Have you ever been pressured into a purchase by a beauty sales associate? Share!
Yes, definitely, when I was younger and just getting into makeup, that definitely happened. I’m a lot more resilient now!
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I have several times, though at this point in my life I have no qualms about saying “No, this looks terrible. Thank you for your time, have a great day.”
A while ago, I went into MAC to get nylon eyeshadow. The MUA there kept insisting I purchase dazzlelight instead. I got it, and I hated it. I exchanged it for nylon, and I love nylon so much more!
Yes! I’m quite the pushover.
A Lot many times 🙁 but any more
Yes, I find especially when someone is really helpful, it’s hard to say no.
the pushier the sales assistant, the less likely i’d buy things — ever since i had a horrible experience with the worse sales assistant ever at biotherm i’ve never even been tempted into going back, even if they get great reviews on their products.
YES, The most annoying and irritating was he didn’t want me to leave and he kept on pushing me and pushing me to buy this unknown face cream despite of excuses I made that i really wanna leave and not interested. I was actually terrified by that experience.
Oh yeah. Usually if they make them do stuff more me, I feel bad if I don’t buy something. Though I’ve gotten a lot better about saying No or returning stuff if I really don’t like it.
Yes–same with you, when I was just starting to get in to makeup. Now, I do my research and I go in knowing what I want so it’s much easier for me to decline other product suggestions that I know I won’t be using much.
Like you said initially out of politeness id buy stuff.. not anymore!
Pressured all the time, haven’t bought anything though. You have to have an iron clad will to resist them. I know they also recommend good things to people and sometimes you may discover something new, but when you say pressure, it suggests a more negative experience overall.
Not really. I’m pretty good at saying “oh I need to look in the mirror later and test the wear”
When I was younger, I was pressured by a Clinique associate to buy their cleaning program when my skin felt parched after the service. I walked away but I felt really weird about the whole thing so I didn’t go back to that store for well over a decade.
Long time to hold a grudge, I think.
Yes! Mostly at clinique in the mall kiosk. I swear I bought way more than I needed and all because the “beauty expert” keep telling me all the horrible things that were wrong with my skin! I left feeling like I looked like a monster. Urg. Another spot is the caryl baker visage shops. I go there to get my eyebrows done. DON’t take them up on the free facial!!! Totally spend 20 min explaining that I wasn’t going to purchase anything. 🙁
Yes, absolutely! I find it doesn’t really happen now, but I do remember, at about 16, I was looking at some Estee Lauder foundations, and the sales associate sat me down and applied a few. She put so much pressure on me, I had to explain WHY I wasn’t going to buy anything that very day (at that age it would take me several weeks of saving to buy one item); then she tried to steer me towards the cheaper part of the store to buy something there instead! I managed to escape, but I avoided the counter, and the brand itself, for YEARS. I’ve still never bought anything from them!
I used to get pressurized earlier,Now I have learnt to say no when I really dont have plan to buy the product I may not like 🙂
Yeah, it used to happen quite often actually. But like you, as I got older I got more resilient and learned how to say no.
NO..pushy sales turns me off and generally all it takes it a very direct stare and a raised brow to get a salesperson to back down. Just say nothing and stare and watch them squirm.
Before I worked in the beauty industry I was very easily swayed into adding things to my purchase now im able to politely refuse.
Yes, and if I return the item (I am a big returner) I will let them know if the sales associate pressured me into the purchase. They should know that when they use a lot of pressure to get me to buy something, the increase in their commissions is only temporary…..
I wish we were allowed to return things here in Oz!
Absolutely, and i’m NOT in my 20’s anymore…. At department stores, i still feel obliged to purchase after a SA has helped me with something (it’s the Canadian kindness thing). This is why i do most of my shopping at Sephora (unless it’s Burberry or some Guerlain products).
i hear ya about the canadian kindness thing! haha!
