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

[X4biddenxLustX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly1908 Isn't that a bit hypocritical for you to talk about those people, and yet you do the same thing at Sephora? You could get samples there too...

Maybe but I truly have sensitivity issues with my skin with skincare products. I can't use "mainstream" products, I have to avoid ingredients like sulfates or any kind of detergents like the plague and a million other things. I have found a face wash that works from Juice Beauty and it's just practically made out of juice. I don't know where else to go to for skin care products since I live right by them and they have a ton of lines and brands there. I'm not going to take the gamble and order different products I'm unsure of online. I can't go see a doctor right now.

I do ask for samples of skincare which is mostly what I get there. But do I really want to be known as the sample girl either? I could ask for samples of this and that moisturizer or whatever and have none of them work and come back and ask for more samples of different products and them not work either. It's gonna look like I just go in there for samples not to buy stuff. Either way it doesn't look good. Do I feel bad about it? You bet! But like I said I can't afford to keep every single product from them that doesn't work. Plus as a result of my guilt I usually end up buying other stuff there that I keep like dry shampoo and perfume there.

I buy practically all my makeup at MAC and love their stuff. I don't really have a reason to take stuff back unless it absolutely does not work for me and I can't make it work, causes a reaction or if I was given the wrong item.

 

[t_doll]

I had recently bought a Butternutty shadestick and the MA gave me Penny shadestick instead. As I was walking out of the store, I looked at my receipt and realized it said "Penny" on it. I walked right back and exchanged it for Butternutty. This was litterally under 1 minute. Would they just throw the product out? Even knowing that it barely left the store? She also just did a straight exchange without any paper/register work. So my receipt still says "Penny Shadestick" even though I purchased Butternutty

 

[xxManBeaterxx]

Re: Returns

If MAC was really suffering from returns they should just give everyone store credit on a gift certificate card, so you know the $50 or so they lost from the return will still be spent in their store.

 

[abbyquack]

Re: Returns

^^ Yup, exactly. I know I've said this before but I'll say it again. MAC has an open return policy for a reason. Not that I would ever return the makeup just to get a free makeover - that is really cheap and tacky- but if something doesn't work out for me, I am not going to lose sleep returning it. And as an adult, I think I can make the judgment call for myself as to whether or not it should be returned or if I can ditch it another way.

 

[ClaireAvril]

Re: Returns

^^ exactly as said above. If I don't like something, I really don't care the way the associate feels about it. I am the customer.. I am one of the millions of reasons why MAC is in business and making lots of profit.
It's my money that I work for to pay for MAC products and if I don't like something.. whether its 1 product or 10.. i'm gonna return it/them.
and I am not going to walk around a store with it on to see if I really like it.. I will take it home and do my face the way I normally do and make my decision.

 

[Simply Elegant]

Re: Returns

I know at some stores they write makeover on the receipt so you can't return.

 

[xxManBeaterxx]

Re: Returns

^^
If some person was really rotten, they would claim they lost the recepit

 

[paperfishies]

I think MACs return policy is wayyyy too liberal, they need to tighten up on that. My best friend is a mac makeup artist and she says around prom time and spring/summer they get a lot of returns from teen girls and brides. They buy a lot of products to use one time, then return them all a few days later. She said the worst is, when you have someone who buys a couple hundred dollars in product and returns it all UNOPENED! they have to toss all of that stuff in the trash, so mac ends up losing. No wonder stuff is so high.

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t_doll I had recently bought a Butternutty shadestick and the MA gave me Penny shadestick instead. As I was walking out of the store, I looked at my receipt and realized it said "Penny" on it. I walked right back and exchanged it for Butternutty. This was litterally under 1 minute. Would they just throw the product out? Even knowing that it barely left the store? She also just did a straight exchange without any paper/register work. So my receipt still says "Penny Shadestick" even though I purchased Butternutty

same thing happened to my friend they gave her the wrong one and she went right back in and they said they had to send it to recycle they could not resell it...she wanted to keep the wrong one just to avoid that...But what sense would that have been wasn't her mistake...But it's there return policy and obviously it works for the company so it works for me...can't please everyone all the time...Thats the downside of taking a job based on sales. been there done that...can't fault the customer for your sales totals .

