Please share your recent experience at department store beauty counters
Please share your recent experience at department store beauty counters
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I am interested to find out about your recent experiences at department store beauty counters.
I'm someone who is interested in skin care and makeup, especially new products, but most of the time I get a less than helpful experience at Myer/DJ's. Usually one of two things happen:
- Nobody is at the counter. This is more than half the time on weekends at suburban shopping centres, and more common for the high end counters (YSL, Armani, Chanel, Bobbi Brown).
- Somebody is at the counter, comes to you but not really interested in answering questions about their products unless they can sell something quickly (even when they are not busy). Even worse if you ask for a sample that they have advertised on facebook that you have signed up for. They never say anything rude, but you can tell from their body language that they are not interested in interacting further with you.
Now there are always exceptions, and I'm pleased to say that I've had a very pleasant and helpful experience with two beauty counter staff at suburban stores, one was Clinique and Estee Lauder, who were genuinely interested in matching me with the right foundation formula/ shade, and took time to take off some of my foundation to try the shades on the side of my face. But this is very rare.
I'm not sure if it is the way I look (I don't have designer handbags and clothing, and wear light makeup, dress neatly but casually) or if it is just what it's like for most people.
I would be happy to splurge on high end products and I have done so for good quality products in the past (usually foundation). For something like foundation, it really needs to be the right shade and formula and I want to take my time to try, to check the shade in daylight before purchasing. I never ask for samples unless it is advertised. Sometimes I find the lack of staff and the attitude really off-putting and wonder why I would want to come back to purchase their product even if I liked their product.
Would be interested to hear of the experiences from other ladies in this forum. Thanks in advance!
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When I have had the opportunity to go to Myer/David Jones Department Stores, you are absolutely right that there isn't enough staff at the counters and when they are staff at the counters they mostly are trying to sell You the latest deals whatever they are, even when you specifically want something else.
The plus about the large department stores is if you can get someone at the Counters is you can ask for sample sizes of products to take home, I have gotten these are few times which has been great.
Thanks Margi59. If it's not too personal, do you mind sharing how you are usually dressed when you go to department stores? I'm just wondering if that makes a difference.
Usually try to dress up as well as I can and do my makeup really well it does make a difference if you are dressed up and look impeccably dressed.
That's interesting and useful to know, thanks Margi.
I agree with this, generally I find the service is much better if I have a full face of makeup and not a hair out of place (which is very rarely) to when I'm in my usual state of just a light foundation, lippy and mascara.
I have also found multiple times when I go to the stores with my sister who usually has a full face of makeup and designer bags, the sales assistants are literally swooning over her to get her to buy things and giving out samples left right and centre. She is mid-20s.
That's really interesting Eskimo82, especially since you can compare the difference when you are fully made up or with your sister. I guess the salespeople do look at appearances!
Like you, my usual state is light make-up only.
Unfortunately I think generally (at least in my experience) that's the way it's been.
Though I have had some wonderful experiences as well, and a bit luck of the draw with who's on at the time. One time when I used to go to the gym in the city and go straight to work, I forgot my makeup bag at home. I went to Clinique to see if I could buy some makeup quickly, when I explained my situation the sales assistant told me not to waste my money on new makeup when I already had it at home, and gave me sample pots of everything I needed. I definately did not look my best that day and got such great service!
Yeah it does depend on the person who is on. I'm glad you had a nice experience Eskimo82! That's unexpected kindness when she could have pushed for some sales instead.
Agreed, I often find that they aren't well-staffed. I also find it a little bit frustrating when I know exactly what I am wanting to purchase and make this really clear, but am recommended other alternatives instead (which just so happen to always be more expensive). Sometimes when I want to actually test something (e.g. a foundation), the staff are nice about it but I just sense that they feel burdened? In their defence, I am 23 but look about 16, so I wonder if they just assume I'm not serious about making a purchase.
Yeah that is frustrating, I wonder if they get higher/bonus commission on different products.
I don't think your age should be any indication of whether you are serious about purchasing something.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I’m a big fan of Sephora’s coloured basket system. Not that I’ve used it yet, I just love the idea of being able to attract salespeople or send them away depending on my needs.
I also always push for samples. I have ridiculously sensitive skin and sense of smell, so if they can’t offer me a sample to try before committing to purchase I’ll just politely thank them and walk away. No more wasting money on full size products that don’t work for me.
