Mary Kay?
 

My older sister told me "everyone goes through a Mary Kay phase"and I think I caught the bug temporarily.

I don't plan on making it a career or anything, just something to do for fun. Plus, I use tihs stuff and it's awesome so it just makes economical sense!

What are your (or people you know) experiences w/ selling Mary Kay?

I'm a new rep and if you work @ building your customer base you really can earn alot of $$ doing it. My Nationals Director is a millionare. So - it can be just for fun to earn a few $$ on the side - or you can turn it into a full time job, or - I also know some people that just use it to get the 50% discount on cosmetics.

One of my friends started out as a rep while she did her student teaching, she said she does enough sales without trying to keep her discount and thats all she is really in it for.

The people who I know that sell Mary Kay

1) Sell it to their family and friends at their price so they can get their own discount. They maybe place two big orders a year.

2) Sell it as a career on the side, along with Herbalife or other supplments and do it yourself sales like PartyLites, Princess House, etc.

3) Sell it as a full-time career and actually make good money because it is their passion and full time focus.

my best friend sells it and enjoys it. She is a legal secretary in delaware works a few days there does mary kay the other days has time for family and makes some good profits off of it

The gal I go to does it for a living and must do very well cause she is able to keep majority of the stuff on stock at her house. She keeps telling me I should do it...I have yet to listen.

That's awesome :) My unit director has a whole BOOKSHELF (one of those big ones w/ several rows) of MK stuff :eek: I do have an inventory, but not anything close to hers :p

may kay always have their convention in dallas. about 3-4 months ago i was taking the rail into downtown dallas and a butt load of ladies dressed in red got on. they had their ribbons and awards on their jackets. anyways, i made conversation with them and asked about their stay and stuff. i think the convention lasted 2-3 weeks because i saw them almost every day.

While I tried MK once, I've never gotten used to it. But, there IS a woman with a Pink Cadillac about a half mile from my house!

See, you should listen and get thay Pink Cadillac!

Think Pink!


:)

I sell MaryKay and there are things you should know about direct sales. First of all, everything is a write off, but you still have to spend money to make money. I had to put in a bulk order for my first order (first order must be at least $400) and if you buy so much you get so much for free. I have been doing it for 2 1/2 months and have sold 2 things- one lipstick and one mascara. I have "donated" most of it or given my supply away as gifts to try to get repeat customers- no bites so far. I tried to market it but I am too busy. This is very much part time. I do it mostly for the discount, but I do know people who have done well with it. I am not the sales type. I think when I was talked into doing it, I was not aware of everything that was involved, and had I known all I had to buy (you spend way more than the $100 starter kit) I would not have done it. It's not for everyone, it's not for me, but I still do it because MK is all I will use. I love the product, and the company is great, but sales is not for everyone.

Thanks for the insight, asalady. It seems that a lot of people are blinded by this thought that they're going to make all of this money, but lose sight of the reality. I have seen a lot of people hurt financially by trying to get into this kinda thing.

When you try to get into a business like this, you risk your own money, you risk alienating your friends who don't want to get hit up for $$$, etc. Not a lot of young people use Mary Kay products, so it could definitely be a tough sell. Plus there are already so many other people selling that you're competing against your own people. And Mary Kay certainly has somewhat of an image problem among young people. I know they're trying to fix that with Mark, but so far it isn't working, to my knowledge. Heck, I have tried some of their products over the years and thought they were pretty crappy- both makeup and skin care.

I just posted recently in the Random thread about a chapter sister who I haven't spoken to in years, and wasn't close with to begin with at all, who IMed me asking me to either join her Mary Kay team or buy products from her. People in general do NOT like being approached to buy stuff, and resent it because it makes them feel guilty. Making money by making your friends/coworkers/familiy feel guilty is NOT a good way to do business or to keep your friends.

/my early morning rant on the possible pittfalls of selling stuff like this.

Mark is not a Mary Kay line; it is an Avon line.

My bad, lol. I guess I tend to mix up Mary Kay and Avon. Sorry!

I have to agree with you, dani. As a stay at home mom (temporarily) Avon really fit more with giving me something to do. Unlike MK, you don't have to have an inventory, you really don't HAVE to buy anything. I explored a lot of options before jumping in, and it's been a blast so far. I've been making some money, and I have a really good time doing it! I guess I'm more at ease, because I know that I havent' sunk SO much into it that I'm stuck! Plus, Avon has SUCH a variety of products and the prices are a lot more reasonable. Just my .02....

For people who like Mary Kay products/Partylite stuff etc, you can usually find what you are looking for on ebay and right about the 50% price point. You don't need to sell it to buy it cheap! :)

I just bought three discontinued shapes of Clinique blush on ebay for very little (the three with shipping were about the price of 1 at Macy's). I am now good for a year!

Sorry for the slight hijack!

Denise

I've sold Mary Kay for over two years, and definately would tell you to be very very cautious about building "inventory." Your upline, no matter how much you love her, will most likely encourage you to invest in "yourself." This means more money in her pocket.

