Bad experience at MAC store...

[sexypuma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollieo Maccosmetics.com has to be one of the slowest loading sites I have been to. I have DSL and it is like I am on an old 56k dial up. Sometimes it seems to just stop. It's not like the site is that graphic heavy. You would think it would load in a second. Almost as frustrating as dealing with their MA's in the stores. Almost.

you are too funny!

Thanks god, they are pretty nice at my local counter. I never feel rushed or pressured to get something (maybe because i always end up getting some things) and they are very nice to my dog as well (which means a lot to me).

 

[Macnarsandlove]

nasty ma

I went to my local mac counter one time ( they always see me there) and I noticed a new MA. I was dressed in my usual sweats and a tshirt cause since I'm not 13 anymore I don't get dressed up to go to the mall. The girl looked me up and down like she knew i didn't have ny money then proceeded to help the "well dressed" woman that just walked up. I was sooooooooo heated that I walked away and drove to atlanta (150 miles from my house). The mac counters are few and far between down here so I had to do it. I'm from nj and now live in ga. I'm used to being able to go to the PRO STORE in ny that has everything you can dream of. That nasty MA will NEVER get my buisiness. Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[Chic 2k6]

Ive had one bad experience i guess

I went to MAC on Oxford Street Selfridges and i waited 30 MINUTES! to buy an eyeshadow and lipgloss, why? cos 4 MAs were preening themselves in the mirror, applying makeup, there were a couple who were doing their jobs making people over, which leaves poor 2 MAs behind the counter rushing around trying to do a quick service. it was so packed :|


my best one would have to be MAC in Jolly's store in Bath and i was the only one in the shop!! yay

so i wandered around and the MA were so helpful and she's proper nice, then another customer came in and as she served that customer, she kept checking over to see if i want anything. now thats what i call good service

 

[_trimm_trabb]

That's why it annoys me that you have to wait for an MA to get your stuff. I know that it's to avoid theft and that makes plenty of sense, but sometimes I wish I could just go in, grab what I want, pay and leave. Sometimes I want help and recommendations, other times I walk in already knowing what I want and end up having to wait so that an MA can try to talk me into things I hadn't originally planned on getting.

Or today, I had to wait about 20 minutes to be helped at all (which I understand because it was busy). By the time the MA got to me she was just generally short with me and seemed to be dragging her feet to get me stuff. I had brought in 6 empties to get a free lipstick so I told her that when I came in, but I also bought FOUR eyeshadows, a new 15-pan palette, and a lipglass! It's not like I just walked in, got my freebies, and left! I was planning on getting more but every time I moved on to a new section she would say with an impatient tone, "is that everything?" Usually it's "what else can I help you with?" since they generally want to get you to buy MORE! I didn't get it! I was planning on buying a couple of shadesticks and a blushcreme too, but forget it, I'll just order them off the website.

I know people have bad days and on those days it's really hard to just smile and be nice to people (I work in a restaurant so I really know!). But it's unfair to the customer to take it out on them, especially since I'm always very polite and very patient about waiting. I don't know, sometimes I think I'd rather just order things off of the website and send them back if I don't like them.

 

[carinapieries]

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessOfpOi ch33tah, it wasn't Bluewater shopping centre/mall was it? That is my closest counter and I never used to get bad service but there have been plenty of times where I have just walked off without buying anything because no-one could be bothered to acknowedge me..The staff turnover there is insane.. Every time I go, there are new people there... I would rather save up the money, go to London and go the PRO Store in Soho where the service and advice is spot on...

I often visit the bluewater counter and you are right, theres a new MA everytime I visit! The first couple of times I went I was so disappointed as the MAs would be chatting to each other and not come over to me even if it was quiet. I remember one time going over to them and asking politely if I could have some help in picking out a blush shade. Well one girl mumbled yeah in a minute and continued chatting. I waited and waited and nobody came over to me so I left and spent my money at the NARS counter instead!

I went to bluewater a couple of weeks ago and must admit the service has much improved. I cant remember the MAs name (can only remember she had long blonde hair) but she was so helpful. I had a long list of things I needed to stock up on and she went through my list with me. She couldnt have been more helpful.

The girls at the Canterbury counter in Fenwicks are very good. Ive never had a problem there. I try to go on weekdays when its quiet.

