LD
Leanna DeBauche
Nov 23, 2025
⭐ Felt Judged and Unwelcome — Not the TCCS Standard
I stopped at the Johnson Creek Cosmetic Company Store on my way home from Madison yesterday (11/22/25). I was expecting the same great service I always get at Pleasant Prairie, but this visit felt very different from start to finish.
There were about 8–10 customers in the store, and the associate working the front (shorter woman, 40s?, med/long hair, glasses?) seemed completely checked out. I’m not sure if she technically greeted people, but her overall energy made it clear she didn’t want to engage. When I asked basic questions about a Clinique eye cream and a Bumble and bumble product, she acted like I was bothering her — short, unhelpful answers, and visibly irritated that I had even asked. She did not engage with customers u less directly approached, either. I don’t know if they get commission or not, but if they do, then she probably “got my sale” on her register, though I would not feel inclined to give it to her.
Then, when I unknowingly grabbed a few tester items that she found amongst the many items in my basket during check out, she announced it to the entire store and made a big deal about having to go replace them. It wasn’t rude, but it was unnecessary and uncomfortable. A good associate would just quietly swap them out and keep it moving — never make a customer feel at fault, certainly not for something that isn’t obvious to other shoppers.
I stopped in just to grab some face wash and eye cream ‘cause I’m out and I ended up getting other stuff, as always. I admittedly was looking a little rough and definitely not “well groomed,” but what stood out was the “Pretty Woman” moment where her attitude changed the second she realized I was actually buying several hundred dollars worth of product. Only then did she shift into a more “sales mode” tone. It was noticeable enough to feel awkward.
The bright spot was the second associate: a friendly blonde woman in her 50s? 60s? with short hair and glasses who came out from the back during checkout. She greeted me warmly, complimented my bag, and instantly made the experience feel more normal. Her professionalism stood out in a big way.
The next morning, when I called to ask if they had a Bumble and bumble product I forgot to grab the day before, in hopes of the “call the store and get shipping to your home” advertised on their website, I got the first associate again — and had to repeat my simple question multiple times because she wasn’t listening!
I eventually called the Pleasant Prairie store instead, and Jane immediately understood what I needed, checked stock, and offered to follow up. That’s the level of service I expect from The Cosmetic Company Store.
Overall:
This visit felt judgmental and inattentive, and the public call-out over testers was unnecessary. If this had been my first TCCS experience, I wouldn’t have realized how great the brand actually is. I’ll continue shopping at Pleasant Prairie, where the service is consistently excellent — and where customers are treated with genuine care and provided with luxury-level service.