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

ms.marymac

Well-known member
Re: Samples

Well with powder products, MAC prefers them not to have pan showing when on display. They also like for MAs to be kinda conservative with testers. If MAS were allowed to scrape them all day, they would go through a lot of testers.
I guess they figure that a customer can try the product in the store to see if they like the color. It's mainly about policy, not being self-absorbed.
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princess

Well-known member
Re: Samples

There was once I asked a MA for a small pigment sample while paying for some stuff, and she looked at me like I was asking for something full size.
 

BellaGemma

Well-known member
Obtaining MAC samples

I'm just wondering what's the proper etiquette for obtaining MAC pigment samples. Should you only ask for them if you're getting a makeover done? Or would it be okay to ask for them when you're just quickly stopping by to purchase something? Let me know what you ladies think. I just don't want to seem rude at the counter
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matsubie

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

i was actually going through a korean mac addict site and i was looking through some of the members' pictures and apparently mac stores in korea give out samples...

not like the samples that they give us here (if they even do) pumping out a product from the original container and putting it in a generic container....they actually give out samples like how clinique does it....like, sample container that looks like the full size stuff.....i saw mini strobe cream samples, foundation samples .....they were so cute, it was like a baby product. u.s. doesn't do that, do they? it makes me want to fly out to korea to just get those things.... =(.
 

redambition

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

i will usually only ask for a sample if i'm really unsure about something, and usually it's in conjunction with a purchase.

i recently got a sample of melon pigment - after finally seeing it i wasn't sure if it's the kind of colour i'd ever wear. i asked for a sample and expected a little bit, but the MA filled the whole sample jar!
 

red

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

Quote:
Originally Posted by matsubie
so back to the previous comment that i had typed about mac in korea...

go to this site: (click on link below)

MAC addict~¡Ú - »öÁ¶Èanother forumÀåÇ° MAC(¸Æ) À» »ç¶ûÇÏ´Â »ç¶÷µé :: ³×À̹ö Ä«Æä

scroll down to the last picture and all of those are samples!!!!!



OMG
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I've never been given "real" samples this size, never even seen them
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The staff at the Mac Pro in NY are always very nice, will send you 2 pigment samples if you ask, and anything else that they can place in those little jars.
 

macface

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

One time I ask for a sample at the mac store and the guy stare at me with the face like WTF and he said we dont give samples.
 

liv

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've gotten Satinfinish as a sample, it was when it first came out, and when I realized it didn't come in NW15, the MA tried NC15 on me, and I was a bit unsure about it being too yellow, so she offered me the sample. I had already had them pull several other products before I got to the foundation though, so that might have helped, seeing that I am a customer who actually buys stuff.

I am curious to get a pigment sample now. I think they're so pretty, I'm just not sure I could master the application because they are loose. Maybe next time I get a giftcard or something I'll work up the gumption to ask. I would never ask if I wasn't already buying something, I can see how the MAs could see it as taking advantage if you weren't purchasing anything.
 

Purity

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've got a foundation sample from a MAC counter in Sweden, but I asked her for help with choosing the right colour first (I thought I was a NC20 while in fact I'm a NW20), and asked if she could give me a sample so that I could try it myself at home. I got the sample in a small zip-bag though, since we don't have any pro-stores (or freestanding stores at all, as a matter of fact, just counters) here so they can't get the sample jars... They are MUCH nicer at MAC than at other make-up counters at the place I got my foundation sample, I went over to another brand's counter first and asked if I could get a foundation sample and they were just 'We don't do that' and were very snotty and rude, but when I went over to the MAC counter, they were so nice and customer minded. So the other brand totally lost a customer forever!
 

matsubie

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

Quote:
Originally Posted by red
OMG
drools.gif
I've never been given "real" samples this size, never even seen them
%BB%E7%C1%F8_071_1.jpg


The staff at the Mac Pro in NY are always very nice, will send you 2 pigment samples if you ask, and anything else that they can place in those little jars.





i know! i never seen anything like those either.

yeah, i stop by the mac pro store in the city sometimes and they're very nice. i'm so glad we have a mac pro store in the city~
 

lovejt*

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I live in Australia and they've given me samples.

Once I was deciding whether to get the Technakohl liner or some concealer.. And then I chose the concealer. Then the SA said, why don't you get the liner and I'll give you a sample of concealer. She squeezed out so much, and it has lasted me more than a month and I still have so much left! I'm so glad, because now I know I can't live without this stuff.
 

Angelah

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

If you get turned down for a Foundation/Skincare sample.. ask to speak with a manager because they don't send us those sample cups so they can sit around and look pretty in our drawers. I never fill the sample cup entirely full if I am giving pigment samples but I don't tell people they can't have them. I usually give a scoop with our spatulas and that's enough for at least a week's full of applications. If you can't decide after a week if you like it or not.. sorry
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ductapemyheartt

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

today an MA offered to make me samples of all the originals pigments, but i felt bad and declined. because if i get pigment samples, then i will not buy the whole jar and then, by the time i run out of of the samples, the whole jar will be gone.

maybe i am stupid...
whatevs. i only own three samples and i have never asked for one. they just give them to me.
 

Pris8021

Member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

The pictures in the Korean link are from Try on Pacs. They are sold like that, usually as a collection with a couple of mini skincare products, or with a full size skincare and mini foundations. Generally they only show up in newer markets where MAC isn't as established as a brand, like in North America, to give customers a chance to 'try on' the foundation or skincare. The skincare try-on pacs are usually available, to purchase, once a year in north america. They are not free or hand outs though.
 

Flammable

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I got Strobe cream sample today and the MA filled up the entire sample jar. Of course I did spend $100 before asking for the sample. But the MAs at most of the Toronto stores will give samples of foundations and pigments, all you have to do is ask and no, you don't always have to buy, but perhaps it helps if you are a familiar face in that store/counter.
 

Paramnesia

Well-known member
Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lovejt*
I live in Australia and they've given me samples.

Once I was deciding whether to get the Technakohl liner or some concealer.. And then I chose the concealer. Then the SA said, why don't you get the liner and I'll give you a sample of concealer. She squeezed out so much, and it has lasted me more than a month and I still have so much left! I'm so glad, because now I know I can't live without this stuff.


At which store. I really need a new foundation so I'm thinking of trying some MAC samples before I purchase. I'm always so shy around the MA's.
 
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