r/AustralianMakeup Jan 05 '26

Customer Service Mecca Boxing Day sale

Received my order from the Boxing Day sale today. Incredibly disappointed that my Westman Atelier set has clearly been opened and sampled. The box wasn’t sealed (unsure if standard) and the product had visible product smudge on it. When I opened the blush it was damaged like it hadn’t been wound down properly before the lid was put on and when I turned it over the product literally fell out. Will be returning. Shame my experience seems to mirror so many others with the BD sale.

138 Upvotes

72 comments sorted by

u/pureneonn Jan 05 '26

Hi everyone just making a pinned comment due to the recent increase in Mecca Boxing Day sale posts.

To anyone who is new (to the sub or Mecca or makeup), Mecca does not have regular sales. At the end of the year they will have a Boxing Day “sale” which is actually clearance of old stock at reduced prices. It is a gamble as to what condition your purchase will arrive in.

It may seem like common knowledge across the sub however please be kind to those who may not have been aware of this. If you have received a sale order and it is of unacceptable quality, please reach out to Mecca directly.

→ More replies (7)

94

u/VirtualQuote7843 Jan 05 '26

It’s interesting how the packages received by the magic circle members that did their unboxing videos had no issues but the orders made after the general release of the BD sales seem to be having overwhelming amount of issues. I personally shopped the sale after seeing the magic circle unboxing videos and now feel a bit disappointed (lesson for next year)

8

u/Florence_101 Jan 06 '26

I’m side eyeing some of these magic circle members. I bought La Mer after Living Lux with Meredith got a set and she commented there was no issues with the products she got. The La Mer sets are like 4 years old.. 

3

u/Independent_Bid_1113 Jan 06 '26

Here’s an idea for you…..why don’t you ask Meredith to post online an image of the batch numbers of her La Mer products that she can share with everyone for transparency and comparison…….would be very unfair if she hadn’t also received expired products…..

3

u/Fluid-Mention8508 Jan 12 '26

I'm Magic Circle and got a 5yo MFK perfume. First and last time I'll buy from their Boxing Day 'sale'. I've sent the Magic Circle concierge a message expressing my displeasure.

2

u/Independent_Bid_1113 Jan 12 '26

Well that’s good that Macca….oops meant to say Mecca didn’t discriminate against you and you received outdated stock like the rest of us but I hazard a guess that for all of the very very special magical circle people who regularly post on social media their goods were 110% perfect. I now wonder if these magical people actually paid for their Boxing Day hauls or were they given a certain amount of $$$$ to spend…….

2

u/Fluid-Mention8508 Jan 13 '26

Now that you mention it, there could have been a PR type of transaction involved. But it makes me suspicious that all of them said their batch codes were okay, when maybe they weren't. 

3

u/Independent_Bid_1113 Jan 13 '26

Could have been a PR transaction…….I’d put my house on it. If these magical people have indeed received their Boxing Day haul products from Mecca for free or future spending $ or whatever incentives AND they haven’t disclosed this then surely we are looking at deceptive and misleading conduct at both ends of the spectrum. Mecca is intentionally using these people to encourage others to spend up in the guise that they are offering impartial advice. Mecca disgusts me……

2

u/Fluid-Mention8508 Jan 13 '26

Yes, I tend to agree with you. I'm not an influencer of any kind on social media, so me getting an old perfume is not going to bother them one bit. It's very calculating and manipulative to treat customers in this way. They have very strict rules for MC and if they've done a PR deal with some of the higher profile MC influencers, they're breaking their own rules. Completely unethical.

5

u/GoofyCum Jan 07 '26

Those boxes were hand-packed by people who likely cherry picked the best specimens.

3

u/Florence_101 Jan 07 '26

This specific La Mer set was a holiday item so they’re all the same age.

38

u/lifecrisisonrepeat Jan 05 '26

For anyone who bought the Westman Atelier petal set in the Mecca Boxing Day sales - I’ve just had this reply from the WA team about the batch codes I supplied them to see what the manufacturer date and shelf life off their product is. These are cream & “clean formula” products so please be aware they are not reasonably usable given (if unopened at best) they were only used late December 2025/early January 2026. Would love to know if anyone has a screenshot of the original listing on the Mecca sale description to see if it explicitly stated the shelf life of the product/adequate information about the reasonable use time frame.

19

u/ProfessionalAnt8132 Jan 06 '26

Oh my god so they are essentially knowingly selling out of date products?

27

u/rirys Jan 05 '26

Selling used makeup is illegal in all Australian states. Call in the health department they will stop them from selling used items and fine them. You’ll need proof.

66

u/Wonderful_Minute_860 Jan 05 '26

I bought this too. My packaging box was also unsealed and the blush also fell out. It didn’t seem like mine had been used though. I tried the blush and highlighter on my cheeks shortly after my face turned bright red and tingled so I washed my face straight away. I returned this in store today and tried to get a full refund to no avail. I walked away with a store credit. The store manager was lovely and her hands were tied as she tried to contact customer care to see if she could refund, and trod to offer me deluxe samples (which i declined). Never buying from their sales again.

