I'm a "thief" because I open stuff.

[Willa]

Wow... I can really imagine how you felt
And the thing is, when you feel observed as a thief, I don't know if everyone's the same, but I feel stressed and pressured... that's when you make mistakes, like dropping a thing

I don't like when this happens...
And when it does, I just go out of the store.
But its just bad when you don't have any other choice, place to go.

I'm lucky because when I go to my makeup counter, MUFE, the girls recognize me and we always chat a little. I can't count how many times they asked me to watch the counter for a minute and just left (bathroom pause)... If I was bad-intentionned I could have stolen soooo many things

 

[Beauty Mark]

I understand where he's coming from, since I imagine people do go into Sephora and damage product for whatever reasons.

However, he should have handled it better.

 

[xphoxbex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLoveW630 OMG I thought I was the only one.. MY STORY// I'm a product junkie..I shop there all the time.. I went for the 20% off deal in the store..I went in to get a new facial cleansing line..and just to try out new products..mind you..I shop there all the time and my info is in the system..I have my 100 points right now.. Ok so, the lady directed me to another sales rep..s she sold me a travel size Caudalie facial kit.. Then I brought UD 24/7 eye pencil..here's where the table turns.. The first rep told me on UD products I'm intitled to 30% off on the Caudalie 20% off.. So, when I went to the counter..a rep came from no where and was like "NO", don't ring her up!..She's not getting 30% off on UD..I mean loud.. I just looked at her and was like whatever..it's not that serious lady..anyway, who was talking to you..That lead me to believe she was watching me and the other rep the whole time.. Ok, I get home and I'm feeling the new face line..Caudalie is so wonderful.. The next day I take back the travel kit and opt to get the full line..Now this product is costly..but hell, I'm worth it and then some..When I take it back with my recepit..the girl is asking me a million and one questions..also I took back some UDPP because it's drying out my lids..mind you my info is in the system..When I walked away to get my face stuff, I turned and saw 3 girls watching me..I don't carry a purse, you have my recepit in your hand, with all my personal info in your data base.. I get my product, then the manager comes over and question me too..I was like, this is silly..to make a long story short..I'm never going back to sephora again..I rather order on line then be watched and talked about right in front of my face..they are rude.. I spent over 150.00 in the store yesterday..what a sad store with sad people..

ooh gurl, after reading all that, that just made me even more mad. To be honest, I have never experienced anyone questioning me about my return, except for maybe "was there anything wrong with it" and that was it. But honestly, you should write to corporate as well. Man, I like sephora, but I'm not gonna go back there.

 

[MiCHiE]

I don't have a Sephora near me anymore, but pawed makeup and many sales associates are the reasons I ♥ online shopping.

 

[Bernadette]

If that guy is the manager he shouldn't be. For the mere fact that anyone in retail knows you never acuse someone or insnuate someone is stealing, to their their face or in front of any other customer. You could sue the living shit out of Sephora.
If someone had been around to help you in the first place, you wouldn't have had to search for an un-used blush yourself. When you explained to him what you were doing, he should have found the blush for you and taken the two used ones off the shelf, not jsut hovered around like the moron he is.
You should contact corporate.

 

[xphoxbex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernadette If that guy is the manager he shouldn't be. For the mere fact that anyone in retail knows you never acuse someone or insnuate someone is stealing, to their their face or in front of any other customer. You could sue the living shit out of Sephora. If someone had been around to help you in the first place, you wouldn't have had to search for an un-used blush yourself. When you explained to him what you were doing, he should have found the blush for you and taken the two used ones off the shelf, not jsut hovered around like the moron he is. You should contact corporate.

yes yes! i really want that guy to get in trouble. Now I think of it, he's probably racist or something. I have been experiencing horrible customer service this month. I went to zio's with my boyfriend today. We ordered from the curbside to-go. Man.. that bitch that took my order was on her period or something. She was being rude as hell! ARGG

 

[meowrei]

You should definitely write a letter to the corporate offices. The "that Chinese girl" comment was uncalled for and he should of helped you find the blush you were looking. These days I personally avoid the Sephora stores near me. I gave up.

At the time when I did shop at Sephora there were 2 stores near me and both of them have treated me, my family members and friends poorly. It got to the point that we would research a product online just so we would avoid the various rude and unhelpful sales associates. It just seem like we as customers were being a nuisance to them when we asked a question or asked for help. In fact I only can recall 2 times when I was politely asked if I need any help (which I was very grateful for the help).

