Name: Tara
Are You Active or Inactive? Soon to be Inactive
Amount of Initial Inventory You Purchased: $3,000
How were you recruited? Tell us all the details.
A friend of mine was approached at her work by a woman who thought she was beautiful so she wanted her to be a “model” for her portfolio. She then asked her to invite some friends to get facials too. She invited me and I reluctantly went. I told myself I would not buy ANYTHING!! I ended up getting sucked into the hype that is MK and made an appointment to talk about joining. I also purchased some product which I actually don’t regret as it has worked wonders on my skin. I met with her at Starbucks and she was 20 minutes late which really put me off as I am in Sales for my full time job and I always make a point to be early for appointments with clients. I should have taken that 20 minutes and ran! I ended up signing up and then found myself being talked into buying inventory. Her points seemed valid to me at the time. I am an instant gratification kind of person so I understand the argument of having inventory so people can take home what they purchase right away. I went in at a higher level than I should have to “maximize” on the freebies. I got a phone call everyday from my recruiter and her director to see if I was ready to make the inventory purchase. They insisted that the director MUST place the first order for me. My debut had gone well so I figured I would have no problem selling a lot of product. I gave in and let them place the order.
It is very unlike me to not research something before committing. I let the “pink dreams” get inside my head and I made a big mistake. I found this site and a few others shortly after making my first inventory purchase. It definitely put doubts in my mind and gave me something to think about. After attending a couple of meetings I knew I had to get out fast. The women in my unit are so fake! They had a special meeting where my director’s director came down to speak. They acted like this woman was a celebrity. I could read her from the moment I shook her hand, she was a MKbot to the extreme! It wasn’t until she suggested clever ways to hide your purchases from your husband that I felt like I needed to run screaming from that place. Are you kidding me? The number 1 cause for divorce in this country is finances and you want to encourage women to hide large purchases from their husbands?! Can somebody say GIANT RED FLAG! That’s another thing, they assume that all women in Mary Kay are married. I kept on getting invites to all of these “cute” little socials but they were only for couples. I am single and perfectly ok with that!
I am just ready for my final order to come in so I can get the product to my customers that they ordered and send back the rest. Yes, thats right, I have had to place 3 more orders since my $3,000 inventory order because I didn’t have everything that I needed. I do have friends who love the product, as do I, so I will probably let them go through my inventory and buy it at wholesale and return what is left over to the company. After that I am done!! Yay!!
Do you have a memorable experience from your time in Mary Kay? If so, please tell us about it.
The only positive experience is that my skin does look and feel great since using the products. As for the negative memorable experiences I have several. For the most part my debut went really well. I had a great turn out and even filled up my power start poster board. I sold over $700 worth of product that night. I was pretty excited. The only thing that bothered me was that when we had our “individual consultations” my recruiter was trying to pressure my friends into joining Mary Kay as well. I know my friends well and I could tell that it was making them uncomfortable. Recruiting was never my goal in joining the company. I have since realized that recruiting is all they want you to do. All of the training that goes on at meetings is how to recruit more people. I thought that training would be about how to use the products and which products work best for different people. I had to figure all of that out on my own. All these women are willing to help you out with is purchasing more inventory!
Side note: my quotes around the word model in the answer to the first question are because this means of approaching new clients is a joke! I have never been to a MK party where the consultant pulled out the “portfolio” to show you different looks. It is just a way to get into your home, sell you products, and hound you to listen to a presentation or conference call about becoming a consultant.
What are you doing now?
I am still working my advertising sales job full time. I am trying to find a job that actually has something to do with my degrees though. I would love to do social work or be a probation officer but the ultimate goal is to work for the FBI.
Feel free to include any additional comments here:
I don’t doubt that there are units out there that are honest and successful but I have seen too many examples on these websites and have had a bad experience myself and that is enough for me to be finished with MK. The fact that the company allows these things to go on is wrong. I am still deciding if I want to continue to use the product or not. If there are any suggestions for comparable products out there please let me know!! Thanks for listening to my little rant!!
