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

[xStarryEyedX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_love_mac I don't really care what the associates say or feel because as a customer I have 30 days to return with receipt. I don't like trying stuff at the counters because I think its dirty! So I buy it , try it on at home and test it out. If I dont like it I return it ASAP when I have the chance.

....Okay, I'm going to assume that you are as young as you sound here and explain this to you. The products are 9 times out of 10 not dirty. Any powder product will not harbor bacteria. Any lipstick is dipped into alcohol before anyone tries it- and can be dipped into alcohol before you try it. Lipgloss+mascara are used with disposable applicators and double dipping is not permitted. Lastly, we clean our brushes in between every single client. I know in my store the main ingredient in our in-between customer spray is alcohol. So- trying on testers in store is not dirty. It helps reduce waste, keep prices down, and most importantly helps not screw up a poor unsuspecting makup artist's numbers =)..
I really really hope you're just young or naive. If not you're being the exact customer that nobody wants to deal with- whether you care or not.

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xStarryEyedX ....Okay, I'm going to assume that you are as young as you sound here and explain this to you. The products are 9 times out of 10 not dirty. Any powder product will not harbor bacteria. Any lipstick is dipped into alcohol before anyone tries it- and can be dipped into alcohol before you try it. Lipgloss+mascara are used with disposable applicators and double dipping is not permitted. Lastly, we clean our brushes in between every single client. I know in my store the main ingredient in our in-between customer spray is alcohol. So- trying on testers in store is not dirty. It helps reduce waste, keep prices down, and most importantly helps not screw up a poor unsuspecting makup artist's numbers =).. I really really hope you're just young or naive. If not you're being the exact customer that nobody wants to deal with- whether you care or not.

wow! i guess us artists must be dirty too seeing as how we touch up with those filthy testers!

 

[Mabelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_love_mac I don't really care what the associates say or feel because as a customer I have 30 days to return with receipt. I don't like trying stuff at the counters because I think its dirty! So I buy it , try it on at home and test it out. If I dont like it I return it ASAP when I have the chance.

Well, i guess we all have this kind of attitude to thank for the yearly price increase. As stated in another thread, this years will be between 50 cents and one dollar fifty (depending on the product). So thank you! I'm happy that i have to spend more money for the same product because some people would rather not test products, but would prefer to buy them and then return them.

sorry for lack of grammar/punctuation. i dont sleep anymore.

 

[TionneLinder]

My opinon and it's just an opinon is that you should just keep your purchases, do swatches at the store to help you find your shade. If it doesn't suite you "NO MATTER WHAT THE MA say's don't buy it if you don't like it. But if you do like it however buy it and make the use of it. Because we all have choices and at the store you have a choice to purchase something, swatch it, try it on and even try on more colors. I do not work at MAC but thought that may help. Also the products that you don't want just use for your collection and you can use on your clients that may have a skin tone to match the lip stick. Well hopefully that helps, i can't say that i returned a product before, love all products their awesome!


TT,

 

[FiestyFemme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mabelle I'm happy that i have to spend more money for the same product because some people would rather not test products, but would prefer to buy them and then return them.

I'll swatch things, but I don't ever try on say, lipstick or gloss. I have a fair idea of what will or won't look good on me.
Plus, I've only ever returned a couple things, and that's because they were so awful I just couldn't make them work. The only reason I'll return anything is if it's terrible. I don't return mostly because it's not the MA's fault if I don't try things on in store, plus I typically love and can make whatever I buy work.
But still that's a terrible attitude to have, and I know attitudes like that are what drives the prices up for the rest of us.
It would almost be better if MAC didn't take returns at all, or at least had a selective return policy. I hate when people abuse it.

 

[YSLGuy]

I don't mind doing returns or exchanges because I want people to be happy with the products they purchase. I'm always happy to help them find something that might work better for them than the product they are briging back.

However, you do have people who are constant returners, and take advantage of it. Especially people who bring back stuff that is untouched. You could at least try the product before you return it. Also, those that almost completely use up something and then bring it back and say it didn't work out for them.

REALLY...it took the whole tube for you to figure that one out?

And we have to adhere to the return guidelines set before us by the company and our managers. People will argue and argue and just be plain nasty to you until they get thier way. And that is wrong to treat a MUA that way just becuase they are following procedures set by thier employer.

 

[NatalieMT]

Grr! I've had to exchange 2 items this week alone. Not because I'd bought the wrong thing but because the items put into my bag were wrong. I asked for the Adoring Carmine Red Lips and I got Neutral and I asked for the 209 and I got the 311. Fair enough easy mistakes but slightly annoying none the less.

I feel bad going back though and being all 'sorry can you swap these', even though it's just a mistake not anyones fault. I know I shouldn't feel that way but I don't like to be critical of the job others are doing in the workplace. Especially when I'm in the same department store and I know what it's like when it's totally manic around Christmas! Ah well nevermind!

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by YSLGuy Also, those that almost completely use up something and then bring it back and say it didn't work out for them. REALLY...it took the whole tube for you to figure that one out? And we have to adhere to the return guidelines set before us by the company and our managers. People will argue and argue and just be plain nasty to you until they get thier way. And that is wrong to treat a MUA that way just becuase they are following procedures set by thier employer.

oh hell no! we won't take it back. if its more than 1/3 used, we won't take it back but kindly tell them that they can use it for one of the six b2m for a free lipstick of their choice.

 

[LP_x]

It never even occured to me to return things. Devil blush is slightly too dark for me... but I've kept it to try different tools and looks to make it work. If I still don't like things, I give them to my Mum or my friend.

