Pink Truth Community

I stumbled upon this site while trying to google some info on Mary Kay. I have recently joined Mary Kay and after reading things on this site I am not sure i made the best decision.

So much that is said,about the directors, the things they say to you, etc. is sooo true...but I just don't want to believe, because this is something that I really want to work for me! I love doing it....I love getting out and meeting new people, and so far love the girls in my unit. But......is it all fake?

After finding this site, I have now decided NOT to buy inventory, and just place orders as they come, Id rather pay the shipping then have tons of stuff stuck in my cupboards. Ive done really well with this so far, and only being in Mary Kay for a month, have made some nice "extra" cash.

But...Im being pushed to work harder, try to get this person and that to sign up also...and right now, Im working at my own pace,and lovingit!

I would really like to sit down with my director and tell her my choice about not having inventory, but what will happen then? Will I be shunned from meetings (which I love...for different reasons, I have 3 kiddos at home, and its a nice break each week Or will it be ok with her??)

I guess Im just asking for some advice....some words of wisdom and some pointers on how to make this work, without all the jazz they want me to do! Thanks so much!

Hello UkkaJ,
Everyone here at Pink Truth wanted to believe, wanted it to work out. Unfortunately, it only works for 1 out of 100 consultants.
You are very wise not to buy inventory. MK ships fast. I have never waited longer than 3 days to get my order. That's faster than any other party plan. There is also TOP, E-bay and Craig'slist if you don't want or need to put in a minimum $200 wholesale order.
If you recruit anyone, your Director will push them to come in with a HUGE inventory order. Whether they can afford it or not. Whether they can sell it or not.
Work at your own pace and enjoy your MK if you can.
Learn to say "No" to your Director. That will not stop her, but it may slow her down. Be firm.
Say No to Inventory.
Say No to Recruiting. Don't give your friends' names and numbers to your Director.
Continue to order just what you need and you should be alright.
If you haven't already, check out the Discussion Board. You will be amazed at all the strong, smart women who will do their best to help.
Post any questions or comments you have on the Discussion Board.
Good Luck! Look forward to hearing more from you.

[quote].I'm being pushed to work harder, try to get this person and that to sign up also...and right now, I'm working at my own pace,and loving it![/quote]

Your recruiter and/or director can't "promote herself" into a higher position, the way the literature claims. She has to persuade people like you to recruit to shove her up the ladder. She can't "write her own paycheck" ... she has to persuade you to order to get her commissions. As much as 26% of the money you send Mary Kay gets distributed to your upline. Yes, your orders are what supports the whole pyramid.

The money in selling is small: it's pin money. If that's all you need and want, tell her to bugger off.

Collect cash for the orders in advance, don't give huge discounts, and don't spend any money on the rah-rah stuff like conferences and such. You'll make pin money.

Say this, "This is MY consultant business, I'll run it to benefit me, not you. And if you keep bugging me, I'll quit and send the product back because it's not worth the harassment I'm getting." (I guarantee she'll back off)

[quote]I would really like to sit down with my director and tell her my choice about not having inventory, but what will happen then? Will I be shunned from meetings[/quote]

If you aren't helping her paychecks by placing big orders, she may fawn over others who do, and ignore you, giving you the big freeze.

She may call you on the carpet during the meeting for not "supporting the team". She may call you a "lazy looser", say you are letting your family down ... it might get real nasty, depending on her techniques.

Be prepared for this: using emotional control tactics is a powerful tool.

And ... don't EVER let her know your customers names and addresses. If you haven't recruited them, they are considered fair game by many directors. They justify it by saying you are doing enough for the customer if you don't "share the opportunity".

May I tell you that the information presented on Pink Truth is valid. The Mary Company is NOT the company it was when Mary Kay lived. In fact, I would strongly advise people to stay away from the false premise of this company. The costs of doing this business are high and most people make little money, in fact I would guess that most lose money. Stay away from Mary Kay!

Sounds like you have a story, lortsa. Feel free to share it on the discussion board.

I came across this site by accident. However I did take the time to read a lot of the blogs and found it all to be true. I got out and it is the best thing I could have ever done. Guess what? My director didn't try to stop me. I called got the form used the spreadsheet off of this web-site and should be receiving a check soon. I called today and I was told that I am getting back the amount of the spread sheet. I wished I had boxed all the product last year a month after I joined. What pissed me off about MK was my Director called me and asked me for $24 for a event I wasn't able to attend due to a family emergency. She stated you registered for it. I told her I did not register for anything I said I might attend the Master Consultant which is acutally a joke because I can take myself to lunch for less than $24 and eat better. I hated the unit I was in the meetings were boring and all our Director cared about was getting into NIQ. After 17 years with the company I think she would have made it sooner if she would have took the time to get to know the women in her unit. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE OUT OF THAT CULT!