I feel so bad right now. A person I trust asked me to help her get back into Mary Kay, by coming to her house to borrow my face for make up application and a photo for her potfolio. I did go reluctantly. I did not buy product, bur I bought a starter kit. On my drive home I excited, then nervous. My sister, who I immidiately texted, encouragedme but said Avon was easier. I then began to research and came accross many pros and cons….mostly cons. I regret it, should not have spent $116. ( shipping and tax)my husband will be upset when I tell him ans I feel guilty. I have a good job and so does my husband, but we have had extra expenses and he is working some overtime to recoup. I feel stupid, taken. I think I was an easy target! I did text my recruitet and told her, I have changed my mind. To anyone considering this, reseach before investing!
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Hi Liliana! You can return your starter kit as long as it is unused! Check out Pinktruth.com and they have instructions there on how to make a return!
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We have complete info on returning inventory and your starter kit:
http://www.pinklighthouse.com/inventory-return-information/
Also check out the forum for lots of info and friendly help
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Just call 1-800-marykay to return the product! That simple! Pack it up and send it back that quick that easy! I believe this website is just for the whiners
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C.P. That wasn’t nice comment!
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I sit here and read these comments from people. There is so much GREAT things to Mary Kay!!!! Just because it did not work for you, it does not make it a bad company. What you put into it, you get out of it. Mary Kay have awesome products and has a great business opportunity.
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I applaud you, Jane…keep doing your research on Mary Kay herself and the company priorities and philosophies. I’ve been around Mary Kay and the people in this company off and on since my mom was in in the early 1970′s. You are in a good place. May I suggest that you talk with your Director and ask her your questions…if you were having trouble with your plumbing would you ask advice from a plumber who didn’t do well with his business and can only say negative things about all the other plumbers? Or would you talk with a plumber who has a great track record with lots of satisfied clients???
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I totally agree. I had a HORRIBLE beginning with my Mary Kay career! I had profit and product stolen by my recruiter…..and I ALMOST gave up! However, some things that work for others, don’t work for me, and some things that don’t work for others, DO work for me. Mark Katherine Ash was not your typical woman…WAY AHEAD of her time and you KNOW her girlfriends had GOSSIP hour on her behalf!! BUT NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT SHE NEVER STOPPED BELIEVING IN HERSELF……don’t read this and let your mind be soooo persuaded by things soooo easily. If you can’t tell your hubby certain things, big whop! I don’t tell my hubby my chili has mustard bcuz if I did, he’d not eat it!! But….STOP BEING CONTROLLED BY SOME PEOPLES HORROR STORIES!!! Log on to Facebook and see how many women and men Mary Kay HAS helped become successful!!! I can assure you, its THOUSANDS more than whom it hasn’t…..Word for the wise; Be careful of your words; they are as sharp as a sword. Maybe try starting your complaints “In my opinion” or “My experience with”……
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jane, you drank the koolaid. Being in Mk is just like being a Stepford Wife.
“What you put into it, you get out of it. Mary Kay have awesome products and has a great business opportunity.”
This is not an original thought…just repetition of what is said at every MK event many times.
jane, i wish you well, just remember YOU are still in charge…don’t let anybody talk you any purchases of inventory and don’t let your SD place an order for you.
At least click the forum button in the top left of the toolbar. Register and read. There are many more women who had bad experiences with MK than those who had a GOOD experience. And if that doesn’t convince you take a look at how active our MK trading board is…there are so many “active” consultants trying to unload their inventory at wholesale plus shipping. That should tell you to “Run jane, run!”
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ok…so..yay you. Just like all the other “DOWN with THIS and THATS”…I bet you never actually even tried Mary Kay products…Well hey, let me introduce myself. Yolanda, Senior Independent Beauty Consultant with the #1 Unit in Oklahoma. I am an upstanding citizen in my state. Never had any felonies, no DUI’s, pay my taxes….so on. Went to college for a nursing degree and paid over 17k for that education that is OVERRAN with other very qualified people JUST LIKE ME. I am alot like you, however, I actually LOVE blessing women with beauty information that is needed to get ahead in OUR WORLD TODAY….our SHALLOW world, where if you look too old, or if your skirt isn’t short enough, YOU NEED NOT APPLY unlike you, who seems to have a LARGE opinion on something that you yourself HAVE PROBABLY NEVER EVEN TRIED! Now I know it is NOT classy behavior to get riled up about such uneducated opinions, it is still MY RIGHT AS A TAX PAYING CITIZEN. So…why don’t you do a little research yourself before you cast your judgment purely based on other peoples experiences, because you are guilty of doing exactly what your ragging on other people for! BEING FEEBLE MINDED!!
