Moving forward with MAC

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This posting is from: Mary Beth
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>do we want to look into having one of the LV MAC stores
>do a MAC Open House for DLV? Kind of like the vendor open house
>sessions that we've seen over the past several years. Does this
>sound like a workable idea?

If you are asking if they would close the store to the general
public and have a private open house for us, I'd be 99% certain
that their answer to that would be "no".

Depending on the size of the group, if we called ahead and told
them to expect X - number of people at a certain day and time so
as not to overwhelm the staff, that might be something they
might try to co-ordinate. Otherwise, attendees would be better
off just going in and shopping on their own.

The key point to remember is that all cosmetics sales people (no
matter what the brand) work on commission. If they are going to
bring in extra staff to handle a large group, then the large group
had better materialize, and had better be ready to spend. Don't
expect a special discount for bringing in a group as the staff
are loathe to cut their commissions.

People who show up expecting to just get a free makeover and not
purchase anything at all will not be appreciated.


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(This posting was entered by Mary Beth, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: Gini
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>>do we want to look into having one of the LV MAC stores
>>do a MAC Open House for DLV? Kind of like the vendor open house

>If you are asking if they would close the store to the general
>public and have a private open house for us, I'd be 99% certain
>that their answer to that would be "no".

I've just returned from BeAll and have not been able to closely
monitor this discussion. However, I've been a MAC customer for some
time and somewhat understand how they work.

First let's say that MAC is not cheap, but neither are any of the
"department store" quality cosmetic lines and the other brands are
just as expensive if not more. Your first MAC makeover with
cosmetics, skin care, brushes, etc. will probably cost $750 up or
thereabouts. After that expect to pay again and again depending on
how often you use your cosmetics and skin care products. This is
no different from Lancome or the other good brands, believe me I
know because I pay the bills

I often see articles that it's unsafe to keep cosmetics around for
months on end. Based on my experience, and that of family members,
you can use your cosmetics until they run out, dry out, or you get
tired of them. However, I think that also depends on the cleanliness
with which you use your cosmetics. If you are spitting on the brushes,
etc. the cosmetics may go bad, but most things would too under those
circumstances!

There are two MAC main retail methods, department stores and
stand-alone company-owned stores of which there are two types --
company stores and pro shops. A third way is via the Internet where
you just order what you want without any guidace; I don't recommend
this .... part of what you are paying for is the advice and the
opportunity to see what the products and colors will do for you.

The MAC store at the Caesars' Forum Shops is a pro shop. These
stores, which are few in number, are supposed to have the best
artists selected from stores throughout the company. They also
have the complete line of merchandise. The floor artists (sales
clerks) will do complementary eye color trials and the like at no
charge. Makeovers are done away from the sales floor and there is
a charge for them in addition to any merchandise you purchase. I
considered havening a makeover there this year. I can't remember how
much they were going to charge, but it was enough to make me
reconsider and go back to the artist I have used in past trips to
Las Vegas.

The company stores have good artists and broad line of merchandise.
I have no experience with them and don't know how they charge. These
are the normal MAC stores located in shopping malls such as the
Woodbridge Mall in suburban Chicago and Perimeter Center in Atlanta.

The MAC counters in department stores, for example Dillards in the
Boulevard Mall and Macy's in the Fashion Show Mall, operate as part
of the department store and under the rules of the department store.
They carry a good line of MAC merchandise, but not all of the items.
Department stores generally have minimum purchase agreements for a
makeover, but believe me you will never have any trouble meeting
whatever it is. If I need to replace a few item like foundation and
powder I try to find time to get a makeover because I know I'm going
to meet my minimum purchase anyway. In my experience every time I
have a makeover I improve my techniques.

In Las Vegas I've had makeovers at Macy's this year and in past years
at Dillards. My Dillard's artist has now moved to Macy's and I
recommend her without reservation. However, this year she was unable
to meet my appointment and the manager referred me to another artist.
I can now recommend two Las Vegas artists without reservation. At
both Dillards and Macy's in Las Vegas I have been treated with
respect and have come away satisfied in every way. I think in the
past I've recommended Dillards for MAC on the big list and intend to
add Macy's.

I think one or both of the artists I've developed an artist client
relationship with would do a workshop for us if we asked and provided
a place. That would allow interested persons to meet an artist and
perhaps gain the confidence to go into the department store and sit
at the counter and get the works. Having a makeover at a department
store is not for the faint of heart, but based on many makeovers in
Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, and Las Vegas, I've never had a bad
experience from other customers or the staff. I'm also going to
contact both of my Las Vegas artists and ask if I can put their
store contact information on our list if that's appropriate.

I've seen some MAC counters with a semi-private area behind a screen,
Macy's in Atlanta's Cumberland Mall for example. None of the Las
Vegas counters has anything like that from what I've seen.

As for picking an artist. There are several different possibilities.
I know that male artists at the MAC counter are often drag queens or
have a history of drag in some way. I don't want to look like a drag
queen, so I usually find a female artist who is wearing a look that
is complementary to them on the theory that someone who looks good
herself can probably make me look good too. So far I've not been
disappointed.

I hope this discussion has not been redundant or needlessly repeats
something others have written,

Ginger


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(This posting was entered by Gini, an external user of MyDLV.)