Unfriendly Make Up Counter Sales Assistant

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I approached the counter of a makeup brand today. I only wanted to look at the lipstick colours but they were blocked off by a sales assistant who completely ignored my friend and I. Eventually I just said "Excuse me, can I just look at the lipsticks please?" No smile, no reply, no offer of help, just a very obvious sneer, dirty look and a move off to the other side of the counter where she continued to chat about herself / social life to her colleague.

I bought nothing and am tempted not to bother my arse purchasing this brand again.

A girl in the House of Fraser on another makeup counter told me she feels intimidated by them and said she wouldn't go near them unless she really needed something.

Most sales assistants are lovely but this one brand's group of representatives have a couple of complete cows working for them who (unless they are amazing make up artists) really have no place dealing with the public.

This is one individual employed by one store. Why are you holding the brand accountable?

Some are absolutely lovely, some are absolutely not.

Next time try to get a glance at a name badge so you can email Clarins HQ (or whatever).

There's plenty of makeup out there so you can choose to buy from another brand if you like, but I personally would not let myself be turned away from my favourite mascara by one rude employee.

Which brand?

So annoying when this kind of snobbery happens. I get treated so much better when I'm in my work clothes (suit) than when I'm in jeans and weekend stuff. It's a toatl own goal. FGS, it's when I'm in jeans that I might have time to listen to their beauty sales twaddle.

Not my first encounter with rudeness, my friend's or the other girl in the HoF (unlucky coincidence?)

I quite like their stuff but not enough to continue purchasing it if their sales assistants are rude.

I thought I was the only person in the world who can't get make up counter people to sell me stuff! I am rarely successful. I think I look like I can't afford the products and I just want free samples.

Mac by any chance?

My money's on it being benefit

I generally find HOF staff very friendly.

Whereas I seem to repel staff of all departments in John Lewis.

I have taken friends to watch. You really have to see it to believe it.

I would bet Mac too. Even on a really good day they can make you feel a total clot.

Mac I bet. I've always had good experiences but heard they're can be snobby and rude.

I was coming on to say Mac

I used to do this job for a different counter and they were always the rude, unapproachable ones...

Yes, sillysusan, you hit the nail on the head.

By that I mean, yes, it was the Mac counter.

I knew it would be MAC!

They have the worst counter staff. The worst.

It's a job for the department manager to sort out. You should report it, people need their jobs if they don't want them.

Our local Mac guy is lovely, first time I had visited counter so didn't know what I was doing and he was lovely.

OK then, I have to stand up for MAC in Debenhams Merry Hell, he was lovely, and I used to work there and we didn't have much time for cosmetics staff. Dior lady is lovely too.

I got completely blanked in Mac ,
To be fair, I don't wear make-up, but DD wanted a lip liner.
I tried and tried to get someone to help me (I wouldn't let DD go in there alone, she's nearly 14 and I feel they'd follow her like a hawk. ) But I was pushed away from the counter by a group of browsers and didn't get a look in.
So left, empty handed. Their loss

Benefit pounce on me if I go within 100 yards

All those people saying report rudeness to a manager, I don't think it makes a difference. These people are trained in the brand and are encouraged to create prestige by being 'gate keepers'. If they make you feel shit they've done a good job as far as their employers are concerned.

Make a complaint to head office. Did you get the sales assistants name by any chance?

If not, not store, date and time.

No I didn't get her name dangerrabbit.

I have a feeling you are right Morris but I can't fathom why when I've had nothing but good experiences with other (and higher end) brand representatives.

I can only wonder if it was because I'm the wrong side of 40?

I would complain to the Cosmetics Department Manager of HOF & MAC HQ they're owned by Estée Lauder Companies & their head office is in Mayfair, London if that helps for an address & they are actually BIG on customer service (yes I was a make up girl once ). I'd also write to the concession manager.

I bloody hate rudeness & bad customer service!

There are far more prestigious brands that don't treat their customers as disdainfully as many MAC assistants do.

God I don't find that at all with Mac. Use Brighton, Tunbridge Wells and various London stores and they've been unfailingly lovely and helpful. I'm no shrinking violet and wear a fair amount of make-up but that can't be a huge factor surely?