SweetCheeks
Well-known member
I recently shopped MAC, only bought a couple small things, and the girl gave me a huge ass sample of Heritage Rouge piggie to try. I didn't ask for it, but it was nice of her.
MAC's policy on samples? Getting samples at MAC?
- Thread starter venus_in_furs
- Start date
Miss A
Well-known member
Re: samples??
Quote:
same as the other girl i am well known at the counters....BUT my suggestion since you are planning to buy some product i say make your purchase then say how you really interested in pigments but dont want to buy then have to return them if they dont work out, so just very nicely ask for the samples, after all worse case possible is they say no, but i just dont see that happening to a paying customer ya know.
happy shopping
Quote:
Originally Posted by venus_in_furs
hey! i just signed up for the forum here, but i've been reading the board for a while. soooo...d'bohemia is coming out soon, and i really don't have enough money to get the colors i want. so i'm totally panicked. i know i can handle a few eyeshadows and maybe a lipglass, but the pigments would totally destroy me. is it okay to ask for samples of two pigments? i don't want to seem rude, because i'd feel like i was cheating, or something--there's really enough pigment in those samples to last a very long time! on the other hand, i'm broke, and desperate for these colors. so...needing advice here! is it okay to ask for the samples (i've only been offered them before)? and would asking for 2 be over the top? thanks! |
same as the other girl i am well known at the counters....BUT my suggestion since you are planning to buy some product i say make your purchase then say how you really interested in pigments but dont want to buy then have to return them if they dont work out, so just very nicely ask for the samples, after all worse case possible is they say no, but i just dont see that happening to a paying customer ya know.
happy shopping
Miss A
Well-known member
Quote:
oh heres a tip for you my fellow butterfingered friend! lol i dont know if you have heard of them but there is this little cheapy brand called bon bons they sell at wal-mart its like loose glitter in a jar for 89 cents (cheap right?) well i buy those and just throw away the glitter and put my pigments in it for travel!
| Originally Posted by iheartjuppy
The only time I asked for empty sample jars was right before my honeymoon and I explained that I was afraid to take my entire pigment jars with me (I'm a chronic spiller - lost almost an entire jar of Maroon!). They had no problem giving me a few (I think three or four). I usually only ask for samples of things they're currently out of (so I can decide whether I want to wait for a new shipment, get it online, swap for it, etc.) - or things I've tried *similar* and not had any luck with (a few stains, etc.) that I am hesitant to buy full-sized without trying! I visit the same two counters in my area pretty much weekly so they know of my MAC addiction and know I'm not just trying to get freebies! (I think I've probably put a kid or two through college!) |
oh heres a tip for you my fellow butterfingered friend! lol i dont know if you have heard of them but there is this little cheapy brand called bon bons they sell at wal-mart its like loose glitter in a jar for 89 cents (cheap right?) well i buy those and just throw away the glitter and put my pigments in it for travel!
emeraldjewels
Well-known member
^^^ I don't know if you have these in the US but over here in our drugstores we can buy really small empty containers really cheap, and I use these for putting pigments in for travel, or if i'm taking makeup in a makeup bag overnight or something. Saves taking my precious whole pigments
Virgo_Moon
Member
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Quote:
I have gotten lipstick samples on more than one occassion. My mother practically got a whole lipstick for free once. We went to Mac during a promotion for a new collection. Most of the products were sold out by the time we got there so the MUA cut a huge piece of the lipstick that my mom wanted and put it in a sample jar. My mom wears all the time, she just has to put it on with a brush.
| Originally Posted by serenabena
Do they give lipstick samples? |
Quote:
| Originally Posted by erine1881
no we don't. |
I have gotten lipstick samples on more than one occassion. My mother practically got a whole lipstick for free once. We went to Mac during a promotion for a new collection. Most of the products were sold out by the time we got there so the MUA cut a huge piece of the lipstick that my mom wanted and put it in a sample jar. My mom wears all the time, she just has to put it on with a brush.
erine1881
Well-known member
Quote:
well in that situation, we would. if we've sold out of a LE, we have no use for the tester anymore, so there's no problem making a sample for someone. but in general, if someone comes in asking for a sample of a lipstick, we don't.
