Mac vs Sephora?

Dec 12, 2014

Christina R.

So lately, I've been contemplating of whether or not to buy MAC cosmetics since I am a sephora junkie and addict lol.

I decided to go to the MAC store here in Phoenix. Let me just say I was so disappointed!! Horrible and snotty customer representatives who wouldn't offer any help. Unlike sephora, they're customer reps are so helpful and sweet. I immediately left and thought, why is MAC so overrated, should I just look past the store reps and focus on the quality of makeup.
So at last, what is your guys' preference?

Dec 12, 2014

Christina R.

Their

Dec 12, 2014

Bella B.

I definitely prefer Sephora, Mac has terrible employees!! I rather shop online at MAC. But over all I personally think Sephora has the best choices and their employees are the sweetest.

Dec 12, 2014

Gisell G.

You know there was recently a thread with the similar subject & I personally think you should contact MAC to let them know, because it's not the product that is the problem, it's the employees which shouldn't be a reason for which you should stop buying their makeup IMO I think you should be able to buy makeup & be treated as you want to be treated but for that you need to call attention to it, so again I would contact MAC & let them know about your experience, that is so ridiculous -.- sorry you had to deal with such rude people. But I just want to remind you that not all people are the same, I have a MAC near my house & thankfully with nice, sweet employees so maybe try a different one if nothing changes?

Dec 12, 2014

Christina R.

That's true, but my assumption is, if the employees act snotty it reflects upon the person managing the store. You are right,

Dec 12, 2014

Gisell G.

Sometimes, not always but the manager still isn't the boss

Dec 12, 2014

Rissa G.

Lol I always have bad experiences at Mac stores.

Dec 12, 2014

Gisell G.

That's what I mean, there are so many rude people & it makes the store look bad:/ it sucks but I mean I definitely think MAC should work on watching who they hire as employees

Dec 12, 2014

Lauren G.

If the staff is rude, I do not support that particular store. That's what happens if people want to be rude.

Dec 12, 2014

Ivette H.

I have had negative experiences at both sephora and MAC but that doesn't stop me from purchasing the products I like. I try to brush it off at the moment and then call and ask for a manager and let them know I was unhappy with there customer service.

Dec 12, 2014

Maria c.

I also had a bad expierence at mac once. I was very young and barley getting into make up I asked the girl for help because I wanted to buy a blush and so I asked her and she said what color do you have in mind and I replied I didn't know because I wasn't sure what would look good in a very rude tone she said well what do you usually wear so basically I ended up picking a blush color on my own that happened at a counter at a macys. I prefer going to an actual mac store I find the employees there are much more helpful. I have a weak spot fir mac because that was the first high end makeup I discovered lol. on the other hand the employees at sephora always greet you with a smile and offer help

Dec 12, 2014

Sarah N.

The mac by me is amazing I love everyone there. I have heard of many instances of people having this issue so I do agree you should contact them as well as anyone else who is experiencing this. would I stop buying mac if I did experience that? probably not, I love their products and I have come in contact with a few rude employees here and there at both mac and sephora but nothing horrible and like I said luckily the employees by me at both stores are generally very sweet and helpful. if it continues but you do like the products sadly I would suggest just going and getting what you want and not dealing with them too much. it sucks cuz they should be there to help but I can't stand rude people so I probably would just say I don't need assistance and get what I want and be done with it

Dec 12, 2014

Sarah N.

The mac by my bfs old house is quite snobby though. I have only been there a few times but they seemed to judge who walked in considering one day I stopped in with him and was wearing my loubitons d&b blazer and Louis bag and they all were so sweet then I stayed at his house a few days later and went to pick up a lipstick dressed very casual since I wasn't feeling well and it took forever to get someone to ask if they had it in stock. luckily I am never out in that area cuz we now live together and like I said the one by me is amazing but I find it sad that they judge on what you look like if you will buy anything or at least that's the vibe I got, because let's be honest even if I was broke I'd still be buying makeup haha. Let us know if you contact them hopefully they understand this could really hinder their sales

Dec 12, 2014

Alma M.

