Makeup lovers in uproar over $88-off Sephora controversy
When beauty lovers spotted a discount code for makeup giant Sephora, they were quick to jump on it – but things quickly went down hill.
The $88-off promo code was apparently good on orders over $100, and customers were quick to snap up the unprecedented bargain.
SEE ALSO: This $64 foundation is our new holy grail product
Shortly after the promo took off on social media, Sephora issued a statement that they would be cancelling all orders using the coupon stating that it was not a valid promotion from the company and therefore would not be honoured.
Needless to say, customers were pretty unhappy:
Disgusting practice @Sephora . The poor PR the company will/ IS getting from this will impact your bottom line far more than honoring the promotion ever will. I'm glad @amazon @Nordstrom @saks carry the same brands. #fyrefraud pic.twitter.com/49CNpwVKAK
— Jenny (@jensun_26) February 16, 2019
Really disappointed in @Sephora @sephoracanada for not honouring the #88off coupon – it was accepted on your website, my credit card has been charged and my order processed, and THEN you cancel my order? Terrible client service.
— kendra (@kendraajean) February 16, 2019
As a rouge member… i have put in so much of my hard earned money to your business… the least you should be doing is running an honest business and owning your mistake. So ashamed to be a vib rouge member @sephora @sephoracanada #88off
— RaveenaK (@theRaveenaKang) February 16, 2019
@Sephora #88off here's the deal. You can make a serialized code so it can only be used once per winner. It's not customers' fault you chose not to do that. I get you can't honour 88% because margin $ but like 20% off maybe?? Cancelling and putting it on us is just bad business
— Sarah Klaassen (@sjklaassen) February 16, 2019
Others said they’d be moving to other companies that sell the same high-end beauty products:
Really @Sephora? The amount of money I spend on your company annually and you can’t even honour the #88off to the people that caught it?? Is the $88 really worth losing the goodwill of your customers?????? Excuse me while I purchase my products from @Nordstrom or @HoltRenfrew now
— KNM (@KRYSSI__) February 16, 2019
@Sephora has pissed off the wrong people. Hi @ulta how are ya?!!! Bad business practices. Accept the mistake and give the people what they want!! #88off
— Kate (@katedebellis) February 16, 2019
Honestly VIB rouge ain’t worth it anymore. May start going to Nordstrom for my high end makeup needs! #88off @Sephora
— Kate (@katedebellis) February 16, 2019
Others compared it to the now infamous Fyre Festival debacle:
88OFF is like the Fyre Festival of @Sephora this is wild
— Teighan (@temilyy29) February 16, 2019
I want a #FyreFestival style documentary for the #88OFF scandal @Sephora
— Doris (@__Doris) February 16, 2019
Some, however, were on Sephora’s side, saying that the deal was just too good to be true.
Imagine boycotting @Sephora for trying to use a discount that was never meant for you to begin with. #88off
— Monica (@consuelaspledge) February 17, 2019
I’m so sorry @Sephora customers, that the company isn’t allowing you to use a code that was never intended for you and for which you were not entitled to use. My heart hurts for that $20 you were charged and will be refunded. Good thing for waterproof mascara. #88off #sephora
— Hillary (@disco_hits) February 16, 2019
Do you think Sephora is in the right? Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Check out Yahoo Canada’s podcast, Make It Reign — our hot takes on all things royals in a non-stuffy way — on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.