Specktra the devil?!

[alysia]

lol thats too funny. And it is the devil. In a good way

I had an MA tell me that estee lauder was going to 'take care of those evil sites' and than stomped off. All because I happend to mention how I hated the Lure packaging. The other MA just looked at me & rolled her eyes.

 

[FlaLadyB]

The Devil? IT AN ANGEL WITH WINGS! and I LOVE IT!

Yes...my MA's all look at me like...how do you know this???
Sometimes I bring them printouts of the stuff they haven't even SEEN yet themselves....and I already KNOW what I want ahead of time! I think it makes for GREAT SALES! My MA at Nordstrom loves me and we go over the launches together and pic things out that I want....who could ask for a more SATISFIED CUSTOMER?

 

[pugmommy7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlucesco Specktra IS the devil. I would never lustfully long for all the new collections like I do, if not for this board.

the powers that be must love us. we can cause a run on anything- just by word of mouth.
free advertising for mac! how perfect for them!

 

[2_pink]

The last time i was there, i spent mad money, so the MA was very happy and threw in a Sundressing postcard (before i asked) and the Culturebloom dvd!! A little late, but oh well =) She was all excited to invite me to the Lure event and then i started talking about it & Turquatic and then she asked me how i knew. So i told her about specktra, and before i could even get into any detail she stopped me and was like "Oh, its one of those sites that leaks the info huh??"

To be honest, i never looked at specktra in a negative light like that. So i immediately tried to defend it *hahah*..i said how much people just really love MAC. The she said "Well thats no fun, then you already know all the good stuff" But it helps a lot too, i get to see what i want and dont want, i can budget my money and get tons of input from different people. Plus, ive learned like tons of stuff on here too.

I think we are MAC angels =)

 

[vicuna1]

I just don't understand how being an informed consumer would be a bad thing for an MA, except that maybe we come in knowing exactly what we want, which could possibly be intimidating? Seems like it would be an easy commission to me. On the other hand, perhaps they think it is more difficult to upsell to someone that knows exactly what they want. I don't necessarily think this is true, but maybe that is the thinking. And I suppose I would feel somewhat foolish if I worked for a company, and yet the customer seemed to be more up on the products than I was.

I had the opportunity this weekend to go to a freestanding store (this happens maybe twice a year, so it's a big deal for me). I had my list in my hand, she gathered the goods, we chatted about some things I had questions on, I asked for a sample of Strobe Cream and she talked me into the sample pack. It was all very effortless for her, took all of 11 minutes and a nice commission including one up sell.

 

[Janice]

You would be surprised at the amount of MA's who just don't like websites like ours, or more specifically Specktra.

Estee Lauder's legal team has contacted Specktra and forced (with the threat of legal action) us to take down images. They are aware of us, and undoubtly watch in a removed way what's going on.

 

[-x-buttercup-x-]

I don't get how they could see specktra as a bad thing, I mean the whole site is basically promoting MAC, I knew hardly anything about it before I stumbled across specktra, but now i can name practically every shadow and pigment. I suppose it may be a bit strange having people telling the MAs about stuff rather than the other way around. But i think all in all its a great site

 

[user3]

That cracks me up!

I'll take being a demon

 

[princess]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice You would be surprised at the amount of MA's who just don't like websites like ours, or more specifically Specktra. Estee Lauder's legal team has contacted Specktra and forced (with the threat of legal action) us to take down images. They are aware of us, and undoubtly watch in a removed way what's going on.

Maybe they don't like the fact that we the customers know more than most of their MAs sometimes?

 

[Wattage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by princess Maybe they don't like the fact that we the customers know more than most of their MAs sometimes?

I agree!! I was at my counter a few weeks ago and ran into a girl who was in one of my classes last semester. She was telling me how it's time to get over Cover Girl, etc. and start wearing some adult makeup! It was so cute. She asked me which eye I liked better (the MA had done two looks) and I told her which one, why I liked it, what shadows I thought she should get and how she could recreate the look. I then turned around and realized the MA had been standing there watching the whole time. I felt bad and apologized, but she had a pretty mean scowl on her face! In all honesty though, I felt like I had done the MA a favour. I think my friend bought more because it was someone she knew giving her advice, rather than just a sales person.

