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. 

[CheerMomma]

Just notice that for Canada too! 

[MaliBT]

Hi all,

I will share your feedback regarding this. Currently, I can confirm that there is 2 per order. 

-Mali 

[snowtigr]

Changing from 2 to 3 is not as bad as never including the correct samples and substituting with perfume samples when no perfume samples where chosen.  Many of are allergic to perfume or can have asthma attacks from it but no mater how many times we call and tell Sephora they still send perfume instead of product samples. 

[esidemachiine]

just adding my feedback - shoppers are not going to like reducing the number of samples, but additional,  making the change WITHOUT announcing it or giving a heads up feels like Sephora thinks we are dumb and won't notice and don't matter.  Right after the whole Sunday Riley fake reviews scandal.....I would think transparency would be your number 1 goal right now. 

[GG84]

@MaliBT Is this a permanent change?

[MaliBT]

@GG84,

We don't have specifics but your feedback is appreciated. 

-Mali 

[GG84]

@MaliBT Thank you for clarifying. 

[susanatx]

This is ridiculous. It's bad enough that we can't stack codes but to cheap out on one foil with an order?

[GG84]

@GalPalFriday Its like that on the Canadian site too 

[bakeamuffin]

Interesting @GalPalFriday! @RaquelBT? 

[MaliBT]

@bakeamuffin,

Just as an fyi, Raquel is no longer at Sephora. 😉

-Mali 

[bakeamuffin]

Thanks @MaliBT, I totally forgot 😭 

[MaliBT]

Np! @bakeamuffin 🙂

[greeneyedgirl107]

@bakeamuffin I'm really interested to hear feedback about this.  It's strange, b/c I wonder if this is an industry-wide trend.  I only shop beauty at a few places, but I noticed not too long ago that Ulta has been giving clients the "variety" sampler only (which is usually one fragrance and one sample that you'd find in a magazine for foundation or something -- very tiny) - before I believe we had the option of "fragrance" and "skincare" in addition to "variety." 

I also shop at Paula's Choice, and they no longer have the option of samples; when I asked them the last two times they claimed they were temporarily OOS but it's been going on for months.

[Alphaboo]

It’s very disappointing to me if they do because the samples really do influence my buying behavior - since my skin is sensitive, it is important to me to be able to try things out before I buy them.

[bakeamuffin]

Ah, it would make sense if it’s becoming an industry standard. Since brands are responsible for making and providing their own samples, perhaps they’ve pulled in the reigns in those a little bit? I’d like to know more behind the decision for sure @greeneyedgirl107.

[eshoe]

Hmmm, @bakeamuffin just placed an order with Stila direct last week and there were no samples offered, either. @Alphaboo @greeneyedgirl107

[CheerMomma]

I think it’s strange that a brand dictate samples be reduced? Surely if I want a sample from a brand that’s a good indicator of my interest, and if I sample a competitors instead of, then I might be swayed based on that. I’d have thought it was in their interest to make sure theirs are the samples being selected, rather than reducing options, pushing to increase them. Unless studies show they don’t influence a purchasing decision because some folks order/hoard samples that never get used? 

[GG84]

 samples are incredibly expensive for companies to make. I'm in the distribution end and it's not as simple as people make it out to be. There's packaging (jars, foils, plastic, paper) printing, product, man power involved to create + ship. Personally, I rarely use my samples. I gift them. Is the person I'm gifting to purchasing? I have no idea. Lots of people do use their samples absolutely, lots of people don't though. Maybe this is a way to go greener? It is waste afterall. I was initally upset because I was working on a project with samples - i'm not using them though. I'm okay with it. If one sample is going to deter anyone from shopping at Sephora when in the past complaints have been samples are never whats requested, it's a bit of a moot point. 

[smashcat]

GG84, this is a good post with a lot of enlightening information in it, but i'm someone from an area with no local sephoras who lives within walking distance from work & who no longer owns a car. if sephora's reducing their samples 33%, that's a third fewer items i can try. i'm a rouge member but it really does make me start to see what's being offered elsewhere.

[cianni]

@GG84 I know this has been a contentious issue the last day or so, but I really appreciate your detailed explanation about manufacturing/distributing . It’s easy to forget the cost of making things that are given away as free. I use my samples, and have bought things I’ve sampled, but it does create a lot of waste. I’m all for going green and reducing costs, because that usually means savings can be passed on to consumers in other ways! Thanks again 🤗