MAC Stereotype

[florabundance]

I don't have a "local" counter, so I go to various stores in London and i'm yet to have a negative experience in terms of customer service.

HOWEVER, One thing did happen which was just rude - it didn't even directly effect me - and uncalled for. I hadn't asked the name of the lady who assissted me but the girls at the counter when I was paying asked me who helped me out (probably customer feedback ?? i dunno).

When i didnt know her name they asked me to describe her. So i did, "long dark hair, slightly tan, wearing neutrals" and they looked at me blankly. The girl also happened to be a bigger girl but i didnt really see that as necessary to point out because she was the only worker who looked as i had described to them. So they went to me "oh don't hold back..she's a "curvier" girl isnt she?" all sarcastic and laughed out loud then whispered "fat" and it was just so MEAN.

I was with my brother (who was buying a gift for his girl) and we were just stunned that they would outrightly bitch about their coworker to us, as customers.

 

[shelavou]

I've had only good experiences at mine! There's this one MA thats always there when I go there and shes so nice and helpful!

 

[BunnyBunnyBunny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jardinaires 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.

I hope nobody thinks of me like this. ;_____;

 

[chocolategoddes]

Most MAC employees tend to be pretty awesome if you just relate to them, share your love of makeup, and try not to be annoying.

I've encountered a snob or two, but I wouldn't generalize my experiences and say all MAC artists are snobs.

 

[jardinaires]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny I hope nobody thinks of me like this. ;_____;

never!

 

[pianohno]

I find that they generally get nicer the more money you're willing to spend ...

 

[amy84023]

In my area it varies greatly depending on who you deal with and which store/counter you go to. For example, there is one guy that I always make a point of shopping with at the freestanding store that I shop at because he is an absolute doll and has always been nothing but helpful and nice to me.

On the other hand, the MAs at the Nordstrom (near me) are terrible. They will say "hello" to you but then completely ignore you, even if you are standing there saying "Excuse me..." or "When you get a moment, could I have some assistance please?" Even if you can get one of them over to "help" you, their lack of knowledge goes beyond what some here consider "mac addicts expecting too much from people who simply consider working at a mac counter their "job."" They know nothing. At all.

I always try to take in to account that I love mac a little *too much* and that it is always with in the realm of possibility that I know something that the MAs don't because I'm a fanatic nutso. But, there are basic things that, as MAs, they should know. Things about application, color matching, color combination, etc. that they are just not knowledgeable about.

Also, and this is a personal observation, I have found counter employees at department store to have the worst attitudes. Maybe it is because they have to work on commission, or maybe it is because they do not get the individualized attention/training as an employee that one may receive at a freestanding store that is strictly devoted to the brand's product. I'm not really sure. But, I do know, that every bad experience I have had with someone's attitude, has been at a counter...not a freestanding store. And it is usually that they act like they are snotty, better than the customer, couldn't be bothered, or think you are stealing.

I mean, honestly, just because I look like a 17 year old and people thing kids steal, doesn't mean I am. I'm 25, happen to look young, and am a lawyer....who has more than enough money to spend on MU and doesn't need to steal it.

 

[Lauren1981]

stereotypes usually hold some truth to them. i'm not saying that the stereotype is true but i've experienced a few *itches. but i've experienced a few *itches in a lot of areas of retail. now there are some MAC counters i've gone to where the MA's said their hellos and went on about their business but if i said i needed help they were right there with undivided attention. i've been to a couple where the MA's were cool but i think they were relying on the makeup to sell itself rather than them trying to sell. not a major problem to me, just an observation. and i've experienced a *itch or two but i just kind of figured maybe she was the *itch just having a bad day.
the moral of my babbling is that i've considered the stereotype but i can't let one woman's/man's *itchiness form my whole view of MAC. maybe they're just having a bad day. i frequent one MAC counter where i live and haven't had a problem......
when i worked in nordstrom's there was one broad that worked for MAC that had the most f'd up attitude and was a constant *itch but i didn't assume she was that way because she worked for MAC. shit, she had to walk past my dept. on her way to the counter and she looked like a *itch before she even got there. lol! she was just a stuck up broad. never had a problem with anyone else at that counter. and i didn't have a problem with her because i had my own lady i always went to so i just never really talked to her

 

[AdlersMommy22]

ive never had a bad time with an MA.. in fact, I dont run into them a lot because i live so far away from a counter or store-- but ill even post this little tidbit about an MA I "ran" into yesterday.

I have enough empties for about 5 back2macs, but i wanted to B2M for the BBR collection.. so with Jenna's suggestion I called the MAC store closest to me in the St. Louis Galleria Mall... A nice girl named Michelle answered, who I found out was one of hte managers, and when i explained to her my situation she was more than willing to help me out..

She took down my name and number and said that she would give me a call in a bit...

2 hours later I recived a phone call from her, and after our previous call where she had told me I could only b2m for 3 items, she told m that she felt horrible that i lived so far away and was going to allow me to b2m for all 5.. i was so happy!

