What companies have you gotten samples from?

[ewiggy]

I'd never heard of Ziaja before finding this thread. Alessandra's experience with their customer service left such a bad taste in my mouth, I decided to email them:

Quote: I first heard of your brand on the MakeupTalk Forum, where some of the members were discussing which brands they've requested and received samples from. I became interested in Ziaja products, so clicked through to your website to learn more.  
Unfortunately, I'm writing to let you know that I won't be ordering from you - Now or at any point in the future. A member of MakeupTalk requested samples and the response she got from your company was passive-aggressive and condescending, essentially saying that MakeupTalk ruined free samples for everyone. 
 
I have requested and received samples from several brands who were kind and generous to me. I understand the volume of sample requests increasing due to a spike in traffic from MakeupTalk might be overwhelming, but a lot of those people are first learning about Ziaja, and you're turning them away with your words and your tone. 
 
I wouldn't know about your brand if it wasn't for that thread, and just like we can spread positive experiences with brands who allowed us to 'try before you buy', we can also name and shame when companies treat us poorly.
 
Plenty of companies have responded saying that they do not offer free samples, or samples are available for purchase, etc, and that has never been a problem. I don't mind paying for a sample, I just don't want to commit to a full size product (regardless of the price) if I'm going to end up hating it and waste the product/packaging/box/shipping fees. 
 
I hope you'll take this as constructive criticism, and use the opportunity to improve your relationship with your perspective customers. 
 
Best of luck,
Kristen

 

[jessilynn]

I am totally agree with the above post - of the letter sent to ziaja ! The Companys that have said NO have not been ruled out of my purchasing agenda.... But I can that Ziaja IS now on that list. Have some decency people .... there are way worse people in this world than us ladies who participate in a free samples thread and send emails to companys we are intersted in to ask for free samples!!! ON TOP of that - If your products were really somthing special - You would stand behind them and want you possible customer to try and then FALL IN LOVe with your products. Instead of sending an email saying "If your really intersted ... Theyre Cheap - So it doesnt matter if you like them or not after purchasing them - They were cheap.

- 4.99 to 9.99 Is alot for some people ( including ME ) - and I personally am NOT going to pay 2 dollars for something that i dont know if I will like it.

I hope they do stalk this thread - So at some point they will realize how much buisness they just lost by sendig that email.

 

[Alessandra321]

Originally Posted by ewiggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'd never heard of Ziaja before finding this thread. Alessandra's experience with their customer service left such a bad taste in my mouth, I decided to email them:



I love your letter to Ziaja--my thoughts exactly.

As far as "guest" visitors to MUT, oftentimes I'm on a computer and end up here without logging in, and I am a loyal member for sure.

On another note, I thought it would be fun to list the companies who I've purchased from on the basis of free samples:

The Laundress handwash products

Mrs. Meyer's geranium dishsoap and counter spray

Jane Iredale Just Kissed lipstick

N4 hair care (everything, I freaking love this brand!)

Yube skin care

I have enough perfume, skincare, and mineral makeup to last another few months, yet will be purchasing those items from these generous, confident, professional companies, whose products (and email Representatives) I have fallen in love with:

LYS

La Face

Tocca

Caudalie

First Aid Beauty

Koh Gen Doh

Glo Minerals

and of course . . . Paula's Choice.

I'm methodically using up every sample from every company and I know this list will grow.

Finally, as far as separating the "wheat from the chaff" in companies evaluating our request letters, using telepathy or whatever to determine who will actually buy, I don't think that's possible. For me, it took two requests to receive samples from Macadamia (they sent me a set of samples for me AND my daughter, and I asked for one sample), Caudalie, and Murad. For graciousness nothing tops Tocca, who said yes, then enough time passed that I wrote a reminder--their response was to send me a sample of EVERY one of their fragrances, plus a few lotion samples. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received, I was quite moved, and I now consider myself a lifetime customer.

 

[Alessandra321]

Oh yes I wanted to say that about a fourth of my precious sample packages come postage due, which I consider more than fair! I make sure to pay back the mailwoman's envelope requesting cash religiously and immediately. (About a tenth of packages come without cancelled stamps, which I could if I wanted to re-use, so if I do that then my sin will have to do with re-using postage stamps. But really the USPO can only benefit from this thread.)

