MAC's policy on samples? Getting samples at MAC?

[venus_in_furs]

hey! i just signed up for the forum here, but i've been reading the board for a while.

soooo...d'bohemia is coming out soon, and i really don't have enough money to get the colors i want. so i'm totally panicked.

i know i can handle a few eyeshadows and maybe a lipglass, but the pigments would totally destroy me.

is it okay to ask for samples of two pigments? i don't want to seem rude, because i'd feel like i was cheating, or something--there's really enough pigment in those samples to last a very long time! on the other hand, i'm broke, and desperate for these colors.

so...needing advice here! is it okay to ask for the samples (i've only been offered them before)? and would asking for 2 be over the top?

thanks!

 

[rouquinne]

i ask for samples, but i'm well-known at all the MAC counters in town and i'm a VERY good customer.

it doesn't hurt to ask, you might only get one.

 

[Onederland]

Well I only ask for 1 sample per every 30 dollars I spend.

but thats just me. hahahaha...

 

[Chelsea]

they dont give out pigment samples usually

 

[Demosthenes]

Maybe if you nicely explain that you can't pick all of it up at once, and you were thinking of getting the pigments, but would like to try them first. Most MAs are reasonable about that sort of thing.

 

[banana]

They've given me samples of pigments every time I've asked except for once when they didn't have any sample jars left.

 

[Sanne]

I don't even need to ask for samples, I just get them

mm that's not a good sign accoriding to my wallet

 

[oddinary]

^ how much do they give in you a sample jar?

 

[rouquinne]

half full for all of mine.

 

[venus_in_furs]

thanks everyone!

i've actually been given samples before, but normally they offered them to me. so i wasn't too sure. thank you.

 

[user2]

my MA told me that she usually dont give out any samples because the customer is able to check all of the products on the counter but she gave me a little sample of the moistureblend foundation and its gorgeous!

 

[rouquinne]

that's really weird, VV, especially with foundation. because that's one product you REALLY need to check in a variety of different light conditions, a sample is a necessity!

 

[RussianSexpot]

Hrm, that's a good question, I'd like to know also..I've never been offered samples because

A. the counter was jam-packed
B. I didn't buy enough
C. I totally forgot

Do they give samples at freestanding counters too? Somebody enlighten me on the "sample etiquette"

mich.

 

[ladybugz07]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussianSexpot Do they give samples at freestanding counters too? Somebody enlighten me on the "sample etiquette" mich.

I've gotten pigment samples from my counters before (at Saks & Dillards), but I don't usually ask for pigment samples, unless I'm buying a few things. However, I almost always ask for empty sample pots (I use them to make travel size pigments) and I always get them...

 

[venus_in_furs]

i normally forget about samples, and the MAs always surprise me when they offer.

i got a sample of glitter one time when i was at the counter and had spent all my money. i was asking the saleslady all about it, and she said, "here, try a sample!" it was really sweet, but i don't use the glitter.

the other time, i got TWO samples. i had just bought a pallete and filled it with a bunch of purples. so the MA told me i should try violet and gave me a sample. and i blurted out, "can i have blue brown, too?" she was really nise about it.

i don't know the "sample etiquette" really, either. the one time i asked (for bluebrown), i had been planning on buying it, but they were sold out. so i'm not really sure how i'd go about asking in a different situation.

 

[user2]

I think if you have a very good connection to one of the MA she might give you any sample you want! In the end you're the customer who pays her job...
My MA gave me last time a sample without even asking! I told her about my musical debut and she just looked at me like a detective and said: "Well then, you have to try Face & Body! You're a NC15 right? Here'S a sample!"
She's sooo sweet!
Next time I'll go and ask her for a Teal sample...*crossingfingers*

 

[Sushi_Flower]

Have Mac stopped giving samples?

When i first discovered Mac last year they were happy to give a sample of liquid stuff like foundation and concealer and creams. But at christmas time my counter kept saying they had no container to give them in and another counter said the same thing and now they just say ''you'd have to bring in a sterilised container if you want a sample''

Have they stopped giving samples? I'm not a freeloader, i just can't afford to spend so much without trying it out a couple of days 1st, especially base stuff. I usually end up buying more through samples, so it would be a shame if they've stopped. I live in the UK btw.

 

[user2]

Hi Sushi_Flower!

I live in Germany and I never heard of a case in which they dont give out any samples of bases...

 

[Star]

What has been my experience in the last year or two is that they gave me very generous samples of something after they had demonstrated it to me and I really loved it, only to realize when they went to get it, that they were out. They gave me so much CCB in Root, for example, that I never had to buy it!

Otherwise, I got a couple of freebies when I made big purchases, but certainly not every time. Seems to be a random thing, or maybe different MAs give more free stuff, dunno.

When I bought all three Bohemia pigments I asked for sample jars to split them into and I thought I got a bit of attitude for asking. I got two (why only two? I bought three pigments!!)

Also when I was a the Pro store,l I wanted to BUY empties but she said they didn't have any. I was under the impression they sold empty jars (?).

 

[Sushi_Flower]

Well i havn't asked for a long time now thinking they've stopped but i may try again.

What's CCB Root?
and do they give samples of Pigments/glitters?