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Yolanda, you need to take a breath and a time out. Sheesh!
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Hi, unfortunate the experience you had. You don’t need to let a sd talk you into buying an inventory. I do my parties with limited inventory. When I did my first part the girls bought stuff and that is what made me active. I don enjoy the products and like selling the products to women. I also have one male customer who uses timewise and has worked like crazy for his skin. Don’t let people pressure you. Do what it is you feel is right for you and take your time.
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Amen!
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If I had a dime for every time someone in MK has told someone that you don’t need inventory, or advised people not to let directors talk them into buying inventory, I’d have lots of dimes
The fact of the matter is that if no one bought inventory and MK had to survive on only the orders of actual product sales from users…actual customers (NOT consultants, who are the real customers) then you would see a very sharp drop in MK corp’s annual gross sales.
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According to company policy…written in all our literature…inventory is NOT required from anyone. PERIOD. I’ve helped many women start their businesses without inventory. And, if the consultant needs one or two items for a guest, I do trade product off my shelf for my TEAM members. This should be rare, because we each try to be independent. (Just because your sister runs a Target store and you run another one in another city, you wouldn’t take from each others inventories all the time, right? ) This is business, just like any other business.
IF SOMEONE chooses to begin with or purchase inventory at any time, they can.
Personal use consultants can easily purchase their own products at 50% and only spend $200 (+tax and S&H) to receive $400 which can last them 6 months or more.
I usually look at it with a 10% in mind….
If someone knows 6-10 friends, I recommend…not the company, but me,…starting with a $600 wholesale so she can have enough product for her friends she knows. Then she can order as she needs. The company lets consultants continue to buy any amount at 50% in the three months the consultant is active!
I think you’d be surprised at how many ‘Real’ consultants there are out there selling products and buying products and earning a good income. But, again, there are consultants at all different stages, just like the new Macy’s that just opened in a farming community won’t show the same numbers as the one in NY City…the new Macy’s may be in the red, borrowing for a time. Do you not trust any business or stores?
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If I remember correctly, the consultant agreement has a section that outlines how much inventory you must purchase from the company to remain a consultant. So there is a requirement.
In any event, Mary Kay is an MLM and the whole point of the “opportunity” is to get the people you recruit into the business to buy inventory. It’s how the whole thing works. Period.
Macy’s is a real retail business. Being a Mary Kay consultant is not.
And I know there are plenty of “real” consultants out there but I would argue that very, very few of them are making any real money. Most would be better off with a part-time job.
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“And, if the consultant needs one or two items for a guest, I do trade product off my shelf for my TEAM members. This should be rare, because we each try to be independent. (Just because your sister runs a Target store and you run another one in another city, you wouldn’t take from each others inventories all the time, right? ) This is business, just like any other business.”
Actually, if I’m at one Target and want something, the employees are happy to call another Target to see if it’s available. Same at Macy’s, Nordstrom, Walmart, etc. That’s the way it should work!
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At our party with office friends and others, I never did see these portfolio of before and after and no pictures were taken of us. We fell into the bogus trap when she said you look wonderful. I need to have photos of you for my before and after portfolio. It was a facial you give yourself and nothing else. It was more about hear the opportunity to be rich beyond your wildest dreams and your husbands. Oh and MK Women have a check list on what to wear and not wear, carry, speak, etc. I’d be interested to see this list. There is Positiveness and then there is Stepford Wives or MKBOTS.
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I do have a portfolio! I love showing it to women in my classes!
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Yes, we are a teaching approach to skin care and color…we teach you how to do this for yourself so you can do this when you get home. You won’t find this kind of service at the department store or in salons or spas. They have their place, but we want our clients to be …here’s the word again…independent.
