]

I think everything is an individual basis. How many Sephoras, MAC stores/counters, etc. are there? They surely cannot hire all nice people or all bitchy people. The only thing they probably all have in common is a love of makeup.

 

[glam8babe]

any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

everytime i go to the MAC counter i always buy something even if it's just a lipstick... the people are so nice but one time i was buying my first brush i simple asked for the 129 and the m/a was blabbering on at me telling me it was 10% off day and asking me if i own a mac brush cleanser n how i should buy one etc... she got the brush and put my other purchases down on the desk... i realised that she got the 190 foundation brush which i really didnt want so i said "is this the 129?" and she was like "ohhh no sorri .." then went back then what i thought was the right brush i just paid for my items and went... me and my bf got back on the train to go home and i realised she gave me the 116 blusher brush which i was soo devistated about...i needed a brush for my loose powder so she gives me a f*cking blusher brush.. i couldnt go back but i was sooo annoyed
are all of the people who work for MAC like this? they seem to have no experience whatsoever

she must of though i was a dumb blonde.. well no im not! i probably have better experience than her and im 17

 

[Shimmer]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Seriously, do you know how many threads there are about people complaining about MAC MAs?
Believe it or not the vast majority of the people working at the MAC stores/counters are intelligent, driven, articulate people who are there to do their job to the best of their abilities and go home at the end of the day. They're not setting out to screw anyone over, and they're certainly not necessarily gunning to make any one specific person's day bad.

MAC has an OUTSTANDING return policy, as well as (usually) outstanding customer service personnel. Return the brush, tell the MA you spoke with that you appreciate her effort to help you but she still got you the wrong brush, and that's what necessitated the return.

Those people have more product information running through their heads at any one point in time while juggling countless responsibilities behind the counter.
It looks really easy to do the job, until you actually have to DO it.

 

[glam8babe]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

thanks for that i understand completely but what i didnt mention was that i live in a small town and have to take an hour train ride to get to the nearest city to get to the mac counter and i dont go there often probably once every 2 month...i would have taken it back but i've used the brush everytime i apply my blush but next time i will really make sure its the right one

 

[MisStarrlight]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

The 116 & 129 look almost identical in the packaging...and they are right next to each other on the shelf. I'm sorry that she gave you the wrong brush, but give the girl a break. It's not like she ignored you or cursed you out or something-she just made a mistake...happens to the best of us. And if you really don't like it (although it sounds like you do), even though you used it, as long as you have the sleeve & recpt you can still exchange it...
And it is pretty much required that we sell brush cleanser w/ a brush-or at least offer it....if you don't take care of your brushes, they will not last, so she was just doing her job and trying to sell. MAC MAs are sales people as well, remember.

 

[tiramisu]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Wow, that's too bad. I live in Michigan and have been to TOO many MAC counters and a freestanding store... also in Vegas (weee!!) where there was a damn DJ !! (oh, those Caesars Palace statues with the moving eyes creeped me out but I digress..)
I have always had a great experience, whether I dropped some major $$$ or if I just bought one e/s. You never know if someone is just having a crappy day... food for thought

 

[glam8babe]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisStarrlight The 116 & 129 look almost identical in the packaging...and they are right next to each other on the shelf. I'm sorry that she gave you the wrong brush, but give the girl a break. It's not like she ignored you or cursed you out or something-she just made a mistake...happens to the best of us. And if you really don't like it (although it sounds like you do), even though you used it, as long as you have the sleeve & recpt you can still exchange it... And it is pretty much required that we sell brush cleanser w/ a brush-or at least offer it....if you don't take care of your brushes, they will not last, so she was just doing her job and trying to sell. MAC MAs are sales people as well, remember.

im not saying she did it on purpose or anything im glad she sold me the brush cleanser but with the amount of money i spent i think she should of at least checked the number on the brush.. its just not fair she even got it wrong the first time when she put the 190 brush down...i dont think its right for them to do that.
i wouldnt of complained or anything but if it happens again ill just buy from the UK website but then again the colour swatches are CRAP.. i got a foundation and it looked slightly dark on the swatch [i got it because i was going on holiday and i was guna get really tanned] and when it came it was sooo light like for a fair skinned person. i dont have any other problems with mac other than some of the people who work for it have no idea what they are doing but once i needed a black eyeshadow and i pointed to one that i wanted and the girl said "carbon" so i was like ohh she knows what shes doing n she didnt even look at the eyeshadow pot which was clever...but then again its not hard but why cant they all be like that? i mean she got the 190 then the 166 but i clearly said 129 3 times!

 

[claresauntie]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

It sounds like you're just in the mood to be mad. I'm sorry that you got the wrong brush and that you're frustrated that you have to go back to return it (which is surely an inconvenience), but I also hope that you never have a hectic day at work and make a mistake or two... You really should cut the MAs (and anyone in service jobs) a bit of a break. It's tough work. And I'm sure she is just as well-trained and knowledgeable as most MAC MAs, but she was just having an off day. Sorry for your troubles, though.

 

[Shimmer]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by glam8babe im not saying she did it on purpose or anything im glad she sold me the brush cleanser but with the amount of money i spent i think she should of at least checked the number on the brush.. its just not fair she even got it wrong the first time when she put the 190 brush down...i dont think its right for them to do that.

