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

[mzcelaneous]

I pretty much go to the same counter for the past 5 years. One of my last hauls cost almost $200 and when I asked for one sample of Old Gold pigment the MUA told me that they are unable to give out pigment samples because it's unsanitary.

Is it really? Or did she just not like me?

 

[Sanne]

I think in the netherlands MAC stopped ordering sample containers... I don't think I've gotten a sample the last 3 months, unless I brought my own container!!! Otherwise I have no problem getting samples, I just ask for one. I think it kinda helps that I know all the mua

 

[Oonie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mzcelaneous I pretty much go to the same counter for the past 5 years. One of my last hauls cost almost $200 and when I asked for one sample of Old Gold pigment the MUA told me that they are unable to give out pigment samples because it's unsanitary. Is it really? Or did she just not like me?

Interesting, I've gotten a sample of Coco from a counter and a sample of some bright blue that came out last summer, can't remember the name, from a store.

 

[glueme]

When you ask for a sample

When you ask for a sample at MAC (ie. foundation, concealor, pigments), how much do you usually get?

I got a foundation sample earlier and the ma filled the entire thing--so full that I spilled some when I opened it. I've gotten a few pigment samples from several locations, most of the time it is around 1/4tsp or a little less.

Today I got a sample of Naked and Bright Fushcia. The Naked sample barely covered the bottom on the container, and the Bright Fushcia sample didn't even come close (I thin i'll get one use, two if I'm light).

I'm not trying to cheap or anything, I'm just wondering if it was this particular ma (she seemed really reluctant to give me samples) or there has been a change in policy? Is there even a policy on sample sizes for MAC?

 

[Indigowaters]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glueme I'm not trying to cheap or anything, I'm just wondering if it was this particular ma (she seemed really reluctant to give me samples) or there has been a change in policy? Is there even a policy on sample sizes for MAC?

I was told they were supposed to give you samples but I had the same thing happen to me. The MA looked as if to say, "How do you know we give samples?" She only gave me enough to fill the bottom too. What's up with that?

 

[duch3ss25]

i'm wondering the same thing. i asked once at the hawaii store and the ma told me they don't give samples! then when i went to connecticut, this other ma seemed reluctant & gave me less than 1/8 tsp. of deep purple sample. and recently, i went to the pro store at soho (finally!) and i got close to a whole 5g jar sample of dusty coral piggy! so i don't know if they're supposed to give samples if asked or if it's just the ma working atm.

 

[shygirl]

I think the thing with pigments is that people can resell them & the fact that a little goes a very long way.
Not sure about the other products, though.

 

[inlucesco]

I've gotten a couple pigment samples: the first was overly generous (thank you, Pasadena male employee!) and the second was generous but considerably smaller because the MA told me that they weren't supposed to give them out anymore. I've not gotten an entire container full, though, and wouldn't expect them to do that since that would last me forever.

On the other hand I realized from the samples that I wouldn't use enough pink opal to warrant buying a full jar, but violet is definitely a contender.

 

[Sabrunka]

I think it also depends how you ask for it and such... Like, if you just charge to the counter and don't even talk to them for a while, and just ask for a sample, they might be reluctant to giving much. But if you talk to them a while about different products and help you find things, then at the end ask, they may be more generous.

 

[SARAHluvsMAC]

My store gives them out, even though we are supposed to be careful with pigment sample customers because (not all, but some) abuse the whole sampling thing and dont buy anything but come in all the time to get samples
which is pretty annoying

 

[Marcita]

A lot depends on the MA and on how much I'm buying. I've asked for a pigment sample when I'm buying a few hundred dollars worth and gotten a large sample. Other times not at all. I've never had a problem getting a foundation sample though since they want to make sure it's the right color rather than return the product.

 

[user79]

I was once told explicitly by an MA that they are only allowed to give a teeny tiny amount of pigment samples because if they give too much, it's unlikely the customer will come back to buy because one of those sample jars filled can pretty much last you forever!!

I've had some very GENEROUS MAs give me like half a pot full of those little sample jars, and it's lasted me enough not to go back and buy a full size, so I can understand if they only give a tiny bit.

I think some MAs can actually get in trouble with the manager if he or she sees them fill up the pot too much, so be happy with the small sample that you get and be VERY grateful if you get more!

 

[glueme]

It's not that I expect a big sample or anything--just asking if there's any policy on size.

And yeah--I think people who abuse the sampling system are pretty annoying. I only get samples when I am buying lots of stuff, and I only ever ask for two max. But it's true--the samples given by the extremely generous ma's have lasted me forever!

 

[Sabrunka]

Yah lol. When I go to the states next weekend I'm spending around 200 or so dollars on items so I'll ask for two pigment samples, hopefulyl they dont mind.

 

[Lady_MAC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARAHluvsMAC My store gives them out, even though we are supposed to be careful with pigment sample customers because (not all, but some) abuse the whole sampling thing and dont buy anything but come in all the time to get samples which is pretty annoying

Seems kinda tacky, too...

 

[maxcat]

The rule is we're supposed to give you enough for 3-5 uses. They're just that - *testers*.
And some customers want enough so they don't have to buy the product, particularly when it comes to pigments.
It's also not a matter of having them at hand - we have a whole procedure where we have to alcohol the container, alcohol the spatula, write on the back - so it's time consuming. I'm happy to give them out if you gemuinely want to try it - and particularly if we're out of stock on something and you need a tide-over, but it does make me a little snarky when people want gobs of stuff for free. I had a customer demand samples of six pigments - like I don't know what's up with that - and then sneer when they weren't full.

 

[Another Janice!]

Is this at all MAC locations (counters, freestanding etc) or just at pro stores?

 

[Ella_]

Im usually given enough to last me 2 weeks when I get samples. Only because all the MAs at my local counter know me and know how sensative my skin is. It usually takes a week for a serious reaction to show with me and when I say serious I mean it.

They never used to though, they used to give me enough for 2 - 3 uses. But one time last year I went in, got a sample of the tinted moistureiser, used it for 3 days and bought it. A week later I had to return it because my skin was swollen and puffy, the skin around my eyes and lips was chapped and cracking and I was a mess. It was the moistureiser, so after that the counter manager sat all the MAs down and told them that when I ask for a sample, give me enough for 2 weeks.

So now when I go in and ask for a sample, I get a lot, and if its a new MA they ask my name. I guess the new staff are told to ask names before giving samples so they know how much to give certain customers like myself.

 

[Ella_]

Im usually given enough to last me 2 weeks when I get samples. Only because all the MAs at my local counter know me and know how sensative my skin is. It usually takes a week for a serious reaction to show with me and when I say serious I mean it.

They never used to though, they used to give me enough for 2 - 3 uses. But one time last year I went in, got a sample of the tinted moistureiser, used it for 3 days and bought it. A week later I had to return it because my skin was swollen and puffy, the skin around my eyes and lips was chapped and cracking and I was a mess. It was the moistureiser, so after that the counter manager sat all the MAs down and told them that when I ask for a sample, give me enough for 2 weeks.

So now when I go in and ask for a sample, I get a lot, and if its a new MA they ask my name. I guess the new staff are told to ask names before giving samples so they know how much to give certain customers like myself.

 

[Katura]

Oh! Lior! Thats so great of them! Your MA's pretty much rock!

I've never had a problem getting samples of piggies, I usually get them from the MA's in the Towson Towncenter MAC store. They've been greatly generous in giving me nice at the very least half full containers. Everytime I've asked its usually after spending a good chunk of change in there, and they are usually more than happy to give them to me