On being ripped off! Argh!
(WARNING: Non-papercrafting related rant)
Okay, so some of you might know that I use Bare Minerals foundation (since I've mentioned it in the past). Anyway, I started using it about 5 months ago and I absolutely love it.
Anyway, when you order the starter kit, they offer to sign you up for their Bare Minerals Club. As a member of the club, they send you 2 jars of the foundation and 1 jar of the Mineral Veil powder every other month (or any other interval you specify up to 6 months) at a "20% discount." You also receive free gifts.
Well, I thought, "Why not! It's a great deal! And I won't have to drive to a store to buy it." :)
WHATEVER! I just realized that I'm being completely ripped off! Here's why...
As I mentioned above, you can buy Bare Minerals foundation and setting powder from Sephora (or sephora.com), at makeup counters in department stores, or at Bare Escentuals stores. (Bare Minerals is made by Bare Escentuals). You think you're getting a great deal buying from the club, especially considering that just one jar of the foundation costs $25 in-store, whereas you get 2 jars and 1 jar of the powder from the club for $39.98.
Good deal, right? Um, no.
What I failed to notice is that the in-store jars are HUGE compared the ones they send you in the mail from the club. Need some math? BTW, I've omitted the cost of shipping.
Excuse me? HELLO! It's such a better deal to buy it from a store. Especially when you consider that fact that it's safe to store and use opened powder cosmetics for up to one year!
What about the "free gifts" you receive when you're a club member? Not even an issue for me. They sent me the same eye shadow twice. Um, thanks. Already have that one.
Bottom line: I LOVE Bare Minerals makeup. However, I learned my lesson. Do your homework. Don't get ripped off.
Okay, so some of you might know that I use Bare Minerals foundation (since I've mentioned it in the past). Anyway, I started using it about 5 months ago and I absolutely love it.
Anyway, when you order the starter kit, they offer to sign you up for their Bare Minerals Club. As a member of the club, they send you 2 jars of the foundation and 1 jar of the Mineral Veil powder every other month (or any other interval you specify up to 6 months) at a "20% discount." You also receive free gifts.
Well, I thought, "Why not! It's a great deal! And I won't have to drive to a store to buy it." :)
WHATEVER! I just realized that I'm being completely ripped off! Here's why...
As I mentioned above, you can buy Bare Minerals foundation and setting powder from Sephora (or sephora.com), at makeup counters in department stores, or at Bare Escentuals stores. (Bare Minerals is made by Bare Escentuals). You think you're getting a great deal buying from the club, especially considering that just one jar of the foundation costs $25 in-store, whereas you get 2 jars and 1 jar of the powder from the club for $39.98.
Good deal, right? Um, no.
What I failed to notice is that the in-store jars are HUGE compared the ones they send you in the mail from the club. Need some math? BTW, I've omitted the cost of shipping.
BARE MINERALS CLUB SHIPMENT - $39.98
Foundation - 2 jars, 2 grams(.06 oz) each. You get 4 grams of foundation total.
Mineral Veil Powder - 1 jar, 2 grams (.06 oz)
Actual cost - $6.66 per gram of product
BARE MINERALS (in-store) - $44.00
Foundation - 1 jar, 9 grams (.3 oz)
Mineral Veil Powder - 1 jar, 13.5 grams (.47 oz)
Actual cost - $1.96 per gram of product
Excuse me? HELLO! It's such a better deal to buy it from a store. Especially when you consider that fact that it's safe to store and use opened powder cosmetics for up to one year!
What about the "free gifts" you receive when you're a club member? Not even an issue for me. They sent me the same eye shadow twice. Um, thanks. Already have that one.
Bottom line: I LOVE Bare Minerals makeup. However, I learned my lesson. Do your homework. Don't get ripped off.