 

[Jamie P]

Yes all of the above! This thread is about discovering new products to buy! Not hoarding free stuff. I will admit that I don't always get the ones that cost money. I have so many for free that I feel I don't need to. Now, if after using all of these free samples I am still looking for a specific product I may purchase samples. I purchase samples from Paula's Choice all of the time now. When I place a huge order, I get my 3 free, usually one or two extra thrown in (of a new product or something), and I will buy some packets of things to give to friends or use when I travel. I don't ask for free stuff from them anymore because I KNOW that they are worth the .60-1.00 that I spend on them. I am glad they send them free to new clients though. There are a few (very, very few) that don't agree with my skin. 

I haven't tried enough to have made many purchases yet... but like I said before Caldrea, and Paula's Choice I have. I have a huge list of "to buy" though. I really can't wait for my VMV pack to come. I am really excited. As someone with super sensitive skin... it seems like a great company for me. 

I heard from Epionce today. Actually a week ago... in my spam. Doh! I responded and apologized for the late reply. They have skincare targeted for things like Diabetes (I am a Type 1) so I was VERY interested in that. 

Yea... this thread is spending my money. Ha!!!!

 

[LinaMingo]

I purchase the ones I really nt to try

 

[beautyofaqueen]

okay so its really depends on who reads the letter you send to ziaja and what you say in your letter to them.

 

[Jamie P]

I wouldn't want it anyway. Fragrance in something labeled for sensitive skin is all I needed to see. Too bad I missed that in Restorsea. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> my face is on fire. And smelly.

 

[Sage32]

Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I wouldn't want it anyway. Fragrance in something labeled for sensitive skin is all I needed to see. Too bad I missed that in Restorsea.

my face is on fire. And smelly.

Oh no! I haven't tried them yet, but I have sensitive skin too. Not as sensitive as you it seems, but I wonder if I will not like them? I guess that is what my older daughter is for, haha!  My 12 year old has type 1 too and she has sensitive skin. Always looking for something good for her.

 

[decayeddoll82]

These are the companies I've received so far: Dermorganics Colorscience Caldera Acure Dr hauschka Folle de joie Jane Airedale Koh gen do John masters LA face Men science Nature's gate Paula's choice Haven't tried anything yet due to a hormone induced breakout No way would I buy from Ziaja after that email, customer service is mandatory when you have any company that deals directly with the consumer. Regardless of the excuse it could've been said in a more professional manner. I ordered samples from macadamia due to this thread. after receiving them, i went the next week and bought full size products from them.

 

[Jamie P]

Oh no! I haven't tried them yet, but I have sensitive skin too. Not as sensitive as you it seems, but I wonder if I will not like them? I guess that is what my older daughter is for, haha!  My 12 year old has type 1 too and she has sensitive skin. Always looking for something good for her.

Fragrance is one of the biggest irritants for sensitive (actually, ALL) skin. I never realized just how bad it was until I stopped using skin care with fragrance. My skin was so much healthier and the products were working better.

 

[tnorth1852]

Quote:Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif

That said... I'm ordering from John masters organics soon. I LOVED the body wash they sent me. Also my husband is enjoying the men's science stuff. I may be placing an order for him as well.


My man is OBSESSED with Menscience. Those "free samples" were the best thing they could've done. 1) I wouldn't have known ANYTHING about them had it not been for this thread. 2) My mister has already created a "christmas list" that has $200 worth of their products, aside from what I'm about to place an order for. So, that few dollars worth of samples is going to yield them a $200+ sale AND loyal customers. Seems like the company mentioned previously could take a lesson.

 

[wurly]

Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I was cleaning out my makeup cabinets and I found a bunch of samples I had gotten a couple of months ago and never tried yet! I have things that Murad, Mario Badescu, and Macadamia sent me that I'll be using this week.

Once I whittle down my stash, I'm on a mission to find the perfect acne treatment samples (my skin is not loving the summer). Any of you get anything particularly great in that area? It's been forever since I asked for any samples, my mailbox is lonely!

