Weird purchase experiences

retro:electro

I thought I would start this thread so we could all share those weird/pushy/embarrassing experiences we have when shopping. One happened me today when I was in Brown Thomas.

I was at the Bobby Brown counter. I was looking at the new brightening brick pallets they have and the woman came over and asked was I okay, I said Id like to get the pink shimmer pallet and she asked did I want to try it on. I said no it's okay I'm pretty certain it's the one I want and she said "okay but I'm wearing this one" and pointed to a different one. I said "okay?, Ill still get the pink one". And then she proceeded to pick up the brush that had been used beside it and started applying it on my face and telling me what pressure I need to use when applying. I took a step back and said I'm alright thanks I'll just pay for this now. Then she started blabbing about how they are doing make up and eyebrow courses and that I should come along next week and she even somehow managed to get my phone number out of me and said she will text me when theyre on?!
Then I noticed that she didn't put the shimmer brick I wanted in the bag but the one she was wearing that she was pushing me to get! I told her and she gave me a weird look and went back and got the one I wanted.

I started to get completely paranoid at this point and was thinking well she obviously thinks I'm a complete mess who hasn't a clue how to apply make up just get me out of here please!! And now I've a complex about my eyebrows too ha!
Anyone else have any weird experiences they'd like to share?

chickenlicken2

I wouldn't worry too much about thinking you are a mess!! I would hazard a guess that the one she was wearing isn't selling and they probably have an incentive or increased commission to increase numbers.

me0w

You have to be assertive with some of them, they are really just sales people with some basic makeup knowledge. If they notice any weakness they will take advantage and try to intimidate you - dont let them

aisoconnor

It's so discouraging when you have a bad experience isn't it? I probably wouldn't have even bought the shimmer brick after her making me feel so uncomfortable. Fair play to you though, you got what you wanted from her, as me0w said you just have to be firm :P

I had a summer job in France in 2012 and I was so excited to start earning money because there was a Sephora about 70 seconds walk from my apartment. I wanted to get a foundation but had no confidence in picking the right shade so I asked a sales assistant for help. As far as I can remember the shades only went up in 5, starting at 5 up to whatever suited darker skin tones, I'd guess 40 or 50ish. I am as pale as pale Irish people come and I had no tan, real or otherwise, but somehow she selected number 25 for me. I asked her if she was sure it was right and she said yes, then applied it to the back of her heavily tanned hand and held it beside my face. I obviously looked quite skeptical so she asked another sales assistant, who concurred. I said no, I don't want that one so she gave me the basket and walked off in a huff. After swatching and pondering for about 10 minutes I figured shade 10 would be right. I passed her on the way to the checkout and she looked at the shade, sniggered, and continued on. I got home, put it on, and it turns out 10 was too dark!! I can't imagine what 25 would've looked like!

But then later in the summer I went to another Sephora in the area and the sales assistant could not have been more helpful. I was quite good at speaking French but I didn't know how to speak about makeup. Just on description alone she managed to help me choose the perfect colour foundation for my mam without even seeing a picture!

Makeup counters are very strange places and you can have such mixed experiences. These two Sephoras were within about 30 seconds of each other and the difference in service was incomparable.