| Originally Posted by Virgo_Moon
I have gotten lipstick samples on more than one occassion. My mother practically got a whole lipstick for free once. We went to Mac during a promotion for a new collection. Most of the products were sold out by the time we got there so the MUA cut a huge piece of the lipstick that my mom wanted and put it in a sample jar. My mom wears all the time, she just has to put it on with a brush. |
well in that situation, we would. if we've sold out of a LE, we have no use for the tester anymore, so there's no problem making a sample for someone. but in general, if someone comes in asking for a sample of a lipstick, we don't.
miss_bailey
Well-known member
I remember hearing that when you buy a full size pigment its MAC's poicy to give you some sample jars complimentry. Is this true?
Iffath
Well-known member
Quote:
Yeah, sometimes I get shit-treatment too, although I am a regular customer, and I go to MAC twice a week. I do ask for one or two samples when I buy stuff worth minimum $30 or more.
Recently I have been getting an attitude. I think it does have to do with the samples but, then also about buying makeup. The MA said, "I know you have a lot of makeup, do you even use it?"
What the heck! I NEVER RETURN STUFF. why did she say that?
if I wanna buy makeup, that's my decision. It is my hobby and I collect it. Her store sales are increasing. What was her problem?
I just felt really bad about that. It sounded a bit mean to me. I think she was pms-ing or something.
But then, I had some really GOOD experiences too. One of the MAs knows that I am a regular customer, and I really like her for noticing that. She treats me very well. So I guess it depends on "good" days and "bad" days.
But I also work in customer service, and we were forced to take a course/session in which we were told that for every 1 pissed off customer, they will complain to 10 people and it will effect sales proportionally (I mean there is an inverse relationship with pissed off customers and sales). So economically, management should explain this to employees. Although, of course, there are nightmarish customers out there who, no matter how nicely you treat, they are a**holes!
Sorry about the language. My venting is over now.
...I still love MAC.
| Originally Posted by mandirigma
in all honesty, it probably wouldn't hurt to ask just once, and usually it helps if you're already buying a ton of stuff anyway or if you've been the perfect customer. i mean, the worst that could happen is that they tell you no, and they might act all rude if they remember you the next time you come in. but if you don't care or you're used to that then it's whatevers. and i'm really not trying to scare you or anything. the mac freestanding by my house totally sucks balls so i'm used to MA's acting stank for no reason and treating me like i'm being sneaky or something. |
Yeah, sometimes I get shit-treatment too, although I am a regular customer, and I go to MAC twice a week. I do ask for one or two samples when I buy stuff worth minimum $30 or more.
Recently I have been getting an attitude. I think it does have to do with the samples but, then also about buying makeup. The MA said, "I know you have a lot of makeup, do you even use it?"
What the heck! I NEVER RETURN STUFF. why did she say that?
if I wanna buy makeup, that's my decision. It is my hobby and I collect it. Her store sales are increasing. What was her problem?
I just felt really bad about that. It sounded a bit mean to me. I think she was pms-ing or something.
But then, I had some really GOOD experiences too. One of the MAs knows that I am a regular customer, and I really like her for noticing that. She treats me very well. So I guess it depends on "good" days and "bad" days.
But I also work in customer service, and we were forced to take a course/session in which we were told that for every 1 pissed off customer, they will complain to 10 people and it will effect sales proportionally (I mean there is an inverse relationship with pissed off customers and sales). So economically, management should explain this to employees. Although, of course, there are nightmarish customers out there who, no matter how nicely you treat, they are a**holes!
Sorry about the language. My venting is over now.
...I still love MAC.
Iffath
Well-known member
Re: Mac samples?
Quote:
Calling customers who request samples "whores" is inappropriate, in my opinion. I agree, samples should be given out minimally and with discretion, but please do not be rude to customers. In the end, it will hurt the franchise.
Being in customer service requires patience, compassion and resilience, which most MAs have, but it is unfair to categorize customers, (who are making purchases and requesting samples) into a "whore" or "greedy" category, give them dirty looks and exchanges, and back-biting. Perhaps you should ask your customers why they are frequently asking for samples and not purchasing the full sized product, so you can make an informed decision, as it is better to be informed rather than having your negative attitude, your antagonistic remarks and before you label, marginalize and discriminate them.
