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

[NatalieMT]

Re: Mac samples?

MAC doesn't make sample size products or gifts to give away. Sometimes if you are very lucky they will give you a tiny sample of a pigment, a squirt of foundation or a bit of strobe cream in a little MAC jar. It has to be a product they can put into a container.

But it happens very infrequently, as MAs I believe are encouraged not to do it, because unfortunately many people started taking advantage and were trying to sell the samples on Ebay. I've spent well over £2000 on MAC pretty much all at the same counter and have received a sample once. Didn't ask, they just gave it to me and that was like a year ago.

So the MA wasn't lying to you don't worry. Many of the guys and girls here on Specktra buy samples online from websites such as The very BEST MAC, Stila, Urban Decay, Too Faced, BeneFit, Hard Candy more cosmetics makeup or from each other in the Clearance Bin section of the forum.

 

[animacani]

Re: Mac samples?

ah , okay , thanks!!

 

[erine1881]

Re: Mac samples?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatalieMT MAC doesn't make sample size products or gifts to give away. Sometimes if you are very lucky they will give you a tiny sample of a pigment, a squirt of foundation or a bit of strobe cream in a little MAC jar. It has to be a product they can put into a container. But it happens very infrequently, as MAs I believe are encouraged not to do it, because unfortunately many people started taking advantage and were trying to sell the samples on Ebay. I've spent well over £2000 on MAC pretty much all at the same counter and have received a sample once. Didn't ask, they just gave it to me and that was like a year ago. So the MA wasn't lying to you don't worry. Many of the guys and girls here on Specktra buy samples online from websites such as The very BEST MAC, Stila, Urban Decay, Too Faced, BeneFit, Hard Candy more cosmetics makeup or from each other in the Clearance Bin section of the forum.

i don't know how it is in the UK, but in the US we aren't encouraged NOT to give samples. we just have to be smart about who/when/when. some customers are sample whores, asking only for samples, then coming back and asking for another, and another. there called samples, not free minis. we get to know our customers, who really wants to try it and will eventually buy it, and who is just freeloading.

its also in the way the customer asks for them. if a customer asks if we have samples (a sign of someone wanting something free), we say no, because we don't have samples. if a customer says their unsure about a particular foundation shade or formula, then we tell them that we can make a sample of it for them to try. and we don't fill it completely full. you only need a weeks worth to decide if you like it or not. again, its a SAMPLE.

 

[Shaquille]

Re: Mac samples?

animacami you should be specific about your samples as well, what do you want to get, which is what you really want to try on. When I want to try a product I ask "mind if I ask you a sample?" then I say what I want to try.. but I do one sample at a time unless you're willing to buy 10 items all at once..

 

[NatalieMT]

Re: Mac samples?

I think MAC MAs in the UK are also strongly discouraged from giving samples, Erine. From what I have heard it's a very rare occurance to receive one here. Like you say it's usually foundations that are given as samples purely so a client can get the shade and formula right before they invest in a full size product.

The sample I got was Strobe Cream, like I say I didn't ask for it, expressed no interest in it at the time and still haven't bought a full size. However I do really like it so at some point in the near future I will pick it up. I guess it's just because the MAs at my counter know me quite well, I usually buy multiple items every month, so it's probably gotten to the point where they know I'll always be a repeat customer.

 

[MAC_Whore]

Re: Mac samples?

The MA might have taken it differently than you meant it, as well. She/he might have thought you meant pre-packaged miniature versions of their products that a lot of other brands have (i.e. Lancome, Estee Lauder, etc.). MAC does not do those.

Also: Merging this thread with existing thread on the topic of samples.

 

[mac_mama]

MAC does give samples. I think a lot of times, its a matter of whom you're talking to at counter/store. Newbies probably aren't familiar. If they refuse, its simply because we're out of sample containers/jars or low on product. Hope this helps you! Never be ashamed to ask questions! Thats what we're here for!

 

[amoona]

Many locations do discourage giving out samples because so many of them end up on Ebay. I was always told to avoid giving samples, if someone wants to test out a foundation or a skincare item then I can demo it on them. If they're worried about a reaction then they can wear it around for the entire day and if they like it they can come back the next day to purchase it. I've seen people get way too greedy with samples, abuse the sample concept and of course sell samples on ebay. In every location I've been at we never give samples of anything but skincare and in that case it's a very very very small amount.

 

[Sushi_Flower]

I'm from UK and i've always been able to get samples without problems - i only ask when i genuinely need a sample though. I've always asked for foundation samples as i never buy without properly testing them and finding out which shade matches me.
And i've asked for sample of Strobe Cream just to try it when i've bought lots of other things.