Yes… And I’m ashamed to admit that it happened within the last 6 months too. I should have known better, but at least I’m using the eye creams even if they weren’t exactly the one I needed. It was at Clarins, and I went without doing any research online and zeroing on a specific product, i asked the SA to show me eye creams and she ended up “convincing” me to buy an eye serum for AM and a richer cream for PM. Turns out a third product would have met my needs better. Oh well.
After getting used to being ignored at MAC and just going in and asking for what I want (after doing research online) and getting rung up with the least attention possible paid to me, this SA and her pushiness just bamboozled me.
Oh, and lots of you will think that I could just return the product, but there are no returns at all in Mexico, and they do stamp the sales receipt upon purchase.
I feel you, the same problem is present here, too 🙁 I bought so many things I ended up disliking…even when I wasn’t pressured at all.
No, not yet. I think the fact that I am older really helps at the counter. When I go to a high end counter I am usually looking for one specific item. I wish I could afford to buy several things at one time, but that’s just not happening. I seem to have the most trouble with sales associates who want to get me into their skin care line, too. Heck, I could barely afford that Chanel blush in the first place. This “add on” pitch seems to be the norm nowadays. I get hit up every time I get gas at gas station/convenience store. No, I just want gas and bananas and milk. I don’t want the pizza slice, cookies, or muffins. if I did, I’d be holding on to them in line.
Yes at a Mac counter but I did not give in and left! I know what looks good on me and she was way off on what I was looking for!
Nope. I’m usually the one sweet talking for free samples! 😀
All the time. Now that I’m older and more knowledgable, I can easily walk away, and ask for samples. I often go shopping with a friend who is newly into makeup and she has a really hard time saying no, so I always have to speak for her or she’ll end up purchasing things she doesn’t need.
I have once before. I quickly learned after that to have a list and shop alone lol. It’s easy for me to get distracted when beauty shopping
No when I feel pressured I leave and sometimes even leave without what I was intending to buy because I just get mad.
I always say politely that I need to go home and see how this looks in natural lighting. I write down the names of the products and say I’ll come back.
When I wander in aimlessly then I’m an easier prey than when I’ve done my research and know exactly what I want.
Yes, once at Macy’s when i was first starting out but I returned the product and now I don’t need any SA help because I do my research and I don’t like people helping me, eventually I’ll figure it out. If they keep bothering I’ll get rude because it annoys me so much, but to avoid that I keep my earphones in.
That is their job….a commission for sales.
I rather they be pushy than not get help when I need to buy something. I but at dept stores.
I’m usually pretty good at saying no, especially when someone’s really pushy–it just get’s my back up.
But having worked as an SA, I have to speak up for them. Your manager will pounce on you every day and ask if you sold x amount of product y–they give you sales goals you’re supposed to meet for certain products that you’re supposed to push, regardless of what the client actually needs or wants. If you don’t meet your sales-goals, you risk being fired.
On top of that, the base wage at these places and the hours are usually terrible. When I worked at Sephora, the wage was only slightly above minimum wage and I would randomly go from being scheduled 30 hours in a week to 10, if our sales went up or down–how can I pay my rent on 10hrs a week? So in places that are commission-based, it’s not surprising that SA’s are sometimes so desperate to make the sale.
If these businesses treated their employees better, more equitably, the customers would get treated better as well.
Thank you for adding that comment. I worked retail for a wile, and I agree. It’s pretty brutal and unfair to the employees to push them that way. I didn’t last long. I’m not a good sales person AT ALL.
I don’t think I’ve ever bought something because of a pushy sales associate. However I often feel a lot of pressure from them, so much that it makes me very uncomfortable, and I often just leave without even looking at the products I was interested in.
This is the main reason why I very rarely shop at department stores. They just won’t let you look and swatch without being all over you trying to sell you what you don’t want. That and the fact that they generally know less than me about the products they sell explain why I never, ever look for “help” when purchasing beauty products. Oh and there’s also the snotty look they sometimes give me in “classy” stores because I’m wearing jeans and an Old Navy shirt that day, and they seem to think I don’t belong.
