Snooty Employees

Dec 25, 2010

Andrea F.

A place to share your stories with snooty workers at makeup places!
I find that SOME (not all, I've met plenty friendly ladies) can be really snobby at places like MAC, Sephora, makeup counters.. It's silly.
My experiences:
One time I went to a Lancome counter, wanting to buy the teint miracle foundation with some birthday money I had. I nicely said hello and asked if I could get face matched. The lady huffed and stomped off to get a brush and the foundation. I was like you know what? Nevermind. Haha. Sheesh. You'd think if somebody is working as a sales lady that they would turn you on to buying their product, not off.
Also, my mom was telling me about her christmas shopping experience. She went to our mall's new Sephora and said to the lady their "I'm looking for a palette or set for my daugher." and the lady asked what kind of palette and she said "I think I remember her saying she would like a warm palette." and the lady was like "We do not classify our palettes in cool and warm."...... Really? The lady obviously knew what she meant.. warm colors. Sephora has a lot of warm colored palettes. So my mom looked around by herself and saw the Temptu thing and asked the lady, "Oh so this is airbrush makeup?" and the lady responded: "Yes." No elaboration or anything. If I was there I would have gone off. What is she getting paid for? Rawr! Haha. Anyways. Anybody else experienced this?

Dec 25, 2010

Yasmin K.

I use to experience that at the local MAC store at Macy's. I got tired of the attitude from one particular lady and told her off in front of her manager. The particular woman didn't work there much longer, from what the other employee (who I do like and is very friendly) said the woman was canned because of her attitude towards customers.

Dec 27, 2010

Erin Z.

I never understood this. I mean SERIOUSLY I understand the working retail can be very demanding and at times difficult to handle when you've got jerk customers. I did my fair share of retail work.

But of ALL the places I've shopped, I've found across the country, that the MAC employees are consistently the worst. They, for whatever reason, seem to attract snotty stuck up bitches for employees.

I've had horrible experiences at the MAC stores in virginia beach, baltimore, san francisco, and richmond. Of course not all employees are terrible, but 9 times out of 10 they are snotty and don't know enough about the products they sell.

I finally got so fed up I decided to stop buying MAC altogether and refuse to give their company any more of my business. I'd much rather spend some time hunting for a MAC dupe at sephora or ulta, then deal with the attitude of their employees. 

Dec 27, 2010

Andrea F.

Seriously. It seems as though these ladies think they're so elite because they work at MAC that they forget their job which is to help people out and sell the products. 

Dec 27, 2010

Yasmin K.

LOL - No kidding, Andrea! And they tend to forget that they're making MINIMUM wage to boot! I worked retail so I can understand the bad customers aspect HOWEVER, bad customers doesn't mean you give bad service even if the customer was a Paris Hilton wannabe acting like she was Queen Elizabeth. 

Dec 27, 2010

Sarah Louise H.

I had a bad experience with crappy employees once.. actually it was my first MAC shopping experience and I was totally taken by surprise.. Like I'd heard about some nasty ones but I didnt think they were all like that.. It ruined my first MAC purchase and I actually havent been back since.. I'd much prefer Sephora, they are a lot nicer in there... I was quite upset actually because I do love MAC but the employees make it such a turnoff.. :(

Dec 27, 2010

Erin Z.

wow its strange to hear SOO many people have had shitty experiences with MAC. I mean, you'd think that upper management would do something about that.

I had one girl put her finger up in my face and with a shit attitude say "HOLD on, I'm WITH someone.." then proceed to yap on her cell phone. I was PISSED.

I turned my ass around, walked over to Sephora and dropped nearly 200 there.

The thing is, we are ALL makeup geeks, we all work hard for our money, and we all can choose where to spend it. So, if any employee is gonna be an asshole, their company wont be getting my business.

Dec 27, 2010

Andrea F.

Sheesh! Definitely. I hope the companies realize that their employees are losing business for them when they're snooty like that. It is strange that SO many people have these experiences. Mean, snooty sales ladies shouldn't be this common. Haha. & MAC has such nice products and are such a cool company. Their workers are ruinin' it for them! 