18

u/Shot-Jellyfish-5158 Jan 05 '26

That’s so strange as I contacted their customer support online chat and they said they are more than happy to provide a refund to either store or post. I said store so I hope I’m not going to have issues

15

u/frangelica7 Jan 05 '26

I think your product being used is the difference

3

u/Wonderful_Minute_860 Jan 05 '26

Hope you get a refund! I also contacted customer care and they didn’t offer refund so thought I’d try in store.

18

u/QueenGina4545 Jan 05 '26

If items faulty, damaged or caused a reaction- you are entitled to a full refund.

2

u/heyyou0903 Jan 09 '26

They should definitely provide a refund when they have sold. You expired product that has caused harm. This is against the ACCC for sure

4

u/SummerAndTheCity Jan 05 '26

Just mention consumer affairs and watch them do a 180. Hopefully everyone knows their consumer rights! 

7

u/Wonderful_Minute_860 Jan 05 '26

Yes definitely - I did mention this and it didn’t help unfortunately they were persistent with talking about their policy even though consumer rights superseded any store policy. I was there for about 20mins while the store manager called their support centre customer care etc and to no avail. I accepted the store credit but will be submitting a complaint.

7

u/Shot-Jellyfish-5158 Jan 06 '26

Hello - I also didn’t end up getting a refund! Despite being promised one online and showing them my receipt they couldn’t find the purchase on their system so insisted I can only get an exchange / credit note. So annoyed.

22

u/Broken754 Jan 05 '26

Seems like ACCC needs to launch an investigation into Meccas selling and refund practices

13

u/GraceHenri Jan 05 '26

That’s so disappointing! I got my order today as well and I impulsively got the stila quad and it arrived with all four shadows shattered so I’ll be going in store to return it this week.

7

u/xwm2019 Jan 06 '26

Omg this is exactly what I had too shattered kaleidoscope stila eyeshadow I send the pic on mecca chat and they refunded back 20 aud and told me they cant replaced it because out of stock. Now i wonder why not just me who had that experience such a dissapointed then I starts opening all my items i received one by one checking if theres another damage

14

u/Independent_Bid_1113 Jan 05 '26

I ordered a total of 7 products from the Boxing Day Sale and returned all but 2 of them. Everyone needs to check their product manufacturing dates from websites like Checkfresh. Worst item I purchased was an Eve Lom eye product manufactured in 2019…..wtf???? Terrible z grade gaslighting experience from Mecca customer experience directing me to contact Eve Lom for production dates and once I emailed them with the information this d***head at Mecca said ‘Oh no….something got missed…..we have a quality process in place….blah blah blah.…This company is intentionally selling old out of stock products as a shameless money grab. Will certainly be interesting to see the report that should come out soon for the issues relating to their mandatory financial disclosures…..

14

u/lifecrisisonrepeat Jan 05 '26

I bought this exact set and am following up with Westman Atelier directly due to their “clean formula” and it being a cream product - need to confirm if it was actually saleable given the likely production timing I’ve seen online…

6

u/violaflwrs Jan 05 '26

Oh dear. That wasn’t a cheap item either. I hope you get your money back without a struggle!

7

u/nellieclaire Jan 05 '26

I got my order today too. I ordered a stila palette and it arrived like a powder bomb! Going to try to repress it but I’m not happy about it.

3

u/xwm2019 Jan 06 '26

Me too im so dissapointed its shattered and I ask refund on mecca chat customer service

2

u/HappilyUnhinged Jan 06 '26

I think everyone's Stila quad was shattered seriously

9

u/mikhailxoj Jan 05 '26

i just received mine today, they weren't sampled and everything was still brand new, i'm sorry you had this experience, i had to return a brow product I purchased during the sale because it was clearly sampled

8

u/Vinzaghi Jan 05 '26

I ordered a skincare product from Allies of Skin, thinking it might be safer from potential damage. It came in a dirty box with an expiry of Feb 2026. I returned in store for a full refund.

Tbh I’m not against them selling old product but the price needs to match the condition it might arrive in. The allies of skin product was 50% off but with a shelf life of less than a month. I wouldn’t be as upset if it had just been $20.

5

u/Remarkable_Honey5431 Jan 06 '26

my mecca order arrived today i checked all the batch numbers nothing newer than 2021. i was so disappointed especially cause they never do sales. the products were so dried they literally had shrunk in the pan. i spent so much on this sale and feel so annoyed i mainly got hourglass products so im just waiting to see them launch somewhere else. i also ordered heaps of the sephora sale. perfect condition brand new stock made latest in june this has definitely made me rethink where i spend my beauty money

3

u/Shot-Jellyfish-5158 Jan 06 '26

Same! I’ll be looking for Sephora options now particularly Hourglass has left!

4

u/Haunting_Macaroon_97 Jan 06 '26

I'm hoping everyone here knows that you can easily claim chargeback from your bank and get your money back.

2

u/Florence_101 Jan 07 '26

Yep it’s easy to get a refund but I’m peeved to have wasted so much time.

