Quote: Originally Posted by Heather Hicks /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I just filled out the survey for the event last weekend. If anyone is interested, here is what I said:
I did not go in the morning as I decided to sleep in and my nearest Sephora is a 40-50 minute drive. (I shop online most often). However, since I had already RSVP'd and printed out my confirmation, I stopped by in the afternoon. On the one hand, I liked the idea of closed door shopping. It sounded kind of fun and exclusive. On the other hand, I was also a bit concerned the staff might be overwhelming and pushy. I was hoping I could pick up my canvas bag and samples, even in the afternoon. I thought maybe (as I had RSVP'd) it would have been reserved for me. But when I checked out, I gave the lady at the counter my ticket, and she wasn't even sure I was supposed to get 15% off. She did check. Maybe they ran out of canvas bags, but she gave me a lips tote instead and a few nice samples to try. Later, I received a purchase online--the Pantone Universe color of the year face set--and decided I wanted more lipstick. The lipstick was sold out online. So, I decided to call up to Chattanooga to see if they had any. Rather than call the main Sephora, I called the one inside JC Penny first. The girl on the phone (Jill A.) took my credit card number and said she was placing a canvas bag with my order, all of which would be waiting for me to pick up the following day. So to me, I hope you will run events at Sephora inside JCP's along with the freestanding stores. I just feel like the JCP store is more low key with better service, though I do have to go upstairs to the main Sephora for certain brands. Also, having the option of shopping closed doors at other times would've been great. For example, shopping at closing or an hour after normal closing (depending on what the mall would allow) would be better for me as I'm a night owl. If you did this again, in my Chattanooga JCP Sephora, later in the day or at night, I would probably go. But morning events just aren't for me. Now, as this is the first opportunity I've had to communicate about the Rouge program at all, I would like to add some more general comments. Private shopping is nice, but not necessary. Starting the sale for Rouge members a few days early, before things run out of stock is even nicer. Still, I think what most Rouge members (based on chatting at makeuptalk.com) would like to see is little thank you gifts sent to us out of the blue. I know that is what I was expecting, especially around Christmas time. It doesn't have to be expensive or large, but if you could put together makeup care packages and send them to all Rouge members once or twice a year, with deluxe samples of new products--say spring new releases and holiday releases--you'd probably have much happier Rouge customers. Also, not to sound like we are expecting too much, but a slightly higher percent off than what regular BI's and VIB's get would be nice. Say, 17.5 or 18% if 20% is too high. It would still be a nod to those who are Rouge that we are valued more than someone who just walks into Sephora for the first time and fills out a BI card. (Or at least my understanding is that the 15% off applies to all BI members, though regular members have to wait the longest for the sale to start and have the shortest amount of time to shop the sale). Oh, and if we do get to bring a friend to a Rouge event, the friend should get the free gift (in this case, the canvas bag). It makes us feel bad when our friend is treated differently than we are when they are our invited guests. Personally, though I made Rouge when it first came out, I have begun to look to other stores such as Nordstrom's and beauty.com for my beauty needs. In fact, I had many items in my cart just waiting for what I thought would be a 20% off sale. When I saw it was only 15%, I found out beauty.com was running a 20% off spring sale just before the Sephora sale, so I bought what I could there instead of through Sephora. And Nordstrom's always has free shipping, and many times better gifts with purchase. I know I won't make Rouge again this year. Whether or not I make Rouge in the future will depend on whether or not Sephora steps up the program to make it worthwhile, based on the customers' real desires, as opposed to what Sephora thinks should be valued by the customers. Although, I expect the program to pick up before the end of this year. If I see perks given out in 2015 that I feel I should've gotten for making Rouge status before it was even announced, I will feel twice let down by the program. I hope someone actually reads this who has influence upon the program and takes it to heart. Thanks for listening!
I agree that the language they used when they first were describing the program made it sound like you would open your mailbox one day and find a sample bag with deluxe samples to try for new launches that season, be invited to special store events with reps describing new lines as they come out, and get discounts and sales above and beyond the other loyalty categories. This isn't based on MY expectations of what Rouge should be, this is based on Sephora's description of what it would be. They kind of created this monster backlash, and while YES, I love having the free shipping, that's the only thing I'm getting out of Rouge right now. I definitely have been taking more business to beauty.com and Ulta, and it is mostly because the benefits are superior to what is being offered for Sephora Rouge members...when it comes to shopping with a 20% discount, I'm almost always going to be making a large enough purchase for free shipping.
Also, I know someone mentioned this a while ago on the other Sephora board, but doesn't it seem like last year there were more little gift bags offered with codes and there hasn't hardly been one of these all year. Like, last year the gift bag with the foils that they gave out at the in store event would have just been a normal code that you'd have put in to get along with a normal $25+ purchase? And whats the deal with making all the codes valid only with $35 purchase instead of $25?
