Beauty Advent Calendars Thread 12 - reeling in the aftermath of SFAC, we soldier on... 💄💋

[LightandBreezy]

Welcome to the 12th thread, we still have 50 days till the daily unboxing officially starts, although I very much doubt any of our calendars will remain untouched until then 😂
Still time for lots more friendly chat, tips and discount codes - to cut down on links as a poster requested, here's link to some very comprehensive run-downs of the calendars https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars/
When enjoying those breakdowns please remember that some are OOS already - Harrod's Fragrance, Harrod's Beauty and Selfridges Beauty to name a few.

Oh no! Missing products are not good. Advent calendar shopping like we have all experienced on this thread is definitely NOT relaxing, or a sport for the faint hearted. The set backs and curve balls , you have to have your wits about you at all times, and a mindset of resilience. There must be easier hobbies! Hahaha!

Gosh, I hope they are able to locate and keep you one aside for your Jan trip. Fingers crossed! That is really disappointing xx

This sounds like a very wonderful evening, I am jealous!!

@FK79 I used AI to ask about the Queue-IT software and holding/waiting room as I had 4 browsers all with different queue numbers. It said that once the queue opens, everyone in the waiting room is randomised by the software and given a number in the queue. So it seems that this is entirely a lottery as to where you get placed. If you join after the queue opens it also explained that the software automatically pushes you to the back as it then switches to a First In First Out System. So this has always been a game of chance and no matter how early you join the waiting room it makes no difference. You just need to be in the waiting room before the queue opens to have a chance.

Squee!

I’ve had a horrible 6 months but for the first time in that time I’ve finally taken a day off from normal duties and went for a delicious lunch with a friend followed by a fun trip to the cinema to see Practical Magic 2 (how incredible do Nicole and Sandra look eh). Then came home to find this on my doorstep!

Oh wow that just seems even more unfair. I have only got close once over the three drops, was entering card details and it went out of stock as trying to complete the transaction, that was on the first drop when the wishlist was working. So frustrating and such a waste of many hours.

@Noeggsontoast that is really
inter and explains some of the random numbers we all got!

@FK79 apparently it’s designed to give everyone in the waiting room an equal chance by running the randomiser the moment it opens. A bit like the doors opening in a store and some people can run faster than others to get the goods and others can’t. Yes bots got in, but that’s the principle of it. It’s hard knowing that a lot of all of our waiting was pointless when we received high queue numbers. I’m a logical person in spite of this crazy thing called BACs so I like to understand how it works. I dislike it when things don’t make sense.

@Noeggsontoast I am the same tbh. It did feel very pointless and not really how a queue should work. I would feel better if it was first come, first served rather than the mess it was.

Same! 😁 I think it is quite a good gwp. Some nice fragrances and decent sized moisturiser and SPF. Certainly better than last year’s empty bag! 😂

@FK79 I hear you but if it worked that way people that lived near Selfridges servers would have a greater advantage than those who lived far from them, purely due to the speed and distance by which people’s internet connections would need to travel. Not all broadband speeds are equal. They would all get in the queue before people further away even if they click at the same time. I don’t know what’s worse camping outside the store and a stampede or this random online lottery draw system.

Holding space for those who have been through the SFAC debacle 😬

I'm very tempted by Fenwick's now. There's apparently a 10% off code for first orders (this would be my first online order) but I'm not finding it anywhere?

I also need to do a side by side critique of Fenwicks v Liberty but I'm almost BAC'ded out. I guess that's a job for AI

I think Ryan might have glitched. He’s typing the same response over and over. I’m worried for the lad. #sendhelpforryan

@IlovePond In my sleepy state I forgot to respond regarding your DS having his phone stolen in London. It’s great to hear he got it back, I love stories like that 😊
I suppose it’s an easy target for thieves because a lot of people use their phone for the map; me included usually so I’ll have to keep this in mind!

How big was the sfac stock today? 1000+?

When using your map try leaving your phone in your inner pocket and turning on audible directions. If you must have it in your hand walk far away from the pavement edge. Its ride by grabs

I moved just under 3000 in the queue, so I would assume around that number possibly.

Do you by any chance still have the one from ebay and would be willing to sell it?

No, sorry, I sold it on to a lovely mnetter 🥰

gosh how did I miss that there was another drop of SFAC? How did you know it was another drop today once again? Are there others planned?

I've been out for the day and can't believe there was another SFAC drop! It looks like they've tried to do something to stop the bots this time but if they could put that in place for this drop, why couldn't they have done it from the beginning?

I did have a lovely day in Norwich instead, dragging my poor DP round Jarrolds and John Lewis so I could try all the fragrances I could fit on my arm. I think I've gone nose blind now. I was also treated to one of the new Dior lipsticks, the glazed violet one. It's soooo pretty 😍 I then got home to a parcel containing my three most wanted SFAC fragrances so all in all, a brilliant day and no online frustration. Commiserations to anyone who missed out again and congratulations to anyone who secured one. I wonder if they'll learn any lessons for next year or if they'll have managed to drag their reputation out of the gutter by then?

Ah that’s lovely to hear @ClutteredPalace, I was thinking of you and @SucksToBeYou today while I was driving.

Thank you for the tip, I always have my phone on silent so this didn’t even occur to me - I’ve got some AirPods and an inside pocket on my coat

I always felt it was a lottery and not a queue. it was too random. I expect most work just like this and it's probably the reason I was able to get the Sephoria Gold ticket. It was just sheer luck.

Speaking of which, Sephoria London is tomorrow and I'm really excited now. There's loads of great brands going to be there.