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full entry » posted on April 17, 2008 1:16 PM by Kristina |
43 Comments posted in General |
I realize you have no idea who I am but I love reading your blog and I get so much inspiration from you. Anyway, I made the same dumb mistake! I did the club thing for awhile and only received one free gift the entire time. Plus they were always sending me two different shades of the medium and I only use one... so one was going to waste every shipment. I finally went to cancel and they had no place to cancel on their website so I had to email them to make them cancel me and I get an email back with a big long guilt trip for cancelling and basically telling me all that I would be missing by cancelling. But as you pointed out... you really don't miss much!
Oh dear?!?! At least you've realised now tho and not in 2 years time!
Don't you hate it when companies like this treat you like you are stupid? Do they not realise they will be found out (its so childlike)and 'outed' publically - I would have done exactly the same Kristina. Well done for noticing!
I order online now, and if you order $75 worth (I needed a few things,) you get free shipping. I was super suprised to get the HUGE jar of foundation, too! I live far from any store that sells, so for those who need to order online, the club is NO BARGAIN, (I did the call and cancel...had to call twice, since I got a package after I cancelled the first time.) but free shipping is GREAT!
BTW...I love you!
Bev
I used to order it from QVC ~ sounds like I need to check out the website you mentioned.. this club sounds like the informerical for the Cricut machine.. which people think they are getting it all for $49 and it ends up being something like 4 or 5 payments of that amount.. it always pays to shop around these days. glad that you found a better price. Pam
The other issue is that the stuff lasts FOREVER! So, I just order it as needed from Sephora, or another place I love to get it is at Ulta.
Same thing with Proactiv, which I am also a lover of. DON'T join the club...you will NEVER use as much as they ship you. However, I love my Base Escentuals and I love my Proactiv!
Thanks for sharing this info; you just saved me a headache. I had my makeup done for my wedding with the bareMinerals products and I absolutely loved it. My sister and I were both considering the club offer, but will run the other way after hearing your experience. I also checked e-bay and it looks like you can get some good deals if you know your prices.
I had a friend who worked for Bare Escentuals and got me hooked on the stuff too and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! If you have a store near you, try and buy it at the store. They also have those cards that if you spend so much money you get a discount or free product or something. I haven't bought it in a while, since I stocked up the last time, but it is great!
Oops....hope you cancelled it...:)
Love BE though, just get it at Sephora and get your free sample goodies!!
I have been SOOOO much happier since I've been ordering it from Sephora instead. I hated the club thing because I really only used one of the colors. Plus, with Sephora you get FREE shipping...hello....added bonus! And, you get samples all the time (my equivalent to their bonus gift). I'm glad you realized it now (I on the other hand, spent quite some time in the "club").
Another BE fan here. I'm fortunate that I have a BE Boutique very close by but I've also gotten it at Sephora and Macy's at times. I knew that the club wouldn't work for me since it would be easier to go get it when I needed it. Sorry you were getting ripped off but thank goodness you discovered it relatively quickly.
I have always ordered mine through QVC and at least there they are really very honest about the size you are receiving. Some of the auto orders are pretty good too because it locks you into that price and you can adjust the shipping times also. I love this product too but you do have to be careful.
I've been a voyer of yours for some time and this is the first comment I'm making. Love your stamping work - thanks for the great site.
I couldn't understand how I could use all my make up every 2 months - now I understand. It really lasts forever, at least for me - except for when I drop it (and yes I scooped it back into the container from the sink!). Being slow is the only reason I didn't sign up.
ps I love your blog and look forward to Mondays!
I love the Bare Minerals, too, and canceled my membership right after I got the kit. If you have an Ulta beauty supply store nearby you can get it from them and there are several places online that are less expensive as well. I thought I had them bookmarked but apparently not, sorry.
