http://www.pinktruth.com

When Mary Kay recently announced a national contest encouraging consultants and directors to hold skin care classes, I felt hope. I am an eternal optimist, even while railing on the destructiveness of multi-level marketing. Could "Party With a Purpose" be a step in the right direction?

My heart and soul just will not let me believe that all in Mary Kay are corrupt. I tend to believe that there are many at Corp and some in the sales force that just grieve what has happened to this company. I actually believe some insiders want to find a way for consultants to have fun, make money, and not be manipulated into the staggering debt that ultimately happens if they “stay plugged in”.

Now these people are also in denial, let me make that statement plain. In their hearts, they are clinging to a simpler time, with simpler values and less greed. In their naiveté, they actually will not consider that Mary Kay was at its core, a system that guaranteed corruption. 

The 5 million parties contest is a show to take the focus off ordering and recruiting alone, and put it onto face to face selling that could legitimize the “Mary Kay opportunity” while also holding the FTC dogs at bay. Above all things, Mary Kay fears the “full disclosure” legislation that surfaces from time to time (for the Direct Selling Industry) because they know it will drop the last nail in Mar’s coffin.

You think I am exaggerating. I assure you I am not. If prospects knew what the actual numbers are in this business they would hightail it to the hills. It was the “actual numbers” that finally got the scales to fall from my eyes and it was a profound moment. Real numbers and real facts will reveal the exaggerated claims (also called lying) of the Upper Tier Sales leadership and real facts and numbers will also kill recruiting.

When Mary Kay can point to 5 million parties held, it will appear that actual retail sales are indeed happening, as opposed to just credit card charging. But there’s a problem. Home parties as the vehicle for producing retail sales are just about dead.

Let me refer to an earlier article I wrote for Pink Truth:  

“I was in a “service providing” establishment with a few other women. One lady got to talking about the “jewelry” party she was invited to, and I kept quiet, trying to get a “feel” for the temperature of yet another home party mlm. The ladies began to chime in, and the comments made me want to sink into a hole.  

Once again, I found myself coming face to face with something I had either denied or never thought of concerning our MK world. The woman speaking shared how she was “baited” into coming to this friends house by her friend who shared that “she must come and see so and so’s new home...it is just beautiful…she doesn’t have to buy anything, just come and see it….”

The remarks that followed made my stomach turn. The woman sharing, (we’ll call her Sue) went on to say, “She never has even visited my home, and she wants me to come see another friend of hers home and do this overpriced jewelry thing…”. Another woman said, “Oh she doesn’t want you to see her home, she probably promised her friend that she would get some guests there and she figures she’ll use something that will work on you…you probably like fancy houses?”

“Yes, I do check out models from time to time…So you mean she is just manipulating me to be there at the party, not being thoughtless?” Sue smiled as if she couldn’t figure out which was worse.

“Oh yea, that’s what they do. No one wants to go to those party things…the purse one is outrageous! So they have to guilt you into coming or bait you into coming, and you go and of course you have to buy so she can get her free stuff. I paid $75 for a purse that is just cheap…and I could kick myself”

Another woman spoke up.

  “I have a friend who holds every kind of party all the time. She said to me, ‘Why don’t you come over…I never see you, have some fun and talk and just relax.’ And you know what I said to her? Why don’t you ever invite me over without the party thing, when nobody can talk much to each other anyway? If she misses seeing me, why does she only think of me to be at the party where I have to come and buy the cheapest thing I can find and she gets free stuff for doing it?”  

“I just hate being asked to go, but if you go… then they ask you to hold one too, and I just tell them that I don’t want to put my friends in that position.”

“The stuff is always over priced, and for the most part cheaply made for the price they want, but that isn’t the worst part. Once you are on the mailing list, you will be bugged to join up and sell.”

A collective groan went up from the group. I said nothing, except, “All Multi-level product pyramids are the same, and you would be wise to stay away from them.”

