Sephora Rocks, Pushy Counter People Don't
Friday April 13, 2007
I've decided I love Sephora more than I do the makeup counters at most New York department stores. Why? The makeup counter people at Henri Bendel's (and several other major New York department stores) can drive me insane. You simply cannot get from Point A to Point B without being covered in them like a dog with fleas. Here I am shopping in one of the world's most fabulous stores and it's vaguely reminiscent of a Mexican border market, complete with children hawking Chiclet and vendors plying ponchos, blankets and dolls.
Because people who work on commission can give me the heebyjeebies (yes, I know there are thousands of counter people out there who are cool -- I've befriended many of them), I've found Sephora to be a breathe of fresh air. For example, I tried out on of the most popular foundations at Sephora last weekend and when I asked the saleswoman's opinion she said, "I really don't like it on you, it brings out your pores." I looked in the mirror and sure enough my pores looked like craters. When I thanked her for her frankness, the saleswoman shrugged and admitted, "I don't work on commission."
So there's the secret: No commission. Now before I get inundated with angry readers who work or once worked at a counter, I must say that this seems to only be a NYC thing. I have never experienced such hawking at any other department store in the United States or abroad.
Because people who work on commission can give me the heebyjeebies (yes, I know there are thousands of counter people out there who are cool -- I've befriended many of them), I've found Sephora to be a breathe of fresh air. For example, I tried out on of the most popular foundations at Sephora last weekend and when I asked the saleswoman's opinion she said, "I really don't like it on you, it brings out your pores." I looked in the mirror and sure enough my pores looked like craters. When I thanked her for her frankness, the saleswoman shrugged and admitted, "I don't work on commission."
So there's the secret: No commission. Now before I get inundated with angry readers who work or once worked at a counter, I must say that this seems to only be a NYC thing. I have never experienced such hawking at any other department store in the United States or abroad.
Comments
No, department store sales people are like that everywhere. I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and they are all over you at a perfume and makeup counter. I am a perfume-a-holic, and there has been more than one occasion that I’ve been talked into buying some scent that’s being heavily pushed, but wasn’t really what I was looking for. Now I go to Ulta.
I have seen some really clingy pushy people at Sephora. They are everywhere, they might bother me, but I am glad I don’t have to search for someone when I have a question. By the way, aren’t there more important things to stress about?
Yeah I don’t like it when salespeople are pushy but I have to agree with Karen. And I love Sephora!
Yes, Sephora rocks. Although i’ve had a few experiences when associates pressured me into buying (during cosmetic line events). However, i doubt the pushy counter people are just in NY. i live in the bay area (SF), and trust me, they are definitly here too!