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

[as_cute_as_pie]

ive never actually asked for samples simply for the fact if they were just like erm no. it would be so awkward and uncomfy like what do i do now?
but if i did i wouldnt really mind on how much i got, would be a huge bonus if a got loads though

 

[browneyedbaby]

I've never ever thought about asking for a sample.. doh! Next time I'm spending a bundle I definately will!!

 

[midgetfury74]

well i spend A LOT of money at MAC closest to me. So any sample that i ask for is always full to the top including foundation, piggies, concealer, you name it. again this is because im in there at least twice a week and know all the MAs by name. so i think o nce you know everyone and become a good customer its really not an issue at all. For newer customers id ask for maybe one or two samples and expect to not get so much. I actually never asked for my first samples they were offered to me. i guess it all just depends

 

[giz2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetfury74 well i spend A LOT of money at MAC closest to me. So any sample that i ask for is always full to the top including foundation, piggies, concealer, you name it. again this is because im in there at least twice a week and know all the MAs by name. so i think o nce you know everyone and become a good customer its really not an issue at all. For newer customers id ask for maybe one or two samples and expect to not get so much. I actually never asked for my first samples they were offered to me. i guess it all just depends

This is true..when I was at a counter, my "regulars" would pretty much get samples of whatever they wanted...as long as it fit in the containter, they could have it. Sometime, if I used a product on a customer (such as the loose shimmer powder) and we were out of stock, I'd give them a sample of it to retouch later. And since this was Nordies, I could give them samples of other lines' products...

 

[Juneplum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by giz2000 This is true..when I was at a counter, my "regulars" would pretty much get samples of whatever they wanted...as long as it fit in the containter, they could have it.

i knowwww!!!u ALWAYS give me killer samples gizzy

 

[calbear]

My store had to start really regulating the 'sample' issue. We would have people coming in demanding entire sample jars of tinted lip conditioners which is really almost the same size as the actual product or people would come in with a list of 8 pigments they wanted samples of. It got ridiculous so now we really only give one sample of one product and if it's a pigment - typically it's not full, too many people abusing the situation.

I love giving skincare or foundation samples - I would prefer you test it for a minute and see if you like the formula and the color than to just buy something and return it.

It's hard for employees - you wanna give great customer service but soooo many people are abusing the situation and then you see posts complaining about how much of a free sample someone has given or how we had to not give out as many as the customer wanted.

Plus the idea of a 'regular' customer as changed. My area has at least 10+ MAC locations within a 30 minute drive - so if you shop at MAC in general that's one thing but if you always go to one store (even if you don't always come to me - I still see you in the store) then I remember your face and see you as a regular. We might be a bit more generous cause you come to our events and buy from us and I know you aren't just in the store trying to score free samples. PLus many on here have serious collections so when they are in the store telling everyone that ALL your makeup comes from MAC and how you should get a discount and free stuff cause you spend sooo much - you aren't talking about 6 eyeshadows and one lipgloss ;-)

 

[glueme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbear ...It's hard for employees - you wanna give great customer service but soooo many people are abusing the situation and then you see posts complaining about how much of a free sample someone has given or how we had to not give out as many as the customer wanted.

I've already stated that this post wasn't created to complain about the size of sample I got, it was created to ask if there is any sample size policy or consistency in all mac locations. Samples are already a bonus, I don't expect huge ones!

 

[mzcelaneous]

I think it depends where you go and who you're asking. In my case, no one in a 50 mile radius will hand out samples of pigments or foundation whatsoever which totally sucks! When I purchased my Lure and A Muse haul, I asked for a piggie & a foundation sample at two different locations and was told straight up "We can't do that. We never did" and "That isn't hygenic. We can't do that. None of our counters do" Boo!

 

[queenofdisaster]

big boo!

 

[brokenplaything]

MA's Are supposed to give just enough sample to see if you react to the product of if the color is suitable for your skin color..
It's not supposed to be some deluxe sample....

Just enough for you to know if you like it to come back and get it!!!

 

[User67]

I can totally understand why some MA's are reluctant to give out samples because I'm sure there are so many people who constantly ask for samples, but never buy anything. The only time I ask for a sample is if it's a foundation & I want to be sure I like it & that the color is right & skin care products like the Strobe Cream for example. I never ask for pigment samples because I know I will never go back & buy a full size jar no matter how pretty the color is. I was actually at the mall just yesterday & this lady who had like 3 teenage sons with her goes up to the lady at the perfume counter & says that her sons promised to bring their girlfriends back a present so she wanted a few perfume samples for each of them, yet they weren't buying a thing. How totally tacky.

 

[Misshopeful24]

MAC Samples?

I've heard people talking about MAC samples, and i was wondering what exaxtly is the difference with samples, of course they are smaller and such, where do you get it and how much do you have to pay to get them?

I'm not sure if this question is around if it is sorry for posting this.

 

[KeshieShimmer]

Re: MAC Samples?

I usually ask for a pigment sample after I buy some items. They are free. They give out samples for foundations especially, I've also heard of strobe cream samples. I usually go to freestanding stores, but I'm sure some counters can do it, at least for foundation.

 

[panda0410]

Re: MAC Samples?

You may be able to get some samples from a MAC MA with a purchase, or some sellers here on specktra may be able to help you out.

Sale samples usually come in 1/4 tsp or 1/2 tsp, prices will vary. Check the sale threads, there are often samples for sale, lots of colours, like I said various prices and sizes.

 

[clamster]

Re: MAC Samples?

I usually ask at free standing stores but you just take what you are interested in to a MA and ask for a sample and they are free and I noticed that if you ask after you purchase they give a larger sample. I have done it 3x for pigments and I asked without purchasing anything and I got a container that was pretty much empty and the other 2x I asked after purchasing and they have me a littles less than a 1/4 tsp sample.

You can also buy samples on ebay or "swap" them on Makeupalley.com

 

[panda0410]

Re: MAC Samples?

Quote:

Originally Posted by clamster You can also buy samples on ebay

Sample selling is no longer permitted on ebay, sellers risk losing their accounts if they do so. Ebay is systemtically removing listings as they arise, if you find a sample seller and purchase you may have that purchase actually cancelled by ebay.

 

[rainbow]

Re: MAC Samples?

panda0410 ~ that means we can no longer find pigment samples on ebay?

 

[SerenityRaine]

Re: MAC Samples?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbow panda0410 ~ that means we can no longer find pigment samples on ebay?

correct

 

[MsButterfli]

Re: MAC Samples?

luckily i got a good amount from ebay before they were pulled, but now i get mine from the pro store

 

[AlarmAgent]

Re: MAC Samples?

In my experience, MAC is very easy-going when it comes to getting samples. I've gotten a fairly large bit of Prep + Prime and Strobe Cream both, asking before I even purchased anything. That may be because they're classified more as skincare, though...I haven't tried with any color products.

Might take a bit of pre-purchase to be assured a sample of pigment...