I couldn’t say anymore. I couldn’t say “I speak from insider experience…I can tell you what is really going on and how much money is lost, and how manipulative they are and how cultish they behave.” I couldn’t speak because once again I was left in a deep sadness and awareness of how blind I had been, how much I fantasized that booking with me was what someone wanted to do-not something I manipulated them into with any number of bogus challenges and contests. I “positively affirmed” they loved working with me, and I know many of them did once I was there, but that doesn’t change that most likely they secretly dreaded the fact that I put them in that position to be unable to deny me.

One big manipulation. What Mary Kay hides from is that few “parties” are booked, and even less are held. Because they deny that the core of the mlm system is corrupt, they must convince themselves that the underlying premise is do-able thereby convincing the FTC that they are not a product based pyramid that relies primarily on recruiting and frontloading.

But not really.

If they really wanted actual numbers, to track the parties held, they wouldn’t be using an unverified login system on Intouch. This is what’s called “between a rock and a hard place”. The few remaining sales development employees with a conscience want to push parties held, while corporate management doesn’t want one bit of truth glaring them in the eyeballs.

How do they restore “integrity” and actual results while denying the actual results that will prove how pathetic multi level direct sales really are? You’d have to be willing to admit that your money comes in on the credit cards of consultants starting up, DIQ’s and Car Drivers trying to keep them, and Directors staying “in”. None of which has much to do with consistent sales to consumers, as in “parties”.

But Mary Kay can’t admit that. That would bring down the FTC, which would demand full disclosure, and that bugaboo, “truth” would put a screaming halt to recruiting.

If Mary Kay’s claims were true, that IBC’s can make easy money from products that “fly off the shelves” by doing home parties, then turnover would not be 60%, and Units would not be in a desperate quest to constantly recruit just to stay dead even.  

Denial reigns! This should be the new slogan of the 5 million party’s campaign, because one of the key sales development rules is “inspect what you expect”. No one is inspecting any info on the parties being held. Log in whatever you like. No one will ask, no proof required. One would think that numbers tracked for such an important contest, should come through the Sales Director and would give her an opportunity to follow up and connect with possible new team members.

No, ironically it is an “honors system”, if you can stand the hypocrisy.

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Wiser now   |2009-10-08 06:02:55 This was sent this morning. Looks to me like they are trying to come up with a way to explain all the bogus parties that are being logged since the number continues to grow by the thousands each day: Customers Count! Update As you probably remember, during the 2008-2009 Customers Count! Challenge, if your customer made more than one purchase of at least $100 retail during the contest period, you could count her on your tracking sheet each time such a sale was made. It has come to our attention that due to a minor error, in the current 2009-2010 contest period, customers who placed more than one $100 retail order were not being counted more than once. As of today, we’ll revert back to last year’s tracking system, counting customers multiple times if they place more than one $100 retail order during the contest period. We’ll also count retroactively all customers who placed multiple orders during the first quarter of the 2009-2010 Customers Count! Challenge (July 1 – Sept. 15, 2009). Of course, one of the easiest ways to build your loyal customer base is by holding more parties. With the holiday season just around the corner, a fabulous fall/holiday lineup of products to share and more women than ever interested in the Mary Kay opportunity, you’ve never had a better reason to reach out to your hostesses and get those parties on the books. Just don’t forget to log them in!

The Artist   |2009-10-08 06:04:42 We've stated it so many times and in so many different ways - MK is using a completely outdated system and needs to revamp and join the new millenium where people order online and enjoy it. Inventory is not necessary these days, when a product can be ordered and mailed in as little as a day. And the prices need to reflect the value of these products. They are not worth more than the wholesale cost, and can easily be purchased at that price online if you're the least bit savvy. They have their work cut out for them if they want to be anything more than a scammy bait and switch beauty company!!

vintagegold   |2009-10-08 07:03:31 If they really cared about consultants building a viable business, there wouldn't be ordering "quotas" in order to make a profit, ordering "quotas" to remain a Director and keep your unit, ordering "quotas" to drive a car, and ordering "quotas" to get prizes. Woman hate parties because they know they will be pressured to buy something and some women don't attend parties because they don't want to dissapoint their friends. The "party" system doesn't work. No matter how much you "bee-lieve" in your dream, the only way to be successful in Mary Kay is to convince hundreds, even thousands of women to sign up and place large inventory orders. You must deceive yourself into thinking you are "doing good" and "enriching lives" because manipulating women into large initial inventory orders goes against most of our morals, but when you are a Director and you only need 2 more women at month's end to come in with a $600.00 each, desperation overrides our morals.

