Bad experience at MAC store...

[TrusyMyEyes]

I black too. Im not sure if thats the issue. But, it might be. Im young too though.. I look the college part. Folks may think you don't have alot of money to buy alot of stuff. But than when too Parish and Nicky Hilton wanna bees or Old people step up in the store they get full attention.

But, this is in the LA PRO store mind you..its LA right like in hollywood..where major celeberties and rich folk shop. I saw the two Guys from Americas Next Top Model (the black one, and the one with the blond hair) shopping right next to mac so they could have went in there after I left.

 

[mymymai]

The manager at the MAC counter in the Dillards that I go to it a total *insert taboo deformation here*. She looks like she is smelling something foul the entire time, but thankfully, she hires really friendly MAs, so I just go to everyone else before I go to her (plus by now, the MAs know me by name and ask me where I have been if I haven't visited for a week). It may be because I look young (I've been told I look 19) that she is so rude to me, but I'm not sure.

 

[ledonatella]

The MA's at the Tower's City store where I shop are really nice and the manager is too. But it's Cleveland so it's not like you can be snobby cause celeb's shop there or anything. It's a pretty down to earth town. I drive an hour to get there so if they were rude I definitly wouldn't bother. Sometimes they laugh though because my friend and I know the colors and collections before they even do (thanks to Specktra!)! Our town just got our first MAC counter but they hired people that I know that don't know anything about makeup at all, they are just young and pretty. They even admit they don't know (or care) but the pay is good. They are nice girls, don't get me wrong, but the manager there I also used to work with and she is clueless! She really just cares about image which is a shame, so I'd rather drive to the MAC store, then give her my $$$.

 

[may_cup]

How rude and uncalled for! Don't they know you're supposed to be nice to the customer? The gals at the MAC store in Mississauga, Ontario, at Square One are complete dolls! I met them at the Estee Lauder employee sale in June. I was there alone, and there were about 7 of them there, and since we had to all stand in line together for like 3 hours, they adopted me for the day. Total sweethearts. Ever SA should be like them! Sorry you had such a horrible experience deathcabber!

 

[Shanneran]

i think ive had good experiences at every mac store ive been to.. everyone in calgary has been a good experience for me.. except for market mall.. ive had three or four really bad experiences there which sucks because its really easy for me to get too.. and the ma's that ive talked to there are really uninformed about the product... but i really like going to chinook.. last time i was there i had like.. 5 people try to help me.. and walked out with a large handful of goodies i hadnt planned on buying (not that i need help)

 

[mspixieears]

I always seem to make the mistake of going to a MAC counter or store whenever I'm dressed...comfortably, shall we say? As in not my best clothing, and I get the shit vibes too. They tend to want to pay attention to the trendy looking people.

I'm really sorry to hear about all of your not-so-nice experiences. You'd think they'd figure out that being nice might score them some sales. Geez.

 

[SonRisa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shygirl I wonder if it's the newbies that act snobby as in 'look at ME, I'm working for MAC, bitch!' I'd think that a veteran MA is more laid-back as though they don't need to prove themselves. It's kinda like how people who aren't used to having real status are the ones who are insecure and therefore act stupid. Think: the new boss that everyone hates (this person just has to let you know that they are in charge) or the celebrities or wanna-bes who have only been around for 2 months and act like divas (think: Omarosa).

I can't really speak for any counter other than my own because for the most part, I've been treated nicely at *most* MAC stores and counter, but they know I work for MAC sooooo - common sense. However, those that I have had "problems" with (@ other counters (here in my region as well as NYC), as well as my own - before I worked there) were actually all veteran MA's that have been with the company for 5+ years. Not to say all veterans are rude, because they're most certainly not, but I find that newer people are more excited about everything and very willing to show anyone and everyone EVERYTHING that MAC has to offer. I myself am guilty of that. My manager has told me in the past that it's cool to be excited and share that with my customers, but at times I can overwhelm them because I show them too much stuff.

 

[fairytale22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrusyMyEyes I black too. Im not sure if thats the issue. But, it might be. Im young too though.. I look the college part. Folks may think you don't have alot of money to buy alot of stuff. But than when too Parish and Nicky Hilton wanna bees or Old people step up in the store they get full attention. But, this is in the LA PRO store mind you..its LA right like in hollywood..where major celeberties and rich folk shop. I saw the two Guys from Americas Next Top Model (the black one, and the one with the blond hair) shopping right next to mac so they could have went in there after I left.

