We’ve all collected beauty samples at one time or another, some more often than others. A few years ago, I was very enthusiastic and managed to collect a fairly large number of mostly skincare samples. It’s a well known fact that beauty consultants are more willing to give when you purchase at least one product from them as there’s always a high possibility that the customer will return to purchase the product after trying out the sample but what if you have not purchased anything?
There are vouchers in magazines and newspapers inviting us to collect beauty samples just about every month. It looks easy enough – just complete the form, cut it out and visit the counter. Sometimes specific counters are stated, sometimes it’s any of the brand’s counters nationwide for a particular duration of time or days.
If you look at it from the retailers’ point of view, this sampling exercise introduces the brand to potential customers. Most people won’t approach a counter and ask for samples if they have no intention of purchasing anything and even if they did, they are unlikely to receive any. Samples given during a sampling exercise can range from sachets to tubes/bottles sized between 5-10ml or more if you are lucky!
How many of us have received sms-es from beauty brands asking us to collect samples. Quite a few, I imagine. Of course you have to show the sms to the consultant and delete the sms on the spot before being requested to fill in your particulars. Sometimes we are subjected to a brief consultation but more often, just a brief presentation on the products.
My experience of collecting samples has been mostly okay but there are the odd bad experiences where even when I turn up with the newspaper advertisement, I’ve been given THE look. You know, the one where the consultant looks at you as if you are asking for money and he/she would like nothing better than for you to disappear sans samples.
Again from the retailers’ point of view, I am aware there’s a small handful of people who may go from counter to counter to collect the same samples so they want to eliminate the possibility that the person standing in front of them hasn’t already visited another of their counters to collect the samples. Of course there’s no foolproof way of making sure since the person may have given different personal particulars at another counter.
In my early days of collecting samples, I noticed that brands were not detailed enough in their advertisements exhorting people to collect samples. Most of the time, the advertisements just mentioned “Visit our counters for a consultation and collect samples” without directing people to bring the advertisement to the counter so what happens when you turn up at the counter without the advertisement? You either argue till you’re blue in the face or give up and walk away without the samples.
Then there are some brands that state that you have to make an appointment for a 15 minute consultation before you’re given the samples. All very well and I have done that but I’ve discovered that those appointments are such a waste of time because I just get a flash makeover which means touching up my lipstick or applying concealer or dusting some loose powder/blush. I’ve given up collecting samples from those brands that insist on my making an appointment and besides after spending x amount of time with the consultant, I just walk away with 2 x 1ml samples most of the time.
These days, I just collect samples from counters I visit frequently because the consultants know me and won’t make me complete long forms just for a few sachets. I’ve become selective in collecting samples because I don’t want to have to endure a mini facial or flash makeover just for a few sachets and get THAT look when I don’t purchase anything. After all, 1ml skincare sachets are good for just one or two usages and it’s hardly worth the time and trouble any more to collect those.
So do let me know whether you have ever had any bad experiences in collecting beauty samples or maybe it’s all been plain sailing for you in which case you must let me know which counters you go to. By the way, some beauty brands do have plenty of samples to go around. Have you ever seen their samples when they open their drawers?
In case you are wondering, I didn’t have any problems collecting the RoC skincare trial set. I actually prefer those sampling exercises where you just queue up in front of a pharmacy at a designated time/day as they are too busy handing out the samples to persuade you to buy anything.
i have problems to collect samples that need to line up as i usually couldn’t be there. Usually, counters brand doesn’t give samples even when i asked or when i show them the messages, the BA will say finished when it is only 1 or 2ml samples. So, i don’t ask or go to those counters anymore cause i think that they are too stingy. Besides, i don’t like to “break my bank” without trying those expensive products. IT is also One of the reason that i resort to buying from pharmacies. The only good samples i got was from Kose-the 100ml lotion and 70ml emulsion. so, naturally i would go buy it if i feel it is good for my skin. That is also the reason my friend change to Kose after sampling it.
Did Kose give you those samples with or without a purchase? If without, then it’s really generous of them!
It is without any purchase. I just go and give her my ic, take and go. the BA taught me how to use them. No even question asked. However, their stock are limited. So, those that registered early can collect them on the specific week given. I do see some people complained at the Kose Fb saying why they don’t have a lot!
I’ve become more choosy in collecting samples now as compared to few years ago that I’ll take whatever was given to me. I don’t collect from brands I don’t like or know for sure I won’t purchase or interested in because of certain issue. I also won’t take samples I don’t use for example makeup gifts or sample, I would ask the staff to change to skincare items that is suitable for my skin.