Congratulations. When your blue check comes, be sure to go to the Home page and add the amount to the inventory returned total - right side of the home page. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted, doesn't it?

How can anyone maintain a unit now. I don't know anyone who pays full retail for Mary Kay products. I have been getting mine off EBAY for the longest and have not had a problem with any of it yet. I've gotten most of the items for less than 1/2 of the wholesale cost. So many consultants and directors are on Ebay just letting it go for next to nothing. I have even found some of the brand new stuff on there as soon as it comes out. Why would anybody pay full price?

Yikes! I just signed and received my starter kit, I want to keep the kit because I use the product. I just signed on last week, what do I have to do to quit? I appreciate your advice and am SO glad I found this site before I became an addict!

You probably don't need to do anything except just don't make any orders. Don't get a website. You'll go inactive soon enough.

Goodlife-

You do not need to do anything to quit - just never place an order on InTouch otherwise you'll have to wait 12 months to fall out of their system (it takes 12 months from when you ordered your kit or your last $200 wholesale order you'll fall out of the system).

I would make a suggestion though. Go to marykayintouch.com and enter your consultant ID and password. When you get to the home page go up to the 'profile' link and delete your email address & if you can your phone #. If you have to have a phone # in there then enter a fake one. This will keep your director from contacting you - the only way she will be able to do so is by mail.

Good luck!

And Goodlife, if you did place any inventory orders, simply refuse delivery when the UPS guy comes to drops them off.

Return to Sender, baby! And welcome to PT!

The good news is, I never placed an inventory order though my director really tried to pressure me into it last night on a conference call that lasted WAY too long, after a long day at the office and took time from my teen daughter! Deal breaker! I was supposed to go to a "Success Meeting" tonight to get "Pinned" and will not be attending that either. SO GLAD I found this site and SO glad I can just become inactive. I will definitely go on the site and remove my name and number! Thanks for the warm welcome! Also shopped on Touch of Pink and found everything I needed for so much less! THanks so much! Glad to be part of this community!

Call MK Corporate and tell them you are cancelling your contract and that you want your consultant number terminated. It has happened that SD's needing recruits re-activate you as a consultant without your knowledge or consent so they can make their recruiting numbers. Get the number cancelled and this can never happen to you. Good luck.

Hello. So I hadn't even unpacked my inventory when my father found this site. Him and my husband were against me signing up but of course I did not listen. Once I read the stories on this site I was convinced this was not a wise choice. I have recieved the form to return my inventory my question is will I get reimbursed for the "free gifts" that I got. Such as 4 mini eye makeup removers and my "personal color kit"?
Also is true now that I opened my 100 dollar kit it's worthless?

I have been reading this site for some time now. It has given me such validation. I thought I was going crazy with the thoughts I had about the meetings....the subtle comments made and half truths, which are no truths!

I wonder if Mary Kay herself would be happy with the way things are being done. I think the use of the credit card has been cause of all the heartache. When MKA started this company, orders were mailed or phoned in--no instant internet. Classes were really held. It took a long time for the SDs to become NSDs. They actually worked the business. Not many became NSDs in 3 years.....have to be suspect about those that worked it so quickly. I fell for the hoopla, I really wanted to have my own business, work my own hours, etc. My SD would get so mad at the meetings when several of us would not stand up and committ to wanting to be SDs! I didnt not like the hours I saw the directors putting in to all the meetings, breakfasts, special events, etc,etc. I am SORELIEVED to be FREE!!!
Thank you to all who have writen in...you have brought much affirmation to so many, esp ME!!!

Hey,

I am a part time MK seller so for those of you who don't want to sell it but still want to use the product I will give you a discount which will help me keep my minimum quarterly order.

Hello. I have inventory to send back..but I am worried about the cost of shipping and how long it will take to get my check. I've put a note in the box along with my inventory list and signed form they sent me BEGGING (literally) for quick turn around of my check as my husband is in a wheelchair and I have four kids at home...
Can anyone tell me how long (on average) it takes to get a check and how much shipping is? I have three boxes to send back..that probably weigh 10 each.

I actually found this website because I was wondering if there was a blog for people to cope with their friends who are Mary Kay "consultants". I have such a friend and it's annoying that our social functions have turned into MK sales opportunities with at least a mention of MK meetings, distribution of brochures, samples of products, facial opportunities, etc.

