laura ryan - I think that it isn't correct to say that the entire site is the "truth" about MK. While that might be true for the people that those things happened to, it is NOT the truth for everyone.

I have honestly had nothing but a positive experience so far.

And to say that sales are nothing but sales to a rep is also a very broad term. As I've mentioned before, no consultant is ever forced to order inventory of any sort. Everyone makes that decision for themself.

I am not going to begin an argument here, because I really do have better things to do - but I just wanted to let that be known out there than websites such as those are not the story for everyone. Many, many women have very positive experiences.

I understand what you are saying - for time spent ordering, packaging and delivering, it's not worth it. I had a full time job too, which I'd never leave for a Mary Kay career since it IS a direct selling business and direct selling does not have a good record of MOST people succeeding. They have their few thousandaires, and a couple of millionaires, but it takes longevity and early in to be in that elite group of .0003%!


I liked sharing about the makeup. I still use alot of the product - I just hate the tactics some of the sales reps use on the public and other reps to pressure them to inventory load. I can be a great salesperson because my enthusiasm for some of the products is genuine - I just couldn't do what was required to sustain directorship (recruiting all the time) - got sick of that real fast.

:D

I have no desire to engage in a debate about what's on the site or argue with you because there is nothing to argue about. There are people who have great experiences in MK and people who don't. My site represents those who don't and there are thousands of sites that represent those who do.

I just posted it because there are people who are seeking to find information about Mary Kay and we have a very good collection of information, opinions and experiences that DO represent a part of the Mary Kay experience that MANY women have encountered and can identify with . With good comes bad. Never have I said ALL have bad experiences, so no need to argue. You are correct that many have great experiences.

My site supports them too and I support them personally if they are not pressuring people to do things they don't want to do. In fact, I have active directors pretty high up in rank who mentor the consultants on the Pink Group which I created on my site.

There is, unfortunately, abuse, lying and cheating in Mary Kay and that's what we talk about. If such things are not welcome to talk about on this forum, I will gladly leave and apologize for the invasion. This thread seemed neutral and people seemed to be inquiring about the opportunity.

That's understandable.

Really it's just another one of those "You get what you put into it" sort of things.

I would never leave my career for a full-time MK gig, because that's just not what I want to do in life for a career.

If some people do, that's their business :)

I personally do not put a ton of effort into the booking, selling, and recruiting thing. I probably will never recruit anyone, not really because I can't, but because I don't want to. I've made very clear to my director that this is just for fun because I enjoy doing it, and I enjoy working with people, and I've been fortunate that she doesn't pressure me into doing something that I just don't want to (recruit 98173982734 people, buy $329837298374293 worth of inventory, etc) and I still get treated with the same respect that the Red Jackets and everyone else gets.

I've also found several message boards/forums/email groups etc. that get "invaded" with MK haters which I really don't understand. If you hate it, fine, move on and do something you enjoy! There's no point in ruining perfectly good discussions about marketing ideas or whatever to talk about all the "evils" of MK. (Not saying that you're doing that here, just something that I've noticed elsewhere)

You really have to be strong about what YOU want to do with your business. Like if you don't want to order inventory, then don't. No big deal. Or if you don't have time to hold 500 facials in a month, it's all gravy! And I think that goes across with any company whether it be MK, Avon, or primary employer. To say that things like that ONLY happen in MK and not any other company I t hink is a very broad statement. Stuff happens like that all the time (check out Enron for example :) )

Sorry that was taken out of context, I WAS ONLY comparing to Avon and should have said something like:

As opposed to Avon, where product is SOLD FIRST, then ordered, "sales" in Mary Kay are mostly orders by consultants of product which is unsold.

That might even be too general, but MK doesn't supply figures on how much product is actually sold to the public, nor is there any way to track it.

Too bad some of the women in MK do not have your perspective or strength to not fall prey to their director! I like your note about the gadzillions of recruits and ordering gadzillions of product - unfortunately, alot of women fall into that trap for a variety of reasons and yes, it is their decision, but in today's MK world, they are telling unsuspecting consultants that 3600 to 4200 orders are "profit-level" and Nationals are training directors to "sell inventory".

I felt it very important to get this out in the open so things like Enron don't happen and people can avoid the pitfalls. I do realize they happen in every business - I focus on MK and am here writing about it because it's an MK thread.

Seems like there are college members here and some naughty directors go after those who have the student loans. They teach to go after women with credit - so beware is all I want to say to anyone.

