Yelp really should have an option for zero stars.
I have been a professional makeup artist for nearly twelve years, have worked at a competitive brand for over seven years, and have been in management for this brand for four years. It takes a lot for me to pay full price for beauty products as I get a huge discount on the brand I work for and other brands as well.
The fact that I walked into Sephora (on 28 August 2015 around 1130a) with the intent of purchasing at least three items, but was treated with such a disregard helps me to remember why I rarely bother shopping there.
First off, my friend (who is pushing a stroller) and I walked in and about three employees walked right past us, not even batting a lash in our direction. We were not dressed in gym clothes nor did we look like we rolled out of bed so I can't even use that as a sorry excuse for being ignored. Many other shoppers were greeted or acknowledged, some were even asked if they needed help. In the 30 - 40 minutes that we spent in the store, we were NEVER GREETED OR EVEN SMILED AT. To top it off, I grabbed us each a basket and we were putting product in there to purchase, we weren't just browsing and wasting time.
My friend needed to exchange a foundation for a different color but we couldn't find the brand in the store; she checked the app and saw that the JCP Sephora had it so she decided to just return the foundation at the location we were at and we would walk to the other to grab the correct color.
We got in line and when it was her turn, she got to the register and KAYLA E was unfortunately, the employee that she got stuck with. Kayla E decided not to even say "hello" and this is what happened :
Friend : Hi, I wanted to return this foundation and grab these products instead.
Kayla E : Was something wrong with it ?
Friend : No, I actually love the formula but the color changed when I wore it so I wanted a different color but you don't carry the brand at this location so we were going to go to the one at JCP.
Kayla E : Yeah, we do.
Friend : Oh ! We looked for it and didn't find it, can you tell me where it is ?
Kayla : Yeah, it's over there. (And she points across the store.)
Seriously ? Not only was Kayla E rude but she wasn't helpful at all. So maybe she can't leave the register area to walk us in the right direction. Understandable. But why not grab one of the other employees standing around and ask them to show us where it's at ?
We walked over to the brand while four employees LITERALLY stood there and watched us as I grabbed a sponge and started matching my friend to the foundation. Then, one of them finally asked if we needed help but at that point we were done matching the color. I'm not sure if they don't know how to color match foundation or what but what is the point of working at a makeup store when you can't (or don't want to) help people ?
We walked back to the register and luckily, someone else was available to ring up. Kayla E was ready to help someone after a minute or two but I waited for the nicer employee to ring me up. I wish I could remember her name because she was very friendly but our entire experience was so bad that I forgot to get it.
KAYLA E should have been sent home on the day my friend and I visited. She had such a sour look on her face whenever dealing with any customers but managed to smile and laugh with fellow employees. (Cast members, correct ?) Either she doesn't care about the attitude she gives off of her manager doesn't care but something needs to change. If I was her manager and I read this review, I would definitely be having a sit down with her. I am going to also forward this review to the corporate office because I am that appalled at how horrible this experience was.
I bought $100 worth of product and one of the products I purchased ended up having a broken seal so I exchanged it at the Montclair location where they actually care about customer service.
Even though we are makeup artists, I would have at least appreciated a simple, "hi, can I help you find anything ?" And it's not like the employees knew we were artists. They really need to have a meeting on how they are expected to treat customers. Now, I understand why so many customers come to us complaining about not only the makeup skills that Sephora has to offer but also the lack of customer service.
As a manager, I know that sometimes, customers can embellish the truth on bad customer service experiences. I can truthfully say that everything I typed in this review is exactly what happened. Being in the retail world, I love to praise people when they do well and I am not afraid to be blunt about bad experiences.
Needless to say, I probably will not visit this location again and will make sure to direct everyone I know to the location at Montclair instead. read more