Flash Shipping Scam

[Topiary]

Odd that I can find this via google, but not within the app itself. So I am starting a new thread. What is it with this Flash shipping scam? At first, I think I paid for it. Then it was part of the whole VIP Rogue-thing. Then it wasn’t there, so I ordered it again. After the first order, and receipt of a shipment date, I then received an email stating that because there was an aerosol product in my order, it could not beshipped by air. Only there was no aerosol product in my order (which was quite costly by the way). When I noted this in a reply email, the story changed from aerosol to some other toxic product. I said you’re not telling the truth; the order arrived — not within the two days — but more quickly than I was told. Stupidly, I forgot about it. My most recent — again quite costly — order was on December 3. I was notified that my shipment would arrive on December 5. When I still had not received it on December 6, tracking indicated it would nonetheless arrive December 6. It never did. Tracking now says it will arriveDecember 9. When I contacted Sephora, “the holidays” were blamed. I havehad it with Sephora. I have cancelled the so-called Flash, and have been promised a refund. Plus I found out that a pricey Artis brush I orderedcould have been obtained more cheaply directly from the company. And, as it turned out, not any later. Sephora sells an image, but it treats its customers very shabbily. I am done. Oh, and I am definitely not a “rookie.” How demeaning, by the way.

[Topiary]

Update: It is now December 10, and I have still not received my order, after being told it would be delivered on December 5; December 6; and December 9. Sometime after midnight, the delivery date changed for the fourth time to today. With three and a half hours remaining in this “day,” I don’t think it will be delivered at all. I am requesting a full refund. I will buy what I need at Nordstrom.

[Charmander3]

I think the company is circling the drain and rather than save money by giving their employees deluxe samples to try rather than boatloads of full size product (if you look, you can find sephora employees posting their gratis online and it's insane -- they're technically not allowed to post it online, but some do anyway), they cut corners by consistently screwing their customers over and pulling cute little sweepstakes scams. 

[Topiary]

I think you are right. What galls me is not necessarily the delay, but the fraud. They collect that “flash” fee, which as I recall was originally part of my “Rouge” benefits, when they know they lack the capacity to fulfill it. And then they have some built-in excuses to cover their tracks. Well. I am a lawyer, and I don’t like fraud. I am also friendly with a lot of journalists. Since “whistleblowers” are suddenly in fashion, any employee with an inside story to tell should just message me. 🙂

[Charmander3]

Honestly, think of how much money Sephora shoppers have been scammed out of. It's not just itemized things here and there like Flash shipping (although that is certainly part of it). But a lot of the reason people have shopped at Sephora as opposed to other retailers is precisely because of various expectations that are set.... and that are consistently not fulfilled. I mean, if 90% of your customers are getting increasingly agitated over these issues, I think it's fair to say that there was (and still is) false advertising going on. I have never shopped at a place that treats their customers as poorly as Sephora. At this point, I'm just waiting to cash in these stupid points with the rewards system revamp.

[LaurieBT]

Hi @Topiary,

I am sorry to hear about your order experience and thank you for sharing feedback with us. I will take a look further and I will send you a private message shortly to assist.

Best regards,

Laurie