 

[Xqueeze_me]

I must say.. I think I may have a bad experience because I was with my friend who had a really bad experience (she became a Bobbi Brown addict instead of MAC)! We went to a MAC Counter in Melbourne MYER (Australia), ALL MAs ignored us because we looked like typical uni students who just happened to pass by and won't buy a thing. Yes, we WERE uni students a few months ago but THEY'RE SO WRONG! My friend actually wanted to buy some items but just had to go because none of them wanted to help us so we went to Bobbi Brown instead (just opposite MAC) and purchased stuff there instead because the MAs at BB are such darlings!

Then there was a time when I had to buy a pressed powder for a friend in Tasmania. The lady was nice but she kinda got disappointed because I only purchased ONE item.

Thanks for letting me RANT!

ps: I'm sure a handful of MAs are great and are darlings to their customers! We need more of them!!

 

[Krasevayadancer]

Looks like this thread has been revamped so i shall give it a go too

This was back in the day and gave me a bad taste in my mouth. I had gone to a mac f/s store in a mall in long island and was completely ignored despite the fact that there were plenty of free M/A's to help me. And i had walked in fully intending to buy a few things. To me there is nothing worse than going into a store, being excited to buy something, and then leaving with nothing because you were ignored...
I make it a point now to make it known that i am buying, and i always try to find a consistent MA to all the macs i go to.

 

[lah_knee]

mmk heres thing... we MA's have to deal with a lottt of different kind of people. people who want to be helped, people who follow you around waiting for you to help them but wont speak up, people who want to be left alone; people who interupt you while you are helping other customers. whatever the case may be, we have to keep our cool and know how to handle it. and lets face it, 90% of the time, were BUSY because we are the busiest counter.

some customers will flip out if you ask if they need help, because maybe 2 other employees already asked them. others will flip out because they arent being attended to because every other employee is busy or with someone else. (i get a lot of people who come in saying "i already know what i want cant you just help me!")

and only nordstrom employees make commission. sorry we dont all look at you guys as $$ signs. we honestly could care less what you buy. we dont even have AUS or IPT anymore lol i dont care if you come in to buy a sponge or if you come in to buy a traincase, im gonna treat you the same regardless...

all im saying is its hard to read all customers and change your attitude all day long just to apease them. i love doing makeup, but the retail part of it ruins it to me because i hate that customers feel like we should roll out the red carpet for them. or i hate when they act like i owe something to them. just be kind and im gonna be the same right back. treat me the way you want to be treated; cuz most of the time i get the feeling that people come in already with the mindset that mac people are bitches and they only want to feed off it and prove it by making their mac experience seem horrible.

im not saying there arent bad employees. there probably is. but all im saying is take it easy on mac. cuz it seems 100 good experiences get thrown out the door once you have one bad one. and thats unfortunate.

 

[Indian Barbie]

I hate rude MAs, I come by them way too often! When I went to Bobby Brown the people there were just showering me with attention and telling me how pretty I am (lol) so I ended up spending $100 at the counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. I work in Disney so my standards for customer service are really high!

 

[giz2000]

I had never worked retail before I worked at Nordies (w/MAC). We were trained to provide great customer service from day one...that training stuck, and I always try to at least acknowledge the customers, even if I am busy helping someone (or two people!). I smile and say hello, and I let them know that they can get me if they need anything. Basically, I treat customers the way I like to be treated. I love looking at things in peace and then asking for help...I don't like Sales associates hovering over me...so I don't do it either.

The customer is the lifeblood of any business, especially retail. Treat them right, and they'll treat you right (well, most of the time..some customers are beyond reproach!).

 

[elisha24]

Xqueeze Me I have found myer melbourne and chadstone to be the WORST for customer service. I had one SA comment on how I come in so often but never buy anything-
Me: Oh thats because I bought quite a bit around christmas time
SA: Yeah What?

She was soo rude,nNeedless to say I walked out, I now don't go in there unless I am desperate.
Not to mention all the time I have said "I am just looking atm" and then when I did want help or wanted to buy something they would ignore me.

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisha24 Xqueeze Me I have found myer melbourne and chadstone to be the WORST for customer service. I had one SA comment on how I come in so often but never buy anything- Me: Oh thats because I bought quite a bit around christmas time SA: Yeah What? She was soo rude,nNeedless to say I walked out, I now don't go in there unless I am desperate. Not to mention all the time I have said "I am just looking atm" and then when I did want help or wanted to buy something they would ignore me.

