Big Problems During the Sephora VIB Sale!

Admittedly, I only started really shopping at Sephora this year. I've had a Beauty Insider Account (which, for those who don't know, is a point-based loyalty problem) for a while, but I just hadn't really been shopping there until this year when I threw away a bunch of old makeup and started buying high-quality replacements. There are three levels of membership, based on how much money you spend at the store over the calendar year. The next level is VIB and then VIB Rouge. I went a little crazy and reached VIB Rouge about a month ago. It's exciting when you reach that level because they give you a Bite Lipstick. If you've never tried a Bite Lipstick, then you don't know what you're missing. It's extremely smooth and long wearing...but I digress.

It's my impression that once a year, Sephora extends a 20% off discount to VIB and VIB Rouge customers. I was very thrilled to get the notification in my email about the sale and the event (which, because of a rehearsal, I was unable to attend), which was supposed to begin yesterday the 6th and end the 10th. Being the beauty junkie that I am, I filled my cart up with goodies that I would only really want to buy if I got a discount on it. I think, in total, I had 8 things in my cart. Sadly, the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Palette sold out the day before the sale. SAD! I deleted it from my cart and decided I would try and find it in a store. All I wanted to do was click the checkout button when the sale started and I was going to be good to go. Even though I live near several Sephora stores, I like to shop online because of the mobile offers and/or Ebates. com. I logged on to the Sephora App on my phone, and then this happened:

High Traffic? Wow...amazing. Everyone else must be excited about the VIB sale too! I waited several hours to log back in and got the same message. So, the website and app were officially CRASHED. The website and app were crashed during the most anticipated sale of the year.

When I first learned of this, I thought I would wait it out because I love to shop online, but then it was down for HOURS. By 10am yesterday, I decided that I would just drop by the Boston Sephora store before a rehearsal and try to remember all the items that were in my cart. I honestly was having a hard time, but I managed to snag nearly everything that was in my virtual cart, save one item. I even snagged a Tarte Pinup Girl Amazonian Clay Blush Palette, which was completely sold out online. You can't even view the product on the website anymore.

The sales associates didn't seem to really notice that the website was down when I talked with them about it, but all of them were nice and helpful. I was very thrilled to receive my first 500 point bonus which was a little Urban Decay eye set with four beautiful little eyeshadows and a 24/7 black eyeliner  and a super lame sample of primer potion. I'm a little pissed they adhered the sample to the stupid box, but I guess it's nothing a pair of scissors can't cure. I haven't tried this yet, but the colors look pretty neutral.

The bottom line, is that it's now (as I'm writing this) November 7th at 10am and the site is still down for most customers. Even worse, there is some bug in the system (I am guessing this because I can't imagine a major company would do this on purpose) that is locking the accounts of some customers who use an email address from some Chinese servers, such as qq.com and 126.com. The accounts are not only being locked, but the system is giving those customers the reason for locking as some sort of "Violation of Policy" such as reselling, etc. From what I am reading on the Sephora Facebook Page, store associates have not been very helpful regarding this error and neither has the "Beauty Concierge" via the phone. Sephora PR has been less than responsive regarding this whole blunder, with one Twitter post 20 hours ago apologizing for their website being down. They have been replying to tweets in response to the craziness, but there has been no mention of the Chinese email blunder or any mention of how they are going to attempt to make disappointed customers happy.

I feel for them, because there is a major dropping of the ball here from their IT Department and their PR department. A major retailer's website being dysfunctional for over 24 hours during its major promotion is pretty unacceptable. It hurts me a little to say that because I do love Sephora, but I am shocked that the way this situation is being handled. What do you think? Have you tried to unsuccessfully place an order? Have you gone to the store instead? What are your experiences with the "Beauty Concierge"?

OOTD, Sale madness & Why it's bad to live near so many stores

Good evening, everyone! You know what psycho got up at 3am to check the status of the Anthro Sale?!

Me.

