SEPHORA — Attraction in Calgary

Very clean and tidy store, and bravo to the team for being able to efficiently keep up with the high demand by opening an alternative way of purchase, this was very convenient. Not entirely autism friendly, but we’ll enough for most. Unfortunately, interacting with beauty experts at this location was not, and I will continue to shop online. Wanting to see how a certain foundation fit to my skin and my undertones, I approached the dior selection, and had asked a beauty expert for help regarding which one would suit my complexion. She had been helpful in only one respect: letting me know that the foundation I was after was not available at this location (not an issue, thank you for letting me know), and squeezing a small pea size of several shades on my hand. This was without blending, and it did take her quite a few tries to match my skin.

This on its own would not be a problem of it we’re not done with the arrogance of a French 17th century noble over a leper. Her tone was extremely belittling and her execution was lazy, it did not seem to occur to her that she was trying to sell the foundation, or that she was supposed to be an expert. She didn’t even give me time to see how the foundation blended on my hand, and while it was busy, I did not seem to pick up that she was in demand.

I would’ve liked if she would’ve provided information on how the shade range differed from both products and explained the benefits of each, I would’ve more greatly appreciated any engagement that would’ve made her presence useful. I understand that retail work is not for the faint of heart, and that it can be difficult to focus on one’s job due to personal factors, but I find it difficult to believe that this coldness came from a coping mechanism instead of a place of judgement.

That being said I was very happy with my experience at the till. The beauty expert at the satellite checkout was such a sweetheart and very efficient, seemingly ready to spring into action...

I spent some rare time out shopping in public today. I needed either a new product, or solution for the one I had.

I asked the first employee for a skin scan for the colour match. She immediately stated to try the Sephora line. Which, okay great but I'd like the shade please. I was told it's unreliable, I said thats fine. I would like it still.

She truly only offered 2 products, neither of which I asked to see. I then asked if she could give me the shade matches of the ones I DID want. She was reluctant but provided. Did not appear to want to help me at all.

Melissa was BEYOND helpful after this. She showed great patience, kindness and fabulous suggestions. She made my visit worth it.

After Melissa finished showing me items, I went to venture on my own. I walked up each and every aisle. Searching for the right product. I took my time, I tried the samples. All the things you do when shopping in person.

I rarely get to venture out to shop in store. I suffered a severe spinal injury years ago and can't often walk for to long. So I took my time to enjoy it today.

That is, until I felt like I was being watched by staff. Every so often, someone would walk by me an iota slower, scan, then walk by and speak to the mics they wear. I managed retail stores in my 20s, trust me; I noticed the profiling.

At the end one final staff stalked over and asked if I needed help. I had finally found the product I was looking for. I began to ask her if she could take the other possible products I grabbed, before saying I would put them back, (it's the sephora sale. Theyre busy)

She snatched them from me so fast

Slow shopping and slight speech impediments dont warrant theft. I struggle leaving my house as is, without being...

I usually have good experiences at this location however I had my first questionable experience here today. I came with my original receipt to return the Valentino Born in Roma perfume only for the cashier to tell me that I didn't bring in the right receipt because she couldn't find the product on it. I assured her it was the right one and that I could point it out to her as the product name is abbreviated on the receipt as "V BIR D INTS TS". She ignored me and instead asked the cashier next to her what to do if she can't find the product on my profile for a return. I also found this odd because when I pulled up my Sephora app I could clearly see the purchase on my profile. The cashier next to her then proceeds to whisper to her saying she doesn't think I have the right receipt either. I am now annoyed at this point, so I grabbed the receipt and read the product out while pointing to it on the receipt so that they could both see and broke down the abbreviation for them. Did they look at it? Nope, instead they said "it's okay we don't need that, we'll do the return for you this time". What do they mean by "this time"? I had the original receipt the begin with. If they had realized their mistake then a simple "oh my bad, I completely missed it but I see it now" would have sufficed. There was no need to make it sound like they were the ones doing me a favour allowing the return "this time". What a weird way to go about customer service. And funnily enough, the new receipt they handed me after the return indeed says "V BIR D INTS TS" which was 100% on my original receipt. I'll include pictures of both receipts because honestly this experience was just ridiculous and such a...