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MAC's policy on samples? Getting samples at MAC?

post #1 of 356
4/30/05 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
hey! i just signed up for the forum here, but i've been reading the board for a while.

soooo...d'bohemia is coming out soon, and i really don't have enough money to get the colors i want. so i'm totally panicked.

i know i can handle a few eyeshadows and maybe a lipglass, but the pigments would totally destroy me.

is it okay to ask for samples of two pigments? i don't want to seem rude, because i'd feel like i was cheating, or something--there's really enough pigment in those samples to last a very long time! on the other hand, i'm broke, and desperate for these colors.

so...needing advice here! is it okay to ask for the samples (i've only been offered them before)? and would asking for 2 be over the top?

thanks!
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post #2 of 356
4/30/05 at 4:46pm
i ask for samples, but i'm well-known at all the MAC counters in town and i'm a VERY good customer.

it doesn't hurt to ask, you might only get one.
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post #3 of 356
4/30/05 at 4:48pm
Well I only ask for 1 sample per every 30 dollars I spend. but thats just me. hahahaha...
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post #4 of 356
4/30/05 at 4:50pm
they dont give out pigment samples usually
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post #5 of 356
4/30/05 at 5:05pm
Maybe if you nicely explain that you can't pick all of it up at once, and you were thinking of getting the pigments, but would like to try them first. Most MAs are reasonable about that sort of thing.
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post #6 of 356
5/1/05 at 3:14am
They've given me samples of pigments every time I've asked except for once when they didn't have any sample jars left.
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post #7 of 356
5/1/05 at 1:29pm
I don't even need to ask for samples, I just get them mm that's not a good sign accoriding to my wallet
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post #8 of 356
5/1/05 at 1:33pm
^ how much do they give in you a sample jar?
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post #9 of 356
5/1/05 at 1:43pm
half full for all of mine.
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post #10 of 356
5/1/05 at 2:28pm
Thread Starter 
thanks everyone!

i've actually been given samples before, but normally they offered them to me. so i wasn't too sure. thank you.
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post #11 of 356
5/1/05 at 4:06pm
my MA told me that she usually dont give out any samples because the customer is able to check all of the products on the counter but she gave me a little sample of the moistureblend foundation and its gorgeous!
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post #12 of 356
5/1/05 at 7:42pm
that's really weird, VV, especially with foundation. because that's one product you REALLY need to check in a variety of different light conditions, a sample is a necessity!
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post #13 of 356
5/3/05 at 3:04pm
Hrm, that's a good question, I'd like to know also..I've never been offered samples because

A. the counter was jam-packed
B. I didn't buy enough
C. I totally forgot

Do they give samples at freestanding counters too? Somebody enlighten me on the "sample etiquette"

mich.
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post #14 of 356
5/3/05 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RussianSexpot
Do they give samples at freestanding counters too? Somebody enlighten me on the "sample etiquette"

mich.
I've gotten pigment samples from my counters before (at Saks & Dillards), but I don't usually ask for pigment samples, unless I'm buying a few things. However, I almost always ask for empty sample pots (I use them to make travel size pigments) and I always get them...
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post #15 of 356
5/3/05 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
i normally forget about samples, and the MAs always surprise me when they offer.

i got a sample of glitter one time when i was at the counter and had spent all my money. i was asking the saleslady all about it, and she said, "here, try a sample!" it was really sweet, but i don't use the glitter.

the other time, i got TWO samples. i had just bought a pallete and filled it with a bunch of purples. so the MA told me i should try violet and gave me a sample. and i blurted out, "can i have blue brown, too?" she was really nise about it.

i don't know the "sample etiquette" really, either. the one time i asked (for bluebrown), i had been planning on buying it, but they were sold out. so i'm not really sure how i'd go about asking in a different situation.
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post #16 of 356
5/3/05 at 4:33pm
I think if you have a very good connection to one of the MA she might give you any sample you want! In the end you're the customer who pays her job...
My MA gave me last time a sample without even asking! I told her about my musical debut and she just looked at me like a detective and said: "Well then, you have to try Face & Body! You're a NC15 right? Here'S a sample!"
She's sooo sweet!
Next time I'll go and ask her for a Teal sample...*crossingfingers*
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post #17 of 356
5/14/05 at 8:14am

Have Mac stopped giving samples?