I started MK about 11 years ago and quit MK about 8 years ago. Until I threw most of it away last year, I STILL had MK inventory left. WHY? I bought into the guilt/dream/whatever and bought the highest level of inventory purchase (I've been out long enough not to remember, but there was a special name). AND the company kept discontinuing and replacing product lines during my brief tenure, I was left with obsolete inventory. I'm sure they still do the same. In their defense, why not?

My sales manager was always telling me how there was a Harvard MBA grad doing MK instead of getting a job in corporate America. That gal musn't have listened in the classes on inventory management and control (and I forgot I'd these lessons myself til after I was sitting on my office floor one day with all my inventory and then I remembered!). The goal of every business should be to maximize cash and liquidity by minimizing inventory. A best practice is to purchase inventory "as needed" not as storage. In MK, you are encouraged to do just the opposite. If you think about it, MK's cash flow is just the opposite of the consultant's, which is why there are so many stories on this blog about people using their credit cards to buy massive amounts of inventory.

My point of looking on this website was to see if I could find a support group for how to quickly silence MK inquiries ("did you want any MK"? ...) at every social function I attend with this friend and if possible to never have these MK inquiries again. Instead of relaxing with friends, I feel as if I have to be on the defensive. I own a small business and have never pushed my products to my friends especially in social settings. Would something like "Joanie, we appreciate spending time with you, but in all honesty, your pushing MK at our get togethers is making people uncomfortable. If you'd like to show people your products, why don't you set up a sales meeting with them? We just want to have fun." Is there a phrase from the MK handbook to let a consultant know that no means no? and she doesn't need to ask every time? and we don't want her to be selling us stuff while we are trying to eat and drink? and we don't want to be manipulated into contrived demonstrations masquerading as dinner parties?

Any ideas are appreciated! I don't want to hurt my friend but there are better, less expensive products out there than MK and if she needs an extra $10 I'd rather give her that than buy a beauty product that will sit unused.

First I want to say thank you to Pink Truth. My wife and I joined MK not to long ago. I have to say from some of the people I talked to,and google, This site is right on.
We are having an easy time make some pin cash though. We only buy 200 dollars wholesale in product at time to keep the most common stuff and the stuff my wife, family, and friends use. The other stuff we need we buy from our heavely stocked upline at a 40% discount to help them with their production quota. Ive been in the marketing field for a long time and consider myself a marketing guru. MK is really an outlet for me to sell and market our own product. That's where we make the real money. With the Tax Write Offs we'll take from MK our profits should even increase. Our director lives in another state and I told her to Buz off and don't bother me. The biggist piece of advice I can give anyone that is interested or just starting is DON'T,DON'T,DONT.
But if you must try it Start Very Small
and Don't Take The Criticism Personal, Get some thick skin, have fun and try to at least brake even each month.

I just lost my full time job. I sold Mary kay but I'm looking for something dependable. Does anyone know anything about partylite? I might join them. Please help I need to keep my baby fed, and I have an opportunity to join partylite, and I don't want this to happen to me ever again.

sam...multi-levels are designed to enhance only the first ones in, and the few late comers that can BS a storm and could care less who gets damaged by the association. Is that you?

If it is not you, then get any job you can, that does not require you to lie to people and use your own money to make a pretend profit. Partylite is NOT it.

Whoa! What??? I just stunbled upon this website today. I was trying to conduct research before making the decision to join MK. So, I met this woman and she was driving a huge pink SUV. My first thought was ...Oh yea! I am the one who actually did the approaching. I called her and fired off a bunch of questions. She told me she brings in $14,000 in monthly commission each month. She quit her job 3 years ago and never looked back.

She sent me a link (MK application). Geese Louise. My plan was to do my research and then fill out the app. She said once I completed the app she would sit with me and explain how it works. After being on THIS website for 10 minutes, I have made my decision. There is no way in H-E-double toothpicks am I going to throw away my hard earned Benjamins, nor will I join a Cult! There's far too much negative, yet seemingly genuine feedback and advice on this website, in comparison the pipe dream presentation I received from this woman. I had a really good job until the economic downturn hit. I think it would be in my best interest to work even harder at obtaining a REAL job. In the long run it would be a less stressful experience, and I won't lose the little bit of money I currently have. I may be damn near desperate, but I'm not STUPID! Thank you Ladies for all of the intersting and informative feedback you have posted on this site. I look forward to telling this woman to go and fly a kite.

1stdibbs ... Thank you.

It's nice to know it's having an effect.

The $14,000 in commissions the woman claimed was:
1 - Before expenses
2 - Before "chargebacks"
3 - Taken from the savings accounts of women like you who didn't take the time to research.

