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Original poster

Unfriendly Make Up Counter Sales Assistant

102 replies

MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff · 19/03/2016 21:01

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.

OP posts:
IoraRua · 20/03/2016 16:16

I think it all depends on the sales assistant (which isn't right at all, but you know what I mean). I was in MAC dundrum a few days ago and got served by two absolutely lovely makeup sales women

OnlyLovers · 20/03/2016 16:17

Polly, and yet here you are on the same forum, ignoring the more important things you have going on and instead responding to the inconsequential OP...

Original poster
MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff · 20/03/2016 17:34

Polly, no ranting from me, just sharing my experience on an international forum.

OP posts:
PollyPerky · 20/03/2016 17:36

Errr....I didn't say I didn't ever use MN. I said to Trill that some of us don't find it hard to post so she's incorrect to assume that lack of posting = inability to post.

Trills · 20/03/2016 17:43

I'm not assuming that lack of posting = inability to post.

I'm questioning the idea that posting = caring very very much.

Posting is easy.

Posting = wanting to discuss. Without any implication of high levels of caring.

TWOBANANAS · 20/03/2016 17:50

I too knew it would be MAC. I got blanked for about 5-10 minutes when waiting to have a look at some foundation. I was ready to buy a lot of stuff too as used to wear it years ago but it was like I was invisible. Have hated the brand ever since.

ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp · 20/03/2016 17:57

And MAC still test on animals so another good reason to avoid.

JolseBaby · 20/03/2016 18:24

Knew it would be MAC. I find them very unhelpful and far too much of the 'too cool for school' attitude. I don't give a shit that I am pushing 40, if I choose to walk over to your counter then I expect to be treated politely.

I went to one recently, could not get any help at all out of the very snotty assistant who clearly thought I was a timewaster. So I strolled over to the Chanel counter - which was in her eyeline (dept. store and quite quiet as it was mid-week) - spoke to the very nice young girl there, and spent quite a lot on the type of makeup I had been looking at, at the MAC counter. I confess to being slightly childish and giving her an eyebrow raise and a huge grin as I swanned past on my way out.

These stores are missing a trick. I might be older but I have more damn spending power than your teen customers do. Most importantly, I won't be swayed by whether something is fashionable or not - if I like it, then I will keep coming back.

ICantFindAFreeNickName2 · 20/03/2016 19:09

I was very disappointed with the MAC staff in Liverpool the other week. My DD who is 13 needed a new concealer & I said I would treat her to a MAC one & would see if they could show her how to apply eye liner . The 4 MAC people were busy talking to themselves and could not be bothered to help us or even talk to us even though there were no other customers. We walked over to the Bobbi Brown counter where they were very busy. The lovely helpful girl said she had 5 mins to spare before her next appointment and showed my dd how to apply concealer & eyeliner, she then put on a little mascara & lippy to finish her look. Guess where we will be shopping in future.

LadyPriggsbottom · 20/03/2016 19:16

Lord, if we only ever posted about things which were really important and mattered a lot to us, the S&B page would be a lonely place!

JolseBaby · 20/03/2016 19:48

Dammit. Knew I'd missed a memo somewhere.

All that time I have spent arguing about whether the dress was white and gold, or blue and black - wasted. I could've been splitting the atom, curing cancer or cleaning behind my fridge.

Thank God someone came along and pointed out the error of my ways. I can only count the ways in which my life is going to become more productive!

Grin
CoolToned · 20/03/2016 22:15

It seems MAC is notorious for this ANYWHERE. Even in Asia, lots of snooty MAC sales staff who act like they own MAC.

CoolToned · 20/03/2016 22:15

It's a good thing I never liked MAC.

MorrisZapp · 20/03/2016 22:26

Those who have had lovely service from makeup girls, I wonder if it's because you're the type they like dealing with? Ie groomed, trendy clothing and fully made up?

I would expect them to treat you well. Where their reputation takes a hit though is when they are openly rude to customers who don't fit their target profile.