It's really hit or miss. Some MAs are so cute about it when you know something they don't - others take it way too personally and get in a little snit.

 

[FlaLadyB]

you made me laugh....I have one MA that I LOVE. I was with a gfriend at the counter looking for her when another MA came up my gfriend let her put makeup on her. I asked the MA to please add the V at the corner of her eyes. Welll... I don't think she even knew what that was...so I did it myself when she was through and it made my girlfriends eyes pop. The MA was just standing there with the...how did you do that? look.... LOL!!!

 

[Isis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by princess Maybe they don't like the fact that we the customers know more than most of their MAs sometimes?

Maybe it's because we put alot more passion into it

 

[ms.marymac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wattage I agree!! I was at my counter a few weeks ago and ran into a girl who was in one of my classes last semester. She was telling me how it's time to get over Cover Girl, etc. and start wearing some adult makeup! It was so cute. She asked me which eye I liked better (the MA had done two looks) and I told her which one, why I liked it, what shadows I thought she should get and how she could recreate the look. I then turned around and realized the MA had been standing there watching the whole time. I felt bad and apologized, but she had a pretty mean scowl on her face! In all honesty though, I felt like I had done the MA a favour. I think my friend bought more because it was someone she knew giving her advice, rather than just a sales person. It's really hit or miss. Some MAs are so cute about it when you know something they don't - others take it way too personally and get in a little snit.

I think she had a scowl on her face because you told her how she could recreate it. That could possibly fall into the area of "The Friend". Ask any counter person about "The Friend".

I am not trying to be bitchy, just being honest and trying to explain what might have happened! I know you meant well.

 

[Colorqueen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice You would be surprised at the amount of MA's who just don't like websites like ours, or more specifically Specktra. Estee Lauder's legal team has contacted Specktra and forced (with the threat of legal action) us to take down images. They are aware of us, and undoubtly watch in a removed way what's going on.

Talk about shooting yourselves in the foot!

MAC/Estee Lauder has to be one of the strangest companies I have come across in a while. They do things to cut off their own business quite often.

Other times they seem really nice and helpful.

The Makeup world is very competitive and fertile ground for the green monster that is for sure. MA's get all bent out of shape at the strangest things. I can say that because I am an MUA.

I always joke that makeup artists are like snarling dogs- you never know what will set them off to bite you!

 

[pugmommy7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicuna1 Seems like it would be an easy commission to me. On the other hand, perhaps they think it is more difficult to upsell to someone that knows exactly what they want.

That is how I see it.
I have fave mua's now though so it is not an issue.
they know they will make a great sale, and all they have to do is pull stock. once we get that part done, we can play a little. i am often happy with something that they suggest and use in a way that i hadn't thought/heard of. esp cool layering combos.
~but if it is someone who doesn't know me, they inevitably piss me off anf try to see me stuff i do not want/need.thats is usally when i do my b2m's and get outta there-lol.
Same thing pretty much a nordies. At christmas i just needed a few things and had a list-someone i have not seen before or since was pulling the hard sell-didn't fly.

that said specktra has just helped be become a more informed consumer. and i definatelt spend more than before.

 

[queenofdisaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnightlouise So I went to the MAC freestanding store here in town on Friday. I took my list, and I had been saving and selling on ebay so I could afford a pretty significant haul...*cough* over $200 *cough* One of the male MAs sees the notebook and the stash that was piling up on the counter and says "wow, you are a serious MAC addict!" To which I replied grinning, "yes, thanks to Specktra." And he says to me..."that little underground website is the devil!" (picture this in a slightly Southern accent and it's even funnier, no offence to those with Southern accents, keep reading....) He walked away to help another customer, and I had to laugh, because in my mind I'm hearing Kathy Bates in Waterboy with her thick Louisiana accent saying "Foosball is the devil." Bwah-ha-ha! ("Look, Mama, the devil's on TV") So I said to my MA "well, I guess I won't tell him I'm a moderator there" and at that she started laughing, too. I guess he doesn't love us *sad violin music playing in the background* heh heh... So wait, if Specktra is the devil what are we? Little MAC demons? :twisted:

so if he works there... my question is, shouldn't he be a lil mac demon too? poo on him!!!

hehe this is us with our little mac notebooks... LMAO! :deal:

 

[queenofdisaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice You would be surprised at the amount of MA's who just don't like websites like ours, or more specifically Specktra. Estee Lauder's legal team has contacted Specktra and forced (with the threat of legal action) us to take down images. They are aware of us, and undoubtly watch in a removed way what's going on.

holy!!!??? what? thats insane... i guess SOMEONE doesn't like the fact that specktra is making them major moolah! and forcing us lil demons to dream about pigments and lipstick!!!!!!! mwahahahaha

 

[betty]

My last words!!