pinkpeace   |2009-10-08 07:49:26 A small aside - any other old-timers notice how MK has abandoned the concept of "skin care classes" in favor of "parties". They took themselves so seriously: "We don't do parties. We educate women about skin care and hygiene, then give them valuable instruction in makeup application techniques." (They tried to make it sound like a graduate-level seminar or something.) Skin care class, party, consultation, workshop - whatever you call it, it's the same tired business model that began falling apart in the '80s and continues to disintegrate.

recoveringmkaddict   |2009-10-08 09:31:58 When I was a Director training Consultants, I would tell them that I built a decent customer base by holding one-on-one appointments. I really didn't like doing classes, shows, whatever, because there was an increased chance of being heckled and treated rudely by attendees. It was a distracting and unproductive appointment in my opinion. I would tell Consultants never to use the word "party" because it conjured up images of inviting many, cleaning, baking and getting the family out of the house. It stacked the odds against the Consultant to get with the potential customer for any kind of time to show the products. In twelve years, I can count on my one hand (with fingers left over) the number of times I had the perfect hostess who had a highly successful skin care class. It was apparent to me at the very beginning that this was a near-impossible way to promote products. Also, I was not a "lazy" worker. I made lots and lots of calls over the years, really followed up and followed through. If that much effort can be put forth with nothing but a deficit to show for it, this business really doesn't work the way it's professed to be.

onelessSD   |2009-10-08 09:55:47 recovering - I too hate parties. The whole process of gathering up all the supplies, enough product for people (and you know you always forget something that they'll want!) schlepping all the stuff in and out of their house, and it NEVER was less than 2 hours - always more- because you have to keep them ontrack and NOT talking to each other! I prefer the one-to-one method and found my customers do to. What I find so disingenuous about this "party with a purpose" or the goal of 5 million parties - is just like we as past directors used to put goals in the mouths of our consultants - MKC is putting this goal in the mouths of their sales force. It's about MKC, not about the sales force. It's all about MKC looking good- not the sales force. It just irks me to no end that manipulation is huge- (what about the consultant who works better doing on-to-ones, who really loves her customers and does right by them?? - if she doesn't do parties- no recognition.) How does that build her up? It doesn't. Personally, I hate going to ANY "party" like these - my time is too valuable to spend with a bunch of other women I may or may not know and listen to some sales pitch I could probably recite in my sleep anyways - just insert different company name.

thinkpinkagain?   |2009-10-08 11:50:21 The at home party is so outdated it makes my teeth hurt. It worked 30 years ago, there's no reason for it now.

The Scribbler   |2009-10-08 11:54:19 "Why don’t you ever invite me over without the party thing...?” I'm in a womens' Bible study group and was recently voted the "Play Coordinator," the go-to individual in charge of arranging our "girlfriend time" get-togethers.  Yesterday this group tradeoff took place: "Hey, XXXX is a "scrapbook demonstrator," one woman piped up. "Maybe we could all get together and XXXX could all teach up how to scrapbook!" The "demonstrator" looked insanely pleased. "Oh hell, here we go," I thought. As far as I am concerned, Bible studies and MLMs cannot co-exist. I welcome the fellowship of other faith-minded women, but that fellowship cannot be pure if there is an MLM ulterior motive grafted onto it, be it Mary Kay, Creative Memories, Stampin' Up, or Amway.   "Well, for those who know me, I like to dream bigger than that," I replied. "So here are my ideas..." Suggestions included a campfire weenie/S'more roast at the local pumpkin patch, a pre-Christmas wrapping lunch (you know, to finally wrap all those gifts you keep hiding in the trunk of your car), or a limo ride through the city to see Christmas lights on a grander scale, complete with hot cider and Christmas music.  I was pleased to see the group receive those prospects favorably. Shoot, I know I'd get excited over pressing gooey marshmallows and melty chocolate together on a crisp fall evening, as opposed to sitting 6 to a love seat in someone's basement and tolerating Fanny Fogged's attempts to convince me that I somehow lack friends, money, empowerment, and family time...but I can get all that if I sign up under her this very night!) MLMers far and near: Your friends want your COMPANY, not your CORPORATION.

