MAC Stereotype

blueyesdancing

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by clamster
some of them are sooo friendly and nice, but then others just mean, they should be friendly when you ask for help, others seem to avoid you question. The other day I asked for a sample of pigment from a girl and she looked pissed off and them when I recieve my sample there was pretty much nothing in the container, I thought it was empty at first. Then I was looking at the blot powder and tried to ask the lady what color I should get and she told me and just stood there like I was supposed to do something. I wish they could suggest more things but not in a pushy way. If they see someone they could suggest what colors would be good on them.

We are not allowed to give out pigment samples. Anyone knows that a pigment sample will last you almost forever.
 

MACgirl

Well-known member
I agreeand know that thier are some mac artists who are snobby, but thier are also alot that arent. Working for mac i have seen it all and i find that some customers come in with that preconcived notion that were all bitchy and give us attitude right off the bat which throws us off and were left clueless as to why so and so customer came in angry at us. I've also encountered customers who come in when were extremely busy and everyone is running around and want to be helped asap, when thier were others waiting first. They stand thier huffing and puffing, which makes my job harder becuase i look like the bad person for not helping him/her., and then im labled a mac bitch. I belive for every snobby mac artist thiers a rude customer, its retail. while i wish that wasnt its true, all i can do is remain humble and helpful.
 

BunnyBunnyBunny

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by MACgirl
I agreeand know that thier are some mac artists who are snobby, but thier are also alot that arent. Working for mac i have seen it all and i find that some customers come in with that preconcived notion that were all bitchy and give us attitude right off the bat which throws us off and were left clueless as to why so and so customer came in angry at us. I've also encountered customers who come in when were extremely busy and everyone is running around and want to be helped asap, when thier were others waiting first. They stand thier huffing and puffing, which makes my job harder becuase i look like the bad person for not helping him/her., and then im labled a mac bitch. I belive for every snobby mac artist thiers a rude customer, its retail. while i wish that wasnt its true, all i can do is remain humble and helpful.

I totally hear you on this. Most customers are really nice and all, but there are some customers that just have no respect or patience. I treat everyone with kindness and give everyone a chance. Some people come in and behave like jerks which I find unacceptable. Just because we get paid to help someone doesn't mean they can treat us like dirt, ya know? I also hate when people don't take the advice that a professional is giving them. If they want to go by their own knowledge and opinions, then do not ask for help and shop somewhere else. But I've only had a few people like that before. Most people are really nice, and work with me when I try to help them. I loove working at MAC, and I am always respectful to the customer - even if they do not deserve it, lol! Hope I don't come off as a jerk!!
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sexypuma

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueyesdancing
We are not allowed to give out pigment samples. Anyone knows that a pigment sample will last you almost forever.

Is that a new thing? When did it start?
 

SingFrAbsoltion

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueyesdancing
We are not allowed to give out pigment samples. Anyone knows that a pigment sample will last you almost forever.

I saw some girls on here have them and I wanted to go to the store to get a couple too..crap lol
ssad.gif
 

MACgirl

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny
I also hate when people don't take the advice that a professional is giving them. If they want to go by their own knowledge and opinions, then do not ask for help and shop somewhere else... and work with me when I try to help them... I am always respectful to the customer - even if they do not deserve it...
hmm.gif


totally right!!!!!
 
I've always been very impressed with the standards of service I've had in the past from MAC staff.
They've been friendly, informative, happy and pleasant.
Particularly excellent stores in the uk for me that stand out would be Brighton and Covent Garden, London.
 

fafinette21

Well-known member
I've been to the MAC freestanding store in Square 1 and have had almost all my experiences be very pleasant. I've dealt with ~ 6 MAs and they have all been really friendly and helpful and great except for one.

I explained to her that I had recently bought NW15 SFF and that it was a little orange on me and I mistakenly said I was looking for something lighter (I know NW15 is the lightest colour). So she was just like "NW15 is the lightest" like in an "isn't that obvious?" type of voice. So I was just like yes i know that but NC15 appears a little lighter and I was just wondering if I could have a small sample to try out at home in different lighting. And then she's like "That's not for your skintone". And I was like to myself ok...I realize I look like a warm tone but still. So I just said "Ok, but I'd still like to try it". And then even as she is pouring out the sample she's like "You have red and pink in your neck and face and that is not right for using NC shades." I felt like I had to beg for the sample! And when I got home and tried it, it was totally fine! I wasn't buying a whole bottle and she didn't even know what it looked like on so I thought telling me once would have been enough.

Also I was there last weekend and I'm not sure what the policy is on helping multiple customers at once? There was one MA on the floor and two MAs dealing with a long line of people purchasing. The MA on the floor was dealing with this very picky middle-aged lady helping her choose a lipstick. Everything was "too matte", "too frosty", "too pale", "too shimmery". I'm like come onnnn. There was a number of other people waiting too. I'm fully standing at the counter waiting for the MA to finish but she never said anything to me! She fully looked straight at me two or three times and then turned away. I don't know if once you are with a customer you are supposed to stay with them until you are done, but a "Can I help you?" or "I'll be with you as soon as I'm done" would have been nice.