That makes sense that you need to try before you buy for the sake of your sensitive skin, MGM, especially if it is an expensive item. How have you found the attitude of the sales person when you ask?
I haven't shopped at Sephora but I read somewhere that the service in the CBD store is appalling. Maybe the ones in the suburban malls are better.
Mixed responses from salespeople, but generally the more expensive the brand, the more likely they are to give you a sample – I think they better understand the long-term value of a loyal happy customer than the cheaper brands that rely on sales volume.
I see, thanks MGM!
I find it a bit sad that sales people focus more on customers with the right look, than say an average person.
Just my perspective but if I go in without making and looking average or even crap, most of the time whatever they will apply will look amazing and will make me feel good about myself, so I will be very temped to purchase it.
Yes, it is disappointing, because it comes down to the sales people making a judgement on customers and giving different treatment based on the customer's appearance. It's silly because appearance is not an indication of the amount of disposable income one has, or the enthusiasm to purchase.
I love going into the city to shop. I find the beauty counters to be very hit and miss.
My appearance......full face of make up, nails are done, hair is done. I’m usually wearing jeans with a decent top. My handbag is a Colette. So nothing special, but I’m neat and tidy.
My experience.......most of the counters of terrible. Benefit in Myer is always excellent. MAC is hit and miss. I’ve walked away from Clinique many times.
Rarely go into Sephora. I think their service is pretty terrible. Couldn’t fault Mecca. I’ve never had anything but outstanding service from them.
As for the Myer at the local major shopping centre not far from here, does anyone actually work there??? It’s bad. And I mean REALLY bad.
Thanks Rose for sharing your experience. I have heard that Mecca is good, maybe I'll use them next time.
Ha ha yeah you wonder if the local Myers actually have beauty counter staff. sometimes a rep from another brand has to come and help me, which is not ideal since they don't know the products.
I don’t even bother with Sephora and Myer anymore. I get everything I want from Mecca. Never had anything but the best experience with them, both online and instore.
The only thing I buy from Myer is Gimme Brow and/or whatever from Benefit. They are pretty good. Never had a problem with them.
I always have great DJ experience. Last time I got something beauty related, no one was at the counter I was at. Great I thought, I can browse, swatch and see what is new at peace. Then you see one lady in her 50s+ comes and asks what I want. I say what I want. She assists immediately and helps with zilion swatches (lip pencils, glosses, foundations, highlighters...these I had zero at that time in my stash). So I had a swatch buddy. Gosh her patience. I apologized and said I suck at makeup, so for me making decision is "kill me now". She smiled not once, very serious woman. I so respect that! Can not stand grinners just because they think it is needed at their jobs. Nope, not needed. I love real people!. So ya, got my foundation, she mentions gwp which was quite great, so I pop in thing I was deciding should or not to buy (sooo happy I did). That was that.
Same was at clothing portion of DJ. Great people. They leave me alone. Or respond if I ask for opinion and help.
It would be an experience shopping with you Yoh and like seeing the world through a child’s eyes! Such a glass half full person! You could have a career as a personal shopper. Isthat what they call someone who escorts and guides another person who wants to shop?
Glad to hear you have had great DJ experiences, Yohanna. Would that be the CBD store?
oooh, people pay for it Kas?
Bondi Junction one, love it, also my near by Miranda.
I think it depends on the person too but I do agree I think they do look at your appearance.
Actually just the other day I went to get a sample of a product I received an email about stating to go to the counter and ask for the product. The person from the counter wasn't working that day so someone else had to help. I told her I was there to get a sample of the particular product but she would not give it to me until I showed her the email! WTF?!
OK I should have been prepared and brought the email- although the email DID NOT state "present email for sample" it just said go to counter and ask for *** but in saying they ASKED for the email it was a SAMPLE I was not asking for a full size product! I've gotten samples before of things I wanted to try from counters as every one has them.
Another time I went the lady was fantastic I just went to ask about a product and she gave me several samples of that and a few other products gave me detailed info on what to use when and not to mix certain ones etc. She was fantastic but then others are just outright rude.
That's a pain ThisisMe. I guess the person from the other counter wouldn't know about the promotions so maybe felt that she shouldn't give away something that wasn't supposed to be given away?
It still comes down to lack of staff - if the original counter had staff, this wouldn't have been an issue.
Mind you, there's been a few times where I've spoken to the counter about their advertised offer that they just sent to me, and they tell me they're out of samples.
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