Tipping your MAC MA?

[geeko]

i live in singapore...and i think different management from different countries have different ways of managing their sales staff

but that's what i heard from not one not two, but many MAC mas in my country. They are definitely paid on basic plus commission. I dunno how the MAC mas in the US are gettin paid though. But in my country it's basic plus commission.

 

[Make-up Envy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlliSwan Do any of you guys tip your MA on a regular basis? I'm not talking about adding on a little bit for a full face makeover, but just throwing some $ at your fave MA who helps you out a lot? I never knew they were allowed to accept tips at my Macy's counter, and now I feel so stingy! For those of you who do tip, what's the going rate? (I hate when people ask what they should tip me, but I really need to know!)

When I was a manager at MAC we were not allowed to accept tips, but if the counter that you visit does accept tips, I think $10 is very generous

 

[star*violet]

Seeing how I have to make a minimum $50 purchase to have my makeup done for prom (that's for any scheduled makeover), and seeing how it is technically a retail job for which they don't depend on commission, no way I would tip ever. Even if they did make commission, that's what should motivate them to sell more products and still doesn't demand any sort of extra compensation from the customer who just spent probably between $50-$100 on several items. Seriously lol sorry, it just sounds a little weird to me that anyone would agree to give tips when you normally wouldn't to someone who simply helped you try on clothes or shoes...

 

[Efionawade]

People tip bartenders for pouring a beer, or waitresses that just bring you what you ask for! What`s the difference between that and a makeup artist?
Well, makeup artists have to use actual SKILL to make people look good with makeup!

 

[star*violet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efionawade People tip bartenders for pouring a beer, or waitresses that just bring you what you ask for! What`s the difference between that and a makeup artist? Well, makeup artists have to use actual SKILL to make people look good with makeup!

i agree, but not all of them have that skill and waitresses (and even bartenders sometimes) have lower wages because of the tips they're expected to get, in which case it makes more sense to tip them for their work - and why there's a general rule of tipping %20. if it were a makeup artist working for my wedding or something, i would tip them, but not when i HAVE to make a larger purchase than i normally would anyway just to have them do it at all.

if you guys feel the need to tip the people working at your local MAC stores and counters though then of course that's your decision, and i like some of the women working there enough to sometimes lol but I don't tip people for doing a job they're already being paid to do well.

 

[Efionawade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by star*violet i agree, but not all of them have that skill and waitresses (and even bartenders sometimes) have lower wages because of the tips they're expected to get, in which case it makes more sense to tip them for their work - and why there's a general rule of tipping %20. if it were a makeup artist working for my wedding or something, i would tip them, but not when i HAVE to make a larger purchase than i normally would anyway just to have them do it at all. if you guys feel the need to tip the people working at your local MAC stores and counters though then of course that's your decision, and i like some of the women working there enough to sometimes lol but I don't tip people for doing a job they're already being paid to do well.

Oh I absolutely see what you're saying! We do have the service at MAC where we have a private makeup room and it's 55$ flat rate and you get a free mascara and a facechart of what we've done though, and with that service people aren't expected to buy anything, tips are welcomed with things like that (if tips are allowed at the store!)

 

[BeccalovesMAC]

I always tip my MA. I Don't care if its policy or not. I think if you really liked the finished product its just the right thing to do. I recommend my MA to every single gal I know. If your complaining about their $50.00 minimum, maybe you should visit your local walgreens and skip the MAC haul. Come on! Seriously if your gonna be a cheapskate then maybe you shouldn't be shopping at MAC at all. You can always skip the makeover and just buy the products. I can not believe ppl complain about this.

 

[ClaireAvril]

no. never.

 

[star*violet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccalovesMAC I always tip my MA. I Don't care if its policy or not. I think if you really liked the finished product its just the right thing to do. I recommend my MA to every single gal I know. If your complaining about their $50.00 minimum, maybe you should visit your local walgreens and skip the MAC haul. Come on! Seriously if your gonna be a cheapskate then maybe you shouldn't be shopping at MAC at all. You can always skip the makeover and just buy the products. I can not believe ppl complain about this.

You absolutely do not have to call me a cheapskate, thank you very much. I already gave my reasons for not tipping at MAC and acknowledged that others feel differently and there's nothing wrong with that. You can be mature and a little less hostile next time you disagree with me about something.