The company usually creates new packaging for the product ever year, or comes out with some great inventory moving promotion, in new packaging.... and then the consultant is left with a lot of old product! Also they routinely discontinue products, so you are constantly buying new products and samples.

Be aware that when people say they had so much in "sales" that usually means thats how much they bought in inventory.

I am in the process of getting rid of all of my MK stuff, and I don't mean to be negative. Some people are very successful at it, and I wish you the best of luck. I would encourage anyone getting into MK to check out the following site. It's an eye opener, and kind of shows the antithesis of all the MK rhetoric.

Good luck, no matter what you decide.

http://www.thepinkingshears.com

Is this a relatively new development?

I remember that my friends in college who used MK seemed to have the same colors and shades, in the same packaging, that my next door neighbor had back in 1975. (I didn't go to college in 1975. ;) )

Not really. I've been a (very slack) Mary Kay consultant for over 10 years, and they do have a fairly rapid turnover of product offerings. Sometimes it's just the packaging, sometimes it's whole parts of a line (e.g. revamping all the lipsticks at once). I'm still using my favorite lipsticks in pink tubes, which though the color is still available, is now sold in silver grey packaging.

The inventory available on ebay is likely discontinued product, or inventory of consultants who want to liquidate. I'd be wary of buying it, as goodness only knows how it's been stored or handled. Heat and time can do nasty things to cosmetics!

I signed up to be a mark. representative a couple of years ago, it cost me 10 bucks and then I kinda decided not to do it, but I did buy a few things for myself cause they have trendier products for young people and it was so cheap, so it totally made up for the 10 bucks I orginally spent...that's one reason why Avon is a little bit better, they allow you to be as involved as you want to be...this whole "buying inventory" thing sounds a little fishy to me...Anyway, I guess I say proceed with caution maybe you'll make millions but the more likely situation is that you'll end up in the hole a couple hundred dollars...

True confession: I bombed as a Mary Kay consultant. I did facials, parties, and went to meetings. My credit card at the time took a ding for it.:o

ASAlady you sold more than I ever did. I thought I was the only one until summer_gphib posted that website. Very interesting indeed.

FWIW I hold the late Mary Kay and her product in high regard. Satin Hands was my favorite. Her autobiography is somewhere on my bookshelf.

I had no problem achieving sales goals when I was in a retail environment. But not everyone can handle this type of sales marketing program.

Definitely pace yourself on buying product.

I'm surprised that people are allowed to ebay MK inventory. When I was involved long ago, you could get into major trouble if you were caught selling it at yard sales, flea markets, etc.

I knew one or two girls in my chapter who sold Mary Kay, but I don't think they did it for long, though. I tend to agree with what kddani said about Mary Kay not being "cool" with younger people, because it's really not. I personally think it's nice stuff, but I always associate it with little old ladies. That's probably going to be the biggest issue with younger people who try to sell it, I think.

Re: Mary Kay?
 

you too miss princess! i got ur invite, and believe me if I lived near you... i'd go!

i used to wear mary kay in high school, because my aunt sold it, but my basket is still pending on ur other friend's mary kay website...

I know everyone had their own opinion and experience, but here's mine...(sorry to those who weren't successful with MK...it can be hard!)

I signed my Mary Kay agreement last November~simply as a way to make extra cash. I work full time with the government and I'm making a pretty decent salary. MK was going to become my play money.

Well, since I joined, I have made about $10,000 extra! (I'm talking last November to this November). I am 25 years old, and I have no problem getting younger, college age women around me. As long as you approach the situation properly and be honest, you can make it work for you. But you have to try. You didn't learn how to read in one day, so why would anyone think they would wake up one day and be an awesome saleswoman? Yes, you have to invest money sometimes to make your business work. But all business owners have to invest when they start up. That's part of owning your own business. If you think smart and plan wisely, then everything will fall into place. Having a strong base of customers definately gets you going in the right direction because they use the product and always need to replace it.

I will agree that Mary Kay usually indicates older women. Times are fastly changing though. My unit is all women from 18 to 34~and we are breaking company records left and right. We're working smart, not hard. It's well worth it if you have some extra time to invest!

PoohsHoneyBee if you need anything, PM me and I will get into contact with you. I have a full inventory and I will ship to your location. Just let me know.

If anyone has any other questions, let me know. I'll try to help you out.

I hope your agency counsel is aware of this. Govt employees can get in a lot of trouble if not first checking about outside employment. I experienced this with a guy who started doing real estate.

sorry about the hijack


I like mary kay satin hands stuff, but i get on ebay, my mom's sales lady is too pushy.

I just signed up with mark. I've made a couple sales, but I love how I can be as involved as I want to be. And I don't have to make a huge investment in inventory.