From my point of view, who wouldn’t want to hear about an opportunity to better yourself, whether it be financially or personally or socially…? If you’re not interested, let it go in one ear and out the other. I wasn’t interested, either, until I heard the facts. We are bombarded with opportunities to see this person or come to this event…do you go to everything? No. Do you belly-ache about the fact that someone tried to offer you something to better your life because it bettered theirs? No. Where are the websites for “New age mysticism-truth” or ‘angel lighthouse’? If you aren’t happy…you just aren’t happy. I’m sorry for that truth.
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Hardly anyone who is a MK consultant knows anything at all about “skin care.” What they know, and what they’re taught, is how to sell the Mary Kay products to people as THE solution for their skin care. They have no training in skin care or esthetics. They are sale people.
And who wouldn’t want to hear the sales pitch about how to be a MK consultant? Just about everyone. When I go to buy something, I don’t want someone trying to sell me on doing what they’re doing. Why would that make sense? Can you imagine if when you took your car to your mechanic, he tried to recruit you to be a mechanic? Why would he want to add to his competition? It’s a valid question that I was asked more than once when I was in MK: Why do you want to recruit others?
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Hi! I’m a very positive Mary Kay Consultant. You don’t want to hear from me. I’ve been working my business part time, (the most hours I’ve put into this was 16 hours a week) and sometimes as personal use, where I bought only for myself. I have used my credit to build up my business, but always pay it back from sales. (You do know this is how businesses start out and build up their inventory/staff, etc. I haven’t received a bail-out from our present president, either.) I’ve also worked to become the Queen of my Unit by strictly selling my products. I’ve seen Team members come and go, but have several who are faithful to the product, loyal friends to me and have been with me since I started over 21 years ago! (And they love the discount! ) Some of my own TEAM members have surpassed me; two have now passed away. My mom had been a consultant in the early 1970′s and then began again with me in the late 1980′s and did even better than she had done before! I’ve been privileged to earn great prizes…telescope and toys for my son, art sets, china, luggage, trips, lunch with Mary Kay in Dallas (2 times!), jewelry, including diamonds and, yes, the Mary Kay consultant’s car. I’m not a Director, but am happy to introduce women to what THEY can make out of this opportunity with a company that wants you to succeed. (My principal in the education field didn’t want to see me do well!)
I’m in a networking group now and the business owners have to pay BIG bucks for insurance…Mary Kay offers group rates. The others have to pay a lot for their web sites and maintenance…I pay $50 a year and it’s updated often. They have to pay a lot more money than I do to have their credit cards processed. I enjoy the name recognition second only to Coca-Cola, so there, again, advertising is so very little! These are just a few of the benefits to having your own business in the home with a reputable company.
Ladies, it’s easy to become skeptical in this world, but it is true that we will reap what we sow. You will find what you’re looking for; if you want to find problems, you will find them with whatever and whomever. If you want to succeed in life at whatever level in your career or family, you WILL.
I’m so sorry you’ve missed out on so much that I’ve been blessed with in Mary Kay. I welcome your comments and wish you well.
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AMEN DEANA! Thank you for staying true to what you believe in!!! Thats A REAL WOMAN….to be called a Step Ford kinda is a compliment only because THEY WERE GORGEOUS!! I’d luv to be in Nicole Kidmans Skin ANYDAY!! lol…And I’m proud to call you sister….
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While it’s very clear that inventory is optional, it seems mandatory because of the urgency in which it is presented to a new consultant. When I was on target for my car or in DIQ, I went into the appointment just hoping and praying they’d do at least a $600 wholesale order. I suggested they put it on a credit card and make a plan to pay it down. I was barely making progress on paying my own down!
And I’ll side on the MK people with this one- you need inventory. Not having product on hand is frustrating. And yes, this IS a business and it requires lots of time to build before you can make any profit. HOWEVER this is not brought up when any SD or career-minded consultant is attempting to recruit. I would always say “I’m looking for women who want to make a little extra money with their spare time,” and I’d find women who fit that bill– they WANT EXTRA MONEY!
Then they get into MK and start spending it on everything! Yes it’s optional but it’s also obligatory. “Oh we’re gonna have so much fun at the fall retreat! You don’t want to miss it!” “You’ll want to be able to wear that ribbon at seminar!” No one says “You have to or you’re fired.” But there is undeniable pressure.
