Only ever had good counter experience at a Dior counter. Cannot bare to shop any other brand. I find the staff are rude and obnoxious, think they’re better than everyone. I’d rather save them the commission and buy online.
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Oooh I had a lovely Dior experience when the shops opened post lockdown 1. Also YSL.
I've had really good experiences at my local MAC store; I've found the staff. The magic that those artists can work is incredible (it's free to be made up so long as you buy one full-sized product that they use). I have had snooty service at Christian Dior, Chanel and Yves St Laurent though.
Oh that's strange. I usually have a positive experience in Mac, the sales assistants are always friendly and we get talking. I do wear A LOT of makeup though. 
The first and only time I went into Bobbi Brown they looked at me like I was a piece of rit.
The first and only time I went into Bobbi Brown they looked at me like I was a piece of rit.
Absolutely terrible. Snooty and rude. Im so glad you can get Mac elsewhere now as I do like there lipsticks. I usually buy from ASOS when they have 20% off or Boots when they have a points offer.
To be fair, I've had a mostly good experience in Mac stores/counters (I'm based in Dublin). They've never come across as stuck up to me, just hungry for commission lol. The only bad experience I had was in Manchester airport, the lady on the Mac counter was so stuck up to the point where I had to stop myself from saying "you'd wanna get over yourself, you work at a makeup counter in an airport".
As a teen, I always wanted to be one of the girls on the makeup counters.
I once had an “audition” to work on the Benefit counter part-time and other candidates and I had to stand at the counter and traffic-stop customers, sit them down on the high chair and put some products on them, give them a mirror and convince them how much better the done side looked, even better if you could get them to buy it afterwards. Ultimately, if you could make sales, you’d get through to the interview stage.
I got down to the final two but didn’t get past the last interview because I wouldn’t be available on call due to college, but to be honest, I think they found the other girl’s appearance to be more marketable than mine, she was simply more glam.
Now I’m just happy to have my day job and indulge in the makeup. I find that the counter job may be quite boring a lot of the time and too commission-driven.
I once had an “audition” to work on the Benefit counter part-time and other candidates and I had to stand at the counter and traffic-stop customers, sit them down on the high chair and put some products on them, give them a mirror and convince them how much better the done side looked, even better if you could get them to buy it afterwards. Ultimately, if you could make sales, you’d get through to the interview stage.
I got down to the final two but didn’t get past the last interview because I wouldn’t be available on call due to college, but to be honest, I think they found the other girl’s appearance to be more marketable than mine, she was simply more glam.
Now I’m just happy to have my day job and indulge in the makeup. I find that the counter job may be quite boring a lot of the time and too commission-driven.
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I regularly used to use the Mac Studio Fix Foundation, I would go in on my lunch break at work as it was just round the corner, one day I popped in, got the foundation home and the next morning I realised it was about a quarter full! Bare in mind it’s nearly £30. I was so annoyed. I went back in that morning and they said “sorry it must have been a tester” 
After that I stopped using it and use NARS now it’s actually a lot better.
After that I stopped using it and use NARS now it’s actually a lot better.
I find the ones in my local MAC store are intimidating. The ones at the Debenhams counter are fine though 
Every MAC counter I’ve been to they’ve acted like they owed me a favour for asking for a product to buy.
I switched to Ester Lauder for foundation years ago and never looked back
I switched to Ester Lauder for foundation years ago and never looked back
I’ve never experienced any rudeness at a Mac store or a make up counter. I’ve had my make up done in Mac a few times. Unfortunately the one near me has shut. You’re giving them your money I don’t understand why they are rude.
