PinkLighthouse.com

Your Name: Lina

Date Joined MK : 2007

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active

Initial Inventory Purchased: none

How were you recruited?:

I researched them and signed up

Memorable experience you had in MK:

My first sale!

What did you learn from MK?:

Tons of stuff: money management, getting over fear, tracking using forms, goal setting, dreaming big, customer service, being in business for myself, leadership, follow-up, setting priorities, etc.

What are you doing now? :

Proudly I am still teaching Mary Kay skincare and cosmetic application.

Additional Comments:

One of the ways that Mary Kay Consultants are encouraged to find new customers is by “warm chattering.”

The consultant spies a woman in the cosmetic department of the local Wal-Mart, for instance, and casually comments on her lovely skin. The consultant then tries to get the woman’s name and phone number so that she can set up an appointment with her to “try Mary Kay products” or be a “face model” at a girls’ night out, which is really a Mary Kay sales meeting.

I don’t know many consultants who were ever really good at this. Most tried it a few times and gave up because of the negative responses they received. Many people couldn’t stand approaching people in a way that they, themselves, would find irritating and offensive. (Hmmm…sounds like the Golden Rule to me!)

A reader named Mary contacted me with this interesting question:

After reading info about the talc in Mary Kay and the dangers of it, will Mary Kay take my used products back and give me a refund? I’ve only see the product replacement online. I just ordered several of the new “mineral” eye colors and have been using them. Will they take them back? Where on Mary Kay In Touch do I request a refund?

I thought this was a good question. After all, Mary Kay Consultants are customers of the Company too. Its biggest customer, in fact.

As I said in my last post, Touch of Pink Cosmetics denied many of the allegations put forth by Mary Kay Inc. in the lawsuit.

While some were run of the mill, there were several that were significant:

1. The Webers deny that their conduct in running Touch of Pink Cosmetics contituted, and continues to constitute “passing off.”

Mary Kay Inc. claims that Touch of Pink Cosmetics confused or deceived customers into thinking that they were affiliated with Mary Kay Inc.  Basically, “passing off” is an unfair competition theory that says a defendant is representing themselves in a way that the consumer wrongly believes that they are dealing with the plaintiff’s company.

Touch of Pink Cosmetics filed their response the the charges alleged by Mary Kay Inc. in their lawsuit filed May 7, 2008.

There aren’t any surprises in the response from owners Amy and Scott Weber. The Webers deny most of the allegations set forth by Mary Kay Inc. or state that they are “without sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations.”

Some Allegations That Touch of Pink Cosmetics Admits To:

1. That Amy Weber was previously a Mary Kay Consultant and that she was terminated by the company on September 17, 2005.

2. Scott and Amy Weber admit they advertise and sell Mary Kay products on the Touch of Pink website, but deny they are required to have the authorization of Mary Kay Inc. to do so. 

Your Name: Sara

Date Joined MK : October 2007

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active

Initial Inventory Purchased: $1800

How were you recruited?:

I was looking for someone who sold Mary Kay for years, and then I ran into someone on the train. She invited me to come to a Beauty Center, and I did. I loved the facial, loved the idea, and signed up.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

When I heard my Senior Director’s story about how much Mary Kay has changed her from being a tomboy to a soon-to-be-National Director. I could really relate to her experiences in childhood.

I received this email from a visitor named Kristen. I think you’ll find it entertaining. I did.

I found your site while looking for a place to complain . I just had my introduction to Mary Kay products trying the mineral makeups. I am NOT impressed!

I purchased a new mineral eyeshadow, and when I opened it to excitedly use my new shade, I find a PUNY portion in a VERY MISLEADINGLY sized container! PLUS, the eyeshadow is not made to adhere within the container. There is NOTHING to hold it in!!! I suppose you’re supposed to remove it and use it for their new compact. I find this a CHEAP marketing ploy. I don’t WANT to buy that compact, and now I have my insultingly small eyeshadow fall out EVERY freaking time I open it. I just know one day it is going to fly out of that stupid container, hit my wall, and shatter all over my carpet- and I want to send Mary Kay my carpet cleaning bill!! Either that or I need to get better at catch…