onelessSD   |2009-10-08 12:13:31 that is so well said Scrib! My family and I have recently (last year or so) have switched to a new church - and I'm so reluctant to tell anyone about my mk status - just because I think it gets over abused (and I was there at my prior church) and that's not why I go to church! I love your suggestions on what to do with the girlfriend time - it totally supports the "let's just get together and have fun" without any outside expectations of other things. That's why my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving - no other agenda except sharing a meal with family and friends!

noMKBShere   |2009-10-08 12:37:08 I do, pinkpeace. Granted, I've been out of the loop for years, but I've been wondering as I'm reading for about a month now when it all of a sudden became "hip" to call a skin care class a "party" again. I joined in 1995 and woe to anyone in those days that referred to a scc as a party! Just goes to show you how many gimmicks they need to stay afloat. The fact is, if the product or the "opportunity" was that great they wouldn't need to change their tune so often. The "texting to recuit" thing is just the latest.

Post_It_Note_Dutchess   |2009-10-08 18:38:42 Interesting Thought: Any one here big into "Harry Potter"? If so, watch "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". The defense against the dark arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge, looks like she'd be a wicked NDS. Type in her name on Youtube.com and watch in amazement.

Post_It_Note_Dutchess   |2009-10-08 18:39:58 Oops... I meant NSD. Sorry, still in shock over the realization. I wonder if the Kay Bots worship her also?

pinkpiddlin   |2009-10-08 21:03:32 Hi all....As I often say, "back in the day" (I was in MK from 1977-200 we were told that if we had 3 orders (from single or double facials) we could add them all together and call it a class. So if Susie had a facial on Monday and Jane and Julie had a facial on Wednesday, that was 3 people and that constituted a Skin Care Class and could be listed as such on my WAS. I am sure this is one of the ways they are getting thousands of new "parties" a day... Another good idea for a girlfriend get-together....In the early to mid 70"s I lived in a neighborhood full of young mothers. A group of about 8 of us got together 2X a month and did a craft project. Each "meeting" someone would bring the supplies and teach us how to make a project and we would divide the cost and pay our share. It was fun. I learned to decopage, basket-weave, macrame (need to do this again as I am having difficulty finding 2 plant hangers like I want) and lots of other crafts. PP

pinkpiddlin   |2009-10-08 21:04:07 Yikes....1977-2008! Sheesh

noMKBShere   |2009-10-09 13:00:38 Ialwaysworry, I won't go into all the reasons why I wouldn't recommend joining Mary Kay because I'd be here for weeks listing it all. Keep reading this site; you'll find lots of good information. What I will say is this: If you don't personally use Mary Kay, and if you don't know LOTS of people who would be banging your door down for it, don't. You will find yourself in debt, and trying to figure out how you're going to get rid of all the junk. The fact is, most women turn tail and RUN from the Mary Kay lady. The products are nothing special, not easy to get rid of, and most of all it is NOT easy money.

noMKBShere   |2009-10-09 13:05:36 Ok. Ignore that post. I logged in and went to the wrong thread after reading a post. Maybe I'm dense but I can't see a way to edit the post.

ciavyn   |2009-10-09 14:49:28 Oy. I love this. See, I was always told, "Here in MK, we work on the honor system. The company trusts us to be honest about our sales and customers. So that is why the tracking systems are so lacking in security and integrity checks." Ah. Well, that makes so much sense. Of course, that only makes sense in a company run on the basis of integrity and straight-speaking. Something like MK that relies on manipulation and out and out lies to "prove" their viability...such unguarded systems only yield false results.

ciavyn   |2009-10-09 15:02:08 The interesting point of all this: today the number is at 118,422. So assuming that they get to 120,000 by the end of this month, they'll be at a whopping 360,000 by the end of June. A bit of a far cry from 5 million, eh?