How rude!! This is why I hate entering their stores they need to get better employeesNever been to a store but we have a couple of concessions where I live. I went in for a translucent powder that I’ve used for years, as I’m quite freckly so I don’t wear foundation much.... I got told I really should just cover them up, as nobody likes them any more. I did not buy the powder
I feel like makeup brands should make more effort to have kinder more customer friendly people on their stands, I only ever order makeup online now from ASOS haha but tbh I hate MAC makeup I don’t see the hype at all. Once I saw they were selling a mini tiny eyeshadow palette for near £40 and I couldn’t understand why anyone would want it
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I would think that they should be using the raved about machine whats the point of guessing anyone can just pick a shade
I worked for benefit for about 5 years, I loved it actually. But yes we had to wear 10 products minimum everyday. It wasn't good for you and I got a lot of skin problems. I had no make up experience but got a 2 week course with them before I started about make up and how to sell. At benefit you don't have to be a make it artist where as at MAC you have to show a portfolio to get an interview. Its supposed to be much more artistry based. Most of the other brands do not require make up qualifications but sales experience is more important.
Agree completely with previous comment about missing out on big spenders therefore big commission for other customers who might just browse. It was annoying however u never know who's going to walk up. I did a makeover one Wednesday evening for a lady who's dog had just died (she wasn't going out anywhere i just got talking to her so did her makeup) and she dropped £500 on about 20 products all in one go.
I loved that job and do think about going back but yes it is highly pressured to reach targets and can be very witchy. In department stores there is rivalry amongst brands so counters are competitive. There is also competition between sales assistants on each counter and jealousy as to how many sales people make.
Agree completely with previous comment about missing out on big spenders therefore big commission for other customers who might just browse. It was annoying however u never know who's going to walk up. I did a makeover one Wednesday evening for a lady who's dog had just died (she wasn't going out anywhere i just got talking to her so did her makeup) and she dropped £500 on about 20 products all in one go.
I loved that job and do think about going back but yes it is highly pressured to reach targets and can be very witchy. In department stores there is rivalry amongst brands so counters are competitive. There is also competition between sales assistants on each counter and jealousy as to how many sales people make.
I was a huge fan. At one point I had MAC 32 lipsticks, 26 of which were red. (Please don't do the maths) 
I haven't bought any new make up in more then three years though. I've only had positive experiences even when I've had some do a make over for me and not bought anything.
I used to watch a lot of make up videos online and some I've ordered from their website.
I haven't bought any new make up in more then three years though. I've only had positive experiences even when I've had some do a make over for me and not bought anything.I used to watch a lot of make up videos online and some I've ordered from their website.
I’m glad it’s not just me who finds Mac really intimidating. I’ve bought and had make overs from other high end brands like Benefit and Urban Decay and they’ve always been really helpful, but is something very snooty about Mac and the staff that work for them. I don’t know why because I don’t think their products are that good in all honesty.
I find Mac counters very hit and miss with their customer service. A couple incidents that stick out to me are:
I was getting foundation matched and the woman seemed really pleasant and helpful. Until it was time to pay. I followed her to the till where she wouldn’t even give me eye contact. I asked “please could I have a bag” as I bought a few extra bits and only had a small shoulder bag. (All the makeup wouldn’t have fit in my own bag) she finally looked at me, rolled her eyes. Handed out the bag, so I reached to grab it and instead of handing it to me she just full on let go so it fell onto the counter. No apology or a Thankyou. She just walked off.
Another time I was with my friend (the same Mac counter) and a girl we went to school with had started working there. We were chatting to her for a while and my friend wanted to buy a highlighter. Whilst she was paying the girl asked my friend for her email adress for an e-receipt and said “oh, remind me of your name again” in a really condescending tone.
I don’t know what it is about Mac stores that make their staff feel superior to others.
I was getting foundation matched and the woman seemed really pleasant and helpful. Until it was time to pay. I followed her to the till where she wouldn’t even give me eye contact. I asked “please could I have a bag” as I bought a few extra bits and only had a small shoulder bag. (All the makeup wouldn’t have fit in my own bag) she finally looked at me, rolled her eyes. Handed out the bag, so I reached to grab it and instead of handing it to me she just full on let go so it fell onto the counter. No apology or a Thankyou. She just walked off.
Another time I was with my friend (the same Mac counter) and a girl we went to school with had started working there. We were chatting to her for a while and my friend wanted to buy a highlighter. Whilst she was paying the girl asked my friend for her email adress for an e-receipt and said “oh, remind me of your name again” in a really condescending tone.
I don’t know what it is about Mac stores that make their staff feel superior to others.