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Post by tehprincessjenn on May 5, 2014 7:44:55 GMT
I hate the Ulta in Stockton, so understaffed, place is so dirty! CS is great though now. I used to bitch and moan about it, but it's decent from the past days in Dublin, but their stocking... that's questionable. But seriously, I still rather go to Sephora, Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom for my make-up needs. Mostly Neiman's now because seemingly Nordies gets some things late. Jo Malone Silk Blossom? Out in Neiman, not in at Nordies.
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Post by chels on May 5, 2014 13:39:00 GMT
My Ultas that I visit are great. I like how you don't have people watching you every time you shop like a hawk..I don't mind it but the constant "Are you finding everything okay?" Gets on my nerves! I do really like drugstore items so it's like a one stop shop for me a lot of times!
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Post by snowshoe on May 5, 2014 15:06:20 GMT
I've yet to visit a bad Ulta. They're all clean, neat, well-staffed and very professional. Sometimes they're not always well-stocked, but I have the habit of somehow (unknowingly) managing to go there to shop the day before they get their shipments in. Returns are never a problem. Their customer service hotline is also well-run. They have a better rewards program than Sephora does with NO empty promises, and lots more GWP than Sephora.
Now online ordering from Ulta used to really suck. Deliveries from the Ulta website would sometimes take more than two weeks to get to me, and it's not as though I live in the boondocks of California. But they've improved drastically in that department: with standard shipping, most Ulta orders are here within a week, which is about the same as Sephora: even though they have 3-Day shipping, it often takes Sephora 2-3 days just to fill and ship the order...so it's more like 5-7 days.
The changeover from picking individual samples to premade sample packs was a bit annoying, but on the other hand, when I'm ordering from Ulta, I'm not ordering for the sample. And it's kind of nice to be surprised instead of deciding between individual samples only to find that it went out of stock and isn't in my order.
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Post by brennabombshell on May 5, 2014 17:54:50 GMT
The Ulta near me is terrible. The people there follow me around like I'm going to steal something. The girls that work there are always talking to each other and not helping anyone out. They comment on customer makeup to where the customer can hear them. I've watched a girl drop her stuff on the floor and walk right out because of how the people working there were acting. The one where I used to live was alright, but it wasn't very organized. They seemed to just kind of leave stuff where it was if someone moved it or knocked it over. Meh. As far as online, I don't like how long their shipping takes, but I do like all of the GWPs and freebies and sales they have.
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Post by eriles on May 5, 2014 23:47:05 GMT
I love my two local Ultas. One I go to to get my haircut at and have been seeing the same hair stylist for over a year. I love that I am not bugged while I shop around. The other one I go to seems bigger and has a Benefit brow bar. Both are pretty clean and decently stocked. They actually seem better stocked than this old Sephora I used to shop at. Man, one of their Too Faced displays was barren and dirty and had powder all over it.
I prefer to shop in store with Ulta because of the good customer service, online with Sephora (I usually get so-so to bad customer service on the rare occasions I actually need it there in-store).
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Post by sirenprincess on May 6, 2014 1:20:55 GMT
The Ulta by me is pretty nice. I just can't get into Ulta because they don't carry many of the higher-tier brands. But if I'm shopping for something mid-tier, it's a very clean store and a fun place to visit. It's closest to me along with my SiJCP. They're both pretty comparable, but if those were my only choices I might pick Ulta. But I usually drive to a real Sephora or Nordstrom's for the higher-tier brands.
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Post by kalex on May 6, 2014 13:50:40 GMT
snowshoe I agree about the improvement with online ordering from Ulta! My last few orders have shipped out in 2 days. In-store experience for me really depends on the location. The Ulta in Papillion is staffed by snobby and unhelpful women. When you ask for an advertised gwp they act like you're taking money from their paycheck. Deep sighs accompany any request for help or samples. It's quite ridiculous. Across the river in Council Bluffs is the exact opposite though. The ladies are helpful without hovering and they don't hesitate to make samples or toss in a gwp. I even go there for my brows and hair.
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Post by sydbristow on May 6, 2014 15:36:23 GMT
I've only ordered online, but so far I like Ulta. The coupons are a bit restrictive sometimes, but if you are familiar with the restrictions and plan accordingly, you can generally get some great deals. I had one order error where I got charged for something that was supposed to be free with the purchase (I had removed the item that generated the freebie from my cart and re-added it, but didn't tie the freebie into it). I realized after I ordered I was charged, so I contacted them. It took a little bit but I got a reply and a full refund on that item.
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Post by fanya on May 6, 2014 15:57:38 GMT
I don't like Ulta, promos are frequent but tiny and too restrictive. But there are plenty of other places, like BeautyBar or Beauty.com that are pretty great.
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Post by tehprincessjenn on May 6, 2014 16:18:10 GMT
I've only ordered online, but so far I like Ulta. The coupons are a bit restrictive sometimes, but if you are familiar with the restrictions and plan accordingly, you can generally get some great deals. I had one order error where I got charged for something that was supposed to be free with the purchase (I had removed the item that generated the freebie from my cart and re-added it, but didn't tie the freebie into it). I realized after I ordered I was charged, so I contacted them. It took a little bit but I got a reply and a full refund on that item. At least the Redken shampoos work with the coupons. My teammate complimented how soft my hair was. I love their conditioners.