Some people prefer sample containers because they have screw-on tops and are smaller than the regular pigment and travel containers and are more travel-efficient and space-savers. If MAC sold empty sample containers at their stores in multiple units, I think people would buy them because of the aforementioned reasons.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by erine1881
some customers are sample whores, asking only for samples, then coming back and asking for another, and another. there called samples, not free minis. |
Calling customers who request samples "whores" is inappropriate, in my opinion. I agree, samples should be given out minimally and with discretion, but please do not be rude to customers. In the end, it will hurt the franchise.
Being in customer service requires patience, compassion and resilience, which most MAs have, but it is unfair to categorize customers, (who are making purchases and requesting samples) into a "whore" or "greedy" category, give them dirty looks and exchanges, and back-biting. Perhaps you should ask your customers why they are frequently asking for samples and not purchasing the full sized product, so you can make an informed decision, as it is better to be informed rather than having your negative attitude, your antagonistic remarks and before you label, marginalize and discriminate them.
Some people prefer sample containers because they have screw-on tops and are smaller than the regular pigment and travel containers and are more travel-efficient and space-savers. If MAC sold empty sample containers at their stores in multiple units, I think people would buy them because of the aforementioned reasons.
TISH1124
Well-known member
^^Knowing Erin......I am sure she is only using the term Sample Whore on this forum....Not in her professional setting.....and you know some people are sample whores....I have read blogs...encouraging people to go in and ask for free samples vs spending money on the full pigments...well the exact wording was " Samples are free for the asking, don't buy full jars just ask for samples it is more than enough to last you" There are moochers in every aspect of life...and there are not too many pretty names they can be called. There are sample jars the exact same size and type that can be purchased at stores for pigments...they just don't have MAC imprinted on the top. I buy them all the time.
erine1881
Well-known member
Quote:
thanks tish!
iffath, i wasn't calling em whores like they walk the streets! i was using it as slang. i'm a brush and pigment whore, meaning i have a billion brushes and pigments. some people on this site are lipglass whores. some customers are sample whores (different from those that would like to try the product before they buy), meaning all they do is come in and ask for 5 samples of stuff because they don't wanna buy anything. i'm not gonna call em out on it, or be rude to em. if you ask for a sample, that's exactly what i'm gonna give you, a sample. what i'm not gonna do is fill each sample cup clear full so they can around actually buying the product. i actually encourage people to take samples of skincare and foundation so they can try it before buying, see how it works for them, and come back later to buy the full size. it saves time and money this way. but i'm not gonna cater to those who want a full sample cup of concealer, use it up, and come back wanting another full sample cup of the exact same product and color. buy it already!
and before you start going off on a tangent, please make sure you read what people write completely. i'm not rude to them, treat them differently or give them dirty looks, and i never wrote anything that would say otherwise. so don't lecture me about how customers are to be treated what what my job requires.
| Originally Posted by TISH1127
^^Knowing Erin......I am sure she is only using the term Sample Whore on this forum....Not in her professional setting.....and you know some people are sample whores....I have read blogs...encouraging people to go in and ask for free samples vs spending money on the full pigments...well the exact wording was " Samples are free for the asking, don't buy full jars just ask for samples it is more than enough to last you" There are moochers in every aspect of life...and there are not too many pretty names they can be called. There are sample jars the exact same size and type that can be purchased at stores for pigments...they just don't have MAC imprinted on the top. I buy them all the time. |
thanks tish!
iffath, i wasn't calling em whores like they walk the streets! i was using it as slang. i'm a brush and pigment whore, meaning i have a billion brushes and pigments. some people on this site are lipglass whores. some customers are sample whores (different from those that would like to try the product before they buy), meaning all they do is come in and ask for 5 samples of stuff because they don't wanna buy anything. i'm not gonna call em out on it, or be rude to em. if you ask for a sample, that's exactly what i'm gonna give you, a sample. what i'm not gonna do is fill each sample cup clear full so they can around actually buying the product. i actually encourage people to take samples of skincare and foundation so they can try it before buying, see how it works for them, and come back later to buy the full size. it saves time and money this way. but i'm not gonna cater to those who want a full sample cup of concealer, use it up, and come back wanting another full sample cup of the exact same product and color. buy it already!
and before you start going off on a tangent, please make sure you read what people write completely. i'm not rude to them, treat them differently or give them dirty looks, and i never wrote anything that would say otherwise. so don't lecture me about how customers are to be treated what what my job requires.