When i first discovered Mac last year they were happy to give a sample of liquid stuff like foundation and concealer and creams. But at christmas time my counter kept saying they had no container to give them in and another counter said the same thing and now they just say ''you'd have to bring in a sterilised container if you want a sample''

Have they stopped giving samples? I'm not a freeloader, i just can't afford to spend so much without trying it out a couple of days 1st, especially base stuff. I usually end up buying more through samples, so it would be a shame if they've stopped. I live in the UK btw.
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post #18 of 356
5/14/05 at 8:18am
Hi Sushi_Flower!

I live in Germany and I never heard of a case in which they dont give out any samples of bases...
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post #19 of 356
5/14/05 at 8:40am
What has been my experience in the last year or two is that they gave me very generous samples of something after they had demonstrated it to me and I really loved it, only to realize when they went to get it, that they were out. They gave me so much CCB in Root, for example, that I never had to buy it!

Otherwise, I got a couple of freebies when I made big purchases, but certainly not every time. Seems to be a random thing, or maybe different MAs give more free stuff, dunno.

When I bought all three Bohemia pigments I asked for sample jars to split them into and I thought I got a bit of attitude for asking. I got two (why only two? I bought three pigments!!)

Also when I was a the Pro store,l I wanted to BUY empties but she said they didn't have any. I was under the impression they sold empty jars (?).
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post #20 of 356
5/14/05 at 8:46am
Well i havn't asked for a long time now thinking they've stopped but i may try again.

What's CCB Root?
and do they give samples of Pigments/glitters?
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post #21 of 356
5/14/05 at 8:53am
Sushi_Flower, CCB Root is Cream Colour Base in the color Root, named for Kevyn Aucion's manager. :-P
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post #22 of 356
5/14/05 at 9:18am
I dont think they give out pigment samples...well thats what my lovely MA told me! But they have always tons of empty jars...
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post #23 of 356
5/14/05 at 11:01am
i've never had a problem getting samples of anything from MAC, and VV they DO give pigment samples.. very generous ones in fact...i got such a big sample of white gold and clear blue sky pigments that i never had to buy the full size cos they last FOREVER! i've got samples from freestanding stores, pro stores and counters all over the country... sushi flower what store were u at? i've gotten samples from MAC in the UK too...
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post #24 of 356
5/14/05 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star
What has been my experience in the last year or two is that they gave me very generous samples of something after they had demonstrated it to me and I really loved it, only to realize when they went to get it, that they were out. They gave me so much CCB in Root, for example, that I never had to buy it!
I got that too.. they gave me samples of Provence pigment and Shock Me gloss. Huge samples!
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post #25 of 356
5/14/05 at 2:37pm
I can't remember what I bought but I got a sample of Coco just recently.
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post #26 of 356
5/14/05 at 2:39pm
I've only had one experience when they didn't have any sample jars. But I could see her looking around for them and I knew that they had actually run out. I don't always ask for samples... only when I'm already buying something and if I think the SA is nice enough to say yes.
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post #27 of 356
5/14/05 at 2:47pm
Depends on the counter & MA. MAC policy is to give samples, but it's all so dependent on the individuals who work @ the counters/stores. Of course if they feel like someone is abusing the policy they might refuse to sample.

The best way to get samples & great CS is to get to know ONE MA or counter you really vibe with. Then buy soley from them. You will find that after you start dropping money with them.. samples of anything are no problem.
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post #28 of 356
5/14/05 at 2:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janice
The best way to get samples & great CS is to get to know ONE MA or counter you really vibe with. Then buy soley from them. You will find that after you start dropping money with them.. samples of anything are no problem.
That would be best, granted, but not practical for me.

And, do you think they are on commission?
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post #29 of 356
5/14/05 at 3:04pm
Supposedly they aren't, but there are alot of MAC MA's here maybe one of them can chime in.
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post #30 of 356
5/14/05 at 4:01pm
I have really bad skin allergies so I refuse to buy something unless I have had a sample or a guarantee that I can return something if I have a reaction to it. The MA's at my local counter have always been fantastic about giving samples, but I also drop tonnes of money there. They recently gave me very generous samples of bare canvas and stilife paint to try. I loved stilife and ended up buying it. I think it is smart for them to give samples of stuff you might not otherwise try. It definitely gets me to spend more money. BTW, Biotherm is also excellent about giving samples or taking returns on stuff if you have problems with it.
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