AND...I was pleased/horrified that quite a few items from my wishlist were suddenly on sale (except for the damn High Tea Blouse...the only Floreat blouse that fits me). Determined to grab my prizes in person, I went back to bed. I live within 2o miles of 5 stores, so there was a good chance I could get what I wanted. Yeah, that's right...5 stores. FIVE.

Because I had the day off, I could actually wear a little Anthro on my multi-store sale mission! Normally, I wear a work uniform. It's 94 degrees today, so a stay-cool outfit was necessary.

Top: Anthro - Raccoon Rumpus Blouse $49 (sold-out online, still kicking around in stores)
Shorts: Anthro - Black Forrest Trail Shorts $29.99 (also sold out online, but I have seen a pair or two in the sale room)
Wedges: Payless

I live in Boston, but have not been to the Burlington Anthropologie. So, I thought this was the perfect morning to check it out. I find that suburban stores always have some secret treasures kicking around in the sale room. I went to the Dedham store a couple of weeks ago and scored my Botanical Stroll dress! I have one unfortunate observation about both the Dedham and Burlington stores which I will share in a few. First off, when I arrived at the Burlington Store, it was about 30 minutes after they had opened. I was greeted at the door by a salesperson who said hello, but nothing more. There were a few intense ladies in the sale room (you know the kind...aggressively sorting through the racks. They look like they will cut you.) and a few other folks there. I was surprised to discover that NOTHING had been markdown and all of the newest sale items were still floating around the store. I did see ONE Two-Wheeler Shirtdress in a size 6 there. It made me feel weird. No one talked to me. No one acknowledged me. Nubbins. I walked around for at least 10 minutes with a dress in my hand. Shame.

Here's my deal...I don't get this as much in the Boston store (which I love!) and the Chestnut Hill store (but SOMETIMES I do). What's with the attitude the SA's are sporting?? Maybe I'm biased because I work in a retail environment where everyone is expected to be extremely friendly, well-versed and helpful, but would it be totally insane to have your sales staff be a tiny bit more friendly? Even at the register, I feel like I'm bothering people. "Hi, I'd like to give you lots of my hard-earned money for these pretty things. The money for the things goes to the company that signs your paychecks. How 'bout a smile, sweetie?" *steps off soapbox*

Needless to say, I got completely turned off and headed toward my favorite store in Chestnut Hill. It's a big store and they had already marked down everything and moved it to the sale area. Fabulous! I grabbed a Soft Scallops Cardi (number 1 on my wishlist) and Split Decision Cardigan which, I have to say did NOTHING for me on the website or on reviews. But when I saw it in person, I was pleasantly surprised at how adorable and cozy it looked! I was looking for a neutral-color cardi and this was it! I found it to be very comfy and cozy and perfect, so for $39.99, I snapped it up. I also grabbed a lilac version of the Tiny Windows Dress. I already own the pink and I found the lilac to be equally flattering. I'm such a sucker, but how could I pass at $29.99!?

I walked out. Happy.

Stupidly, I got on the T and somehow, bizarrely ended up on Boylston Street in Back Bay. Oh look! An Anthropologie! Lets's see what's going on in there!

I did and I walked out with three more items: A Chopsticks Cardigan ($39.99 second cut price)


...A Dreamy Drape Dress (aka: Speckled Ink Dress)($79.99) and a Clusters of Light Tank ($59.99). This tank has been on my radar for a while and I was pleasantly surprised (and again also horrified) to see it on the sale rack. It's just gorgeous...I'm afraid to touch it, but it's beautiful and I can't wait to wear it...very...carefully. This is not the kind of top you can let your husband try and take off of you after date night. No...you tell him to back off from the Tabitha Frock.


I'm really on the fence about the Chopsticks Cardigan. It's really cute...but I'm a legit musician and I don't know if it's too "theme-y" or kitchy for me to be sporting. People pay me to sing and I don't know if this is too over-the-top. I couldn't resist at $40...it may go back. We'll see.

So there you have it. I spent more than my allotted Anthro sale savings and I feel kinda high guilty. I may have to enforce a month-long 2 week-long moratorium on Shopping. But fear not! I will still review pretty fall frocks for those keeping score at home! What's everyone blowing their cash on today?