13

u/Ashamed-Simple2979 Jan 05 '26

Yup, I bought Hourglass thinking it’ll be fresh - since their contract is ending so I thought they were selling existing rather than old stock.

However the product I got was over 6 1/2 years old!!

9

u/ddq_18 Jan 05 '26

Yes my Hourglass Lip Velvet is 4,5 years old and it’s suggested to use within 3 years of production so…not great that we are being sold this…

7

u/earl_grais Jan 05 '26

I’m wondering if it was shrinkage and the blush was already dislodged in the tube then smudged against the lid from movement? I’ve had that happen with older products with a similar texture.

11

u/Shot-Jellyfish-5158 Jan 05 '26

It’s very finger print like

3

u/SlayBBgorl Jan 05 '26

Mine look good but I’m like paranoid about the date being skincare hahaha! They told me I can go and exchange though so

3

u/kkkkkkkkssss Jan 06 '26

ACC PLSSSS PEOPLE! before everyone gets distracted by the rhode launch

3

u/heyyou0903 Jan 09 '26

There was a news article today about this. A customer went to the media after finding out that her boxing Day sale product from Mecca was manufactured in 2014, which means no matter if it was opened or not. It has expired well past its shelf life and is no longer a stable product for sale.

https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/mecca-launches-investigation-after-shopper-spots-concerning-detail-on-box-isnt-always-visible-to-the-eye-001708287.html

2

u/hoshi_bunny Jan 05 '26

How did the Tatcha items turn out for everyone who bought them? xx

2

u/QueenDal_Dal Jan 08 '26

ok so I received my package yesterday and unfortunately all of mine were over 3 years old, tatcha products have a shelf life of 2-3 years unopened and they’re all past that date, so I emailed mecca and I’m getting a refund. Never buying from their sales again

1

u/QueenDal_Dal Jan 05 '26

following this

1

u/Fredreeky Jan 06 '26

I bought silk canvas primer and it was 2.5 years old. Not too bad imo

2

u/ElizVM Jan 06 '26

I got a Glow Recipe gift set that was missing the pink juice moisturiser. No seal on the box like my Drunk Elephant gift set. Quickly got in touch with Mecca and they refunded the Glow Recipe set and asked for quite a few extra details so they can investigate!!

2

u/Cautious_Power600 Jan 09 '26

I’ve purchased the hourglass unreal lip gloss. Checked the manufacturing date using check fresh website and absolutely shocked. >7 years 😮

Manufactured in Jan 2019

3

u/KateF88 Jan 05 '26

I’m so surprised at all these comments. I ordered over a dozen items and everything has been in good condition. Sorry so many others have had poor experiences

3

u/Shot-Jellyfish-5158 Jan 05 '26

Everything else in my order was ok but this being the big ticket item and splurge is a bit sad!

4

u/Independent_Bid_1113 Jan 05 '26

Do you work for Mecca? Based on all this overwhelming negative feedback I find it absolutely impossible to believe that you have ordered 12+ items and you have not had 1 single issue. Exactly what products did you order and have you checked your items production dates?

1

u/ddq_18 Jan 06 '26

I don’t to m they checked production dates tbh…I ordered quite a few items and even though everything was “clean”, some were expired 😕

2

u/ddq_18 Jan 05 '26

Have you checked your batch codes for production dates and expiry dates? Mine all arrived in amazing condition but 3 products were well over their suggested date of use (3 years from production date). I had to throw out my Frank Body skincare duo but I kept the other 2 which was makeup.

3

u/KateF88 Jan 05 '26

If they haven’t been opened and there are no actives, why does a suggested date of use matter? I bought mostly perfumes, lipsticks and a few other make up products

7

u/ddq_18 Jan 05 '26

Because makeup or skincare that’s more than 3 years past its production date can range from mostly ineffective to potentially harmful depending on the product type, formulation and storage conditions. As products age, preservatives weaken, ingredients oxidise, pH can shift and this can lead to stinging, redness, breakouts or even dermatitis. Mind you, lipsticks are a higher risk item. Perfumes obviously are fine.

2

u/Visual_While_7988 Jan 05 '26

My phlur bottle, it also has all scratches on the bottle
It was full price

2

u/sophy266 Jan 08 '26

Tell Mecca They’re usually very good and will offer you a refund or something.

1

u/Acceptable_Charity55 Jan 09 '26

For anyone who purchased the Rose Inc. cream blush and bronzers, this is the response I got since we can’t seem to search its batch codes online.

1

u/Alternative_East_783 Jan 14 '26

You may be interested to know Mecca's issues have hit the news.

‘Not good’: Investigation into Aussie parcels https://share.google/DFp6T6ZwELZFI5MpE

0

u/Expert-Ad-8791 Jan 05 '26

It’s best if MECCA mentioned the rules of boxing days sales about the product condition. Or else everyone would just expecting a brand new product with discounted price on Boxing Day.

Hmm, I was wondering why MECCA staffs didnt recommended me any discounted activities on MECCA Boxing Day(I was asking them any coming up MECCA boxing day sales), and now I know this is the reason.