I do almost all my beauty shopping online to avoid having to deal with poor customer service.
I don’t think so. I’ve worked as a beauty advisor, so I know how it works. We were encouraged to sell a certain amount of specific products each day. I have no problem saying no to a thing that I really don’t want!
Not really – I feel more pressure from myself because someone spent time helping find different products, colors, etc. So I end up buying because I would feel bad if I didn’t.
No. Luckily for me I give off a don’t F-with me vibe when I know the SA are on the hunt. When they do approach me I kindly tell them that I am not interested and thank you. I always go into a store knowing what I want. I have had great experiences at my MAC, everyone is so helpful and always a pleasure to talk to. No pressure!
Oh my yes!! I can’t stand most beauty sales associates (sorry if I’ve offended you). They have been trained to sell you more than what you came for before they even say hello. I know this because for many years, my sister was regional manager for Estee Lauder. It seems I have experienced the worst with MAC sales assoc. My first time to the counter, I stated I wanted a particular shade of lipstick. Before she even showed me the tester, she got a lip pencil and a lip gloss. I tried the lipstick on and liked it very much. She then told me use the lip liner to outline my lips and use the gloss. She then told me I looked SO much better with my lips done that way. My lips did look pretty. She then asked me if those three items were all I needed today? I told her I just wanted to buy the lipstick. She immediately became sullen and said, “Well, I have shown you a more polished way to wear lip color, it is YOUR choice, but your lips certainly don’t look as beautiful as they can if you use the liner and gloss with the lipstick.” I felt like I was some “know nothing” fashion “NO”, so I agreed to made the three item purchase. When I walked away, she nearly ran back to the other associates and continued with the little chatty conversation she was having when I arrived. I nearly turned back around and told her I wanted to return it!
That is awful!
Never! No one can make me part with my precious money. If I feel too embarrassed to reject the sales associate outright, I simply tell them that I would “consider it” and “come back later”, only to stealthily abscond, slyly smiling at my own dastardly deception.
Yes, thus has happened. Most recently as MAC associate insisted I buy the NC 20 pro-longwear concealed instead of the NC 15….she insisted 15 was too light, but I told her it settles fine and that the 20 settles too dark. After going back and forth I caved….and exchanged it 2 days letter when I saw big streaks under my eyes!
I try to be nice, but firm to sales associates. I know that their companies have sales goals set for them and they have to “make their numbers”, but I really hate feeling pressured and followed. Just let me look!
Definitely yes! But, that was when I was younger. Now I only buy what I went to purchase. I have no problem saying I’m not interested .
Nope! Never have been one to be pressured by sales associates. It’s my money, I will know if I reeeally want something or if I’m not in love with it. If I’m not in love with it, I won’t buy it. It’s funny, my mom and my grandma get pressured into buying makeup really often.
Yes, unfortunately when I was young I had such a hard time telling people NO! I have overcome that problem, for the most part. When I am shopping for makeup, I usually know what I am looking for, and I am only prepared to make that purchase. With that said, I still love to try out everything else in sight, and play with the different products, so I can honestly say I will let an associate think I am more open-minded than I really am. I really don’t purchase anything I haven’t already tried or researched, so I am very hard to talk into an impulse purchase with makeup though.
Yes! The Mac sales associate talked me into buying the Mac prolongwear foundation. I hate it and rarely ever use it.
I’ve most definitely been pressured but I realized their tactics and DID NOT MAKE THE PURCHASE! I WILL NOT BE TALKED INTO ANYTHING I AM NOT LOOKING FOR, but I do thank them for their time going through the gestures, especially if they’re really involved & excited, and I tip them instead. As well, I give their name and spread the courtesy! 🙂
that’s a nice idea! i never thought about giving tips instead of buying an item out of politeness!
yes many a times.. I was checking out Rebel at MAC counter and he kept saying that Up the Amp is betetr and more wearable.. 😛
I got Rebel only though.. 🙂
Not so much. I tend to either go in with a specific thing in mind and ask for that only, or I ask for their recommendation and explain my needs.