 

[Curly1908]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4biddenxLustX Maybe but I truly have sensitivity issues with my skin with skincare products. I can't use "mainstream" products, I have to avoid ingredients like sulfates or any kind of detergents like the plague and a million other things. I have found a face wash that works from Juice Beauty and it's just practically made out of juice. I don't know where else to go to for skin care products since I live right by them and they have a ton of lines and brands there. I'm not going to take the gamble and order different products I'm unsure of online. I can't go see a doctor right now. I do ask for samples of skincare which is mostly what I get there. But do I really want to be known as the sample girl either? I could ask for samples of this and that moisturizer or whatever and have none of them work and come back and ask for more samples of different products and them not work either. It's gonna look like I just go in there for samples not to buy stuff. Either way it doesn't look good. Do I feel bad about it? You bet! But like I said I can't afford to keep every single product from them that doesn't work. Plus as a result of my guilt I usually end up buying other stuff there that I keep like dry shampoo and perfume there. I buy practically all my makeup at MAC and love their stuff. I don't really have a reason to take stuff back unless it absolutely does not work for me and I can't make it work, causes a reaction or if I was given the wrong item.

I dunno...it sounds kinda obsessive to me. And it's super wasteful. Being known as the "sample girl" is better than being known as the "return girl". And it must be bad if you say that the folks at Sephora know who you are and are not exactly happy to see you when you come to return stuff. You're kinda wasting their time...

I have skin sensitivities concerning products due to my allergies, and my niece has eczema. Neither of us have done extensive returning because my sister & I get samples. Many "mainstream" products work just fine (e.g. Cetaphil cleanser, Aveeno body wash, etc.) and are very gentle. Additionally, there are only a few lines of skincare (e.g. Juice Beauty and Philosophy) that are appropriate for sensitive skin at Sephora.
Have you tried going to see a dermatologist?

 

[X4biddenxLustX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly1908 I dunno...it sounds kinda obsessive to me. And it's super wasteful. Being known as the "sample girl" is better than being known as the "return girl". And it must be bad if you say that the folks at Sephora know who you are and are not exactly happy to see you when you come to return stuff. You're kinda wasting their time... I have skin sensitivities concerning products due to my allergies, and my niece has eczema. Neither of us have done extensive returning because my sister & I get samples. Many "mainstream" products work just fine (e.g. Cetaphil cleanser, Aveeno body wash, etc.) and are very gentle. Additionally, there are only a few lines of skincare (e.g. Juice Beauty and Philosophy) that are appropriate for sensitive skin at Sephora. Have you tried going to see a dermatologist?

I can't see a doctor right now. I don't have money to buy all the treatments that they prescribe and my insurance doesn't like to cover. I learned that last time I went to see one for acne several years ago. My dad also hates to take me to "unnecessary" doctors appointments as he sees them as. I have almost what works for me for the most part which includes Juice Beauty Organic Facial Wash as my face wash, emu oil as a moisturizer, and Cargo Blu-ray polishing cloths as an exfoliate. I've also started to use purified water to wash my face instead of tap water. I'm noticing a huge difference.

I can't use Cetaphil and Aveeno washes cause they contain some kind of detergent. I've already tried both of those and got itchy red bumps the next day. I went to Sephora specifically cause there MA's know about the different products there and there ingredients and can recommend me something. Instead of me staying in the store for 2 hours looking at the ingredients of every single item I pick up.