You saw the people from Top Model?! Lucky!!! Haha, anyway I have also been treated rudely at a few MAC counters...but the one I go to in Valley Fair always has MAs asking me to be helped, and I really appreciate that. I have been completely ignored by an empty counter in a MAC in Hong Kong-might have been since I didn't look like I knew how to speak Chinese but still, and also this one counter the people treated me as if I was a 10 year old, talking to me in almost a babyish voice: I am young and sometimes look young for my age, but seriously, even at 15 or 16 you'd expect them to treat me as a young adult at least and not a kid.

 

[SonRisa]

And I should also add that for myself, race is never an issue. I tend to find that it's the girls that have the LV bag (that's probably a knock-off), nails done, holding a little dog ala - Paris Hilton who are super bitchy and will march right up to me "I need a chestnut lipliner" all while pursing their lips with attitude whereas someone that comes in without any makeup on, wearing sweats, jeans whatever! Just casual attire will buy at least $150 worth of stuff.

I'm sorry you ladies have had issues at some counters and stores, but we're not all like that! I swear

Just "shop around" for an MA you like who doesn't judge you by your attire, race or whatever. I'm not gonna make excuses for them, but they could just be having a bad day. However, if it happens more than once, I would talk to the manager. Don't write in to maccosmetics.com. It's not THAT serious. If the service doesn't improve after talking with the manager, then write in to the website.

 

[Thumper]

Definately write in to the website and complain or call Consumer Communications to complain.

All Executives (all the high-high-higher ups) receive weekly reports with all complaints (and compliments). All Executive Regional Sales Directors and Managers also receive the report. They do get noticed.

But...because it's so easy to complain people neglect sometimes to give compliments when due, so don't forget to compliment an artist or any staff member as well. Those also get noticed.

 

[Hikaru-chan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incus Are you talking about the london selfridges by any chance???? I went to the MAC counter there once, but they are so damn rude. I now shop at the counter in bank- all the MA are really sweet there, totally friendly and really helpful. If ur in london, u should check them out.

No it's the Selfridges in Birmingham the girls there are so rude.

 

[shygirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonRisa I can't really speak for any counter other than my own because for the most part, I've been treated nicely at *most* MAC stores and counter, but they know I work for MAC sooooo - common sense. However, those that I have had "problems" with (@ other counters (here in my region as well as NYC), as well as my own - before I worked there) were actually all veteran MA's that have been with the company for 5+ years. Not to say all veterans are rude, because they're most certainly not, but I find that newer people are more excited about everything and very willing to show anyone and everyone EVERYTHING that MAC has to offer. I myself am guilty of that. My manager has told me in the past that it's cool to be excited and share that with my customers, but at times I can overwhelm them because I show them too much stuff.

Hmmm! Thanks for the insight. Now that I think about it, the MA that I really liked said that she had just gotten the job. I think she had been working for MAC for about a month but she had been in cosmetics for a while.
I would enjoy having a MA like you who was excited about helping me and about makeup in general, and not just hawking products. Your excitement would be infectious and would definitely keep me coming back.

 

[deathcabber]

Well, here is my take on the race part of it...I think that may have been a small part of my experience. I am white, and many of the customers as well as MUA's at this store were either black or latina. Where I live in Atlanta, racism is still extremly rampant and is an issue BOTH ways.This totally aggravates me because no one deserves to be treated differently because of their race. Now if I had been a rude, stuck up bitch, I totally would have deserved this. But I was really polite.
I also have noticed that I get treated differently because of how I dress sometimes which is usually pretty casual. Anyways, I will definetly say something next time so they know that what theyre doing is wrong. I know that I will probably be more aware of things the next time I go to MAC and make sure that I either help myself or find someone nice to help me.
Thanks for everyone's responses. I feel better now

Will let you all know if I get a reply back from CS.

