bluegrassbabe
Well-known member
I never ask for more than 1 at a time, and only when I'm buyng something. However I have had some very nice MA's volunteer some samples if I was unsure about the product.
MAC's policy on samples? Getting samples at MAC?
- Thread starter venus_in_furs
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Sushi_Flower
Well-known member
Samples - Just to make things clear
What can and can't you get a sample of?
I've asked for pigment samples a number of times at the same counter, half the time i've been told we don't do samples of them and half the time i've been given one straight away.
Yesterday i asked for a sample of Lipgelee and was told they don't do samples of them, but i know someone here had a sample.
So i'm confused and curious, does it it depend on the counter? The MA?
I only ask for samples when i'm buying as i feel cheeky otherwise.
What can and can't you get a sample of?
I've asked for pigment samples a number of times at the same counter, half the time i've been told we don't do samples of them and half the time i've been given one straight away.
Yesterday i asked for a sample of Lipgelee and was told they don't do samples of them, but i know someone here had a sample.
So i'm confused and curious, does it it depend on the counter? The MA?
I only ask for samples when i'm buying as i feel cheeky otherwise.
Onederland
Well-known member
It just depends on what counter or store you go to.
Usually..USUALLY, the most common items for samples are pigments, liquid foundations, and skincare items.
I've gotten 3 pigment samples from my freestanding, as well as a MicroRefinisher, from the PRO store.
IMHO, You should talk to the MA's a bit. And be chatty, and be nice. Buy some things, and then ask for a sample, and they should be happy to give it to you.
Usually..USUALLY, the most common items for samples are pigments, liquid foundations, and skincare items.
I've gotten 3 pigment samples from my freestanding, as well as a MicroRefinisher, from the PRO store.
IMHO, You should talk to the MA's a bit. And be chatty, and be nice. Buy some things, and then ask for a sample, and they should be happy to give it to you.
Jessica
Well-known member
I think that a lot of it has to do with the MA's. Some can be a little stand-offish and may not be as likely to make a sample. Othertimes they may not have any sample jars in stock. I always judge the mood of the counter/MA's on the day that I'm there and go with that. If they are super busy or really stressed out I wait until next time. I have only asked for a few samples and have gotten one every time, except for once when they were out of sample jars. HTH
iheartjuppy
Well-known member
Depends
I've found it depends on the MA *AND* whether or not the product is available. For example, I've had NO problem getting samples of D'Bohemia pigments and the Pearlizers because the counters were sold out, but still had the displays up (which is weird on its own), so I had them make me samples from the display testers.
I'd think if you're buying something (or multiple things) they should have no problem making you samples of (reasonably) any one thing...they can scrape lipsticks, squeeze Lip Gelees, shake loose powder, pour liquid foundations...I'd think anything that isn't pressed powder or pencil form could be easily made into a sample adn shouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you're really enthusiastic "I've been DYING to try this but don't know if it would work w/my skin tone" or something, they might be more amenable?
I've found it depends on the MA *AND* whether or not the product is available. For example, I've had NO problem getting samples of D'Bohemia pigments and the Pearlizers because the counters were sold out, but still had the displays up (which is weird on its own), so I had them make me samples from the display testers.
I'd think if you're buying something (or multiple things) they should have no problem making you samples of (reasonably) any one thing...they can scrape lipsticks, squeeze Lip Gelees, shake loose powder, pour liquid foundations...I'd think anything that isn't pressed powder or pencil form could be easily made into a sample adn shouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you're really enthusiastic "I've been DYING to try this but don't know if it would work w/my skin tone" or something, they might be more amenable?
Juneplum
Well-known member
ita with jessica.. i've always gotten samples from MA's no matter which store in which state or country i go to... i guess when they're out of stock or out of sample jars, then they can't give samples.. i love mac for doing this... it's such a great way to have people try b4 they buy AND build more sales..
SonRisa
Well-known member
Re: Depends
Quote:
Scraping lipsticks damages them. The only time I've ever made a sample of a lipstick is when it was for a bride who's wedding was the next day and we were sold out of it.
At my counter, we don't normally do pigment samples. At least we're not supposed to. I will if we're out of it, but that's it. WHy? #1 Because of people selling them on Ebay. #2 With pigments, a small amount goes a VERY long way and if we give samples, people are less likely to buy the product. That's what I was told by my manager at least.
