Ulta Beauty

I was blessed with a gift card for my birthday so I decided to get a new perfume. Upon entering the store, I was met with faint smiles but no further assistance. Being a total tomboy, I rarely venture into ulta, so I felt as lost as a pre-"Devil Wears Prada" character. I made my way to the back where the perfumes were located. Despite it being a busy Saturday morning around 10:30 am, there were about five other ladies also exploring the perfumes unsupervised. Once they left, I remained the only one sniffing around, trying to find the perfect scent. Instead of being asked if I needed help, I felt like I was being shadowed. It was that uncomfortable feeling of being the only one of my nationality in the store. The perfume section was already under visual surveillance with multiple cameras, yet a teenager was watching my every move. It was slightly irritating. If only I could smell scents online, I wouldn't bother returning to spend my own money here. The store's atmosphere made me feel uneasy and awkward, especially during the checkout. Nevertheless, the Valentino travel perfume will suffice.

The store appeared neat and tidy, but the checkout experience with Amanda was unfortunately subpar for both my friend and me. When my card finally went through, she briskly uttered "have a nice day" followed by a quick "you can go," without even handing me my bag. My friend encountered a similar situation. I typically refrain from leaving negative reviews, but this encounter genuinely irked me.

If I could assign a lower rating, I certainly would. I'm unsure why I continue to revisit this particular store. The service is lacking, and the products I prefer are often out of stock. Additionally, most items are excluded from discounts. Today, however, marked the final visit for me. Amanda, the cashier, was the tipping point. I believed an item was on clearance after consulting an associate who seemed to confirm this. However, it did not ring up as such at the register. When I inquired with Amanda, she bluntly stated that it was not on clearance and that such items were located elsewhere in the store. She called her manager, and I went to take a photo of the pricing. Upon confirmation that it was not on clearance, I declined to purchase it. I expressed my disappointment with the lack of clarity and was met with rude and condescending behavior from Amanda. She completed the transaction before I could utilize my $10 off coupon, claiming it was not her responsibility to inquire about coupons. She proceeded to make dismissive remarks like "OMG, I'm not doing this," etc. Even though I had a gift card and additional points to redeem, I am truly done with this store after that experience. While the customer may not always be right, employees should refrain from being rude or condescending.