 

[TrusyMyEyes]

Yea, I don't know why we wont say something. i have a big mouth and am bold. Don't make me feel bad for not knowing everything. I asked the lady for her advice on a color she said well its you thats wearing it NOT ME! I wanted to slap that trick right than and there, but I was in hollywood so I kept it cool. Thats why im taking all that ugly stuff I bought from here back. I told her I had extremely oily skiin and she gives me products that OILY SKIN PEOPLE SHOULDN'T USE!

But, I do think its about socio-economic status. They spend more time with you if you have more money or they assume you have more money.

But, Im going to really stop relying on them for help. I have to step up my make up game. I know what colors I want. I have all the help of you lovely people on her with oil products, good bases, excellent foundations..So, Im going to be polite..but just get me my cotton candy paint, amber lights, and swimming...haha Of course I wouldn't say it mean.

 

[moonrevel]

I usually have very good experiences at my counter...I've been going there for almost six years, so they all know me and are very sweet to me, so I'm very lucky for that, and in general, I'm not too bothered by the MAs when I go out of town or go to the suburban malls to their counters. However, within a span of three years, I went to the Georgetown store in DC a few times on trips, and I was, shall we say, less than impressed. Everyone stands around and doesn't approach customers, and once I actually chased one of them around the store to get her to help me! I wanted a bunch of stuff, and when I told her what I wanted, it was like she was pissed that I didn't want her advice on anything. Then she took my stuff to the register, didn't say anything, and walked away, with no one else there to ring me up! ALL my experiences in that store were similarly horrible, and I know many other people who have gone there and had the same problems. I allow for people to have bad days, or for me to misinterpret their behavior, or a number of other problems, but what the hell goes on in Georgetown??? It's like the bitch bus just pulled up there and dropped everyone off!

 

[glittergoddess27]

I feel pretty fotunate. I always get a pretty nice reception at the MAC counters,..(like SonRisa has mentioned, I am one of those that have a bad day,.. walk in dressed in sh*tty clothes cuz I am feeling bad and tell them to fix me then if they do my makeup nice or show me nice things,..share the MAC love, then I have dropped about $200 at least before when I went to buy just wipes.) though once I did have someone give me some lip and I did put her in her place nicely and everything was fine after that. But usually all the MA's around here are pretty nice. We have a Nordies counter, a freestanding, and an Ayres counter. I find that the freestanding and Nordies are usually nicer than Ayres. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that they seem better trained more into the whole MAC thing at the other places though,.. not so much as attitude. I think enjoying your counter is about finding that MA that best suits you also,.. I have 2 or so that I really gravitate towards and they tend to be the more eccentric,... unfortunately,. and I could kick myself,...John got promoted away from me,....maybe I shouldn't have bragged on him to MAC so much. (Ladies, if you do chose to complain online, make sure that you also give praise too, they take that seriously also!)

 

[Tessigrl]

I have a few stores around me and I have not had a good experience at any of them. The MA's look at you like you are an alien when you walk in and forget about asking them questions because they are all so busy either talking to each other or working on someone's makeup. I've even made an appt to have my makeup done for the holidays and the lady that was doing my makeup just seemed like she was horrified to be doing my makeup, like I had a disease or something and then they expect you to want to pay for the items like what they did to you made you a human being. I would rather purchase my items online than to go to a store.

 

[SonRisa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glittergoddess27 . . . I think that has a lot to do with the fact that they seem better trained more into the whole MAC thing at the other places though,.. not so much as attitude.

PBI - We're all trained exactly the same. Aside from freelancers who don't go to "Update" or "Basic" like we do. However even then, most of the freelancers in my region are former MAC employees who couldn't continue to work the crazy retail shifts.

 

[Juneplum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrusyMyEyes but just get me my cotton candy paint,

umm.. canton candy...

i'm really fortunate that i;ve never had a bad experience at a counter, freestanding or pro store. mind u i do know all of the ma's at the counters and stores i frequent, but even when i travel (ALOT) and go to other locations, they're never mean or rude or bitchy to me.. it;'s a good thing too cos i would hate to have to unleash the beast that lies within! lol

 

[deathcabber]

Wow, so lots of people seem to have had this experience then. So are we all on crack or something for going back?!?! Should we continue doing so with our heads down and wallets out, should we boycott, or should we just buy from the website? Anyways, I think we all know the answer to that...heads down and wallets out

JK!