You are all a bunch of idiots with nothing better to do with your time than talk about make-up 24/7!!!

NEWS FLASH!! More than half of the MAC Artists out there LOATH this site (including me) because of what it is. BTW....it's NOT a money maker for MAC or EL it is in fact a BIG problem for them, and I hope they shut this ridiculous site down!!!

This site is actually the reason that MAC and EL are losing money and in turn that's why we MA's can't stand it. This site leaks information about products that haven't even hit the market yet, therefore other cosmetic companies are using this information to rip off items that MAC is coming out with. Why can't you make-up freaks have just a regular site with chat and FOTD's without all the MAC launches? OH wait...it's cause you're all insane...i forgot.

All of you that think you are intimidating us, think again....when i have to listen to one of your rants on the new collections coming out I think to myself, "wow", this poor girl has nothing better to do with her time than to sit on some stupid site for 12 hours and talk make up all day. BROADEN YOUR HERIZONS people! No wonder the world is in the state it is, because half of it is too concerned with how their liner looks and what to buy from the new collections.

Well, I hope that Specktra gets the boot, you certainly don't have my vote!!

PS....MAC Artists DO NOT work on comission!

 

[Shawna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by betty You are all a bunch of idiots with nothing better to do with your time than talk about make-up 24/7!!! NEWS FLASH!! More than half of the MAC Artists out there LOATH this site (including me) because of what it is. BTW....it's NOT a money maker for MAC or EL it is in fact a BIG problem for them, and I hope they shut this ridiculous site down!!! This site is actually the reason that MAC and EL are losing money and in turn that's why we MA's can't stand it. This site leaks information about products that haven't even hit the market yet, therefore other cosmetic companies are using this information to rip off items that MAC is coming out with. Why can't you make-up freaks have just a regular site with chat and FOTD's without all the MAC launches? OH wait...it's cause you're all insane...i forgot. All of you that think you are intimidating us, think again....when i have to listen to one of your rants on the new collections coming out I think to myself, "wow", this poor girl has nothing better to do with her time than to sit on some stupid site for 12 hours and talk make up all day. BROADEN YOUR HERIZONS people! No wonder the world is in the state it is, because half of it is too concerned with how their liner looks and what to buy from the new collections. Well, I hope that Specktra gets the boot, you certainly don't have my vote!! PS....MAC Artists DO NOT work on comission!

It sucks that you feel that way because you seemed happy to be here when you first started posting. Not only that, you had some excellent advice for other members here. I think that is how most of us found Specktra; we were looking for a place to learn how to apply makeup, how to pick colours and all the things involved with makeup. Yeah, we may be freakish to you, but I'm a part time stay at home mom and after having my child, I didn't feel like myself. When I found this site, I not only found a hobby (because collecting makeup is my hobby) I found a great bunch of people with similar interests. Some of my darkest days were brightened by coming here and being able to vent about being a first time mom and having others give me advice. If we are all a bunch of idiots, I am raising my hand and saying I am proud to be one of them

 

[mspixieears]

I don't think anyone here would want to intimidate anyone, and I'm really sorry that you feel the way that you do. It'd be safe to assume that no one here wishes MAC any harm.

It might be incredibly sad to you, but is there really anything wrong with people discussing makeup in such detail or at such length? I can think of much worse things people could be doing. Makeup is definitely one element of life that I could survive with, but as someone who is currently too unwell to work or do the things that would constitute my profession, being on Specktra is a most welcome distraction from the more deplorable aspects of life. I think others here might also see makeup and Specktra in a similar fashion? We're most certainly not trying to rob MAC of its livelihood.

Perhaps I'm an idiot too, but it's a choice for me and one I'm willing to indulge for the time being.