That's my Philosophy

Does good customer service still exist?

That is the question I am constantly asking. Sadly, I'm finding the answer to be, "rarely."

Today was a trip to Sephora Westfield Shoppingtown West County, St Louis, MO. I'm typing the entire name out in the hopes it will be Googled.

I was giddy with excitement to be going to Sephora to purchase Philosophy indulgence items. The Gingerbread Man hot salt scrub. Crumb Cake three in one shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Airbrush foundation in neutral. ANd people have such a hard time buying me Christmas gifts? Hello?!

Total price: $85.00. I work hard, I deserve a little lovin.

I get home and set up my purchases in the bathroom only to discover the shampoo/body wash isn't sealed for my protection. As a Philosophy devotee, I know each item is always sealed for my protection. Yet I've never purchased from the Sephora store before. Maybe the items aren't sealed for Sephora. Nahhh... that's just icky. But still, I wanted to be sure.

I dialed the Sephora Westfield SHoppingtown West County, St. Louis, MO location. The phone was answered by a fluffy headed wing nut, so I knew I was in for a headache.

Fluff Head: Thank you for calling Sephora West County, can I help you?
Mae: Yeah, I was in there today and I purchased a Philosphy 3 in one body wash and it wasn't sealed. I just wanted to double check to make sure all Philosophy body washes are sealed when sold at Sephora, correct?
Fluff Head: Um... I don't know... what was that again?
Mae: Philosophy 3 in one body wash.
Fluff Head: And what is it you want to know?
Mae: Is it sealed? Um.. how do I explain? Is there normally a seal under the cap?
Fluff Head: Please hold.
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (sighs and looks at the timer on the phone. 6:45 seconds have passed.)
Fluff Head: (Comes back on line) Thank you for calling Sephora West County, can I help you?
Mae: Yeah, it's the lady who's holding to find out about the Philosophy-
Fluff Head: Oh yeah. What did you want to know again?
Mae: If the product is normally sealed under the cap. See, I usually buy direct from Philosophy. This was my first time buying from Sephora and it's not sealed.
Fluff Head: Ok, hold on, let me check.
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (waits)
Fluff Head: Thank you for calling Sephora West County, how can-
Mae: Yes, hello. It's still the lady asking about Philosophy.
Fluff Head: OH yeah. We like, don't sell that product so you have to ask somewhere else.
Mae: No. I was just in today and I bought the product. It's in the Philosophy section. Back of the store. It's very colorful, has different scents like berry, chocolate, mimosa...
Fluff Head: Ok, I don't know about that. Hold on, let me ask someone.
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (waits)
Mae: (About to hang up when Fluff Head comes back on the phone)
Fluff Head: Thank you for calling Sephora West County, how can I help-
Mae: Yeah! Yeah.. it's me again.
Fluff: Oh yeah. Um. Like, you have to call back some other time cuz everyone's helping people who are actually IN the store.

I stayed on the line that long because I wanted to know where this would end. And also, because I want to have LOTS to tell the manager in the morning. Not that it will do any good. I'll get the, "Gosh, I apologize, let me go check on that" line of BS and will find out that yes, all products do come sealed and we're so sorry you were sold an item that had been opened and returned. So sorry our people didn't check the product to make sure it was sealed for your protection from someone's fingers, nose, or god knows what else was inserted into the container.

Should I have checked before I purchased? I shouldn't have to. I should assume that a high end product like Philosophy sold from a store like Sephora would have high standards. However, in this day and age, I should just assume everyone and everything is constantly fucked up. Even tho I am paying for products and services, I have to be the manager, customer service rep, and quality control specialist.

It bugs the crap out of me.