‘Missed out on everything’: MCoBeauty shoppers furious after sale orders cancelled

A glitch left shoppers empty-handed during MCoBeauty’s $10 sale, but a pop-up event offering free products added insult to injury.

One of Australia’s most popular beauty brands has come under fire after a hiccup during its end-of-financial-year sale left loyal customers empty-handed, only for the brand to then hand out freebies to influencers before the public had access days later.

MCoBeauty, founded by business woman Shelley Sullivan, was sold earlier this year to DBG Health’s Dennis Bastas in a deal that valued the company at $1bn. Sullivan is no longer involved in the business.

Oceana Hegyi at a MCo event in Sydney. Picture: Chloe Paul

The backlash began after the brand’s highly anticipated “$10 Sitewide Sale” ran on July 17-18.

Due to what the company described as a “system error”, many items appeared available for purchase on the site when they had actually sold out, leaving frustrated customers without the products they thought they had secured early.

“We wanted to be upfront with you. Due to a system error, some items you purchased during our sale appeared available to purchase when they actually sold out,” an email sent to affected customers read.

MCo Beauty have come under fire for their EOFY $10 sale. Picture: Supplied

Frustrated customers took to social media to vent about MCo Beauty’s $10 sale. Picture: Suppli

“We sincerely apologise, we know this isn’t the experience you expected from us, and we completely understand how disappointing this must feel.

“At this stage we don’t have a confirmed restock date.”

Frustrated customers took to social media to vent about the mishap, questioning how orders placed early in the day were still being cancelled.

“I got this email too, legit ordered right at 7am too. Disappointing,” a customer wrote on Facebook.

Bailey White and Sopha Dopha at a MCo event in Sydney. Picture: Chloe Paul

Confidential obtained an email showing a customer was offered a $10 voucher as a form of compensation, while others were offered a 20 per cent discount code.

Just days after the incident, MCoBeauty hosted a free pop-up event in Sydney’s CBD, handing out bags of free products to the public and influencers, adding further fuel to the frustration felt by customers who missed out due to the sales glitch.

“This feels a bit tone deaf,” one customer told Confidential.

“I’m just glad the public was invited too … would have rubbed me the wrong way if it was just influencers.”

Another customer asked: “Can someone please give me their free bronzer I missed out on all my products (during the sale).”

MCoBeauty has been contacted by Confidential.