You are getting robbed! : ) I have used the stuff for 5 years now! LOVE IT! It does last forever! Be sure to try the eyeliner...it is awesome! Do check out QVC too! Get on the email list for when they have BE online--- Lesley is a hoot to watch! And when they have a Today's Special Value (they usually have one twice per year, and one should be coming up...if we haven't already missed it) Anyway, the Today's Special Value always has AWESOME deals on brushes and fun colors! Sephora is great too..they have lots of things similar to QVC, but often QVC has products "only for QVC" and I'm sure Sephora has that too, but do try to watch Lesley on there!
I use Mary Kay makeup...I have since I was 15 years old. They just came out with a mineral makeup foundation..and it is great!!! It is $18 per jar. www.marykay.com/jwhite9987
That stinks that they jipped you! I was going to tell you that I've always had good luck ordering BE from QVC online, but I see that others have already mentioned it! :) It's worth checking it out just to compare!
~Julie
Sorry to post again...I just got so excited! I found this:
Tune in to QVC for Bare Escentuals
Friday, April 25, 2008 from Midnight – 2 a.m., 10 a.m. – Noon and 10 p.m. – Midnight ET.
THAT MEANS......there will be a BE Today's Special Value...cuz...midnight...means TSV! You should check it out there might something delish there....and like I said...they are pretty cute to watch...almost as fun as watching your stamping videos! : )
Thanks for the heads up! I just started using Bare Minerals and I bought the starter kit at the store. The online club seemed like such a better deal, I was contemplating taking my kit back and going the online route. So glad you are warning us! Next month is my birthday so I get an in-store discount anyway. Thank you, thank you. Sorry you had to learn the hard way- but thank you for warning the rest of us!
PS Have you used any of their other products? I'm thinking about trying out their eye makeup too. Any word?
Oh- and you are my favorite stamping blog. XOXO :)
I noticed that myself; that the starter kit (which I bought from Sephora) has the smaller jars. I just recently needed more foundation and when i went to Sephora and purchased a jar, I noticed my new purchase was way bigger than the starter jars. I like to go and look at all the makeup at Sephora anyway, so I don't mind going there to "play". Good for you to realize this price/and amount discrepancy. You'll have more fun and save money when you go to the store to buy it.
Kristina! OMG! I almost joined this club just last week because I don't want to have to drive to buy this stuff! Good thing I didn't!
Thanks for doing the math!
Christine
I'm glad you posted this and ratted them out!
Now other people will know not to sign up . . .
i use to use bare minerals too but i have recently switched to mary kay's mineral makeup and it is cheaper and just good
i love it
Thanks for the info, Kristina...I was about to sign up for their club, too. Right now I get mine at Ulta, but with driving and taxes and my inability to just buy one thing in that store, I've been spending too much...Sounds like Sephora might work out better for me...
thanks for letting us know!
Hi Kristina! I also get my Bare Minerals from QVC, that is where I first heard of it and their shows are fun to watch! Lots of times they have free shipping offers and easy pays on the Bare Minerals purchases. Plus, I like the QVC 30 day return policy. The only store around me to purchase the Bare Minerals is Ulta and it is 30 minutes away and their selection is not too great. Sorry you got ripped off with that club.
Take Care!
OUCH!
SO GLAD you did the research! I signed up for the club after we got back from Vegas ... I'll be sending back my second shipment, and only buying from the store from now on!
Were you able to get out of the club offer? Sometimes you are stuck. I hope you put up a fight if you needed to!!
Thanks for the Heads Up!!!! Sorry you had to find out the hard way.
Consumer beware, go figure!!
Thanks
I joined the same club and canceled immediately because I really didn't want to join in the first place but there were no other options given. So then I get my initial order and my then first shipment and I still had not even used my stuff because I didn't have time to view the how-to DVD. After a while since I didn't use it I decided to return it all because it was still a lot of $$ even though I bought the intro kit/deal. I called the company and explained this to them and I was really just calling them so I could get a return authorization and an address. Well guess what they not refunded it gladly they told me to keep it all for free with a full refund. They said that always provide a one time courtesy refund and let you keep the order. So I got all of it for free and they canceled my membership with no questions. I did notice the bottle size too but it was no issue because I was returning it all. You might try getting a refund. They were very helpful.