 

[MAC_Whore]

How not to get samples: A lesson based on an exhange I witnessed at a counter......

Cust A: Oh, look at those pigments. Those are gorgeous. Maybe I should get one.

Cust B (in earshot of the MA): Nooooo. They give those away for free. Just ask for samples so we can go to Sephora.

Cust A to MA: Can I get samples of these 4 pigments?

Yeah.....I don't need to tell you how it ended, do? Sheesh...how rude.

 

[spoiledkiwi]

I can understand them not wanting to give out samples of stuff you can just test on your hand like pigments, but to not give out foundation samples is ridiculous. Before I buy foundation I look at it in various types of lighting plus take pictures of myself. I also test it out on a day that I'm home so that I'm not stuck in public with awful makeup incase it doesn't work out. Testing it out at the counter and walking around with it on the rest of the day is not enough for me to determine if I really like it. Plus not everyone shops in the daytime and can see how it looks in natural light. I think MAC should encourage foundation sampling since it's expensive and they lose a lot of money from products that they have to throw away when the customer returns it the next day because it looks horrible in sunlight.

 

[Virgo_Moon]

I don't know where you all shop but I go to the MAC counter at the local Macy's and they give me samples of just about anything that can be made into a sample, ccb, pigments, lipstick, certain concealers and foundations (as long as they aren't powder), moisturizers, cleansers, cream blushes, etc... Of course it depends on the MA as to how much you get but they always encourage trying before you buy. I have even gotten samples of paints and fluid line.

 

[smexiebinks]

Rawr, I never get samples.

I guess I just don't know how to ask....I get all shy!

 

[pat]

I think just recently MAC has given an "official sample" product. I got a sample of Zoom Lash mascara. it's so cute and tiny. hahaa...

I also got an e-mail from MAC that with a $50 purchase, you get a free sample of Zoom Lash.

 

[Simply Elegant]

They give out samples but some locations seem to be more generous than others. If a lot of people are freeloading off of them in the area you're in, you might be lucky to get a small sample. That doesn't seem to happen often at the store I go to because they offer me samples when I haven't even expressed an interest in something.

 

[*KT*]

Since I shop at a Macy's counter, we don't get to see a whole lot of pigments. There's a couple of the MAs who know me, so when I want to try something, I wait until I saw them working to buy my items and ask for a sample of the color that's questionable. So far my "sample" MAC products were asked for with purchase. I bought 3 Rushmetal, took a sample of Mauvement and didn't care for the sample. Bought Your Ladyship and Gold Stroke, took a sample of Sweet Sienna and went back to buy full sized Sweet Sienna. Bought Blonde's Gold and Copperbeam, got a sample of Mega Rich.

I'm not comfortable asking the MAs who don't know me because I don't want to come across as a freeloader to strangers. Since I work in customer service and get asked for free stuff by my customers, it makes me hesitant to ask for samples for myself... so I feel like I have to ask someone who knows me.

Today I bought Blonde's Gold and CopperBeam, and got a sample of MegaRich because I really don't know if it's going to be something I'll even use, let alone spend $20 on. My MAs know that I prefer to spend money at their counter rather than order off the website and he gave me a HUGE sample. I also ask for a little sample jar whenever I buy a full jar because I like to keep my big jars stored and keep a little one for daily use to protect myself from spilling the whole damn thing and to cut down on contamination. I asked, "Can I have two empties so I can portion some out? I'm a klutz with full jars!" and he says, "Sure, we've got plenty!" and grabs a handful. I checked my bag outside and I had 4 empties in there!

I tend to think how generous the MAs are with samples often comes down to your relationship with the counter/employees. If there's no existing relationship, they may look at whether you're buying anything with your sample... and if other people have been assaulted them with requests for freebies or complaints about no GWP, etc they might not feel so generous.

 

[twilightessence]

Its funny cause during my big haul (big for me, anyway) during F&F sale the MA gave me four samples. I didn't even ask! I wanted to buy that Volcanic Ash stuff and they were sold out. So she gave me a sample of that, Green Gel Cleanser, moistorizer (don't remember which one) and some sort of lipglass. Again, I didn't even ask LOL.

But this last time, I wanted a sample of Copperbeam (different store, btw) and the girl said they don't give out samples of pigments because it last so long it'd be like giving out a free eyeshadow. And I spent the same amount so (just fewer, more expensive items)... I don't know.

 

[serenabena]

I'm gonna ask for a sample of Face and body foundation next time i go

 

[serenabena]

Do they give lipstick samples?

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by serenabena Do they give lipstick samples?

no we don't.