AIBU to return a free gift and ask for a new one?!

11 replies

GraduallyGoingInsane · 17/03/2013 13:30

I am a huge Clinique fan, as are my DDs. I know it divides opinion here and I look forward to the 'YABU for using that crap' comments, but it works for us!!

It's recently been the Boots offer where you buy two items and get a free gift. I needed new moisturiser and DD1 was after a mascara, so in we went. I'm also in the market for a new eyeliner pencil so I was happy to see that the gift set included eyeliner amongst other things. I've wanted to try the Clinique one for a while so I thought I was onto a winner.

We made our purchases, got our gift and headed home.

Today I opened the eyeliner ready to try it out for Sunday lunch at the pub. It's one of those twist up pen style ones rather than a pencil. The eyeliner must've been twisted right out as it was snapped in the lid. There was a tiny shard left where it should be in the pen, and a black mess in the lid (and now all over my hands and cardigan, damn!)

AIBU to take it back to the counter and ask for a new non-broken one, even though it was free?! I want to try it, but I'm not paying for it if this could be a common flaw. DH is of the opinion they will laugh and send me away for being ungrateful, and pointed out we got about 6 items free, so if one is a bit dodgy we still did well.

Come on, give it to me straight, AIBU!

OP posts:

musicposy · 17/03/2013 13:34

No, you're not being unreasonable. The reason you got the other two things was for the gift. That's why they give the gift, to sell stuff. The gift was part of the purchase deal and it's reasonable to expect it's of useable quality. I'd go back. They won't want to refund the lot. I'm sure they will change it.

AliceWChild · 17/03/2013 13:36

Yanbu

mellen · 17/03/2013 13:37

You arent being unreasonable and I doubt it will be an issue, they will most likely replace it without question.

Allthingspretty · 17/03/2013 13:46

Ynbu go back to the clinique counter

fuckwittery · 17/03/2013 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AgentZigzag · 17/03/2013 13:49

YANBU.

firawla · 17/03/2013 13:54

no yanbu, it doesn't matter if it is free or not they have to replace it for you - otherwise it will be an advertising standard issue if they offer something free but you dont get that actual thing. its the same with competitions etc, if you win something free but it doesnt work or not as described, they legally have to sort it for you. free doesnt come into it

ElliesWellies · 17/03/2013 14:02

YANBU - you don't need the whole gift replacing, just ask for another eyeliner.

mysteryfairy · 17/03/2013 14:06

I recently bought a modest gift (2 chubby sticks) at the Clinique counter in Harvey Nichols. I mentioned it was for a 40th and she stuck 6 samples in too making it a fab present. I was really shocked to see the huge vats of samples they had. I think they will swap for you without a second thought.

Barbie1 · 17/03/2013 14:13

Having worked for the Estée Lauder companies who own Clinique I would say that they might not be able to change it that easily for you.

Gwp (gift with purchase) has its own set of targets etc so every gift is accounted for.

However I would go back and try, failing that I would ask them for the head office contact details and write them an email stating your disappointment. Lots of my clients have told me that they received a replacement and additional samples in way of an apologie.

Trills · 17/03/2013 14:15

It doesn't hurt to ask.

Flip