Dec 27, 2010

Caitlyn C.

Erin, come to the mac at nordstrom in norfolk! we have an awesome NICE team! <3

Dec 27, 2010

Kristen I.

I am so done with MAC after the rudeness I saw yesterday at the counter. Its ridiculous! 2 MAC sa's were rude to a high school girl because she was in high school. When she left they judged her, and said she probably cant afford a lipstick, an said SHE was rude! They weren't rude to me but I hate they way the MAC sa's here treat ppl. and have treated me over the years. I will only buy online if I really want something from now on.

Dec 27, 2010

Brenda M.

I agree they do have some rude employees at MAC, I havent gone to an actual MAC counter in over a year because everytime I go in there I am never aknowledged, I actually have to let them know Im there and that I need help. Ive worked in retail before, not in the makeup area but pharmacy and I was taught you always aknowledge a customer and ask if they need help. Seems like MAC counters dont really care to keep peoples buissness because they feel their products are so good people will come back to buy regaurdless. Not me! Id rather shop elsewhere or if I really want something from MAC Id rather shop online than bump into these employees. I think Ive only had a couple occassions where I was helped by a nice employee at MAC but that was not often.

Dec 28, 2010

Linda D.

Usually the MAC at my downtown Nordstrom they are extremely helpful but just a couple weeks ago I had to deal with the rudest employee ever. I was shopping for new lipstick and as soon as I grabbed my sample to get the lipstick the girl walks away from me and walks to this other girl that is oddly enough carrying a Chanel bag in her hand. Does she think I don't have money or something? Do I look dirt poor that you chose not to help me?! I got so pissed I complained to her manager. I made a scene but don't you blow me off for some snobby brat! I could be packing 10K in my bag! LOL

Dec 28, 2010

Luna V.

Wow, I have to admit I'm kind of shocked to read all the negative experiences with MAC employees. I have maybe encountered one or two snooty MAC girls in my entire makeup buying career. If there's one trend I've noticed, though, it's that the more made-up I look, the more attentive and pleasant the employees are. The days I kind of just throw on foundation and mascara and head out the doors are the days I get short answers from staff and treated like I'm in the way. Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe the salespeople are just having bad days, who knows.
Ironically, those who said they've had better experiences with Sephora employees also shock me: I have YET to have a pleasant experience with a Sephora salesperson. I haven't had unpleasant experiences, necessarily, but they always seem way less personable and eager to help than the MAC employees I've encountered.

Like Linda mentioned, a lot of salespeople seem to categorize people as "looks like they'll drop money," and "looks poor." I'll admit, I did it in my retails days as well. I think most people do, despite all of our DMs clicking their tongues and telling us stories about homeless-looking folks dropping thousands on high-end items, or children dragging in their six-figure-earning parents after pleasant experiences with staff. I think it's just a sad fact of retail-life. The more professional, put-together, and "rich" you look, the more pleasant and attentive the sales clerks will be. 

Dec 28, 2010

Yasmin K.

The local Sephora is a JCPenny one and the employees there are super nice and helpful. Then again, I've helped them out in answering questions they didn't have answers for in the past and they've given me extra samples in return! LOL Love that store. I ALWAYS ALWAYS go in without makeup when I shop at Sephora so I can play with what they have. I also tend to walk out with a semi-large purchase too.

At MAC I feel that I can't touch the products since they don't have the disposable applicators out.

Dec 28, 2010

Kristen I.

Luna - Thats the thing. We shouldnt have to wear a full face of makeup to get good service! When I worked in retail, it didnt matter if the person had on nice clothing, or not to nice clothing they got the same respect and great customer service.

Dec 28, 2010

Luna V.

I'm not saying its right, just that it tends to happen.