I generally have the opposite problem… I typically have a hard time getting salespeople to pay attention to me…
I’m just like you like Christine! When I was starting off with makeup (14-15),
it was soo easy to make me buy basically anything, ’cause I had no idea
what I was doing, haha!
I remember how I got pushed into buying a bunch of Benefit stuff
(I didn’t even need) and I was so upset with myself because of being
so naive and buying it, and in Europe, it’s not so easy to give back
any makeup stuff, so I just ended up selling on ebay… ;/
Yep, so many times, and sometimes I bought that. When they ask if they can help or if I want smth I usually say a specific name or “no, I’m just looking”.
Trouble happens when they don’t have what I specifically asked for….or I don’t like it, and I have to find a replacement.
I had a horrible experience with a stupid Flormar sales fart at a small counter in the hypermarket nearby. I was swatching a foundation I used to have but it turned out the shade I was looking for was actually too pink(I forgot about that), so I started to look at concealers and powders and she was like: “what are you looking for, then, concealer, not foundation?” and I said “i wanted that foundation to use as a concealer cuz it’s high coverage” and her answer baffled me “nooo, that’s soooo wrong, you’re gonna get wrinkles if you use it there. a really stupid idea. I’m taking a course so I know this” and “you’re really stubborn, you only do what you *think* is right” (definitely not what her unused brain wants) Lol, it must be sad to live such an ignorant life w/o having a mental problem.
I’m just mad I didn’t tell her she’s stupid and that concealer and foundation are mostly the same chemically. And I’m taking a course, too, with actual smart people, not some ignorant manager of hers that trains people to push costumers into buying and scare them lol. Even so, I don’t take everything I learn at this course as a rule, and I do my own research.
Sadly, I wanted a powder, too, and there were none I wanted at the department store in this hypermarket. I also was super tired and it was late so I wasn’t even in the mood to argue(damn, I’m too nice) so I stuck around while she was desperately trying to cover my dark circles with a ton of a too pink concealer(just cuz it was super pale) I already have at home(in a better suited shade, a light yellowish beige) and then lightly shimmery powder and a frosty one there and on the rest of my face. It looked good as it always does right after I conceal them but in an hour everything fades. I told her that. I only bought that lightly frosted powder cause it looked interesting but I repeatedly declined buying that unflattering shade of concealer- “I already have it in another shade” even tho she was like “this one is better blah blah” yeah, right, it was the opposite of my skin’s undertone and the product itself isn’t that good as it creases so I rarely use mine.
I shouldnt have bought that powder but I was desperate cause I needed a powder for 2 months and always delayed buying one. I don’t really use it anymore, especially not on my whole face as it has corn starch or smth and that’s bad for acne. I used it on my eyelids to set my foundation as it looks very pretty and non fake on the eyelids but it doesn’t prevent creasing at all so ya…I would’ve returned it but we don’t have return policies here yet….frustrating.
This experience shocked me cause Flormar girls are usually nice and helpful and not pushy either if you tell them you’re just browsing. I bought from this particular ignorant before(Idk what exactly) and I thought she was ok then, except a weird part when I was talking about how I didn’t feel like putting anything on beside foundation, powder and mascara and she *empathetically* said “we all have our bad days”. Now I’m sure of what she actually meant, that I looked bad in subtle make up. I actually looked good(for my self-conscious standards). All this is funny cause it came from a cake-face(that really means smth coming from me as some used to say I have too much foundation on when I wore matte one and powder even though it didn’t look bad unless you stared closely-and it’s caused by my flaky dermatitis so it was unfair but anyway, those people are ignorants, too…..in her case it looked bad even at 10 ft away) with creepy brows and just too much everything: bright and black eyeshadow and neon orange lips and heavily contoured cheeks with shimmer all over her face. EW
I will never again buy from her. I only bought 3 eyeshadows from a nice girl once after this but I’m not planning on ever buying from that counter ever again and possibly not from other locations either unless it’s smth very unique and cheap(their new lines aren’t cheap anymore(old eyeshadow shades are 4 to 6 $), more like cheap towards medium-9 to 11 $, a more important difference here than in the states as we’re poorer. They were bought by ives rocher and I doubt they’re adding anything new to the old lines….they actually discontinued some awesome shades I wanted and made some new ones in non-unique shades in the very hyped terracota finish that are more expensive, ofc.