It CAN be fun to sell, etc., but moving up requires recruiting and staying there requires more. Just keep that in mind and do your homework about direct selling businesses before plunging into one of these.

The thing with Mary Kay - and every direct selling opportunity like Avon, etc.- is to remember why you wanted to start in the first place and stick to it.

An Arbonne rep wrote this on a MK forum regarding the "how much money can you really make in MK" question, and I think it hits it on the nail:

While that money is nothing to bawk at - my whole point is that they are "doing it faster" in MK whereby Nationals are becoming Nationals within 3 years of signing (unheard of in the old days when they actually encouraged classes and reruiting from them). Today, they push inventory. A story like this, successful as it seems, leaves me leary as to HOW she got what she got and I'd certainly like to know what her WHY was because sometimes, when we have large income and status as our goal - we find ourselves mowing over alot of women to get there, which is never success to me when you earn a living off commissions from what someone orders and does not sell and that is the case in too many cases.

I really don't know if Greekchat is the proper forum to crusade against Mary Kay. While I severely dislike companies like Mary Kay and Avon, I just don't know that this is the place to debate.

I have no problem with the crusade against it... although I think I draw the line at starting new threads with your anti-Mary Kay website as the topic.

PS I hope this becomes a thread rife with bitter, bitter controversy and name calling that has to be shut down.

THAT would be great. :)

Lol, what, don't we have enough of those for your taste? ;)

Re: About Mary kay
 

Wow!

THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE WALMART!

Re: Re: About Mary kay
 

But what's worse? being around Walmart people or having to put up with the high pressure Mary Kay people? Tough call.

At least Walmart has express check out.

With Mary Kay, it sounds like the old Hotel California song...you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!


By the way, am I the only one who thinks Mary Kay and Ashley Olson everytime they hear "Mary Kay?"

Ummm...its actually Mary KATE. . . . ;)

As a former Mary Kay consultant (and current Longaberger so I can get the discount), it is rather interesting how your Mary Kay 'friends' will completely ignore you if you return inventory! Oh well, guess they really weren't friends, huh?! Just my little vent.

Sarah

Re: Mary Kay?
 

I read, with interest, the comments about starting a MK thread and noticed the moderator started this thread and invited discussion.

My website is not ANTI-MK; it is an informative site which discusses and advises things current consultants need to be aware of and avoid. We do this by teaching about the business model, sharing like experiences and also offering discussion from both sides. The site also supports a current consultant group.

As I stated in my previous post, this thread was started by one of your moderators inviting discussion about experiences - so I am merely responding to her invitation and since this is a "college" site - I would think that readers appreciate information and disclosure of first hand experiences.

Changing the subject...

I tried Arbonne recently and I LOVE IT!!! Normally, I hate anything like this and I'm not the type to buy useless junk at Princess House and Party Lites gatherings, (the only reason I'm addicted to MK eyeshadows and eyeliners are because my college roommate turned me onto them years ago), but I'm hooked! I highly doubt I'll be doing any selling for them, though!!!! Any other Arbonne fans out there?

MK DOES have great eye shadows! That I do like.

Re: Re: Mary Kay?
 

Just to clarify, texas*princess is not "the" moderator - she does not moderate this forum. She co-moderates the forum for her sorority only. In all other forums, she is just another poster with no mod "power."

I like Mary Kay. One of my girl friends started selling it a couple of monthes ago. I tried some of the products just to support her and I fell in love. She actually started me off with some samples so I could see if I even liked it. I like wearing makeup for work (well I find it a neccessity to look professional) and it really stays on. I have always had a problem with wiping off my make up during the day. And I am allergic to some mascares.
Now my friend didn't get into selling MK to make lots of money, but I think that she really could she has the personality that makes a successful salesperson. Also her mom is an entrepuner, so she understands the work that goes into owning a business.
She is never pushy (but I think her director definately has that tendency). Everynow and then she asks me if I need anything, and I have asked her about having a party. She does keep an inventory of the items that people buy al ot, and she will special orders stuff. I like the timewise lotion and cleanser, which she usually has in, because it seems to work the best and there is an SPF for daytime ( I am super pale). She had order me a facial mask and the eyecolors, because she did not keep them in stock. Of course on of the best things about having a BF that sells MK is being able to play with her samples... we will all get together and try out the new shades.

My friend's mom is an MK rep, and I know exactly what you mean! And I live a little further away from them now, but as my friend and I have the same complexion, I know what looks good on her will look good on me-- makes ordering a breeze!