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

[amoona]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

At both locations I have worked at we only give out skincare samples but very small samples. The kind that you can only use once and not sell on ebay for profit. We don't do foundation samples, we can try those on you at the counter if you're curious about the color, texture and coverage. We certainly don't give out pigment samples either.

You have to remember every location is different and we do get taken advantage of a lot! People abuse things so we have to stop doing them. However we'd be happy to try on any of the products on you at the counter/store.

 

[clamster]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

One time I asked for a sample from this MA and not even joking I barely got enough to use on on eye!! That time I didn't buy anything however a few weeks later I bought several items and asked for another sample of the same thing and she gave just a little more but I could tell she was being more generous because I bought over $100 of items.

You just have to ask, some MA's are really nasty about it others are great. I think for them pigments, skincare, and the lipgloss in squeeze tubes are the easiest for them to make. Some gals on here on specktra have samples of fluidlines and paints.

 

[zabbazooey]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've only asked for samples when I know I'm making a big purchase. I don't want to make it look like I'm taking advantage of them lol

 

[christineeee_]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

i got samples at the counter i go without asking. the first time the MA gave me 5 little jars and it was all wrapped ;-) the 5 samples were of kitschmas pigment, strobe cream, moistly lip gelee, cellopink lip gelee, and reflects very pink glitter. the second time my MA gave me a sample of sweet sienna pigment and she filled it up to the top

 

[Winterwhite]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

Few times I got foundation samples, and that was a good thing because otherwise I would have probably bought the wrong shade or be just angry, because here it is not so easy to return products like that. They do return if you might say that you did get a bad skin reaction, but otherwise it´s difficult, so it is really important to be sure that the product is the right one.

Once I needed time to decide whether I should use NW or NC-shades, and I got a mini-sample of both, enough for about three days and after that I had decided.
The other time I already had selected other stuff and asked for a sample of the liquid Mineralize foundation; it looked pretty on my hand, but I wanted to really try because the reviews of it were quite mixed. Tried my sample the next day and the foundation oxidized and went splotchy, which has never happened to me before. It got much darker and I had my skin burn.. So I´m also glad that this didn´t happen after a few hours in public (and I will stay with my other foundations instead and not change, of course ;D)

I don´t like to try on make-up in the store, I never go outside without foundation and I don´t want to have anyone doing stuff on my face, either. For colours, I´m usually pretty good at seeing whether something that I swatch on my hand is the right one, but foundation is very different.

 

[NatalieMT]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've been given samples before without asking but they do know me at my counter and they know I usually spend quite a lot of money there on a very regular basis. I guess it depends whether the MA's and feeling particularly friendly that day or not!

 

[tripwirechick]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I also get samples all the time, but I would say it is because the girls at my counter know me very well and I have been going there a long time. Yesterday I asked my fave MA for a sample of Select Cover Up because they were out of stock of my colour so she half filled a sample pot with it.. I don't think I'll need to buy any concealer for a while! I agree that it depends how the MA's are feeling that day, but being confident about it when asking can't hurt either

 

[*Star Violet*]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've always recieved a whole bunch of samples without asking aswell. And this was before buying anything. Actually, I've recieved samples of concealers of different shades at the same time aswell. Although, I never knew you could get samples of pigments aswell.

 

[athena123]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

When I went to MAC counter for the first time and got the makeup and spent over $100, the MA didn't have any problems giving me samples of foundation and skinprep. I asked her if she had any other samples she thought may be useful to me and she said no. The way she said it sounded like she thought I was trying to take advantage of her, even after I spent so much $$.

I went back a week later to get other foundation samples because the first one the MA selected for me looked way too yellow - different person who was a little stubborn about it; said they had run out of sample jars. I asked her if she would prefer me to buy something and return it? So she spent about 10 minutes running down other sample jars to make me the samples. They were very STINGY samples.

It shouldn't matter whether or not they know your face at the MAC counter; samples for foundation and primers should be given out because it's the --- uh.... foundation of your entire look! And MA's should drop the fucking attitude when we ask for samples or else I'll spend my $$ with people who cheerfully give samples without the 'tude. Like Sephora... I've never had a hard time getting samples from them and they're always very nice about it.

 

[dromero]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've had different experiences. The first time I received samples, I didn't know MAC even gave samples. The MUA gave me a sample of Hyper Real and cleanse off oil. As i was reading here I realized this is something that you can ask for. The first time I actually asked for one, I was told there were no sample cups.

I went ahead and tried again a second time and received a little bit of vanilla pigment. Not even sure if enough for both eyes.

BTW, I did spend lots of money when asking for samples.

 

[lah_knee]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

A lottttt of times were out of sample jars. cuz ive seen customers just dig their hands behind the counter and grab them.... so we run out of them fast. and we dont get more in right away. were only allowed to give samples of liquid stuff. mostly skincare. our return policy is very generous and we alwayssss test foundation on each person to make sure they like it before buying it and assure them they can bring it back if it doesnt work out. so sampling is pointless for that. but sometimes skincare is necessary to sample out because a few applications of it can make a difference and trying it on at the counter is not usually convenient because you cant "wash your face" at the counter...

also we cant sample pigments because of ebay people who sell them. and it defeats the purpose of buying them :\

 

[gatsby]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I've asked for pigment samples on two occasions and a concealer sample once, only when I was making purchases, and the MA gave them to me. I also got samples once at random, just 'cause the MA felt like it

(and I'm really glad she did! She gave me a sample of Strobe Cream, which I'd been thinking about buying, and the next day my skin was red and itchy. And the concealer was too dark for my skin. So samples = good.)