Oh and please don't get me started on the "treating you like a thief" thing. The last time I was in a Sephora, I was there looking for a Christmas gift for my niece. I didn't touch anything, I was just looking around with my hands in my pockets and purse on my shoulder. When I noticed that I was being followed (AGAIN). So I decided this time to lead this sales associate all over the store - not touching anything, just looking. I was so pissed off - I had, had enough. Finally, we ended up at the cashier counter and I just stood there and looked the sales associate in the eye. She was like a deer in the headlights she froze and was very embrassed. I then bought a gift certificate and left. I would like to add the cashier did give that sales associate a weird look like "what the hell are you doing". That was 2 years ago. I have not been back since.

That's why I LOVE the M.A.C. store near me - always helpful and polite. Plus they always check the product to assure it is correct before I am run up. And placing something at the counter for you - not a problem, unlike the Spehora stores near me.

Sorry, folks... I'm stepping down from the soapbox.

 

[righteothen]

I've had mixed experiences at the only Sephora I have around me. Two of the girls that are there are always nice, one girl is just great, but there are two people I don't like that much. One girl that just doesn't seem like she knows what she's doing (kinda like a new person, but she's been there for years), and a male that seems to be in charge, but seems a bit cold.

I've been followed around in Sephora, too, and I really have no idea why. I went from the fragrances to the Benefit section holding a card that I sprayed a perfume on, waiting for the other notes to show up. I bend down to look at the brushes, and all of a sudden, there's an associate next to me. I was right next to the door, so I figured that was why she were there, but when I moved to another section, closer to the back, she was still with me. After a while she left, but it was seriously strange. I mean, what did she think I was going to steal, the card that I sprayed the perfume on, which is free?

 

[Juneplum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xphoxbex Man I should've brought my whole asian gang up there with our chopsticks.

 

[MAC_Pixie04]

Reading all of these unfortunate customer service @ Sephora stories are making me sad! I wish I could work at all of them so nobody would have to feel that way. I just came home from a lame time at Nordstrom (lame enough to have me leaving IN TEARS) and I wrote a nice lengthy email to corporate and I plan on calling the store tomorrow. I'm gonna suggest again that you write to corporate or call, that guy isn't a good representation of Sephora cuz that's not what we're about.

 

[Beauty Mark]

I have plenty of decent experiences at Sephora. People don't tend to write about typically good experiences.

 

[righteothen]

I've had good experiences, too. That's why I said two of the girls at mine are good, and one is great. The good ones help me, and then leave. The great out went out of her way to help me, and stayed with me, answering all questions, until I was ready to leave. The problem is, good experiences don't leave as lasting of an impression. Yes, I still remember the people, and what they did, but it's not the same. When you have a good experience, you don't often have that emotion for hours, or even days, later because of it. When you have a bad experience, you often don't, either. It's the really terrible, or great experiences that leave you with that feeling. When they are great, you should write to the corporate office so the person gets a good word. When they are terrible, you should write them so that they know they need to talk to their employees.

What's happened here is a very bad experience, that made a person so uncomfortable that they had to leave the store. I think corporate headquarters might like to know that they lost a sale because of the behavior of an employee.

You are right, though. Good experiences are not often written about, so fewer people know about them. It's unfortunate, but it's based on how humans love to gossip. Bad things tend to make juicier news, and are more often talked about.

Even though I was followed around at my Sephora once doesn't mean I am going to stop shopping there. If it kept up, I would write to the HQ. If it still kept up, that would be when I would consider not going back.

 

[sitasati]

I had something like that happened to me once. I was in some drugstore..I forget the name. I was just browsing ..and I was a regular there. I always went there and spent tons of money. So some sales dude ..or security guy kept following me around. So I called him on it..I was like "why are u following me?" He just said "oh ..no im not ..sorry" I was like "ok good" and went on my merry way. lol But the point is..just call the person on it..and if they get rude with u just be like "yo..I got money I don't need to steal!".

As for Sephora. I don't like Sephora because of bad customer service, lack of product knowledge by the sales girls. I'm sorry but they don't sound like makeup artists to me. Just some cashiers who are there to ring you up. You are pretty much on your on.

 

[Willa]

It happened to me this weekend!

I was at the drugstore saturday with my man and we were there to shop for a couple of things, so we were in the toothpaste/hair stuff row when a guy came in...

It was clear that he (an employee) wasnt there to look out for a price, but to check on us. I was about to tell him that we werent thiefs when he left...

I had a shoping cart with many stuff in it, its not like I had everything hiddent under my arm

They ALWAYS do that in that store, I hate when they do.