The only things we make samples of are skincare, foundation and concealer.
Oh!! And any lipglass that can be squeezed - lipgelees, clear
Paints/cheekhues dry out too quickly in a sample jar, plus they're soo thick in consistency that the smallest sample would last a long time.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by iheartjuppy scrape lipsticks, squeeze Lip Gelees, shake loose powder, pour liquid foundations...I'd think anything that isn't pressed powder or pencil form could be easily made into a sample adn shouldn't be a problem. Maybe if you're really enthusiastic "I've been DYING to try this but don't know if it would work w/my skin tone" or something, they might be more amenable? |
Scraping lipsticks damages them. The only time I've ever made a sample of a lipstick is when it was for a bride who's wedding was the next day and we were sold out of it.
At my counter, we don't normally do pigment samples. At least we're not supposed to. I will if we're out of it, but that's it. WHy? #1 Because of people selling them on Ebay. #2 With pigments, a small amount goes a VERY long way and if we give samples, people are less likely to buy the product. That's what I was told by my manager at least.
The only things we make samples of are skincare, foundation and concealer.
Paints/cheekhues dry out too quickly in a sample jar, plus they're soo thick in consistency that the smallest sample would last a long time.
Star
Well-known member
I find it depends on the MA more than on the counter. At the same counter, a couple of MAs have given me the condescending treatment while another one is always so happy to give me a sample of whatever I ask for. I spend a LOT of $$$ at that counter.
At another counter, I bought three pigments and asked for a couple of empty jars so I could put a little bit in it to carry in my makeup case in my purse and I got the evil eye. I don't care if she thought I was planning on "re-selling", I know I wasn't, and I really resented the crap out of that attitude.
At another counter, I bought three pigments and asked for a couple of empty jars so I could put a little bit in it to carry in my makeup case in my purse and I got the evil eye. I don't care if she thought I was planning on "re-selling", I know I wasn't, and I really resented the crap out of that attitude.
martygreene
Well-known member
Quote:
Man oh have I been the MA who ends up at the nearest MAC counter 5 minutes before they close needing to buy a sold-out lipcolor for a wedding the next morning, because the chapel changed the lighting and WHAM everything we'd planned ends up looking like babyshit. Ugh. I'm thankful for the scrapings from inside the butt end of the tube at that point!
| Originally Posted by SonRisa Scraping lipsticks damages them. The only time I've ever made a sample of a lipstick is when it was for a bride who's wedding was the next day and we were sold out of it. At my counter, we don't normally do pigment samples. At least we're not supposed to. I will if we're out of it, but that's it. WHy? #1 Because of people selling them on Ebay. #2 With pigments, a small amount goes a VERY long way and if we give samples, people are less likely to buy the product. That's what I was told by my manager at least. The only things we make samples of are skincare, foundation and concealer.
Paints/cheekhues dry out too quickly in a sample jar, plus they're soo thick in consistency that the smallest sample would last a long time. |
Man oh have I been the MA who ends up at the nearest MAC counter 5 minutes before they close needing to buy a sold-out lipcolor for a wedding the next morning, because the chapel changed the lighting and WHAM everything we'd planned ends up looking like babyshit. Ugh. I'm thankful for the scrapings from inside the butt end of the tube at that point!
agent_skullhead
Active member
The MAs at the counter I used to visit were all really nice and always spent a lot of time on color selection with me, so I never felt like I needed to try anything out. I've never been disappointed with anything I've purchased either!
PrettyKitty
Well-known member
Quote:
A MA gave me a Bare Canvas sample, and it was good for 4-6 weeks before it started to dry out... But he also gave me a lot, so even if I use it everybody, I still don't need to buy the full size. They should give us samples, yes, but not too much (Same thing for pigments), so we will be able to buy the full size.
| Originally Posted by SonRisa Paints/cheekhues dry out too quickly in a sample jar, plus they're soo thick in consistency that the smallest sample would last a long time. |
A MA gave me a Bare Canvas sample, and it was good for 4-6 weeks before it started to dry out... But he also gave me a lot, so even if I use it everybody, I still don't need to buy the full size. They should give us samples, yes, but not too much (Same thing for pigments), so we will be able to buy the full size.
PrettyKitty
Well-known member
I never had problems with samples.... well... the only problem is that I'm shy to ask, I always want to ask 2-3 samples, but when I left the store, I only asked for 1!