 

[jenixxx]

I find people get offended way too quickly on this board when someone disagrees with them about anything.

It's kind of annoying.

 

[jenixxx]

and when people say "you" they don't usually mean the thread author personally.

I didn't take: "Seriously if your gonna be a cheapskate then maybe you shouldn't be shopping at MAC at all" to be directed at one particular person. It's a comment made at anyone in general who shops MAC.

And then it results in posts like mine or other people responding that are totally off topic.

 

[shy_gal_jojo65]

i didn't even know we could do such things. hmmm... but i do commend them for doing what they did and of course the way i show my appreciation is to buy whatever product they recommend or used on me.

 

[atwingirl]

The thought of giving my favorite MUA a monetary tip never even crossed my mind. I like giving her small gift cards from the mall that her store is in. Nothing big but enough for a book or a pair of earrings. That way she can treat herself to something fun while on a break . I figure she has takes care of so many of us during her shift she could probably use a pick-me up as well! I would find the money thing too awkward.

 

[jenixxx]

^ that's a really nice idea, very creative!

 

[carlycase]

the girl that i go to when i buy at a counter is also a former co worker of mine as a waitress and she said she gets insulted when someone tries to give her tips.

and being a waitress is a whole lot more then "bringing someone what they asked for"
try having someone send their steak back 4 times because they don't know the meaning of medium well.

and waitresses make 2.13 an hour, or at least i do here in mississippi.
i don't know how much the girls make her, but my friend who works for mac pays 800 dollars worth of rent alone so it must be decent.

 

[akcmommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccalovesMAC I always tip my MA. I Don't care if its policy or not. I think if you really liked the finished product its just the right thing to do. I recommend my MA to every single gal I know. If your complaining about their $50.00 minimum, maybe you should visit your local walgreens and skip the MAC haul. Come on! Seriously if your gonna be a cheapskate then maybe you shouldn't be shopping at MAC at all. You can always skip the makeover and just buy the products. I can not believe ppl complain about this.

By all means, go ahead and tip. But to call others cheapskates for expecting people to do their job is silly.

Do you tip the sales staff at the shoes store that measures your feet and brings you several different pairs of shoes to try one? Probably not. It is similar here. I understand that there is some artistry there. But if you have met any of the MAs that I have purchased from, you would know they are there for the paycheck and to push you to buy more stuff.

 

[LMD84]

i don't work in the make up industry but i work for sony and we get commsion on items we sell (and i get a % of what the whole shop takes) but sometimes if we have done a really great job with a customer they will go out and buy us little gifts. i've been given chocolate and alcohol many times. once i got given cash.

to me if you go way above what is expected of you and you do an amazing job then why not get an extra little something for your hard work?

i don't have make up applications at mac but i always buy my hairdresser goodies every so often for doing a great job on my hair.

 

[sfmakeupjunkie]

I work at a Bloomingdales location and we are NOT allowed to accept tips. I know that it depends on your location and the policy of that store. If someone offers a tip we have been asking if we may use it as a donation for our Aids Walk team and most clients are happy to donate.

Tips are never expected and if they are you should try another counter or store in my opinion. I do however think that if they have squeezed you in last minute or it is a special occasion and elaborate awesome makeup is done, why not say a small thank you.

I understand the whole 50 dollar purchase thing and the makeup not really being free but the 50 is product not a fee, so I guess you have to do what you think is best.

 

[slipnslide]

Tips are just one of many ways you can show appreciation for someone going above and beyond. A thank you, coming back or asking when they're working again so you can buy from them, or even just buying something when you know there is no way you are going to return it is probably the best way. Then you can avoid this whole awkward mess!

If you think about it, a $50 minimum makeover is a great deal, because you couldn't possibly buy all those products and put them on your face (professionally, even) for $50! A MAC trained freelance artist could get paid for a wedding and bring their own train case, get paid just as much, and the bridal party wouldn't even have a shadow to show for it.

 

[BeccalovesMAC]

Everyones entitled to their opinion. I personally think if you are going to be cheap and not tip then you are a cheapskate. I tip everyone my nail person, my hair person, my mua, my housekeeper........ If you complaining...then hit up a wal-greens. My opinion.