I don’t want to throw out ALL the babies with the bathwater. Mary Kay was a good community to sort of live in the real world on training wheels as I transitioned from college to…life.
All I’m saying is that most people come into Mary Kay thinking they’ll pay $100 to start up and make 50% right away without further investment or debt.
I would like to talk to a “successful” debt-free profit making consultant or director. Thank you.
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“model for my portfolio”
God were we stupid. I am sorry for anyone who falls for that one.
i used to pour through W magazine to educate myself on what real fashion makeup artistry looked like. MK wasn’t teaching anything other than the sideways V.
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It is VERY important to find out who you are letting in your homes ladies. There are those of us who do portfolios, and those of us who have taken EVERY CLASS AVAILABLE to TEACH proper technique for applying make-up. In alot of ways you are all complaining about what you want us to see, not what this is really about. You HAVE a responsibility to your family AND friends to provide them with THE VERY BEST…..ok…so its not all YOUR fault, but recognize your PART of your BAD experiences. I’m sure if you think real hard, you can remember what it was that you shrugged off…maybe being bribed with the $50 free with 3 deal, or 75 for $35??? COME ON….all us MK Consultants, offer GREAT DEALS for YOU bringing US faces….don’t say you didnt walk away feeling a little guilty!!
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I just signed up and I really don’t see the problem here. Don’t purchase Hundreds or Thousands of $ in Products if you don’t have the money. There are ways to get a larger package with free merchandise without spending a fortune. If you can’t say no to someone…that is your lack of a backbone. I told my Recruiter there simply was NO WAY I was purchasing Thousands of Dollars in Products right now and that was no problem at all. I wouldn’t DREAM of pressuring someone like that. It isn’t even necessary. Putting undue pressure on yourself just to get Free items is NOT worth it! Also Mary Kay offers you 90% Payback on Makeup that is no more than a year old so not much to lose. Buy 600 in products and lose 60 bucks if it doesn’t work out. Even then you will earn free stuff and won’t have to return that. I’m sorry but I believe the Poster has a bad attitude! Saying people are fake or robots because they are doing well and making lots of money!! If you don’t like your Recruiter….do it on your own.
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The problem is that if no one buys initial inventory, then Mary Kay Corp would be out of business. It’s the whole point of the company. No one should have to buy hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of inventory just to be a rep for a company. You’re supposed to be making money, not spending it.
I’ve never met a single MK person who is making lots of money, or many making much money selling the product. The NSDs at the top are making money because they’ve been around for 20+ years and making money from recruits. It’s called a pyramid.
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Mary Kay is an amazing company! If you work the business plan the way the company has laid out for you, you WILL be a success. And not at the expense of others. I am SO grateful I was introduced to the Mary Kay opportunity. It has given me an avenue to get out of my comfort zone and grow in ways I never though possible. I am so blessed to have amazing women in my unit enjoying the same success! I can not tell you all the stories of women in my unit and how it has saved their life in some cases. I have more self esteem, I get to be a work at home mom and I can pay ALL my bills and them some! My husband loves Mary Kay. The support and coaching I get from my senior director and NSD is unmatched to any other direct selling co., they invest in you as much as you will allow them. You make purchases almost everyday, why not have someone purchase the skin care and cosmetics from you instead of the mall? There is no shame in selling. Take a look at the celebrities that use MK, we have been around for almost 50 years, it is because of the heart of the co. They key is to think bigger then everyone else around you. So you purchase a store of inventory, great! So does target and walmart! I love that I can service my customers on the spot! Did you know Mary Kay will purchase back 90% of all your purchases with in the last year if you decide MK is not for you?? What an amazing co!!! Stop looking at the people around you and dig into the heart of Mary Kay Ash. She will inspire you to new levels. Me? I choose to dream big, accomplish big, and take others with me along the way! Never go on these sites and make a decision based on other peoples thoughts. Most people are afraid to be different. Don’t be that person. Experience all of Mary Kay before you pre judge. It is way bigger and better then you can imagine! Good luck and God bless!
P.S. mk makes money from our sales. which you either take from your inventory or order directly from mk. Either way works. What a silly thing to worry about.
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