Select - 2 - Free Samples? (Online US)

[GalPalFriday]

Has Sephora changed their online sample policy from 3 samples per order to 2 samples per order permanently? 

As of today (10/24/2018) I was getting an error when I placed more than 2 samples in my cart despite the site saying I could add 3.

Now, a few hours after placing my order, I see the text at checkout has changed. 

[Lucki1]

I received my package yesterday and only received ONE sample! So not only were samples reduced from three to two but they couldn’t even give me two! I’m not impressed. Not cool Sephora. 

[AGIE101]

Spoiler

Have had this issue more than twice. Sephora customer service told me to go to the store and get my samples there. Ha!

[rrroxanne]

I received my order yesterday. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, since I did receive two samples.... Only 1 was the one I had selected. I feel if I'm not even getting 3, I should at least get the 2 I selected. I understand during sale time, they'll run out, but very disappointing. 

[ShortErica]

Have there been any updates about the change? I know there are multiple threads on this topic and I'm trying to be aware of what answers we are getting.

As a personal experience to share, I ordered before the sale and was able to pick 3 samples. I did receive 3 samples in my package but only 1 was something I selected. Hopefully those limited to 2 samples get the ones they picked.

[Indy701]

@ShortErica I’ve received two orders so far and both had the two samples I selected. Now most of the options are perfume and benefit 😕 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Indy701 Ugh!  Ulta has been pushing Benefit samples - and now Sephora?  Honestly, since my Ulta has so much Benefit I kinda wish my Sephora would replace its Benefit counter with CT, ND, Shishiedo, etc - something new!

[Indy701]

@greeneyedgirl107 I agree. I am not a fan of the brand and it’s always the primer, gimme brow, or a moisturizer.  

@ShortEricaThird order came in today and no samples that I selected 🤷🏻‍♀️  Two out of three orders isn’t too bad compared to the past but still a disappointment. It also appeared someone else received my order. It had clearly been opened and repackaged. It also had a different label than normal and my name and address hand written on the box. Nice of whomever had received it to forward it on.  

[ShortErica]

That's good news you got what you selected but bummer about the limited choices. Thanks for sharing.

[lasweetvie]

It’s definitely annoying to have a perk taken away or reduced without explanation. I would probably mind it less if there was a reason, like “we’re working on our fulfillment issues” or “we are refocusing on providing better samples/gwp”, but as is, it just feels like a cheap cost cutting measure.  In my experience, Sephora has been chipping away at the customer perks I enjoyed for awhile now, so I have been making my purchases at Nordstrom (outstanding sample selection, fulfillment, and return policy), Ulta (crazy good gifts with purchase, sales, and rewards program), and Costco (prestige brands at great prices) instead.  Those companies all do a great job of providing a positive shopping experience and making a customer feel valued.

[sunny0629]

I also see only two samples are allowed per order. Very disappointing. What Sephora should have done is to add more sample choices of online-only products. Knowing that they discard a returned item (skincare/makeup), I feel really bad returning a product if I don‘t like it but I can’t just keep it either.

So from customer satisfaction and marketing perspective, this tactic is really disappointing. I wish Sephora listened to their customers. I spent a lot of money at this store (online mostly) and I’m so excited when I get my orders with samples and rewards and promos. 

In my opinion, to get a better use of online samples Sephora should rather:

1) as I mentioned, include more choices of online-only products - 90% of what I use is “clean” skincare and makeup, and I hate returning those expensive products if they don't work for me.

2) I think perfume samples that can be easily tried at the store are just a waste of money. People also tend to be very picky about scents. 

3) I’d say samples choices include too many foundations. Including more skincare would be more useful as I don’t feel comfortable trying things from open jars at the store, those are bacteria nests and look gross, unless a product is in a pump bottle. 

[Marathoner422]

Bacteria nests! Thanks for the laugh. That is so true.

[Marathoner422]

Me too! I am very fair and can never use any of the foundation samples.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@byme4u This made me wonder if the selection of the overall free samples will change.  I agree with you that foundation samples aren't anything I gravitate toward.  Even hair care is hard b/c I find that many samples don't provide enough for me to use - I have thick hair but even my sister who has "regular" hair often doesn't find enough in the sample.

I love the fragrance samples.  I will say that my Sephora doesn't have a lot of fragrances that I'd like to sample in-store (Jo Malone, V&R Magic line, etc) so I hope they keep the fragrances coming.

In a fantasy world, what I'd love to see is the ability to choose a sample of *any* Sephora product.  I'd be able to try things out that are customized/targeted just to me.

In a more down to Earth sense, I keep posting how I'd like to see more lipstick samples.  What I prefer is not the blister packs, but those *very* mini lipsticks like Avon used to give out in the 80s.  Dreams!

[greeneyedgirl107]

@byme4u It's nice to find a like-minded person!  I continue to be puzzled about why lipsticks aren't a staple for sample since it's not really a sample you can get in-store and it's unhygienic to sample in-store.  Even when I've tried on lipstick in-store and have like and bought the lipstick, I often encounter problems that warrant a return - like the color fades too quickly, is too drying, etc.

I also agree that finding a fragrance from a sample can be hit or miss.  I do enjoy getting them, though!  I'll be sad when I place my next order and get a third less samples 😞

[triciaks1111]

I’m skeptical about lowering to two to go green. No one is mentioning that maybe It has to do with sephora launching a monthly sample package that costs $$$

[bookwyrmm]

The only thing with that theory is that Play! has been around for years now.

[dalison213]

Shop at ULTA instead. They give our deluxe samples all the time and have tons more promotions, including 20% many times throughout the year. 

[bunnyboop]

But, they do not carry as many lines as Sephora 

[ather]

Glad you asked this question @GalPalFriday I noticed it too and was confused

[RebeccaBT]

Hi @GalPalFriday

We truly appreciate your feedback regarding samples on this post. At this time, the number of complimentary samples clients may select is two. I hope you enjoy the samples that you're able to choose with your order, and I suggest asking a Cast Member for assistance with product samples directly during your next visit!

Best,
Rebecca 

[arielrose]

Facts are I am rarely in the stores because I work from home and do most of my purchasing online. I like the convenience of mail order and also prefer CLEAN sealed products that haven't been sampled and played with by tons of other people. Cutting us customers down to 2 from 3 (which it has been a staple of Sephora ordering for YEARS) does not make anyone happier. Quite the opposite. Not only that, you almost NEVER get the samples you actually select and with it now being 2, your chances of getting what you order is even lower. And...what the heck is a 'Cast Member'? You're not working in the movies, this is retail sales folks!!