Thanks for the tip...I was actually a contractor with the government when I signed up for Mary Kay and in July I switched to government. As far as I know, it's all good and I can't get into trouble. :)

sounds crazy. i am a consultant for The Body Shop at Home and it's fun. I don't make much and probably won't be doing it too much longer just b/c i have other things i want to concentrate on. we don't keep inventory. you can keep a few things, but not much. i think there is actually a percentage you can keep, but i don't keep it so i don't worry about. there are sales goals to meet every quarter, but it isn't too much. and we get into major trouble if we sell on ebay, at least if you are an active consultant. not sure about any recourse if your are no longer an official consultant. my upline leader is not pushy and understands that some are in it to make a lot of money and then there are people like me who love the product and needed another thing to do.

i still use some MK products at the ripe old age of almost 30. i love the makeup compact that you can switch out shades whenever. i buy MK from a friend and she buys some The Body Shop stuff from me. it's rather funny.

Re: Re: Mary Kay?
 

Carrie recruited me! hahaha

inventory
 

As far as inventory goes, MK consultants do NOT have inventory as a mandatory thing. Any and all inventory decisions are made independently by the consultants based on their needs. If they don't think they will sell $3600 in inventory, it's obviously the right thing to NOT BUY it. Directors will definitely encourage consultants to purchase at least some inventory (2 reasons: they make commission, and it's also good b/c women usually like stuff NOW when they buy it and don't like waiting a couple of weeks for postage, so its good customer service :) ) but they can never make that decision for the consultants.

One of my sorority sisters used to sell MK and she did not have inventory at all. She didn't host parties or do facials. She just had one of those Look Books and if people wanted to buy stuff, cool!

You do need at least 1 wholesale order of $200 (minimum) every 3 months in order to maintain your discount, but if you use the products yourself, that shouldn't be an issue!

For me, I think it's just going to be one of those fun things I do to maybe make some extra play money. I make a pretty good salary for my age, and I have excellent benefits, so I have no intentions of quitting my job or anything!

I'm really enjoying all the stories so far!

Actually if you are active duty you have to ask your commander for permission. Then it will go to legal to make sure that there are no "shady dealings" I have seen 99% on off duty employment approved.

If you are a government empployee (in the GS/WG system) the governemnt has nothing to do with an outside job. We can't make a big deal about it its in the Union Contract.

As for contractos its whats in your agreement w/your company. Goverment no control over you.

Bottom line you are not "suppose" to sell at work.

As long as you are smart no one cares

I thought about being a consultant at The Body Shop, but we had one of those parties in my sorority, and no one out of the 20 girls bought anything. I felt bad for the consultant, but it made me realize how hard it can be!

I don't really understand the appeal of companies of AVON or Mary Kay. As a consumer, I like to walk into a store, try a product out and buy it and walk out with it all-in-one trip.....none of this "waiting around for delivery" business for me!

Just my 2 cents.

Many consultants actually keep the products in stock... So you do leave with it the day you buy it... My Mary Kay consultant and friend has had everything in stock that I have bought from her thus far... And the nice part is she comes to me and delivers... I don't even have to take the step of going to the store...

I have gotten involved with Arbonne International. Its a network marketing product with the most amazing all natural products. You don't have to buy lots of products or anything.... its great! I love it!

About Mary kay
 

I've just started with Mk and like the fact that I can make money from home, meet new people, and unlike the makeup you buy at the store, ours comes with a money back guarantee or exchange. Try that at your local Walmart! I deliver to you or ship anywhere in the country. Check out my website @http://www.marykay.com/awillis7980

I could write a a book about Mary Kay, in fact, I will, in the future. Right now, you can visit my sites about this company at www.thepinkingshears.org

I appreciate this forum because your membership seems to keep reality about what Mary Kay is really about.

I posted a new thread to Watch Out for Mary Kay because it simply is not all what it seems.

If you want to be one of those Cadillac earners - you MUST perpetually recruit and offspring units getting the most inventory out of new recruits and be willing to quickly move on to the next one to get the same!

Looking forward to sharing my insight with you. I am a former director in Mary Kay and did it the "new way" whereby you purchase your directorship by activating some of your recruits to "finish". It's common in Mary Kay, to cheat your way up, then take the praise and recognition and awe of your unit members making them think you "earned" this the right way. Sure, you have people who were legitimate recruits, but nothing stops some of them to get what they want and I found myself doing the same thing, but soon left as I could not keep up the charade anymore. Many of them have kept it up for decades and think nothing of it.

Mary Kay women are TAUGHT that NO means maybe! You will continue to be bombarded like this! You have to be rude to them for them to really get it. If you are nice, their director will encourage them to try again.

In my opinion, Avon is a better choice and it is surpasses Mary Kay in sales. MK sales are nothing more than sales to consultants whereby Avon product ordered by their reps is already sold, as it is an order business and the product is very comparable!

Laura
www.thepinkingshears.org

just my two cents
 

I was a consultant for Arbonne and had joined with my 2 best friends. I should not have taken this on with friends. It was a lot of pressure to keep up my sales as they were not doing so well and I already hold a full time job that I love. I thought it would be fun to have the parties and make sales, but after a while with my full time job the deliverys and such were just too much. Liked giving the presentations though.

Robin