I used to work in a variety of retail establishments, and the sad fact is that almost everyone I ever worked with tended to avoid certain types of shoppers. Whether it was middle-aged housewives in designer tracksuits, or young mothers with multiple octopus-children, or business men with cell phones glued to their ears, or teenagers in school uniforms, there was someone we would all avoid. That's not to say if they approached us for help we wouldn't kill them with kindness and pray with all our might to be pleasantly surprised with their attitude and budget...Certainly, not every shopper fitting those descriptions acts the same way, but there was usually a reason we fled to the nearest back room in their presence.

But maybe it's just the area that I live in. I recently took a trip to Seattle and was shocked to see how sweet and helpful every retail employee I encountered was. Maybe it's just my crazy little Central New Jersey community.

Dec 29, 2010

Katie M.

I feel like my experiences at MAC are either hit or miss. Sometimes if they're busy the employees can be really snooty. Other times they can be extremely kind and helpful.

But yes I do get the feeling that MAC employees think they're elite. However I've only had positive experiences at Sephora and Ulta. 

Dec 29, 2010

Linda D.

Luna you came to Seattle? I'm located in Seattle lol. I know for sure that the girls at the south center store they are all very helpful but I think its just the location that you go too. The more high end the location is the more stuck up the girls seem to be. 

Dec 29, 2010

Luna V.

I was in South Center! Seriously, not even an hour after landing, I was in the South Center MAC store. Haha. --I also went to the Westfield Mall in Olympia, and found that the girls at the MAC store there were even more enthusiastic and helpful (and fascinated that I seemingly came from the opposite coast to hop malls). Ironically, I found that everything that had instantaneously sold out at our stores were still in bountiful stock there.

So yes, maybe it is partially a location thing. 

Dec 29, 2010

Linda D.

Yeah if you were to go to Bellevue or downtown thats a different story lol.

Dec 29, 2010

Kristina E.

I've never had an issue with MAC or Sephora in Canada, although I recall when I was living in Mexico, the one time I went to a MAC counter, the girl completely ignored me until she realized that I wasn't Mexican... As a foreigner I clearly had lots of money to spend... lol.
The girls at the Bay counter that I go to in West Vancouver, are super nice though. One girl put Stereo Rose on hold for me two days before it came out...

Mar 16, 2011

Soma S.

We ladies ALL have our DIVA moments, but it's WORSE when I get DIVAx's 10 at my local makeup counters by MALE employees. I can appreciate a man in makeup trying to sell me makeup, but that does NOT give you the right to up the catty-ness to prove your prowess in a female dominated world. I get it, you're skilled, and you have reason to be there... just don't give me the stank-eye because I'm willing to do a bright fuschia lip with a bold smokey eye and tell me I'm wearing too much shadow to go with this shade of lipstick. "!@#$??? Aren't you trying to sell me this lipstick? If I wanted to smear doo-doo brown across lip gloss across my face as a foundation after you politely warned me not to, you'd STILL have to sell me that product!"

*end rant*

Of course... not like I would do it.  =P

Mar 16, 2011

Andrea F.

Seriously! Ahah. They act like they don't want you to buy their product... when their job is to sell you the product. 

Mar 17, 2011

Keshonta B.

Been there done that ladies . I posted something on this a while back . What's sad is because some of you guys are way more talented than the people who work there its just a shame they don't value the ones who keep them employed.

Mar 19, 2011

Nancy-Lee C.

*Disclaimer: I have never shopped in a stand-alone MAC store only at Anchor stores like Norstrom, Macy's..

There probably aren't strong (if any) Customer Service training programs in place in these boutiques. Or if there are, they are not being implemented. Just because someone has perfected their craft doesn't mean they can articulate 'completing the experience' for the client.

Let me be the devils advocate here: How many times per day, do you think a MAC employee is told by a client: how lucky they are to work there, that 'it's a dream job', how talented they are.... Your ego could easily get out of check without proper CS skills. Worse if it's a shop full of egomaniacs egging each other on.

With that being said, I was in retail for 17 years, 15 of those as a Store Manager. My approach to CS, and the one I drilled into my employees was simple: You never know when your smile is the only kindness someone has seen that day.

i.e. Speak with a Smile.