They are always generous (even with pigments), last time they gave me a full sample jar with Golden Lemon. But I always buy a lot, never less than 250$ each month.
They are always generous (even with pigments), last time they gave me a full sample jar with Golden Lemon. But I always buy a lot, never less than 250$ each month.
iheartjuppy
Well-known member
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!)
MeganGMcD
Well-known member
It's has been my understanding that for years it has been illegal for anyone at a counter, any counter, to give out samples that do not clearly list the ingredients of a product.
Whether it is right or wrong, I don't know. But there are some very sue happy people. I did someone a favor by sampling them a sunblock when I worked at Clinique and she almost brought a lawsuit up against the company for it.
Whether it is right or wrong, I don't know. But there are some very sue happy people. I did someone a favor by sampling them a sunblock when I worked at Clinique and she almost brought a lawsuit up against the company for it.
daystar
Member
I've gotten a couple samples, but it seems like usually they act like they're doing me a huge favor by doing it. 
Although, for the D'Bohemia pigments, I mentioned I was going to be splitting them with friends and the MA gave me nine or ten sample jars to do it with! I couldn't believe it!!
Although, for the D'Bohemia pigments, I mentioned I was going to be splitting them with friends and the MA gave me nine or ten sample jars to do it with! I couldn't believe it!!
HotPinkHeels
Well-known member
Quote:
i had heard the same thing (also while working at clinique) they used to pour or sqeeze things into sample vials and pots but it's since been banned.
| Originally Posted by MeganGMcD It's has been my understanding that for years it has been illegal for anyone at a counter, any counter, to give out samples that do not clearly list the ingredients of a product. Whether it is right or wrong, I don't know. But there are some very sue happy people. I did someone a favor by sampling them a sunblock when I worked at Clinique and she almost brought a lawsuit up against the company for it. |
i had heard the same thing (also while working at clinique) they used to pour or sqeeze things into sample vials and pots but it's since been banned.
PhonyBaloney500
Well-known member
Lawsuit happy folks
Quote:
Can't people just write down the ingredients or look it up online lol? Kinda unfair of them to turn around and sue.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by HotPinkHeels i had heard the same thing (also while working at clinique) they used to pour or sqeeze things into sample vials and pots but it's since been banned. |
Can't people just write down the ingredients or look it up online lol? Kinda unfair of them to turn around and sue.
samtaro
Well-known member
The first time I got a sample, it was because the MA was exicted that I had returned empty pigment jars with residue for B2M, and our counter doesn't carry a lot of pigments, so she sent me home with samples of ALL the lipgellees...I didn't even ask for them, but I was excited.
baby_love
Well-known member
I've never been turned down a sample.
at the pro store in SF, one lady gives a smidge of a sample, another one gives about 1/4 sample jars worth, the other 3/4 sample jars worth and another gives the whole sample jars worth.
at the counter at Nordstroms in Corte Madera, I once asked if they gave out samples (because this was before I even knew if it was true or not) and she said "oh yeah, lets see which ones we have!" and she pulled out about 10 jars of different pigments. she also made me a sample of aquadisiac because they were all out! then another time, I went back and I asked another MA if I could get a sample (I had already bought a bunch of stuff) and she said that they don't have a lot of pigments anymore, so she gave me a sample of Hundred Degrees pearlizer.
at estee lauder, they have the coolest way of giving samples of foundation! they poor it into a little EL vial, and they put a little card around it (it looks like a sample of perfume) and it has the ingredients of the foundation and everything on the card. so cool.
at the pro store in SF, one lady gives a smidge of a sample, another one gives about 1/4 sample jars worth, the other 3/4 sample jars worth and another gives the whole sample jars worth.
at the counter at Nordstroms in Corte Madera, I once asked if they gave out samples (because this was before I even knew if it was true or not) and she said "oh yeah, lets see which ones we have!" and she pulled out about 10 jars of different pigments. she also made me a sample of aquadisiac because they were all out! then another time, I went back and I asked another MA if I could get a sample (I had already bought a bunch of stuff) and she said that they don't have a lot of pigments anymore, so she gave me a sample of Hundred Degrees pearlizer.
at estee lauder, they have the coolest way of giving samples of foundation! they poor it into a little EL vial, and they put a little card around it (it looks like a sample of perfume) and it has the ingredients of the foundation and everything on the card. so cool.