I'm not going to lie and say it's not wasteful cause it is. I ask for samples as much as I can on products that I'm unsure about which is mainly skin care type products. And I always express to the MA that is making the samples for me that I had wanted a sample cause I was hesitant about if the product will give me any problems. I always get the same suggestion to just buy the product, try it and I can always bring it back if I don't like it. And I always tell them that I hate bringing things back and there all like it's okay. I know it's not but again what am I going to do?

Now I've found what works okay for me, I'll just order those items online and stop going to the store. This way I'm not going to waste any one's time.

The truth of the matter is I DON'T LIKE returning things or doing exchanges. It's an extra trip to the store for me and I have to walk everywhere I go. Plus I feel bad that I'm returning something that I go in and end up coming out spending even more money on things like perfume or dry shampoo for my hair.

 

[X4biddenxLustX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t_doll I had recently bought a Butternutty shadestick and the MA gave me Penny shadestick instead. As I was walking out of the store, I looked at my receipt and realized it said "Penny" on it. I walked right back and exchanged it for Butternutty. This was litterally under 1 minute. Would they just throw the product out? Even knowing that it barely left the store? She also just did a straight exchange without any paper/register work. So my receipt still says "Penny Shadestick" even though I purchased Butternutty

Two different times I had went to MAC to purchase the moisturecover concealer but was given the wrong kind of concealer and got the one in the l/s look a like tube. But that's cause the packaging looks so similar and they keep them in the same drawer. It's an honest mistake and to avoid it just ask whenever your buying certain things like concealers or shadesticks if the MA could open it up and check to make sure it's the right item.

 

[TISH1124]

^^ as the buyer why do we have to double check behind the MA's to make sure they know which product they are pulling is correct...they should know better than the consumer...I agree some of your statements are really contradicting...it's okay to return because you have to test them out and have skin issues...But its not okay for others to return for their own personal reasons...that thought process I don't get, seriously. I for one am not asking a MA to open up packages or boxes of shadesticks...if they give me the wrong thing...news flash...it's coming back ...

 

[DirtyHarriet]

i thought about this thread as i took my 182 back today. i exchanged it for a new one because the old one shed like crazy! i had the stupid thing for over 6 months...and i washed it regularly and hoped that over time it would stop shedding...but it never did...and i got sick of picking stupid brush hair off my face all the time. i also read on here somewhere that people were having trouble with some of their 182's and it was probably part of a bad batch. so finally today, it went back to the store for a new 182. the MA was very understanding...probably because i felt bad for returning a brush, knowing they have to trash it...what a waste! but at the same time, i paid a lot of $$ for the brush, and want one that doesn't shed like crazy.

i think returning something because prom is over and you don't want it anymore is just sad. what a waste of perfectly good MAC. but sometimes the packaging is faulty, or you get the wrong shade of something (due to MA recommendation NOT because you picked out the wrong color and you didn't bother asking)...then it needs to go back...

 

[Sabrunka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyHarriet i thought about this thread as i took my 182 back today. i exchanged it for a new one because the old one shed like crazy! i had the stupid thing for over 6 months...and i washed it regularly and hoped that over time it would stop shedding...but it never did...and i got sick of picking stupid brush hair off my face all the time. i also read on here somewhere that people were having trouble with some of their 182's and it was probably part of a bad batch. so finally today, it went back to the store for a new 182. the MA was very understanding...probably because i felt bad for returning a brush, knowing they have to trash it...what a waste! but at the same time, i paid a lot of $$ for the brush, and want one that doesn't shed like crazy. i think returning something because prom is over and you don't want it anymore is just sad. what a waste of perfectly good MAC. but sometimes the packaging is faulty, or you get the wrong shade of something (due to MA recommendation NOT because you picked out the wrong color and you didn't bother asking)...then it needs to go back...

I have to admit that I really don't approve of you returning a brush after SIX MONTHS?!?!?!?! Holy crap, that reminds me of when I worked at a purse store.. A lady used her Guess purse for 8 months, came back with her receipt and the buckle SLIGHTLY tarnished.. barely noticable, and demanded her money back (about 120$) umm excuse me lady.. You used that for over half a year... 1) tarnishing is GONNA happen, its what buckles do... 2) Our return policy states that no returns are accepted after 2 months (if damages are done 2 months or later, its from regular use..)

