Do MAC MA's REALLY hate it when we return things?

[genica]

I've never returned a makeup item ever, from mac or any other brand. The thought of it being thrown away is just too much! I'd rather swap something that didn't work for me than return it.

I'm really loving the posts from MAs explaining how this all works. Very enlightening.

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoleaxo does the MA's numbers suffer with exchanges as well? i figured an exchange is a lot better than a flat out return. i bought studio stick foundation, used it maybe 5 times and it's breaking me out badly.. i'm thinking of exchanging it for select spf15. i might just keep it though if it messes up the MA's numbers

sometimes an exchange is good, but not always. let's say you buy from artist a. you return it/exchange it with artist b. that return lowers artist a's numbers, but does help artist b. now when artist a comes into work, she's in the hole $20 already. and what's worse than being in the hole $20? finding out that at the end of your day you are $20 short of your goal!

now that sucks!

now let's say you exchange it with the original artist that helped you. if you are returning $20, and buying $150, the time that artist spent with you is only giving her a $130 sale, instead of $150 had you not returned the original item.

this is why there are testers. try it in the store if you can. go outside to see what it looks like in natural lighting. if you can't try it on in the store, ask for a sample (skincare, foundation, etc.) if you counter gives samples. and remember, a sample is a sample, so don't expect a completely full container. a sample is enough to last you about a week, which is plenty of time to see how you like it and how your skin reacts. then you can decide whether to buy or not.

sometimes some items just don't work out and need to be returned. so when the artist asks if there was anything wrong with it, tell them, and be honest. hopefully they can find something that works for you better.

 

[Mizz.Yasmine]

i refuse to return makeup. ill buy another shade to layer with it or something until i make it work! lol

 

[Dianora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoleaxo i bought studio stick foundation, used it maybe 5 times and it's breaking me out badly.. i'm thinking of exchanging it for select spf15. i might just keep it though if it messes up the MA's numbers

Keeping a product that makes you break out just to help out the MA's numbers is a little TOO altruistic! You have a legitimate problem and you're certainly entitled to getting the best product for you for your money. By all means take it back and explain what happened so that the MA can help you exchange it for one that won't irritate your skin.

Erine, taking samples of a foundation to make sure it works with your skin is a great idea - but certainly not one I've ever had a MA at any cosmetics counter suggest. They always want the sale at that moment - not that I blame them, that's the point of being a salesperson. I think a lot of consumers will think it's obvious to try things before buying to make sure they like the color, but I don't think skin irritation is something anyone thinks about until they've been wearing a product for a few days and realize they're breaking out. As a salesperson, if a customer samples a foundation in the store and it's the perfect color and finish, are you going to say, "Hold off, take this sample and wear it for a week," or are you going to say, "Great, I'll add this to your purchase, is there anything else I can help you find?"

 

[aeroSOUL]

In my opinon, if you have a prob with reg mac foundations and your skin... we sell a mineral foundation. so.... yeah.... try it.

 

[xoleaxo]

thanks for the replies/advice.

i think i'll try to exchange it tomorrow. i just feel kinda bad cuz she spent some time with me to find the right shade and explain the different foundations.

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianora Keeping a product that makes you break out just to help out the MA's numbers is a little TOO altruistic! You have a legitimate problem and you're certainly entitled to getting the best product for you for your money. By all means take it back and explain what happened so that the MA can help you exchange it for one that won't irritate your skin. Erine, taking samples of a foundation to make sure it works with your skin is a great idea - but certainly not one I've ever had a MA at any cosmetics counter suggest. They always want the sale at that moment - not that I blame them, that's the point of being a salesperson. I think a lot of consumers will think it's obvious to try things before buying to make sure they like the color, but I don't think skin irritation is something anyone thinks about until they've been wearing a product for a few days and realize they're breaking out. As a salesperson, if a customer samples a foundation in the store and it's the perfect color and finish, are you going to say, "Hold off, take this sample and wear it for a week," or are you going to say, "Great, I'll add this to your purchase, is there anything else I can help you find?"

if a foundation or any other product is irritating or breaks you out, definatly take it back. just make sure to let the artist know that it broke you out, that way they can recommend a different one. they can even look up the product info, possibly locating the ingredient that is irritating.

as for foundations, maybe i'm different than other artists. if i try a foundation on a customer and they like it, i'm definatley gonna add it to the sale. but if they tell me that they've had other foundations from us or another brand break them out or are unsure altogether, i'll suggest a sample for them to try. i never try to push a sale on anyone. if they buy from me and like the product, great! if they buy it, but are unsure, then return it later just cause they are frustrated with it, they are unlikely to buy again, so i'm out whatever the sale was dollar-wise. however, if i give them a sample to try, and they come back, i have already given them my name and ask that they let whoever rings them know that i was the one helping them. that way the customer knows for sure how the foundation works for them, and i've gotten the sale, even tho i wasn't there when they came back.

unfortunately there are artists out there that will do/say whatever they can to make the person buy, and i'm just not like that. i've had so many customers thank me for my honesty. everyone at my counter is honest. if a color looks bad on you, we'll let you know.

so, in the end, it pays to be honest and let customers try stuff before they buy. otherwise, you've got a pissed off customer who will return stuff, making your sales go in the wrong direction.

 

[II3rinII]

^^ you and i would work well together, we have the same work ethic. i never push a sale, and im all for sampling.

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by II3rinII ^^ you and i would work well together, we have the same work ethic. i never push a sale, and im all for sampling.

it sure sounds like we would.

and what sucks is when you are ready to get someone a sample and they are all greatful, and you reach in for a sample cup and your COMPLETELY OUT OF CUPS!!!

then i feel like a dumbass!

by your username i'm guessing your name is erin. if so, that's another thing we have in common.

