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.

I wasn't in HoF, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was in a large shopping centre in Dublin where Mac have a counter in a different dept store. HoF are also in this shopping centre too.

It appears that Mac rudeness is an international phenomenon

I've never had anything other than good experiences with the Mac counters in Birmingham; very professional and friendly.

You should definitely speak to HO.

Were you in Dundrum Martin? I really hate that place! Give me town any day.

Yes Squoosh. I always go there looking a bit glam (remind myself of my mother dressing respectably to go to hospital appointments etc). I thought I had scrubbed up okay but the young wan put me in my place

I only wanted to see what Ruby Woo and Russian Red looked like in real life...

Complain to Brown Thomas. I hate that nonsense.

Ah don't let the mean feckers make you feel bad. I'm sure you looked gorgeous. It's her problem if she was too interested in chattering about her latest conquest in Copper's than doing her actual job!

Of course not all MAC sales assistants are terrible but the only bad encounters I've had have been at MAC counters. I'm arsey though, I just match their disdainful look with a more disdainful look.

Complain to HoF, it's genuine customer feedback.

Complain to MAC!

A couple of years ago, I had a really shitty experience with one of the 'brow experts' at Benefit- she was condescending and got really personal. I had a really awkward appointment with her the other month

I do find the stand alone stores tend to be a lot nicer than the counters in department stores.

However, Urban Decay and Estée Lauder have really good customer service!

Squoosh Mac are in BT's in Dundrum.

Ah, complain to BT's then. HoF wouldn't be able to do much more than nod and say 'yeah, they're terrible cows in there'

I have bigger fish to fry at the moment tbh rather than following up with a complaint, but I really don't think I'll bother darkening their door counter again. She lives to be a snotty cow (towards more customers) for another day.

Go to Kiko and buy their dupe of the MAC lippy: their 607 for Ruby Woo.

I was in Dundrum today and had a similar experience with Mac. However, theres a Charlotte Tilbury stand near theirs and I found the staff there very attentive and nice, so they got my business.

Had a similar incident recently. I tweeted Debenhams and emailed Estee Lauder. Do it! Surley if people continue complaining about rudeness they have to do something!

On a positive note, I've always found the women at the Chanel counter to be lovely.

Mac in Brixton are friendly and give great mimi-makeovers. They seem a bit over-worked though - always 2-3 people requiring attention at the same time. I got my best ever under eye concealer there recently. I have darkish circles (runs in family). I always used to go very light and reflective under eye concealer. The assistant suggested medium brown and did a contrast - 1 eye light, the other darker. The tired-looking under eye circle completely disappeared.

That area in BT2 were MAC is is awful, it's too small and all the customers and staff have to squeeze past each other. I rarely bother unless I know what I need for that reason.
Town is not much better.
Staff a bit short and full of themselves in both. I'd only go when quiet and then tell them I don't need their help when they try to apply garish colours up to my eyebrows.

Diana interesting what you say about MAC in Brixton (in Morleys),they always seem to be so busy there and need more staff if anything.

Sometimes I don't have time to wait for them but it's not always that easy if eg I want a product that I know the name of. On a few occasions I just walk past that MAC stand. I personally haven't found many MAC staff to be any more bitchy or unfriendly and helpful than other makeup counter staff to be fair...

You should certainly complain to the store though. I worked in a medium sized town for 5 years, almost opposite a big department store, as it was so near it was my go to for clothes, makeup, tights, shoes, gifts etc. I got comments from the shoe counter that I was "a good customer". . So I know that they definitely do or should take on board your comments.

She sounds awful.

I would dearly love to have free rein to look at makeup without getting hard sell though. I know it's their job but I just don't go to makeup counters now.

A middle ground is needed.

Also was in a department store where makeup counter assistant was having loud conversation with her friend at next counter about how her friend was "retarded". That's not the norm though, thankfully.

I immediately guessed MAC too. What makes them all the more irritating is that while they are all so 'busy', you don't even have the opportunity of grabbing the product yourself and heading to the counter. Makes a quick grab and dash when you want to replace your foundation impossible unless you want to order on line. A shame as they were fab 15 years or so ago. I like benefit and have always had good help from them.

Yes the Brixton MAC crew are fab. Really helped with my vague requests for a certain shade that I couldn't remember the name of and tracked it down for me

Absolutely knew it would be Mac. I was told that things were too pricey for me in there the other day. I'd popped into town before my riding lesson, so was dressed for the stables (johds boots and a hoody - all clean and not even remotely horse smelling). Was ignored, then when I asked for assistance the assistant told me that it wasn't for me and maybe I'd be better off in boots at no7.

I was suitably embarrassed so left, and went to the counter nextdoor which happened to be ysl. The lady was lovely, she sold me what I wanted (and gave me a few free samples) and apologised for Mac. (Whilst also laughing that it wasn't the first time it had happened and it was all her gain really...she also slipped me the details of the stores customer services dept)

I've emailed them to complain. But also to praise ysl lady. We talked horse, she was friendly and actually made me want to spend my money...came out with a purse lighter then I intended...

I knew you were going to say Mac. I know several people who have had negative experiences with Mac.

What is so special about their make-up anyway?

Was ignored, then when I asked for assistance the assistant told me that it wasn't for me and maybe I'd be better off in boots at no7

That is appalling.

I have also heard that unless you buy several products and spend £££££ they aren't interested.