 

[gigglegirl]

Just happened to me too. I was in a drugstore in their cosmetic section (which has really grown lately, they even carry Smashbox and before it was just like Covergirl and Maybelline etc). So I'm looking around, wanting some perfume and checking out brushes for lining. Picked up two brush (only $12 ea) and a small box of JLO perfume ($20 on sale) and was still kinda browsing almost ready to go. So I did look like a student as I had a backpack on my back (which yea I've learned from previous jobs that ppl bring them in and put their stolen stuff in it) well anyways it was always on my back. So this annoying girl comes up and says she can put the stuff at the counter for me. I'm like what, I can't hold two brushes and a little box? (I knew she had her eye on me but she came off really abrasive when she tried to "help" me; then she wanted the sale b/c I went to a cashier with an empty till but the girl who "helped" me said she would ring me in even though this other girl was free). I seriously wanted to either drop the stuff or go to the more drugstore part of it and bought my stuff (I wish I would have done the latter). UGH she just infuriated me. Yea I looked like a student but I've spent hella more on MAC this summer than anything in the drugstore and wouldn't steal a fricking brush. Ok rant over!

 

[Beauty Mark]

Quote:

Yea I looked like a student but I've spent hella more on MAC this summer than anything in the drugstore and wouldn't steal a fricking brush.

But regardless of how much money you have or have spent, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, whether they can only afford Wet N Wild or own every high end piece of makeup

 

[SparklingWaves]

Lately, I have noticed that many places are on high alert due to the "gift giving season". I am cold natured, so I wear a coat a lot. I walked in a store and I saw a woman mumble to another "Oh, Yeah! Here we go! There's another woman with a coat!" I blew it off. I got my stuff and checked out with huge mirror. I told the lady I heard what she said. She said, "It's the season. When people come in dressed like you, we have to be on the look out". I told her that I totally understood her concerns.

I don't blame them. I have many family members working in retail. One of my family members stated that 75 employees were let go from their retail company. They could not believe that many employees were stealing.

Companies are looking closer at customers and employees due to the gift giving season.

I am so sorry that you were made to feel so uncomfortable.

 

[xphoxbex]

I'm sorry, but if someones gonna be racist to me and to me and treat me like I'm a thief, I don't feel like i should treat them with respect. Cuz I tried to reason with him, and he was still being a bitch.

Maybe I'm one of the unlucky ones, but I've really never experienced such spectacular treatment at a store where I have to compliment it for the rest of my life. Usually its hi how you doing and thanks for coming in.

 

[Shimmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xphoxbex I'm sorry, but if someones gonna be racist to me and to me and treat me like I'm a thief, I don't feel like i should treat them with respect. Cuz I tried to reason with him, and he was still being a bitch. Maybe I'm one of the unlucky ones, but I've really never experienced such spectacular treatment at a store where I have to compliment it for the rest of my life. Usually its hi how you doing and thanks for coming in.

It's called "rising above". By acting respectful (while not being a doormat), the other person is the one who comes out looking like an ass.
Not rising above, and responding with vitriol gives the offending person substantiation for their beliefs.

 

[purrtykitty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparklingWaves Lately, I have noticed that many places are on high alert due to the "gift giving season". I am cold natured, so I wear a coat a lot. I walked in a store and I saw a woman mumble to another "Oh, Yeah! Here we go! There's another woman with a coat!" I blew it off. I got my stuff and checked out with huge mirror. I told the lady I heard what she said. She said, "It's the season. When people come in dressed like you, we have to be on the look out". I told her that I totally understood her concerns. I don't blame them. I have many family members working in retail. One of my family members stated that 75 employees were let go from their retail company. They could not believe that many employees were stealing. Companies are looking closer at customers and employees due to the gift giving season. I am so sorry that you were made to feel so uncomfortable.

it's certainly one thing to be on high alert when a person is wearing suspicious clothing (like a big coat) or carrying something that could easily stash stuff (like a backpack or large tote), but it's quite different when racial slurs are tossed around for no apparent reason. i too expect retailers to be on high alert, but that's still no excuse for demeaning and berating customers. this guy should definitely lose his job because if he's done it once, he's done it numerous other times. he may have started by just ignoring certain customers, but now he's risen to the level of vocalizing within customer earshot...and probably because he thinks that since he's in management, nothing can be done.

the best thing to do is be the bigger person and report him. that's the road i usually take, rather than confronting. i had an awful experience at a coach store recently. basically, i was ignored not once, but on two separate occasions on the same day (i went in looking at something, and then went back later in the evening to look again...with the intention of purchasing...and both times i displayed purchasing behavior and looked around for help in a practically empty store). i never felt so disrespected. they treated me like i didn't belong there...and i had my friggin' coach purse from the fall line that they still had on display!!!

i was so angry that these employees would ignore an obvious coach consumer that i sent coach an e-mail. they replied instantly and stated they would take the complaint to the store.

anyway...i guess my point is definitely report that bad customer service. who knows, your complaint might be the last straw that gets the guy canned.