I work in a pharmacy so it's not the same as working for MAC, but we have the same policy for returned things - we have to throw them out and it is such a massive waste. Yet people just don't care. I think because I see so many unneccesary returns, I am reluctant to do it myself.

 

[AdlersMommy22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erine1881 oh hell no! we won't take it back. if its more than 1/3 used, we won't take it back but kindly tell them that they can use it for one of the six b2m for a free lipstick of their choice.

Im so weird about returning w/ MAC.. I have lipsticks that Ive used lke.. once. Vegas Volt...Impassioned... i cant figure out how to get these to work for me... Even though I <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Vegas Volt in the tube... but on me it looks like a washed out orangy.. blach.

I cant bring myself to return it. I also go Freshwater e/s that was labeled as "Sweet Lust" and the more I look at swatches and stuff on here know it is not even Freshwater's color- its more like a slightly more royal blue Deep Truth

But still.. cant bring myself to return it. I figure I'll either B2M for it so im not "wasteing" product from an economic pt. of view.. or find a way to make it work. Maybe I'm weird lk that.. i dunno--haha

 

[BunnyBunnyBunny]

I honestly do return things every once and a while. But I try my hardest not to. It's a great policy so I encourage people to use it, but I hate when people do it OFTEN. It's fine if it's for like 3 eyeshadows out of the year or something. But when they do it every week it's just so aggravating.

I don't understand why people don't like to try products at the counter. You only live once so why not try on some makeup at the counter and have it done by a professional? You're getting the product applied for you, you're possibly getting tips on how to apply it that you wouldn't have known previously, and you're getting more bang for your buck. It's just so much easier to sit down and have it applied for you to see if it looks good, than to go home and guess about where to use it and end up hating it.

I think the people that don't know what they want should go to Sephora because that's more of a look around, grab what you want, pay and leave type of place. MAC is where we, the professional artist, take our time to apply it and give you custom help for your cosmetic needs. Take advantage of our services. Just don't look around and buy and leave and return it the next day. We have testers for a reason, fyi, and yes we do take measures to keep our products clean.

 

[Jinni]

I really do wonder why the policies in the US are so different from Europe. If I took an open product back to the counter here and said I wanted to exchange it because I didn't like the color, they'd have a laughing fit lol. I guess it's just different traditions, but I do think the European policy is less wasteful (since you can still exchange sealed products and they are put back on the shelf). I make sure I swatch and look at the color closely before I buy something. IMO it's my responsibility and not the MAs at the counter to get a color that fits me. If they can help me out, that's great, but ultimately the choice and responsibility is mine.

 

[amishmethlab]

I've never had to return a MAC purchase because I often look, walk around, go outside, check the coloring again and then purchase it. I'm sure that's probably a bit annoying to the MAC MAs but it really irks me if my foundation doesn't match perfectly (or as close to as possible). But, if I did have to return something I'd expect the MA to be just as courteous as when I bought it.

 

[Mabelle]

I mean, i admit it. Ive returned.... 3 things in my 3-4 years shopping at MAC.
1. lil sizzler lip gelee (C-Shock). I was entranced by the colour and had never treid a lip gelee before. After i tried it (i thought it was a regular gloss, stupid me) i realized it was WAY too sticky and goopy for me. My hair was stuck all over my lips. yuck. So back it went.
2. The silver color from Metal-X. My mum bought it for my bday, i had asked for the white silver.... she was confused.
3. Talent pool. Turns out it looks exactly like blue absenith. Even then, i tried to talk the mua into not throwing it out. She then lied to me and said she wouldnt... liar

I mean, ive bought other things i havent liked, but im not returning them cause i made a crappy call.

 

[OfficerJenny]

I've only returned two things ever

Golden Lemon pigment: I asked for Golden Olive
Zoom Lash: I asked for Plush Lash

I realized I got the wrong product literally like 90 seconds after receiving it so who knows what was done with it

 

[abbey_08]

i have to admitt it really suprises me that you can return make-up in the u.s in england we can only return make-up and products like that if they have an actual fault...not because we changed our minds! and if we do want to return something we only get 28 days, i believe you get a lot longer if im correct? lol

 

[LMD84]

yeah it must be an english thing because i've never and would never return make up or anything like that! to be fair i really research stuff before i buy it! being on here each day helps! and if i really find i don't like something i'll either sell it on or give it to a friend who will like it

 

[jdechant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMD84 yeah it must be an english thing because i've never and would never return make up or anything like that! to be fair i really research stuff before i buy it! being on here each day helps! and if i really find i don't like something i'll either sell it on or give it to a friend who will like it

Yup yup ...thats the same with me...i dunno...i've never returned anything...I figure I do enough research prior to purchasing something that I usually know how it will look on me. If I don't like it, I'll give it away or sell it...then their's no wasting

 

[April47]

Perhaps sealing things might be an option MAC could consider. I'm sure it would save them A LOT of money in returns. Then they could put products that weren't used back on the shelf instead of returning them to MAC. Just an idea...

 

[LaBelleMel31]

yeah i try to be a good customer and not return personal care products that i've used... when I go back to return MAC products during makeover, I usually do an exchange and never use the product first. Always swatch at the counter then purchase. There was this one product though - the Tendertone Lip Balm which I LOVE but it gave me an allergic reaction on my lip after about a week or so using it. I called the customer service to get the ingredients on it and it turns out that it has petrolatum in it which I am allergic. I asked about their return policy over the phone and called the store as well and they were both very nice about me returning it due to allergic reasons. But yeah i don't think i can tolerate someone bringing in empty tubes to be returned and say they don't work well; umm.. then why did you use the whole thing?? =P