MissCrystal
Well-known member
if i worked at mac and i had random people coming in and asking for a million samples and not buying anything it would drive me insane i would probably tell them off give them dirty looks and lose my job ..
i only ask for pigment samples after i bought stuff and spent a certain amount
i only ask for pigment samples after i bought stuff and spent a certain amount
glamourgirl216
Well-known member
it just baffles me when people come in with no intention to purchase anything and demand a free sample ! i always tell them that we actually encourage the customers to let us try/demo the product on customers so they can see how it looks on them, and thats way better in my opinion! (however i do understand on skincare and foundations are tricky so a sample can be given) . i don't think customers realize that MAC has been really strict on how many testers we make (especially because we have a high theft on testers.so we would restock our missing testers and boom there gone again!),so our particular counter was not allowed to make testers of anything for almost 3wks! so we're not trying to finish our testers that are out on the floor by making unnecessary samples, instead of demoing a product. because i don't think it's not fair to other potential customers who can't try a product, because we don't have a tester.
chiara
Well-known member
I've only ever asked for foundation samples and the Ma gave them to me very nicely. These times, I had purchased a few things, and I can't buy a new foundation without trying it before anyway.
However, I've heard of MA's offering pigment samples, and that never happened to me. No matter how much I spend (I'm a regular customer too), no one ever offered me a sample. I would appreciate though, because I'm always afraid to ask for pigment samples.
However, I've heard of MA's offering pigment samples, and that never happened to me. No matter how much I spend (I'm a regular customer too), no one ever offered me a sample. I would appreciate though, because I'm always afraid to ask for pigment samples.
erine1881
Well-known member
i never offer pigment samples, never. if someone is unsure of a foundation color or whether they'll react to it, of they have sensitive skin and are unsure of our skincare, then yes, i will offer a sample for them to try. these are really the only products we are supposed to sample (foundations and skincare). everything else can be tried on in the store, so there's no need for a sample cuz its pretty easy to decide if it'll work for you or not, unlike foundations and skincare which take a few days to tell.
and if you ask me for a sample of a pigment, then again, that's what you'll get, a sample. and its only enough to last you about 2 weeks if you use it everyday. our testers aren't there for everyone to just sample out of. otherwise we'll be making tester after tester and won't have any for people to actually buy.
i'm tired of people thinking that just because they spend XX amount of money that they are entitled to heaping samples of anything and everything they want. whether you spend $15 or $150, makes no difference to me.
now just today, a lady had placed an order thru the #800 and her order was held up at customs, so she called my counter to order stuff over the phone cuz she needed it for this weekend. we were out of the foundation that she wanted to buy, so i gave her a couple samples. not a problem. if someone comes in to buy a foundation and we are out of it, i'll give em a sample to last a few days until they are able to order it and have it in hand. now, if you're someone that keeps coming in cuz you ran out of your foundation sample and need some more (believe me it happens more than you think): oops, we just ran out of sample cups. sorry.
and if you ask me for a sample of a pigment, then again, that's what you'll get, a sample. and its only enough to last you about 2 weeks if you use it everyday. our testers aren't there for everyone to just sample out of. otherwise we'll be making tester after tester and won't have any for people to actually buy.
i'm tired of people thinking that just because they spend XX amount of money that they are entitled to heaping samples of anything and everything they want. whether you spend $15 or $150, makes no difference to me.
now just today, a lady had placed an order thru the #800 and her order was held up at customs, so she called my counter to order stuff over the phone cuz she needed it for this weekend. we were out of the foundation that she wanted to buy, so i gave her a couple samples. not a problem. if someone comes in to buy a foundation and we are out of it, i'll give em a sample to last a few days until they are able to order it and have it in hand. now, if you're someone that keeps coming in cuz you ran out of your foundation sample and need some more (believe me it happens more than you think): oops, we just ran out of sample cups. sorry.