That being said, all my other experiences have been fab and I hope to encounter those artists again.
 

concertina

Well-known member
Nearly all stereotypes are based in reality. Thats what a stereotype *IS*.

In my own experiences, its hit or miss and greatly depends on what type of place I'm going to, be it counter or freestanding. The counters at higher end stores, I get flat out ignored or talked down to or barely helped. Freestanding stores are hit or miss; either really, super helpful or given the cold shoulder and looked down on.
 

concertina

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sexypuma
Is that a new thing? When did it start?

Yeah, cause the MA's at the freestanding I normally go to don't have issue's giving our samples...
th_dunno.gif
 

Nzsallyb

Well-known member
i think it just varies - there will be good and bad eggs. one of the counters that i go to the girls are awesome - their makeup is real art! they make an effort to remember your name, and are so helpful and always want to put stuff on me. in another department store, some of the girls are a little but snobbier, but that could also come with working in that flash department store. i just hunt out the MA's i like!
smiles.gif
 

lcristina

Active member
I love the MA's in my hometown. We only have one MAC counter where I'm from (and one mall to boot!) so it's a given that it's the place where my friend and I hang out the most. Since we are both uber addicts to makeup, we've bonded with the MA's there and feel very comfortable around them. We just show up and they don't ask us if we need anything in particular. They let us run around swatching everything in sight because they know that we're not leaving empty-handed.
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I have experienced situations where a MA will seem pushy or rushed, but it was in a bigger department store where they really do live off of their commission. It's understandable.
 

paramourlace

Well-known member
i work at the counter in macys at miami and we are all one big happy family there. we have great and loyal costumers who always come back and they will come back to you of you give them great costumer service. we rarely have disputes or atittude towards eachother, and we talk to costumers as if talking to your friend by listening, giving them undivided attention, and getting them what they need. costumers see us as there beauty consultent. i can't ever complain about my co workers and mangagers
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aimee

Well-known member
i dont know why people think that way
at my MAC Counter theyre friendly and fun i love to go there
and even when i meet them at a club or bar we say hi and chit chat
 

NatalieMT

Well-known member
All the guys and girls that work at my local counter are absolutely lovely! They're all really pleasant and helpful.
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I don't think there's a particular stereotype about MAC staff. If some of the staff out there are total biatches, who'd rather gossip that serve customers and who are unwilling to nice of course people aren't going to like them and are going to feel intimidated. I don't think it's MAC as a brand that's the problem it's minor individuals.

Like others have said a stereotype isn't just made from magic. It's based on peoples actual experiences and along with all the good I'm sure there has been a fair few bad too.
 

BloodMittens

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lah_knee
anyway, ive NEVER had any experiences with any mac ma being rude, snotty, etc etc... if anything i always feel they come and ask if they can help TOO SOON when im still deciding on things :p as a buyer i like to be left alone. i make up my own mind about colors and products. but i know there arent many buyers like me hahaha now that i am an employee i see lotssss of people need help or have questions, and im there to assist in any way possible
smiles.gif


I am the SAME way. I like to look around and make decisions on my own, count my money, make sure I have enough, look around some more, and swish things around in my mind.

I am a strange shopper, I really don't like to be bothered. And a lot of times this comes back and bites me in the ass, especially when people think I am shoplifting just because I am not accepting service. Even though I am always polite and if I really have a question I will ask.

As for bad experiences, I have had my share at the MAC stores, except the Pro store in Chicago and the Oak Brook store. Each of those, each time I go there, is amazing service. I love them
smiles.gif
 

l1onqueen

Well-known member
Sadly, most of the ones I've encountered are "itchy". There are some good ones out there, in my experience the nice ones are few and far in between. Prime example: Over the weekend I went to the counter and I asked the MA about the possibility of a Hello Kitty collection. She just stared at me for a minute and then said "You are WAY to into MAC!" then shook her head at me like she felt sorry for me. I felt like a makeup geek!
 

GreekChick

Well-known member
^Ah no, that's not nice of her! She should be jumping up and down with you at the sight of future collections, not bashing you for it.
 

jardinaires

Well-known member
it depends. all of the girls at the store i go to, they're great. some of them do have that heir of holier-than-thou at first, but it's all in people's perception of them. i love my MA's.

i think there's more a stereotype with the men that work at MAC. most all of the awful experiences i've had at MAC were with male MA's, and this sort of perturbs me because i am male and it should be something we might have in common: being a guy and wearing makeup, but 9 times out of 10 they look down their nose at me or act overly fake.

i try to avoid stereotypes, but sometimes i can't help but notice little consistencies. these guys, usually have some over-styled edgy haircut. too much clear lipgloss is usually involved in their overall makeup look, with over-plucked eyebrows and perhaps some foundation that is caked into the skin where a beard would be growing. i'm as understanding as i can possibly be for why someone would be so rude just because they are behind the counter, looking through drawers and wearing a brush belt and i have a shopping list and a few questions. but when ANYBODY acts rude to you, you seem to remember all the negative things about their appearance to correspond with the negative things you saw in their personality.
 

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