I visited the SpaceNK in Covent Garden today at lunchtime to decompress between meetings, and also because a regular reader and correspondent had expressed an interest in the new LifeNK range. As I am always willing to do research (and hey, if some products happen to be bought along the way, who am I to challenge destiny?) I was on a mission to sniff and try the LifeNK, and report back here.
They have the products. Lots of them. Multiples of each item. But not a single tester.
I asked if there were any testers, just in case I'd missed them in my Lubatti-sniffing-induced fugue state (the Violet stuff is lovely. And they had testers.) Nope, I was told, no testers yet. Although, the SA suggested, I could open the products and sniff them. Hang on a minute.
"Are you going to sell people stuff that other people have opened and sniffed?"
Yes, I did say that out loud, and was met with deafening silence.
If you're buying anything from the LifeNK range in Covent Garden, pick one of the items from the back.
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??? I worked at Space NK for a long time. They're supposed to put one of each own brand item through the till as a tester themselves in the store! Der! Any SA is able to do it! Miss working with all the gorgeous brands, etc but don't miss the company itself at all!!! x
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca - I did wonder about that! V odd behaviour not to have done it in that case. Thanks for your comment. x
ReplyDeleteI am starting to like Space NK less and less...They are streamlining on MU
ReplyDeleteThat is just disgusting! And don't get me started on the attitude of the majority of SAs...
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend Grace!
Nina
HI Anon - I agree with you; I think the cosmetics are being sidelined in favour of skincare etc. The NARS selections are getting smaller and smaller in both the SpaceNKs I visit regularly.
ReplyDeleteHi Nina - it was a real 'ugh!' moment. I find it varies so much on which branch you go to with the SAs - Russell Square's are usually more helpful. You have a good weekend too. x
I wanted to buy some stuff from this range after getting the email it was available to buy, checked the site, most things not in stock, emailed them and they said they were now aware of the issue and I could mail order instead ! Why send an email if people can't buy it ! After dealing with companies like Zuneta etc you start to realise the variant between customer service.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really bad about the testers, although the Givenchy SA near me opens up mascara's to show people the brush, thats the worst I have seen.
Ewww I'll be avoiding that branch! Luckily there's a branch a 10 min bus ride away from me and they have enough testers out. The staff seem okay too.
ReplyDeleteI ALWAYS get the bottle or the packet or whatever at the back, whether I'm at the supermarket or buying make-up...of course, I always get the 3rd or 4th magazine or book too! Don't you just hate it when you open the deodorant bottle and see that it's been touched and sprayed or...worse???? AAARGH! xx
ReplyDeletehaha that's so wrong! how didgy of them :S
ReplyDeletedodgy! ha I can't spell!
ReplyDeleteHi Replica - I agree, should not release it if you don't have any available for sale.
ReplyDeleteHi Vex - I try to buy from Russell Square, generally, but Covent Garden is closer.
Hi Anna - yes, Mr London always does that too. I'm going to start, I think ;)
Hello Em - I think she was trying to be helpful, but yes, ew! for the people who might buy it afterwards. x
Thanks to all for your comments.
That is really disgusting and quite worrying that they said that to you.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I always do the same too... never trust the first bottle!
ReplyDeleteSpace NK is just too big to have proper QA going on... spread too thin without the top-down incentive to promote good in-store experiences, or so it seems. Maybe HR just isn't doing the job?
And once again I wonder why we don't have Sephora in this country.
ReplyDeleteBoy I wish we had Sephora.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say well done for you to say that to the SA. I've worked in shops as a teenager and student and can not stand when I get bad or incompetent service. People should speak up more.
http://eliza-mclellan.blogspot.com/
Ex
Hi Bickyyy - I wasn't terribly impressed.
ReplyDeleteJessica - yes, I think there are just too many stores to control now.
Hi Anon - it's a shame we don't have Sephora.
Hello Eliza - yes, I agree with you. Thanks. :)
That's what happens when a brand grows too quickly. I read yesterday that Nicky is an MBE! I used to love Space NK but found their stock levels rubbish the last few times I've been there, and have defected to Fenwick or other dept stores that stock the same lines. I think it's a bit hit and miss with SAs - some are great and totally non pushy and others seem badly trained.
ReplyDeleteShame, because the concept of Space NK is great.
I used to go in SpaceNK in Leeds and Harrogate but switched to department stores about two years ago due to dwindling and dirty stocks of makeup and pushy but ultimately unhelpful staff. MBE or not, when you look at what's happening on the high street, unless Ms Kinnaird seriously improves her business I can't see the shops lasting much longer.
ReplyDelete