Icaria’s: What about SA's?

Thursday, February 6, 2014

What about SA's?

Do the SAs at cosmetic counters make a difference in the brands you choose?

Why the question? Simply put, some are snobs and I know that some ladies steer clear of some brands because of this.

Me? I'll admit, I was a snob at one time but these days I couldn't care less about attitude. I go for what I want and if the SA is unpleasant, I start to ignore her and zoom on another to make my purchase. Here they get commissions on sales so I figure, if the SA ain't nice with me, why should she get extra?

What about you? If the lady at the Chanel or Guerlain counter is a snob do you turn away or forgo the attitude?

Picture: Bergdorf Goodman

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bronzerbunny 60p · 581 weeks ago

i hate snobby SAs, but for the most part I try to speak to them as little as possible. If I need something, I get to the point. But I generally don't make any purchases without planning ahead and I generally seem to only purchase things in store if I get a really nice SA. Mostly, I don't like when SAs are not knowledgeable. There are so many occasions where I know much more than the SAs do :(
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1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Oh Joyce I think lack of knowledge is probably even worst! I too tend to get to the point and get what I came for in those instances. :)
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natalielovesbeauty 61p · 581 weeks ago

I almost always get snobbed at at beauty counters and especially Sephora - I need to basically go up to the SAs as they rarely even say "Bonjour" to me despite walking around the store/counter for a minimum of 5 minutes! I think they just never expect me to buy anything when in fact I am almost always at these places to purchase a product. Despite the sometimes unpleasant customer service, bottom line is I get what I came for, and I'm so used to being ignored now that I just brush it off and don't let it get to me anymore.
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1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Natalie, I remember the first few times I walked into Sephora at Les Ailes and the SAs were pretty bad. These days I walk in with my nose in the air and wouldn't you know, it only takes a few minutes to have one come up to me. Then again they have such a turnover of employees you never know what to expect. Good think you don't let it get to you, it's definitely not worth it. :)
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Lily @ChloeAsh 69p · 581 weeks ago

I hate snobby SAs. If the SA is nice, I'll buy from her. If not, I'll just swatch everything and buy online or just go to another counter. If I was really really angry because of her, I know I'd be tempted to write a complaint letter directly to the brand's head office. Haven't done that before though.

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1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Good strategy Lily! I never buy online so I kind of make do with the ladies at the counters I visit but so far I've been able to get them in my corner. Seems once they see that I know "a lot" about the brand they kind of sing a different tune now if one was really bad and got me angry I'd go see a supervisor that's for sure but this has never happened to me so far. :)
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mostlysunnybunny 89p · 581 weeks ago

I will probably turn away! But then again, we don't really have "counters" here. We have stores with displays, and the SAs are nice most of the time. Back home they are a bit more snobby, but I try to do my research online, ask for exactly what I want, plop my money down and then I'm GONE!
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1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Here Chanel, Guerlain, YSL and other high end brands are in department stores but they have a boutique set up so it's not so much counters anymore and they're not available everywhere. I tend to not waste time there either but it's more out of respect for my wallet than being annoyed by SAs. There seems to be some sort of new wind since they are all pretty nice and even the ones who appear snob end up changing their tunes with me. :)
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gio · 581 weeks ago

I hate snobby SAs. There is this store in my town that keeps a lot of brands that are hard to find in my area, but I rarely go there because the SAs have an awful attitude. They don't really pay much attention to you unless they think you have a lot of money to spend, and they aren't even that knowledgeable about the products they sell, so they're no help anyway. In the past, I avoided the shop because they made me feel uncomfortable. They don't anymore, but I now prefer to shop online because I'm not interested in giving money to people who have such a bad attitude.

1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Oh Gio I know the type! They look down on you if you're wearing flip flops! That's why I zoom on another sales person because why should she make extra commisions on my purchase? Maybe one day I'll shop online too but for now I prefer to see what I get before taking out my money. :)
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Allison · 581 weeks ago

When I was much younger, I remember I would get dressed up to shop for makeup at Saks, Neiman's etc and I was very intimidated by the SAs. Those days are long gone. I think Sephora has made a big difference in terms of how week shop for makeup and what we expect from SAs. Great post!
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1 reply · active 581 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 581 weeks ago

Thank you Allison! I don't think I've ever been intimidated by a cosmetic dept except maybe when I was a teen but then I would go with my mom. Still, I totally get what you mean, I used to be one of those snob SAs all dressed up in designer clothes thinking I knew everything. Good thing I got into makeup! :)
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Linda · 580 weeks ago

I'm one of those weirdos that prefers to be left alone at the counter. If I want help or need something then I will ask but I HATE being hounded. I do notice a huge difference when shopping all "made up" and when I'm out running a quick errand with no makeup and toque on...or baseball cap. I get ignore which is usually fine, but SAs should not assume that I don't want to buy or don't have the money.....as Julia Roberts would say "BIG mistake....huge!"
lol
xo

1 reply · active 580 weeks ago

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Icaria 95p · 580 weeks ago

LOL Linda this has happened to me a few times and that line from Pretty Woman would have been so à propos! I too prefer to be left alone usually but recently the SAs at both Chanel and Dior counters at The Bay downtown have been sweet knowladgeable jewels and so far not a snob in the bunch! Really amazing compared to just a few years back. :)
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Thursday, February 6, 2014

What about SA's?

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