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Post by annypoo on May 6, 2014 23:45:32 GMT
My Ulta is so-so. Their is one SA there that I think is nice and helpful, but most of them look like they could care less that you're in the store. There was this one girl that always had a stink face on and I think she's the manager. It's always difficult to track someone down for some help and when I ask if they can check the drawers for an item, they either make it seem like I'm being troublesome or they say they don't have any and don't even check. Their stocking is okay, sometimes they have items and sometimes they don't. Overall, stocking isn't too bad. I've ordered from them online and their shipping is more on the slower side. I've also tried the salon and I think it is overpriced for what it is. I would only go if they were doing a promotion, but most of the promotion for hair is new guest only. Coupon restrictions I'm not surprised. They have coupons every week and it not like you can expect them to have x amount off purchase off prestige cosmetics every week. They do send out coupons that INCLUDE prestige cosmetics a few times a year. Which, in my opinion is similar to Sephora's twice a year sale. Their week to week coupons are more for drug store items so i understand that they don't include prestige brands. I personally think heir GWP are def better than Sephora's.
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Post by wendyomgwar on May 7, 2014 1:12:01 GMT
My ulta is decent, they have pretty good things on sale in store which is really nice the SAs are also hit or miss, they completely ignore me most of the time which is meh but they're doing it because I look young -.- which I guess they think means I'm not going to buy anything? Yeah okay. Whatevs =)
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Post by snowshoe on May 7, 2014 13:45:55 GMT
The Ulta near me is terrible. The people there follow me around like I'm going to steal something. The girls that work there are always talking to each other and not helping anyone out. They comment on customer makeup to where the customer can hear them. I've watched a girl drop her stuff on the floor and walk right out because of how the people working there were acting. The one where I used to live was alright, but it wasn't very organized. They seemed to just kind of leave stuff where it was if someone moved it or knocked it over. Meh. As far as online, I don't like how long their shipping takes, but I do like all of the GWPs and freebies and sales they have. Because of shoplifting, my Ulta has started storing its popular palettes (UD, LORAC, Too Faced, etc.) behind the register. I can't say I blame them as cosmetics are one of the most commonly boosted items.
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Post by mrsbaine on May 9, 2014 14:49:19 GMT
So I have a love/hate relationship with Ulta: I love that they sell some of the things I need; Urban Decay, Carol's Daughter, It Cosmetics, but I hate that when I go there, It feels like a pharmacy. When I go, I go specifically for what I was looking for; there is no more shopping, no real looking around; it's in, then out. That may be good when I'm trying not to go overboard, but it's not what I'm used to with Sephora and Nordstrom.
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Post by love2shop42 on May 12, 2014 17:26:47 GMT
I just went to Ulta today to take advantage of the 3x points for the hair care. Was impressed with the service I received - no snotty attitude! The ladies were informative and helpful. Their layout was not the best, but at least I felt welcomed.
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Post by shadetertiary on May 12, 2014 18:43:23 GMT
I actually love ULTA because I can get so many of my favorite products there at once - drugstore or not. My local shops are all very clean and nice, though I was annoyed that one of them didn't have a Lancome counter and was advertising a promo through the Lancome counter...hm... I had one terrible shipping experience with them over the holidays where I swore I'd never order online from them again. After contacting CS though, they refunded my entire purchase AND let me keep it, so I gave them a second chance (it seemed only fair!!). I've had no problems since.
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Post by tehprincessjenn on May 13, 2014 1:31:29 GMT
Actually had a nice experience. The best Ulta is arguably in Alameda! (read my no-buy story!)
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Post by mberteig on May 13, 2014 19:00:38 GMT
I want to like Ulta, because they have a different mix of products than Sephora and often have decent sales. My local store is pretty annoying, though, you can never get any help when you need it, they are always out of stock on items and some of the displays are in disarray. I have also had to contact Ulta customer service on a few occasions and have found them less than helpful. So, I'm frustrated, but I still go there from time to time! Sigh!
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Post by mk89 on May 21, 2014 18:03:40 GMT
Actually had a nice experience. The best Ulta is arguably in Alameda! (read my no-buy story!) Omg! That's the Ulta that's closest to me! What do you like about it? I found it OK, kind of annoying that some products were swatched in a really gross looking manner and that certain testers were just plain missing. It's the only Ulta I've been to, so I have nothing else to compare to. The SAs are friendly but not really that knowledgeable in my opinion.
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Post by tehprincessjenn on May 26, 2014 21:53:25 GMT
Actually had a nice experience. The best Ulta is arguably in Alameda! (read my no-buy story!) Omg! That's the Ulta that's closest to me! What do you like about it? I found it OK, kind of annoying that some products were swatched in a really gross looking manner and that certain testers were just plain missing. It's the only Ulta I've been to, so I have nothing else to compare to. The SAs are friendly but not really that knowledgeable in my opinion. Well compared to Ulta Stockton with little SAs and the clusterfuck there, I can always flag an SA at Alameda. Since I'm usually in for another product, I usually just get the product and go or ask for things in stock. It's like the same when I'm at Sephora, I don't need much help unless it's a checkout. And they let me get away with expired promos...
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