Years ago, I had terrible cystic acne on my chin. It just would not stop. It became constant. I went to a dermatologist who prescribed antibiotics. I tried one, then another, ended up becoming allergic, and all I could show was some improvement, not much. Certainly not enough to warrant losing access to a whole class of antibiotics. I went to an aesthetician trained in Cuba. She used YonKa products on me. And I bought a lot of YonKa products from her. After 2 acne facials, one a month, my skin was fixed. No new breakouts at all. No cyclical issues. Nothing. My scars were healing, and I've been a convert ever since. You can get it in the US now, but I used to have to order it from a salon in Canada. The Juvenil fluid is amazing. If you can find a salon that uses it, they may give you some samples. The samples are very generous, with the creams and lotions coming in small metal sealed tubes. The toner comes in a small glass bottle. The products are not inexpensive, but I swear by them. They're probably about the price of Murad, or Dermalogica products, and they are very concentrated, so they last longer than other similarly-sized products. You'll probably have to pick up at least the cleanser, toner, juvenil, and 1-2 creams, but your skin will thank you. If you are in crisis mode, a facial with YonKa products will probably be the most effective thing to do at first. 

 

[wurly]

I just read the thread about the company slamming MUT for requesting free samples. Before I discovered MUT, I used to get free samples at department stores. One company that was consistently good about samples was Clarins. Their samples came in little boxes with instructions. I loved them. They were always generously-sized and very well packaged. I became addicted to new things I discovered at Clarins, and would buy hundreds of dollars in presents for my mother and sister every year from Clarins. Just because their counter people were helpful and generous, and really very interested in my getting the best products for me, I would spend at least $1,000 every year on Clarins outfitting my mom, sister, and myself, not to mention on holiday presents (very wonderful hand cream) for friends. All from one very sweet and diligent sales person, who would even call me for special sales, and put things aside for me. That is superb customer service, and I became a customer for life because I like the company, the products, and their sales representatives. 

 

[tnorth1852]

I noticed a few people make mention of things they'd purchased after receiving a "free sample" --

I've received samples from about 15-20 companies since May. So far, I've purchased from:

Mrs. Meyers - I'm obsessed with the countertop spray in lemon verbena. While the product is only $3-5 retail, I didn't want to purchase something I wasn't sure I would enjoy the scent of. Since receiving my samples, I've spent around $15 on Mrs. Meyers and will be purchasing more.

Caldrea - I love their handsoaps in multiple different scents.

21 Drops - I wasn't given a free sample, but told to sign up for their "inner circle" and a free sample might be provided. It was sent to me weeks later. I tried it and loved it. So far, I've invested right at $100 on 21 drops products (De-Stress, Calm, and Equalize).

MenScience - as mentioned in a previous post, just purchased the face wash and lotion for my mister. His "christmas list" has already started and has over $200 worth of MenScience products on it. I'd say we were worth their few dollar investment.

Malin + Goetz - I received three or four "foil packets" upon request for specific items. I tried the detox mask and immediately ordered the full size at $40. Again, I'd say I was worth their few dollar investment.

Kiehls - I requested a few skin care samples in my local Dillard's not too long ago. I was given about 6 samples. One of them being the Rosa Artica cream... I just purchased a full size for $60.

I think this just highlights how "free samples" work to the benefit of the company they come from -- if the company has a product worth purchasing.

 

[tnorth1852]

Here's another question - My mister has now decided he wants to try a few colognes in search of a new one to add to his christmas list (yes, we start this early!) -- does anyone have any suggestions on places who would be willing to send us a fragrance sample?

 

[korsis]

Here's another question - My mister has now decided he wants to try a few colognes in search of a new one to add to his christmas list (yes, we start this early!) -- does anyone have any suggestions on places who would be willing to send us a fragrance sample?

Yes! You have to write COTY. They have Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Roberto cavalli and lots more. They send these little glass samples not those stupid postcards and the customer service is super nice. Also they always send 3 samples! Hope this helps!

 

[Ineri218]

Originally Posted by ewiggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'd never heard of Ziaja before finding this thread. Alessandra's experience with their customer service left such a bad taste in my mouth, I decided to email them:



Very well said!!

 

[Jamie P]

Yes! You have to write COTY. They have Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Roberto cavalli and lots more. They send these little glass samples not those stupid postcards and the customer service is super nice. Also they always send 3 samples! Hope this helps!

I got mine today! They send Chloe, Honey, and Fame. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Very nice! I don't have the luxury of perfume sampling with a 2 year old!

 

[tnorth1852]

Quote:Originally Posted by Jamie P /img/forum/go_quote.gif


I got mine today! They send Chloe, Honey, and Fame.

Very nice! I don't have the luxury of perfume sampling with a 2 year old!


Do you email someone in particular or is there a contact place on the website?