I like both and yes some can be catty but here's the thing ladies they not all but most don't know everything there, so just laugh get what you need and go lol I think people don't understand counter talk versus makeup artist, they get training that is needed to make profit they're not the saver to all makeup and most have only worked counter it's very rare to get actual artist.I've had a person who worked for Trish macevoy line call me for makeup information also some that worked at Ulta and Mac call me.Don't be intimidated by them they smell it like a cheap perfume lol go in with confidence and they'll see this and take you more seriously they're in it to make the numbers.I'm not saying all but some and I'm not saying it's ok for them to treat others bad I'm saying it's time to do your own research when it comes to cosmetics your basically walking into the unknown on both sides and once they noticed the more people don't need them to build the ego up they will work harder to be kind and needed.I think all need to let the head corporation know these things if it indeed is going on everywhere.I have to say Mac has great stuff but I'm not a fan of their foundations and Sephora is awesome to.:-)

Dec 12, 2014

Alex M.

Sephora is nice because it has a lot of different high end things and I love MAC quality and I have never had a problem with MAC employees maybe it's just the ones I've been to in the Chicago area but I've never had a bad experience like everyone says.

Dec 12, 2014

Alice L.

Well I'm going to say sephora, because I work there but seriously like what Alma said not all Mac or sephora's employees are professional makeup artist, I'm clearly not an professional makeup artist, but I do just know simple things here and there, and we may sound snobby but maybe we are just tired, working there doing the best that we can... And I know for sure because my co workers will probably do, if you dress more expensively, we will most likely come up to you and be more friendly because of commission. But if you walk in more confident and know what you want, we could see that and will do our job by helping you guys, and if you guys are unsure of something just come up and will answer to our best...

Dec 12, 2014

Alice L.

We= both Mac sephora workers

Dec 12, 2014

Jenny A.

This has been experience as well. No one would ever wait on me at the department store, even if the counter was dead. They were all just gabbing to themselves. Then when they did finally help, it was like they couldn't get rid of me fast enough. My experience at the MAC store in Minneapolis was even worse. I went in there with my stroller and kid and they acted like such a-holes. He was asleep in the stroller, not doing anything and they acted like I was bringing down the tone of the place. Nevermind the fact that I actually dress up to go shopping and had loads of pricey shoe store bags with me. I will never forget it. I like the few MAC products I did buy when I eventually was able to buy something, but I've tended to stay away because of it. Sephora everyone is nice, counter and artists and I always feel more comfortable there. God, the customer service in the makeup department at my local Target is ten times better. (Maybe partly why I continue to go back there.)

Dec 12, 2014

Alice L.

If so, Jenny I would really recommend complaining to the manager, or complain online

Dec 13, 2014

Kendall O.

I've never had a bad experience at a MAC store or counter. I love MAC products and I've always been sufficiently helped and greeted. Actually I've been offered jobs on 3 separate occasions in a MAC store. Maybe being a professional makeup artist changes their tones I don't know, but I've had great experiences there, and at sephora. Just don't let it phase you because females will be catty regardless.

Dec 13, 2014

Sarah N.

Alma is correct that most employees at either store are not makeup artists. I know one girl at my MAC store is, she also does the makeup classes I attend there and has had many great jobs as a makeup artist and told me she is now there just a few days a week because she loves it but my friend who is a makeup artist used to work counters and hated it because all they cared about was meeting your quota and she obviously was more into doing makeup so it's great if a store has a real knowledgeable makeup artist but remember most of them are not and are there just to meet their sales. Hopefully you will have a better experience next time & if you like the product don't let that stop you from going in. Go in confident and when you need help walk up to somebody and explain what you need and if you still don't get treated right contact management.

Dec 15, 2014

Emily W.

The focus on sales is exactly why the associates will treat you like their best friend if you're dressed up, then ignore you if you're dressed down. When you're dressed up, you look like someone with money to spend, and they'll gladly help you lighten your wallet. If you're in your yoga pants with no makeup and pushing a stroller, you're automatically "not a makeup person" and thus not likely to spend much money on products-- hence the employees acting like you're wasting their time.

Every MAC store I've ever been in has had rude, incompetent employees. The last straw for me was when I had picked up several things, and the one associate was too busy doing her own makeup to ring me up. So I asked for a manager, to whom I complained. I left all of my items at the register. Then I walked over to the associate and told her that she lost the sale, that I was taking my business elsewhere.