Go back in your worst outfit, clean of face and with an unbranded crap handbag. Let us know how it goes :)

IoraRua · 20/03/2016 22:31

I do that all the time Morris - no makeup, tracksuit bottoms on (actually that's how I looked in mac dundrum a few days ago!). I've also done it when groomed and put together. No problems with service either time.
Not saying that people don't get shit service, I'm sure they do - just has never happened to me.

WanderingTrolley1 · 21/03/2016 01:28

I'm not trendy or well groomed and use little makeup and have always felt welcomed and valued as a customer in MAC.

FundraisingPTABitch · 21/03/2016 01:30

No one has worse staff than Charlotte Tillbury.

Had to get to Harrods before I had a positive experience with the brand. It's amazing makeup, but the sales reps everywhere else are just awful!

Bunbaker · 21/03/2016 08:08

"On the same day I was searching for a matte lipstick to try and was approached by a young girl working for Revlon. She wasn't able to help at her stand but took me over to a competitor's stand and helped me choose a new lipstick. I emailed Revlon about her too and they replied saying that it would contribute to her next review."

I had a similar experience in Debenhams in Meadowhall recently. DD has very pale skin and most foundations aren't pale enough for her. I was served by a lovely young man on the Clinique counter, who put a free sample in a pot for me. He then took me over to another stand with a different make up brand (I can't remember the name) and told me that they did even paler shades. He asked the assistant for a sample for me.

"Those who have had lovely service from makeup girls, I wonder if it's because you're the type they like dealing with? Ie groomed, trendy clothing and fully made up?"

Nope. Not at all. I am 57, wear very little make up and am not in the least bit fashionable looking. However, I am confident and politely assertive. I don't usually come across rude shop assistants. I am polite and friendly towards them and nearly always get polite and friendly service.

I have never approached a Mac counter though Grin

Trills · 21/03/2016 08:49

Go back in your worst outfit, clean of face and with an unbranded crap handbag

Duvet coat, bit of eyeliner but not foundation, handbag from Sainsbury's, and I got very nice treatment from the lady at Estee Lauder in House of Fraser in Edinburgh

My handbag is not CRAP though, it's a lovely Sainsbury's handbag!

It was a mumsy lady rather than a 20-something who thought she was cool, if that helps.

cavedescreux · 21/03/2016 09:32

I had a similar experience twenty years ago on the MAC counter in Tysons corner in DC. I like to recall it as my Pretty Woman moment Grin
Never shop there any more!!

Wagglebees · 21/03/2016 13:33

I knew it'd be MAC too and despite previous posts to the contrary I'm adding the MAC counter in Selfridges, Trafford Centre to the shit list. Over staffed, disinterested, rude and inept.

I buy a stupid amount of make up. I know make up counters and MAC are the rudest by far. Chanel are always really helpful as are Bobbi Brown. Actually most are good apart from the scowlers on MAC.

Wagglebees · 21/03/2016 13:39

Feel I should add I wear make up, am well groomed, nails painted and dress fashionably when going shopping for clothes, make up etc. I'm still youngish. There are YT videos by beauty vloggers who've experienced the same poor treatment. So I'm not sure that's the problem. Although it shouldn't factor in at all.

Tbh I get the impression anyone other than an actual Kardashian would get the side eye treatment at a MAC counter.

Bunbaker · 21/03/2016 14:00

So, why is Mac so popular? There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding the brand.

MitzyLeFrouf · 21/03/2016 14:01

They do have some great products and they're at the cheaper end of the high end market.

dragonsarebest · 21/03/2016 14:44

Why is Mac so popular?

Constant limited editions and campaigns, lots of celebrity collabs, good range of products, excellent marketing. I respect the brand but don't use any of their products, partly because I agree that their counter staff identify the "Mac customers" before you've even opened your mouth. Oh and they have always always always matched me to foundations several shades too dark, I think if you're not super pale they assume you'll want to look orange [hmm[

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