She waited patiently on the phone while i went through the specktra swatches (well.. it only took me about 30 seconds to get to the swatched forum and from there I told her what I wanted)... and then chatted with me a bit about the collection.. I ended up wanting 3 eyeshadows and 2 lipglosses.... we chatted for a bit, and she was SO incredibly nice... She said she was going to pack up my stuff that day and label it in order to send it out the second she recieved my empties.. I only got charged $5 for shipping.. and she told me to call her ANY TIME i had an questions or needed cosmetic advice or anything

NICEST MA EVER!!!!!!!!!

So if anyone lives near the STL mall--- stop by... her name is Michelle and shes PHENOMENAL! She def made my day yesterday!!!!!!!!

 

[jdechant]

^^I'm SOOO glad that everything worked out for you!!! I've only had the EXACT same experiences with MAC MA's..wether I am in the store (which isn't to often cause I live so far away from one) or if I phone them, they are ALWAYS sooo nice and willing to help me out. Even when I go to the MAC stores, we always end up chatting about this and that and they find out that I live soo far up north. In more then one occasion, they have told me just to give the store a call and they could do any order for me over the phone anytime and it would only be $5 dollars shipping (BTW which is overnighted cause I get my stuff in usually 1 to 2 days)...anyways, I have passed this info on to other people in High Level (where i'm from) and they have only had nice things to say about the girls in MAC West Edmonton. Soo.. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I <3 my MAC MA's..lol..they are AWESOME!!

 

[rachybloom]

I actually feel like MAC is a more approachable brand in comparison to super high end brands like Chanel, YSL, etc. Whenever I go into a place like Saks, Neimans, etc.. I feel the sales people (at least in my area) are very "exclusive". I've encountered salespeople at ALL kinds of shops that are rude, pushy, etc.. even at MAC, but I feel like the girls and guys at MAC are always super friendly with me. They always make me feel comfortable and I like that mainly like to help me, rather than just make a sale. I think out of all the cosmetic retailers out there, MAC is a place I feel comfortable in and people probably just have a pre-conceived notion about it that stems from the sleek, sophisticated atmosphere of all the stores.

Just an example of how I've encountered truly snide, rude individuals in makeup retail.. In Neimans, apparently they don't take Visa, but only American Express (some contracting deal.. I had no idea since Saks takes whatever), and when I went to pay with my Visa at the YSL counter the two ladies behind the counter actually LAUGHED a little at me? They told me they didn't "take Visa here at Neimans". They were these two old ladies, completely Botox-ed out and they were being so snide. I felt so unwelcome. I'm only 18 and these kind of ladies are generally very, very rude to me and make me NEVER want to spend my hard earned cash there. I never shop there (at Neimans) anymore, and MUCH prefer Nordstroms for YSL. I've never encountered anyone at MAC smirk or laugh at me.. rather, they love to goof around with me and my friends (and even my boyfriend, much to his chagrin

)

 

[AdlersMommy22]

Jenna thats awesome!!! Yeah Michelle told me the same exact thing-- that she would help me out with ANYTHING any time and I could call and place an order through her ANY time... I friggin <3ed her.. you saved my life Jenna!

 

[jdechant]

^^Hey, we all got to find a way to cope with our MAC addiction when we are nowhere near one..lol.....I'm just sooo happy that they are soo easy to deal with!! I phoned Sephora (in the same mall as MAC was) and they were the exact same way saying that they could do an order over the phone and ship it..yaya...I feel like i got the "hookups" now....lol

 

[hello_kitty]

I avoid my local counter that's in Nordstrom. 9 out of 10 times I have a terrible experience. Even if it's just something small, I'll get in the car and drive 30 minutes to my nearest store vs. the 2 minutes to the mall. I'm glad the first time I ever went there I had a good experience, because otherwise I am not sure if I would have begun this MAC obsession. The counters always intimadated me, but the MUA I got was excellent, friendly, and very knowledgable. He gave me his personal email and number in case I needed help with anything else.

My freestanding store is awesome, I haven't had a bad time there at all, except for once where there was a bit of cold attitude, but the MUA still got me what I was asking for and was polite. One girl and I had a ton of fun one day running around playing with different colors on our hand and trying out different stuff. She seemed truly excited about it, and that made me happy.

As for the MAC Pro store in NYC... UGH. Nothing like being treated like I was a second class citizen/idiot. Funniest thing was when I asked for Biogreen, and the MUA decided to argue with me about how that color didn't exist... I finally walked over after about 3 minutes of going "No, it doesn't exist" "Yes, it does" "No, Bottle Green does, not BioGreen. You misread" "No, I didn't" "Yes, you did. There's no such color", grabbed the display and went "Oh really?" I am not a rude person, until someone just starts showing horrible incompetence, and that just kinda set me off. I really love that store because I can get everything that the other stores don't carry, but that one experience just soured me ever wanting to go back.