Iffath
Well-known member
Quote:
Tish, where do you get those sample jars that are exactly the same size and type (without MAC imprinted on them)????????
I have looked everywhere on the net and at EBAY, and I even asked MAC MAs if they would sell empties to me, but they refused to do so. (so basically some MAs do not want to sell them and some also hate giving out samples when we request one or two during purchases, so it seems like a steep supply and demand curve for sample jars!!!!!!!
I have found ones with black lids but they are very different from the Sample Jars that MAC makes. Very different. MAC also sells clear lid containers but they are also different. Thanks in advance!
| Originally Posted by TISH1127
^^Knowing Erin......I am sure she is only using the term Sample Whore on this forum....Not in her professional setting.....and you know some people are sample whores....I have read blogs...encouraging people to go in and ask for free samples vs spending money on the full pigments...well the exact wording was " Samples are free for the asking, don't buy full jars just ask for samples it is more than enough to last you" There are moochers in every aspect of life...and there are not too many pretty names they can be called. There are sample jars the exact same size and type that can be purchased at stores for pigments...they just don't have MAC imprinted on the top. I buy them all the time. |
Tish, where do you get those sample jars that are exactly the same size and type (without MAC imprinted on them)????????
I have looked everywhere on the net and at EBAY, and I even asked MAC MAs if they would sell empties to me, but they refused to do so. (so basically some MAs do not want to sell them and some also hate giving out samples when we request one or two during purchases, so it seems like a steep supply and demand curve for sample jars!!!!!!!
I have found ones with black lids but they are very different from the Sample Jars that MAC makes. Very different. MAC also sells clear lid containers but they are also different. Thanks in advance!
erine1881
Well-known member
Quote:
Its not that we won't sell them to you, its that we can't. They aren't for sale. They're our supplies that we need for sampling for custoers that NEED samples, samples to try our skincare, try our foundations or if they want to buy but we are sold out. They aren't for people who just want samples cuz they think they deserve em cuz they're buying stuff, or cuz they don't wanna buy a full size and just want some for free. And we don't just pass out handfuls for people cuz they want sample jars. Mac keeps track of the supplies we order/they send. We don't just have an endless supply of jars. We need what we have. If we go thru em too fast, they stop sending them for awhile.
Check craft stores for empty jars, or better yet, buy the ones sold online or at stores.
| Originally Posted by Iffath
...I even asked MAC MAs if they would sell empties to me, but they refused to do so. (so basically some MAs do not want to sell them and some also hate giving out samples when we request one or two during purchases, so it seems like a steep supply and demand curve for sample jars!!!!!!! |
Its not that we won't sell them to you, its that we can't. They aren't for sale. They're our supplies that we need for sampling for custoers that NEED samples, samples to try our skincare, try our foundations or if they want to buy but we are sold out. They aren't for people who just want samples cuz they think they deserve em cuz they're buying stuff, or cuz they don't wanna buy a full size and just want some for free. And we don't just pass out handfuls for people cuz they want sample jars. Mac keeps track of the supplies we order/they send. We don't just have an endless supply of jars. We need what we have. If we go thru em too fast, they stop sending them for awhile.
Check craft stores for empty jars, or better yet, buy the ones sold online or at stores.
RedRibbon
Well-known member
Me and my mum went to the MAC counter in Selfridges and they were really nice, my mum told them that she was looking for a replacement to a Chanel lipstick and they not only helped her find a lipstick which matched that colour but helped her find a more natural colour too. I didn't buy anything as they had run out of the nail colour I wanted but they still gave my mum about 4 samples of lipstick, quite generous samples too. We didn't go there angling to get freebies and my mum has since become a self confessed MAC addict, she has more MAC than I do (which isn't hard!)
I don't agree with people chancing it and just getting samples when they don't buy anything, I don't think that's fair on those of us who buy the full sized items.
I don't agree with people chancing it and just getting samples when they don't buy anything, I don't think that's fair on those of us who buy the full sized items.