Are you kidding? You said you're seventeen, correct? Have you ever had a job where you're literally running your ass off all day handling LOADS of information while trying to make every single person happy?
You know what 'fair' is? It's where you take your pig to win a ribbon. That's 'fair'.
It would be realistic to say that it's not 'fair' that you knew you'd already received the wrong item once, and then didn't check that you did in fact have the right item before, during, and after the payout process. As a consumer, it's just as much your responsibility to make sure you procure the appropriate item prior to leaving the store as it is the sales associate's responsibility to ensure she gives you the correct item.

Quote:

i wouldnt of complained or anything but if it happens again ill just buy from the UK website but then again the colour swatches are CRAP.. i got a foundation and it looked slightly dark on the swatch [i got it because i was going on holiday and i was guna get really tanned] and when it came it was sooo light like for a fair skinned person. i dont have any other problems with mac other than some of the people who work for it have no idea what they are doing but once i needed a black eyeshadow and i pointed to one that i wanted and the girl said "carbon" so i was like ohh she knows what shes doing n she didnt even look at the eyeshadow pot which was clever...but then again its not hard but why cant they all be like that? i mean she got the 190 then the 166 but i clearly said 129 3 times!

And, you didn't check before you left to ensure you had the proper product. That's just as much on you as it is on anyone else.


I'm not trying to be harsh, rude, or abrasive, but as claresauntie said, it sounds like you're just in the mood to be mad. :/

 

[MisStarrlight]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

And no offense to the MA who helped you with the black shadow, but Carbon is MAC's only true black shadow...if she didn't know that w/o looking, she really needs to have another job.

 

[claresauntie]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisStarrlight And no offense to the MA who helped you with the black shadow, but Carbon is MAC's only true black shadow...if she didn't know that w/o looking, she really needs to have another job.

I was thinking the same thought!

 

[JediFarfy]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

That sucks that you had such a crappy experience. It takes me at least half an hour to get to a MAC counter (not helpful either), and and hour and a half at least to get to the MAC store. I say return the brush and get the one you need. Even better, keep it and just get the other one too.

 

[janelovesyou]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

It looks like it was just a simple mistake that all people make sometimes. I don't see how she must of thought you were a dumb blond or in anyway was trying to get over on you. Always check your packages because it's easy for you to get something wrong on accident. I definitely would have been pissed too, but the situation has nothing to do with fairness. Belittling the ma and saying you probably know more than her just because she gave you a wrong brush is kind of out of pocket and doesn't make very much sense.

I feel for you, I really really do. But sometimes crap happens. Get your correct brush and you'll be fine!

 

[kimmy]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

no matter how close or far you live from a counter/store...people make mistakes. the human element, it happens. i know it's frustrating but everyone makes mistakes, and you were probably her billionth customer that day. mac mas are usually extremely busy and juggling a few different customers at a time, mistakes are going to be made, no matter what..

 

[glam8babe]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer Are you kidding? You said you're seventeen, correct? Have you ever had a job where you're literally running your ass off all day handling LOADS of information while trying to make every single person happy? You know what 'fair' is? It's where you take your pig to win a ribbon. That's 'fair'. It would be realistic to say that it's not 'fair' that you knew you'd already received the wrong item once, and then didn't check that you did in fact have the right item before, during, and after the payout process. As a consumer, it's just as much your responsibility to make sure you procure the appropriate item prior to leaving the store as it is the sales associate's responsibility to ensure she gives you the correct item. And, you didn't check before you left to ensure you had the proper product. That's just as much on you as it is on anyone else. I'm not trying to be harsh, rude, or abrasive, but as claresauntie said, it sounds like you're just in the mood to be mad. :/

sorri love but so what if im 17? dont give me a lecture on how you think im wrong when im clearly not... i bought my first brush because i love mac and i said 129 twice and she came back with the foundation brush that looks nothing like a powder brush... i realised it was wrong so i said "is this the 129?" just so she realised its wrong i wasnt being nasty to her then she came back with the 116 but i havent seen any mac brushes in real life [i didnt know they had the number on the actual brush] because people round here dont go for the high class makeup and tools so i thought she got the right one after i said 129 3-4 times...i trusted her because she worked for mac thats why i didnt look.
and yes ive been in a job waitressing when it's been busy as hell and other waitresses were at home sick so its a similar situation really.. and did i mention that when i got those mac items i was the ONLY person at the mac counter buying stuff? hardly anybody knows about mac where i live so yeh she could of took more time to look at the brushes instead of rushing for no reason

and im not in the mood to be mad i AM mad but i cant return the brush because i dont go to the city often as i have other things to do like work...you seem pretty annoyed by this but trust me im not the only person whos had a bad experience, theres people on here complaining about how rude the mac m/a are but the counter where i go they seem happy so yeh.. everywheres different

 

[glam8babe]

Re: any of you had any problems with the MAC people at the counters/stores?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisStarrlight And no offense to the MA who helped you with the black shadow, but Carbon is MAC's only true black shadow...if she didn't know that w/o looking, she really needs to have another job.

and yeh i know but how was i supposed to know this? it was about 2 year ago and i was buying my first mac products.. the other times ive been they ALWAYS look at the names of the products but whatever i was just making a point