Sorry you had to go through that! So what if customers are there to linger around, not buy a thing and walk out? They could be potential customers when they come back the second (or more) time round, right?

By the way.. Is there a MAC Counter at David Jones? Might try there to see if you get treated differently (as in treated nicely!).

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giz2000 - "Basically, I treat customers the way I like to be treated. I love looking at things in peace and then asking for help...I don't like Sales associates hovering over me...so I don't do it either."

I'm like you too, giz2000!

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And you know, what's worse than rude staff are rude managers.

I've NEVER gone to any US MAC counters nor stepped on the US land (someday soon, I hope!

) so I can't say anything about the customer service there. What I've just mentioned above applies only to the Melbourne, Australia cosmetic counters.

ps: Bobbi Brown MAs are still darlings!

 

[lara]

Xqueeze_me, if you sport the same self-righteous attitude in store as what you're currently displaying on this message board, then I may have an inkling as to why you get apparent sub-par service.

if it's such an issue for you, take it upon yourself to speak to the counter managers rather than lecturing on a message board.

 

[Cruella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara If you sport the same self-righteous attitude in store as what you're currently displaying on this message board, then I may have an inkling as to why you get apparent sub-par service. if it's such an issue for you, take it upon yourself to speak to the counter managers rather than lecturing on a message board.

I believe there is already a thread for MAs to vent about problem/difficult customers; this is a thread to complain about rude MAs.

 

[Beauty Mark]

I think complaining is a good thing to do, as well as complimenting, to higher ups. That's the only way things get changed.

When I had a bad experience at a Mac counter at Macy's, I used the form on their site. When I had a great experience at the Benefit counter at Macy's, I used the form (forgot the SA's name, but I described her pretty well).

 

[Chic 2k6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beautiful1 The MAC Store On Spring St In NYC Is Sooo Awesome And Amazing. I Went To The Culture Bloom Event There This Past Monday And Talk About Friendly, Helpful And Loving People. They Were All Definitely It I Have Yet To Check Out The Pro Store But I Will Definitely Be Doing Business With The Spring Street Store (Being That I Am A Newbie Myself With MAC LOL). All Of The MA's There Rock Hard!

I went to Spring St MAC when i was on holiday to NYC Dec 2006 and i was taken aback at just how nice the MAs are. When i go back to New York eventually, i'd def stop there again! i thought it was neat that i had my own basket too lol

big up to all the MAs at NYC Spring St MAC!

 

[Sonya Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrusyMyEyes MAC Pro Store in LA, sucks as well.

Was that the North Robertson store? There's a couple of male MAs there, and they're DOLLS... I've never had a bad experience at that particular MAC store and I've had a LOT of horrid, stereotyping and ignorance problems with a few stores (not just Los Angeles, either). Seriously, that's the ONLY MAC store that I haven't had any problems with.

 

[notmyhand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shygirl I'm black so unfortunately I'm used to that treatment. BUT not to make this a racial issue. The customers at the freestanding store in Chicago get ignored a lot. There was one really cool MA the very first time I went in there. She was a little standoffish at first but then she warmed up. I haven't seen her again. Some of the MAs at the Water Tower counter are snobby bitches but most of them are so awesome and sweet! One of them really took her time to show me how to apply false eyelashes. She was very patient and had me laughing. I only go to this counter during the week after work when it's not busy. 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).

Really? I love the fresstanding store much more than the one at Water Tower. Granted I always get people unwilling to help me (17 year old) but I've made friends with a couple of the ones at the freestanding store. The MAs at Water Tower only seem to push stuff on me which I really don't like.

 

[Xqueeze_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara Xqueeze_me, if you sport the same self-righteous attitude in store as what you're currently displaying on this message board, then I may have an inkling as to why you get apparent sub-par service. if it's such an issue for you, take it upon yourself to speak to the counter managers rather than lecturing on a message board.

Of all people who complained about MAs in cosmetic stores, you decided to pick on me because I posted about bad experiences with MAs in the Melbourne (Australian) cosmetic stores?

Am I wrong to vent in this thread then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruella I believe there is already a thread for MAs to vent about problem/difficult customers; this is a thread to complain about rude MAs.

 

[lara]

No, merely that everyone else is having a plain old vent, but the post that you've since edited was arrogant and lecturing.

I don't care where you're from or where you shop, but I do resent the MAs on this board being given a lecture on customer service as if they're brainless little robots. If you can't avoid talking down to people, then that's something you may need to address.