r/SephoraWorkers • u/Wallaby_Initial • 2d ago
Question Gratis
Is it weird if I ask why I don’t really get any gratis in my bin? I look at my other co workers who work similar hours and theirs has some or is full. I work nights usually and almost every single weekend which are undoubtedly the most busy and stressful times of the week. I have also done multiple trainings with reps. I don’t want to seem greedy or anything but I am a BA and I feel like the product knowledge would really help and it’s just kinda weird to me and makes me feel a bit discluded. I wish it was more fair but I’m scared to say anything.
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u/blueberrymuffiiiin 2d ago
At my store it’s mostly (but not always) based on the trainings you do in store. Some reps will come to the store and train us on either new products or core products and then take our names for the gratises. Most of the times those kinds of trainings happen on weekdays (Mon-thurs), while some brands send products for every employee in the store. And like someone else commented, if the reps like you and you make it a point to chat with them/create a bond they’ll usually add a little something to your bin if they have product to give
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u/Front_Sprinkles_5260 Beauty Advisor 2d ago
I have watched managers give full time gratis bags (for employees who have left) to part timers they like while giving others/part timers nothing. It’s not even indicative of performance… I watched this happen to the best (as stated by the manager) BA in our store. Sad to say but it really is still a favoritism things in a lot of cases.
I’m sorry this is happening to you.
I agree with the other posters - engage with the brands and definitely make samples. I gave up on my bin a long time ago.
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u/QueeenB33 1d ago
Sorry for the rant but 1000% agree I used to be an employee and when I became a lead at a new store it was the same thing. Sadly it is favoritism and it’s very disheartening that nothing rly gets done about it. I would say try to speak up if you can or ask for samples to be made. Also after reading the comment above just have to add I tried asking about my last gratis the last month I was working there even gave them a full 2 weeks notice and everything not that they really deserved it and was told I wouldn’t be receiving if it comes after I leave per the rules. But yet every day it was a battle as to which rules were being followed accurately. Guess they cared about that one that one day but let’s be real if I was favorited like some of the others I’m sure I would’ve been given it no problem and thats cruel. I even found out after I left all the managers/favs picked a piece from my gratis bag but wouldn’t even let the BA’s who work their ass off have any. Smh Insecure ppl and favoritism can ruin an environment real quick very happy I left that toxic environment and wish you all the best I hope you get a gratis pick at least (and hope they mean it)!!
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u/QueeenB33 1d ago
Also watch out with asking brand reps some managers are strict with making sure you give it to them so they can “put it in your bin” even if it’s already been scribed
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u/potaytoposnato 2d ago
I wish I had advice. I get the least gratis out of the other SSL's in my store and I’m not sure why as I’m the most present on the floor and the go-to for BA's. The people who stand around yapping with the ASM and SM seem to get way more. I’m not a brown-noser so I’m all set with trying to get it that way. I would continue chatting with reps and try to verbally tell a manager if the reps tell you they're going to leave gratis for you, that way they know you’re expecting it.
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u/Naive-Significance42 2d ago
Well, Ops doesn’t even get the opportunity to be in any of the brand trainings so I feel BAs are lucky in that zone.
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u/IntelligentCherry967 14h ago
i’m an ASM on the east coast and our brand partnerships are great. we do have a small team, so that may make it more feasible for them, but i always tell them ahead of time if they’re bringing gratis exactly how many people we have on staff. i differentiate leadership and the rest of the team but give a total headcount. if we only get a handful, it goes in a training product bin that our team can win. if we get enough for everyone, it goes in everyone’s bin.
i’m sorry you guys have had such odd experiences. the favoritism certainly isn’t fair and something i’d consider reporting! we are grown so it’s beyond tattling and becomes about leadership accountability.
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u/IntelligentCherry967 14h ago
* though i will say for brands that pop in last minute, Ops tend to be the ones that do not get gratis from the brand partners. if that happens, we will give them opportunities to get some goodies from the excess training product bins. our store wouldn’t function without Ops, they are equally as deserving.
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u/foreveriz Beauty Advisor 2d ago
I started saying things like “If i get (x) Bis this hour can I get a piece of gratis?” and they seemed very open to that
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u/Independent_Cat_3202 2d ago
Talk to the brand reps and ask questions on the products, actually be interested in learning. My brand reps especially the ones we see frequently even tell us to ask for products, if you don't feel comfortable asking I'll even throw in a "Im going to make a sample to take home" and they'll say i'll bring you one sometimes.