I love ULTA! I love it so much I just became a rewards member and I usually look forward to coming in and shopping here. That was back in California, here at the Mayfield location the sales staff are TERRIBLE. I have never had sales associates be so rude and borderline racist against me. Here's the story:
I came in looking for Estee Lauder foundation listed on their website. I saw the Estee Lauder section for their perfume when I walked in so I walked through the store looking for their makeup section. I walked up and down the store about 3-4 times feeling like an idiot, scanning the shelves carefully, and felt confused thinking I kept walking by the product and not seeing it. Several sales associates passed me and when I tried to make eye contact with them, they just brushed past me and acted like they didn't see me. They would walk up to other customers and ask them if they needed help, but wouldn't acknowledge my presence. After about 20 minutes of walking around and trying to find this foundation, I gave up. I walked up to a sales associate who was already helping another customer, I waited till she was done helping and asked her if they carried the Estee Lauder foundation. She said, "Oh hi, no we don't carry Estee Lauder makeup at this location" and raised her eyebrows at me like I was stupid for not knowing ULTA doesn't carry Estee Lauder makeup in stores. She started to walk away from me and said, "We're owned by Estee Lauder though and I had to interview with them before I was hired, hope that helps but probably not!". I thanked her despite her odd comment and tried to walk away, but she kept talking at me when she saw me approaching the door. She said, "We love Clinique here! Why don't you buy foundation from them? It's the best product, just as good if not better as the one you want." I told her no thank you and continued walking toward the door when she stops me and says, "You are so fair! Oh my God you are so white! Especially your neck, don't you think?". I have no idea if she was trying to color match me or sell me something, but her aggressive and rude behavior was outrageous. If she was trying to get me not to leave, she failed miserably. I felt like she was making a rude comment about the way I did my makeup and that it looked bad on my neck. I felt embarrassed for having light skin. It's winter in Ohio, sorry I didn't have time to visit the tanning salon. This woman was extremely tan (not sure if it was a spray tan or just lots of bronzer) and her condescending attitude was not appreciated. If you ever see a super tan, mid-height lady with short brown hair and glasses in a lab coat at this ULTA, steer clear!
To be clear I had no issues with ULTA prices or products, but the staff is unacceptable and will provide terrible customer service. Just go to Sephora and become a beauty rewards member. read more