onelessSD   |2009-10-09 15:45:05 Ciavyn - you've hit the nail on the head. In order for them to make their goal of 5 Million Parties - they are going to have to average 466K each and every month. Even if they cheat - they are a far cry from where they need to be. And the honor system only works when EVERYONE is honest. You make a great point!

raisinberry   |2009-10-10 19:32:30 You know, it is kinda weird that they would set a goal of 5 million...they had to know it was not even remotely possible...unless of course they are depending on that pretty predictable mary kay math that ALWAYS experiences a "miracle" at the last minute---the last hour!

vintagegold   |2009-10-10 23:03:59 Yes, we know they are going to pull together at the last minute and S-T-R-E-T-C-H to make this AMAZING goal happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! Bee-lieve!

laurie  - YOU JUST DON'T HAVE A DREAM   |2009-10-12 14:21:47 You need to re-evaluate your own goals and dreams because oviously you are so negative you can't get your thought process into the right mode. Mary Kay is not a get rich quick scam, it is hard work and dedication. It is about taking the focus off you and putting it on the people you are trying help feel good about themselves. I will keep you in my prayers.

dupedbypinkfriend   |2009-10-12 15:43:44 Thanks but no thanks. The ladies here speak from experience - their own experiences. Dreams are great if they are based in reality. It is not negative to cut your losses when you realize that you have bought into a business plan that is outdated, and the company has not moved into the 21st century, and won't allow you to, either. Some of these ladies have 30+ years experience in Mary Kay and you are lucky that they are sharing the nitty gritty with you. And you? How many decades have you been in Mary Kay? When your dream comes crashing down around you, remember, you heard it here first! And you will be welcome to come and soothe your soul.

Angelwoman   |2009-10-12 16:46:36 Being invited to a MK party or MK skin care class is not my idea of a good time. I will never go to any of these so called functions ever again in my life! Whether it is MK, Tupperware, Longaberger Baskets, Party Lite, Pampered Chef, etc. They are boring! Also, Mary Kay Ash was not Mother Teresa!

icanbecomesane   |2009-10-12 19:04:41 Hey Laurie, Since you're praying to the devil, kindly leave me out of your prayers.

Wiser now   |2009-10-13 11:20:50 Laurie- We all too had dreams, goals and worked and dedicated ourselves to the business. You are making emotional comments to people who have had many years of experience. For 15+ years I did this as a Sr. Director driving a car w/ a large unit. Are you a director with offspring driving free and have you been doing it for over 15+ years? If so, please share with us. If you haven't, please read a little more here before you continue to call us negative. I would be interested to hear what you say after being a director for 10 years. I made many, many women feel great about themselves like you have accused us of not doing. We all were like you at some point but it takes a while for some to understand how this company works. The truth about it hurts. Good luck to you.

Lazy Gardens   |2009-10-13 18:29:34 Why do my eyes keepseeing "Five Million PANTIES"?

dejay who   |2009-10-13 21:50:56 I bought Mary Kay products once before they ended up in the trash the stuff at the dollar store worked better boy was I about that $70.00 wasted and all I got out of it was acne

PUNKEDBYPINK   |2009-10-14 04:49:00 Lazy, because they are looking for that many "big girls" to fill them!

Hunney   |2009-10-14 11:56:21 How does having--or SAYING you had--all these parties benefit the IBC's? Especially when it's virtually impossible to hold one?! Or since people don't buy? The 5 million party thing struck me from the very beginning as #1: bogus, since there's no accountability and people can make up whatever they want, and #2: something that really only helps MK Corp. How depressing.

ttp   |2009-10-14 14:10:54 Lazy, Hunney wrote: "How does having--or SAYING you had--all these parties benefit the IBC's? Especially when it's virtually impossible to hold one?! Or since people don't buy?" They're doing damage control in part (or entirely) because of THIS site! When their accusers state the issues you mention Hunney, the company can turn around and say "Well, we do hold parties, the consultants are reporting them. We have a system in place to track them.  (This next sentence is my addition.) So therefore they must be making actual sales to end users too!" This way the consultants are at fault for reporting erroneous information, and the company wipes it's hands clean. We know what you're doing Mary Kay. We see right through the back-pedaling.

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