Any place/store/business/whereever can be like this, though. It's just not MAC. I was about to find a new dentist because one hygienst was the biggest *insert lots of creative terms here* I've ever seen in the medical profession, but at my latest appt I got another hygienst that was one of the nicest I've ever had. Bad days, good days, differing personalities... it's just life

 

[Lauren1981]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hello_kitty Funniest thing was when I asked for Biogreen, and the MUA decided to argue with me about how that color didn't exist... I finally walked over after about 3 minutes of going "No, it doesn't exist" "Yes, it does" "No, Bottle Green does, not BioGreen. You misread" "No, I didn't" "Yes, you did. There's no such color", grabbed the display and went "Oh really?" l

 

[Blushbaby]

I love the girls (and guy) in the Harlem store in NY. They've always been very friendly and really keen to help. In a genuine way too, I can see through that fake crap straightaway. The guy in there knows my boyf so I guess that helps when the other SA's see them greeting one another when we go in.

It's a shame I can't say the same for the SA's in the Pro store in Covent Garden, London or Selfridges! I find them patronising and a couple act like they can't be bothered, assuming I don't have the money to spend until I start reeling off shades to them and they realise I actually know my shit.

At that point I've already decided that I don't want to deal with them and purposely wait until another SA is free and let them serve me instead.

 

[GreekChick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amy84023 In my area it varies greatly depending on who you deal with and which store/counter you go to. For example, there is one guy that I always make a point of shopping with at the freestanding store that I shop at because he is an absolute doll and has always been nothing but helpful and nice to me. On the other hand, the MAs at the Nordstrom (near me) are terrible. They will say "hello" to you but then completely ignore you, even if you are standing there saying "Excuse me..." or "When you get a moment, could I have some assistance please?" Even if you can get one of them over to "help" you, their lack of knowledge goes beyond what some here consider "mac addicts expecting too much from people who simply consider working at a mac counter their "job."" They know nothing. At all. I always try to take in to account that I love mac a little *too much* and that it is always with in the realm of possibility that I know something that the MAs don't because I'm a fanatic nutso. But, there are basic things that, as MAs, they should know. Things about application, color matching, color combination, etc. that they are just not knowledgeable about. Also, and this is a personal observation, I have found counter employees at department store to have the worst attitudes. Maybe it is because they have to work on commission, or maybe it is because they do not get the individualized attention/training as an employee that one may receive at a freestanding store that is strictly devoted to the brand's product. I'm not really sure. But, I do know, that every bad experience I have had with someone's attitude, has been at a counter...not a freestanding store. And it is usually that they act like they are snotty, better than the customer, couldn't be bothered, or think you are stealing. I mean, honestly, just because I look like a 17 year old and people thing kids steal, doesn't mean I am. I'm 25, happen to look young, and am a lawyer....who has more than enough money to spend on MU and doesn't need to steal it.

Everyone receives the same training, whether they work at a counter, a MAC store, or a Pro Store.

 

[ticki]

i've found that i usually get better service at the freestanding stores as opposed to the counters. although, i have to admit that the service at the counters near me have been getting better.

what i thought used to be the worst was the MAC store in Valley Fair Mall in San Jose. the whole stereotype was in full life there. a lot of the staff there were snotty and holier than thou. granted, it's busy as hell there, but i never saw a reason to act like that to customers. shopped there a couple of times and hadn't been back in ages. i was back there recently and was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of changes. quite a few new MAs and the attitude was entirely different. it was right before Christmas and right when the RSS stuff went on sale. the place was packed to the gills and everybody was pretty friendly and cordial. what a breath of fresh air. i'd shop there more if i didn't feel like i was cheating on my regular MA up the peninsula. lol.

oh, and the best counter service i've ever had was at the Nordstrom MAC counter in Valley Fair.

 

[Mabelle]

Usually, i have a very good expirience at MAC, but the bad ones tend to stick with you. MAC positions are highly coveted, and i guess some people get the attitude that they're major hot shit when they work there...
I used to work at an American Eagle, and people were acting like that. I was like, dude, we sell jeans. not that cool.

 

[Mabelle]

Thursday past, i went to my local MAC store to haul on BBR. Well, i got everything i wanted and still had a ton left to spend on my Gift cards. The 25% off was going on online, so i mentioned it to the MA. She didnt know about it, but i asked her i could use GC's online and she said " yea! i think so! Ofcourse!" so i took her word for it. Needless to say after 2-3 hours of carefully selecting what i wanted online, i found out i couldn't use the gift cards. i was so mad. I know to most of you this is just an MA making a mistake, but she's always making mistakes. She did my makeup for a wedding once, and let me say, i could have done it myself. It was a very light smokey eye (whitish all over the eye with a touch of black in the crease and winged out) and a red lip. She didnt line my lips properly (they were red). She also applied and sold me a product that would make the red bleed. Infact, on another occasion, she said that applying urgent slimshine over ruby woo would always make the color bleed. thanks!
And then, she sold me Russian Red ls instead of lg. I couldn't return it because i had bought it downtown at a store, and at the time didn't have a store nearby. I didnt go downtown often. Anyway, it's her lack of attention that makes me crazy. I've complained about her before, but i dont think i will for this time.