Here in the UK I came across people in shopping malls, train stations and motorway services selling a brand called Victoria Jackson. They basically used hard sell techniques. They say how Victoria Jackson is some famous makeup artist who has done the makeup for Sex In The City, how the makeup is just as good as MAC etc and how they will be coming to Selfridges etc next year (4 years ago was the last time I saw them selling stuff and I never saw it come to Selfridges). They also tell you, you will be getting all this makeup for a cheap price even though its usually going to sell for more. Theres hardly anything about this woman online and I cant see her on the credits for Sex And The City. When they stopped me I wasn’t impressed by it. The sales person really tried to make me buy it. In the end I just told them I would rather spend my money on a brand I am familiar with and just walked off.
Yes. It’s difficult for me to say no if I like the product. Even when I don’t need it. Of course, if it’s expensive it’s easier to deny. I’m working on it. xD
LOL I’m at that point, Christine! I hate shopping because of hovering sales assistants and my tendency to be easily pressured so online shops have been my dear friend. When I have to go to stores I stay far away from sales assistants and pretend I know what I’m looking for :p
Yes !! a MaryKay representive !!! i ended up spending 400$ by th etime she hounded me , she got me drug into it by a couple items & kept suggesting i needed this or that to go with lol..which i enjoyed what i had but still ! then i had a younique woman trying hard to sell, have had quite a few pushy people over the yrs
I am such a pushover, that I’m ashamed. I have bought too much stuff at those Arbonne parties. However, the worst was Sisley of Paris–an obscenely expensive brand which for its prices should be able to transform water into wine. I bought 700. of it and didn’t even like the smell. I still can’t believe I was so weak and silly. Those Neiman-Marcus ladies are predators! I don’t have that kind of income at all…but as they say, a sucker is born every minute, and that must be me! Now I’m scared to even walk through the cosmetics section of department stores.
I work as a sales associate for a department store, and I’ve been on both sides of the issue. I try not to be pushy (so much so that my manager tells me I need assertiveness training), but sometimes people take advantage of supposedly “free” makeovers and samples. Basically, if you’re gonna treat me like your own personal makeup artist, then I expect you to buy at least ONE thing.
Never. I have no problem with telling a SA that I hate the color or quality of the product. Recently at Sephora, I was looking for a brown e/s with shimmer. The girl wanted to start with the Sephora brand, which I don’t care for, but I went along with it. She picked out an e/s, swatched it on her hand and it was too sheer. I told her I needed something with more pigment. She said “Well look…if you dab it on, it goes on really dark.”. She had to press the e/s really hard onto her skin (and mine) to get it to show up. Seriously? lol. I held my ground and told her I didn’t like it. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for people to deal with pushy sales people. I simply look them in the eye and say no. 🙂
Yes, at the Chanel counter at Lord & Taylor a couple of months ago, I bought what I came for, didn’t get the extras. Got home and realized I bought the lipstick I told the associate I didn’t want. I was so irritated, I ended up taking it back.
I’m actually starting to think that a part of the reason that I read beauty blogs is so that I can know my products well in advance (from a reliable source) and spend as little time at the counter as possible! I really don’t like feeling pressured to purchase, even though I no longer buy when I’m feeling pressured. It has honestly been so much of a problem for me that I try to research products in advance and only enter the store when I know precisely what I’m going to look at or consider buying.
Yes, by an Armani consultant on the Maestro when it was literally just a few days in the market. I love the foundation so no problem on that, but she matched me to a shade darker than what would have been a better fit. I bought her recommendation and doubted each time I wore it.