All the MAs I have dealt with have been really nice, but if someone refused to give me a foundation sample I would be shocked. Sure, if you want me to buy a colour that looks totally wrong and then make you process the return in three days...

 

[frostdoll]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

I only ask samples of skincare items because I never know how my skin will react to something, and don't ask them every time I visit a store.

The MAs here in Italy or in UK have been always very nice to me, the only times they couldn't help me was when they were out of sample jars (since then I always remember to carry some jars in my bag!

)

 

[lah_knee]

Re: ok ok does MAC ever give samples?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatsby I've asked for pigment samples on two occasions and a concealer sample once, only when I was making purchases, and the MA gave them to me. I also got samples once at random, just 'cause the MA felt like it (and I'm really glad she did! She gave me a sample of Strobe Cream, which I'd been thinking about buying, and the next day my skin was red and itchy. And the concealer was too dark for my skin. So samples = good.) All the MAs I have dealt with have been really nice, but if someone refused to give me a foundation sample I would be shocked. Sure, if you want me to buy a colour that looks totally wrong and then make you process the return in three days...

if you feel the foundation looks totally wrong when they try it on, then tell them... ask for a different match. dont buy it and return it.

we match according to what we think matches you but if you dont agree we are more than happy to try another color. well at least thats what we do at my counter...

 

[Cyanide.Candy]

Ok, so I'm (or at least was) looking to get a MAC foundation, I was thinking along the lines of MAC's Face and Body, alas I won't get a chance to call to my nearest MAC counter for a while yet, and also I'm not too keen on the girls that work there - I never get a chance to look around properly, like if I'm not instantly buying something then I'm not welcome..

But anyways, I have no idea as to what shade I need, so I rang up my MAC counter explaining that i'd like to purchase one of their foundations but needed help with shades first so I asked if it would be possible if they could post me out a small tiny sample of N1 and one of N2 which I could compare at home so I would then know exactly which I wanted next time I was at the counter..

Oh no, this was not at all possible I was told with a tone that suggested how dare I even be looking for a sample at all!

I could understand if I was looking for say 10 different pigment samples, but come on, a sample or two of a foundation? That's hardly gonna end up on eBay now is it..

Is it MAC policy not to give out foundation samples, or did I just encounter a particularly unhelpful SA?

Oh wells... I think I shall be getting MUFE's Face and Body now!

 

[samsgotflavor]

Re: MAC's stance on samples?

that's not supposed to happen! How rude of them. With MAC foundations, it's either a hit or miss. One person can love ____ while another broke out from ____. That's why they HAVE sample containers! You should be able to ask for a sample of a few different colors, try them on at home if you'd like in different lighting, and come back to buy the full product if you're satisfied. It's much better than buying 3 full sized products, ad returning 2 becuase the shade didn't work out...

 

[HeavenLeiBlu]

Re: MAC's stance on samples?

I don't think the issue was you asking for the samples- the issue was expecting them to SEND them to you. I've gone to MAC once and got a total of 8 foundation samples at once (for my daughter and myself) without a problem. I also get at least two samples of various other things every time I visit, and this is from counters and free standing stores. I would imagine that their position is that they're already giving you something for free; why should they also pay to send them to you? Sephora doesn't mail out free samples w/o a purchase, nor does Keihl's. If you go to the store, or have someone go on your behalf with a list of the samples you'd like, I'm sure they'll oblige.

 

[blindpassion]

Re: MAC's stance on samples?

Im sorry to hear that this happened to you
I was one of the girls in your other thread who suggested you go and get samples and talk to the MA's in order to find a MAC foundation thats great and works well on you. Thats not fair at all. Ive never had an issue with getting foundation samples, given all the MA's do know me by name, but even when they didnt I never had an issue... I would think it could have something to do with the sending of the samples thing, try stopping by, and if they are rude to you definitely talk to the manager about it so there can be an end to it.

(I hear good things about the mufe foundation though

)

and incase you ever are looking at mac despite the rude service you recieved, my mom uses face and body foundation and she loves it.

 

[k.a.t]

Re: MAC's stance on samples?

Omg call me dumb or whatever but i always thought you had to pay for samples *blushes* so what can i just go in and say 'can i have a sample of ...... please? and they'll give it to me and i just walk out again?

 

[mizuki~]

Re: MAC's stance on samples?

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.a.t Omg call me dumb or whatever but i always thought you had to pay for samples *blushes* so what can i just go in and say 'can i have a sample of ...... please? and they'll give it to me and i just walk out again?

Oh no. Don't do that..it'll seem rude for you to walk in, get a sample, and just leave. Have a look around and maybe you'd see something you like to buy. Usually when I ask for samples, I buy quite a few things so the MAs don't end up thinking I'm using MAC as a freebie service