If anyone is interested there are a ton of smaller mineral makeup companies out there. Many have samples you can purchase for a small amount and the full size prices are much cheaper than Bare Escentuals. You can research them on www.delphiforums.com, and go to mineral makeup mania.
Wow, thanks for the heads up! I was just checking out their Club program this morning. I think I will keep buying from the BE boutique that recently opened near me. They gave me a frequent buyers card and the staff there are very helpful.
Sort of off topic here, but I was wondering if you still like your Clarisonic?
I *love* BE and swear I will never try anything else again EVER... but it kinda stinks to hear that they'd take advantage of customers like that. I mean, based on just the response here, a LOT of ladies use their stuff... and scams like this just come off as pure greed on a company's part. They're also hoping you'll stay lazy and complacent - so good for you for crunching the numbers! PS... I bought my starter kit and everything after from Sephora, so this makes me feel smart. :)
I have been a mineral makeup user for almost 5 years now. I first started using BE and loved it. After awhile it didn't work so well anymore and the cost was killing me. (i didn't join the club either) I switched to several different brands over the years and now found the one I'll be staying with! Everyday Minerals are wonderful!! And the price is so much better!! Really.. you should check them out!
http://www.everydayminerals.com/
And no... i get nothing for saying all of this!! (wish I did! LOL)
Just a little info for you. I use BE but I buy everything either from QVC or a Bare Escentuals Boutique. I love using QVC because if I purchase something that I'm not happy with (even after I use it) I can return the product. The good thing about QVC is alot of the BE products are either discounted or in a package so you can get some great deals.
This is good to know! I'm a recent BE convert and I bumped my club option to 6 months because I don't use much makeup...I'll definitely cancel. I did have good fortune with them...I think...I told them I didn't like one of the colors they sent and even though it took a long time to get a response, they said they would send me another color that I liked free of charge. Now I haven't seen it yet, but if it ever comes I will be really happy with them!
I love Bare Minerals, too. Who would have thought that a powder could conceal so well (and doesn't make me feel like a grease pit ... i have very oily skin).
Oh, and how's your knee feeling these days??? Hope it's healing quickly.
Mary Kay will be my source for my skincare products. They give you samples to try before you buy. The product is delivered to your door by a beauty consultant. Her job is to make sure you are satisfied with the product and personally helps you know how to use it. I have been using their skincare products for 15 years. I can't wait to try the new Mineral pressed powder and foundation powder. They also came out with mineral eye color and mineral cheek color. Mary Kay also has a nice interactive website. http://www.MaryKay.com
I love Bare Minerals too!
I had the same issue....CALL THEM and cancel your autoship! I did that and told them i have a Sephora and BM store down the street almost and will just go there as i dont run out of everything at once. They ended up crediting me for the autoship and let me KEEP it! whooo hooo!
Thanks so much for the warning. I have been wanting to try Bare Minerals and was going to order it on-line. I guess I will instead purchase from the stores. Plus it will save shipping cost.
Hi, was reading about your dilemma and I too use Bare Minerals. I recently found it at Costco for a really good price, worth looking in to. Hope that helps! Aloha~
~Michelle
I get my Bare Minerals on ebay for an even better deal. There are many reputable ebayers with stores that sell exclusively BE.
Okay, Girls...start giving me the pro's on Bare Minerals. I'm paying a small fortune for MAC's Studio Fix makeup (compressed powder) and would love to find an alternative. Does the powder really cover imperfections and blotchiness?
Do tell Ü
I love your blog and your videos are terrific. Thank you. Anyway, regarding Bare Minerals, I feel so DUMB for being a club member for, let's see, 4 years now and being ripped off all that time. I just placed my order at sephora.com and got free shipping, too. So, here's ANOTHER thank you for the rant.