I mean, if you returned your brush maybe a month after buying it, sure.. But half a year??? Umm..

 

[TISH1124]

^^ I am actually surprised they took it back after 6 months...that is a bit excessive I agree

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4biddenxLustX Two different times I had went to MAC to purchase the moisturecover concealer but was given the wrong kind of concealer and got the one in the l/s look a like tube. But that's cause the packaging looks so similar and they keep them in the same drawer. It's an honest mistake and to avoid it just ask whenever your buying certain things like concealers or shadesticks if the MA could open it up and check to make sure it's the right item.

or you can check it before you walk away from the counter to make sure its the right item. or have them review what they pulled for you before they ring you up. sometimes we pull the wrong things because the packaging is similar or they're right next to each other in the drawer, but its also your responsibility to make sure you're paying for the right thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabrunka I have to admit that I really don't approve of you returning a brush after SIX MONTHS?!?!?!?! Holy crap, that reminds me of when I worked at a purse store.. A lady used her Guess purse for 8 months, came back with her receipt and the buckle SLIGHTLY tarnished.. barely noticable, and demanded her money back (about 120$) umm excuse me lady.. You used that for over half a year... 1) tarnishing is GONNA happen, its what buckles do... 2) Our return policy states that no returns are accepted after 2 months (if damages are done 2 months or later, its from regular use..) I mean, if you returned your brush maybe a month after buying it, sure.. But half a year??? Umm..

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ^^ I am actually surprised they took it back after 6 months...that is a bit excessive I agree

agreed! one month, yes. two months, eh, ok. but six months!?!? come on!

 

[paperfishies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ^^ as the buyer why do we have to double check behind the MA's to make sure they know which product they are pulling is correct...they should know better than the consumer...I agree some of your statements are really contradicting...it's okay to return because you have to test them out and have skin issues...But its not okay for others to return for their own personal reasons...that thought process I don't get, seriously. I for one am not asking a MA to open up packages or boxes of shadesticks...if they give me the wrong thing...news flash...it's coming back ...

We are only human and people make mistakes. They look at those little black boxes all day long so I'm sure after a while they all start to look the same...This is why I always check what they're ringing up. I can understand someone taking something right back if they were given thr wrong product, I don't take things back because if I don't like it or if i've been given the wrong product I just sanitize it and toss it in my makeup kit. If I won't be using it on myself I am sure I will use it on someone.
I've made a habit of checking what they put in my bag, while I stand right there. Shit happens. lol.

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperfishies Everyone is human. and people make mistakes. They look at those little black boxes all day long so I'm sure after a while they all start to look the same...This is why I always check what they're ringing up. I can understand someone taking something right back if they were given thr wrong product, I don't take things back because if I don't like it or if i've been given the wrong product I just sanitize it and toss it in my makeup kit. If I won't be using on myself I am sure I will use it on someone. I've made a habit of checking what they put in my bag, while I stand right there. Shit happens. lol.

I guess I have the best MA's then because after 10 years shit has never happened to me, lol...My stuff has always been right when I walked out the store...How exactly would you use
NC45 if you are NW15?? Just keep it and hope you get tan enough? All of us are not MA's and only use it on ourselves...

 

[paperfishies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 I guess I have the best MA's then because after 10 years shit has never happened to me, lol...My stuff has always been right when I walked out the store...How exactly would you use NC45 if you are NW15?? Just keep it and hope you get tan enough? All of us are not MA's and only use it on ourselves...

That I can understand making a return but a lot of those kinds of returns could be avoided if people just double checked before they walked out.
I love my MAC girls here, they are awesome but everyonce in a while they do make a mistake and throw a zoomlash in my bag instead of a mascara x.