 

[jen_loves_mac]

If a mac artist wants can they keep the returned item instead of throwing it away

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen_loves_mac If a mac artist wants can they keep the returned item instead of throwing it away

WHAT? where did you hear this? is this at stores only?

 

[janelovesyou]

lol I think she was just asking Erine, she left out the question mark

 

[foxykita143]

Ok personally, I have never returned MAC, or any other kind of make up. Period. First off, I feel like if I buy something, it was my choice, and if I messed up, it's my fault. Even if an MA talked me into something, I was the one who actually pulled out my money and paid for it. If you tend to return products, why wouldn't you try them on in the store? And honestly, if your problem with the product is that it looks different in natural light then step outside for a moment. I think anyone who knows a little something about make up would totally understand this. And I dont know, I love MAC so much, and I also work in retail so I'm not willing to go and mess up a MA's sales. If they were a bitch to you or rude I could see how you may not care but when they are sweet to you and cater to your needs and questions, you can just look at it as trial and error. Besides all of that though, you can always swap on here or MUA, and save everyone trouble and get a product you really like. I do agree with returning products that break you out but if yu are an MA you could always just sanitize it and add it to products you use on your clients.

But my thing is, if I buy something I HATE, I think of it in two different ways, the first one being very optimistic: I am expanding my MAC collection

or: Ok so I dont like this, and I dont see myself using it, but chances are if I log onto specktra or youtube I will probably find a tutorial and see a look that I love love love and theres a chance they will be using this exact shade. I'm telling you some colors were made to work with other colors and other products and by you returning something, you could be missing out on something that could have been really stunning if you took the time to look into it.

I have plenty of products I hated, and now they are my HG and I've also had those "Maaaaan why did I return that?!?" moments I hate so much

 

[euphrosyne_rose]

First of all, I have to say that I have been to both MAC counters and freestanding stores probably over 50x at least and only a handful of those times has any of the MA's been friendly. I usually get ignored until I manage to catch someone's eye and I am not a frequent "pest" or "returner" of products, I guess because I look younger than I am maybe they think I'm a pesky teenager or something. (I'm 29! LOL)
Anyway, a few months back I had my makeup done for the $50 purchase and I ended spending more than the $50. When I got home I noticed that the Dazzleglass I had purchased was almost EXACTLY the same color as a Lipglass I already had AND the fluidline I bought wasn't exactly the color I thought it was. I decided to return those things b/c I didn't need them so I sat down WITH A CALCULATOR AND MADE SURE that even though I was returning a few items, I was still spending the required $50. If it didn't add up, I had no problem keeping all the items. Fortunately, the Dazzleglass and Fluidline did not keep me from the $50 so I did return the items. Both were unused. However, I didn't know until this thread that returned items were tossed, so from now on I will not be returning anything I buy. So, I didn't cheat!

Sorry to those MA's who have to deal with that sort of thing!!

 

[JolieFemme]

If I buy something online can I return pr exchange in at my macys counter is for some reason it doesn't work for me?

 

[glam8babe]

ive never returned makeup... i always buy things that i know will suit me or i can work with. And if i only use it once it just sits in my room
honestly.. i would feel abit 'scruffy' returning makeup although if it was something expensive and didnt work for me or if i got the wrong colour then i wouldnt mind.
the only things i return are things like clothes n stuff lol

 

[JolieFemme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JolieFemme If I buy something online can I return Page Ranking exchange in at my macys counter is for some reason it doesn't work for me?

This post proves I can't multitask.

What I was try to ask was...

If I buy something from mac online can I return or exchange it at my macys counter if for some reason it doesn't work for me?

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janelovesyou lol I think she was just asking Erine, she left out the question mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen_loves_mac If a mac artist wants can they keep the returned item instead of throwing it away

thanks jane, i can't read!

no, we can't keep returns. all returns need to be processed thru the system for inventory purposes. plus, you never know what they did to it, so you wouldn't wanna use it even if you could keep it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JolieFemme This post proves I can't multitask. What I was try to ask was... If I buy something from mac online can I return or exchange it at my macys counter if for some reason it doesn't work for me?

no. if you buy it online, you can only return/exchange it thru the mail. you can't only exchange/return it in the same manner you bought it.

 

[Covergirl913]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianora Keeping a product that makes you break out just to help out the MA's numbers is a little TOO altruistic! You have a legitimate problem and you're certainly entitled to getting the best product for you for your money. By all means take it back and explain what happened so that the MA can help you exchange it for one that won't irritate your skin. Erine, taking samples of a foundation to make sure it works with your skin is a great idea - but certainly not one I've ever had a MA at any cosmetics counter suggest. They always want the sale at that moment - not that I blame them, that's the point of being a salesperson. I think a lot of consumers will think it's obvious to try things before buying to make sure they like the color, but I don't think skin irritation is something anyone thinks about until they've been wearing a product for a few days and realize they're breaking out. As a salesperson, if a customer samples a foundation in the store and it's the perfect color and finish, are you going to say, "Hold off, take this sample and wear it for a week," or are you going to say, "Great, I'll add this to your purchase, is there anything else I can help you find?"

I totally agree with your post.

 

[II3rinII]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erine1881 it sure sounds like we would. and what sucks is when you are ready to get someone a sample and they are all greatful, and you reach in for a sample cup and your COMPLETELY OUT OF CUPS!!! then i feel like a dumbass! by your username i'm guessing your name is erin. if so, that's another thing we have in common.

yup, i figured your name was erin too but i see everyone calls you erine and when i read that i always hear it in my hear as "ernie" hahaha which was one of my many nicknames in high school.