As for her "not looking back", she's running as fast as she can to stay on her crumbling empire.

1st, I am right behind Lazy in thanking you, and I am thrilled that someone (you) avoided the MK pitfall.

I became a consultant on April 21, 2009 because a good friend of mine had just joined. I was very leary about it because I was unemployed. My friend was very excited about becoming a consultant and so I went to one of her training classes. I felt amazing right away. Like all of these woman were just too awesome.

That actually changed. I found that these woman praise Mary Kay like an idol.
"Faith, Family, Career." I am sure she was a lovely lady. But the way they praise her and seriously idolize her freaks me out. My Director is a wonderful woman, but she is all about who is making the most money. She gives out these little "sales ribbons", which I am sure she gets from MK. She also gives her "I" story, and how "Mary Kay has changed her life, as well as her children."

She pushes the inventory order a little much. And her meetings are only about recruiting. My friend who is unemployed now is not doing well with her MK business. She actually spent over $600 on an inventory order and has not really sold anything.

The woman just want the money. I personally joined for the benefit of wearing the cosmetics for cheap and to gain friends.

I would like to say that they treat MK like a religion. They idolize the principals and ideas of this woman. My director has said her highest monthly check was around I think $9,000.00.

So I would like to say this.

She has been with MK for 14 years. Of course if you and I have been with a company for 14 years you may make that same amount. My best friend's dad works for Procter & Gamble. I believe he has been with them for 10 years. He makes over $14,000 a month. I know this because I saw his work check deposit on his bank statement. (My friend and I got a little nosey one night.) Now, he quit school in 8th grade. So this man who doesn't even have a high school education makes over $14,000.00 in 10 years. *Now that is what real hard work is about. From working in the factory to taking trips all over the world for your job and making a $7500 pay check every two weeks.

My director, like I said only make approx. $5,000 a month selling cosmetics for 14 years.

They are perks. If you take "vision" and go with it, you also can make the $9,000 every 6 months.

I don't think Mary Kay would appreciate the way woman are being treated by the others in her business.
It's,
Sell, Sell, Sell, Recruit, Recruit, Recruit.

I myself may not always like working in corporate America, but I can say that some day I will more proud to tell my children to got an education, worked hard to get where I am versus just selling cosmetics without any education.

I am not trying to sound mean. And Mary Kay does give woman and men the chance to change their lives, but it also brainwashes them into thinking that the only way that can succeed is if they make money.

"Success isn't measured by your bank account, but how many accomplishments you have in your life." -JC-

So to conclude this entry, I don't believe becoming a consultant is worth the $115.85. I may not have spent a whole bunch of money on inventory, but I did spend money on supplies.

Also, if you mention this site to anyone in Mary Kay they will tell you to ignore it. That this site is horrible. That is what I did. Until now.
I would also like to point out. That if MK changes woman's lives to become better more positive woman, then why is there a lady in my unit who announced at seminar that she has been cheating on her husband for 13 years???? And yes my director says, "And MK is there for us in tough times." MK does not answer prayer or bring miracles. MK brings more debt then we bargain for.

sorry people i did not reread what i wrote. So forgive me for the mispellings and missed words.

1stdibbs...welcome and glad you avoided the snare. Like Lazy mentions, there are details omitted from the Director's sales pitch. One of them is likely that she ONCE made 14K a month in commissions...a figure she could only reach if her unit did $60,000 in production in one month. Just for fun, off handedly ask her what her Unit's average WHOLESALE production is. She won't expect that and when she throws out 16,000 to 25,000...you will see how easily they spin(lie)about their so called commissions. Its also likely she's paying for her SUV as well, through co-pay deductions removed from her check.

I just wanted to say that I am happy to have found this site. I was approached by a friend from church about becoming a consultant. It started out with just an invitation to a makeover. I bought some products (which now I feel guilty about because I spent so much - although I do like the products. ) But now I feel horrible because I gave this lady some of my friends' names and numbers and I just wish I could get them back. I don't want to destroy friendships over this. Does anyone know of anything I can do? Is there any way to get her to not call these people and tell them I gave her their names and numbers?

Bonkers
Oh, she will call those people even if you ask her not to. You may want to call them yourself, give them a heads up quickly and also apologize for giving their name and number out.

If you do not mind me asking.....did you get some kind of discount or something free for giving out those names and numbers?
NOTE: I just want to point out how easy it is to get caught up in the moment, of all of their hype, meanwhile something you did and thought was so innocent, turned on you in a matter of seconds. That's how the whole entire journey is with MK. Now you feel bad and guilty for what you did.
I'm not trying to make you feel awful. I just want you to know that's what they do to everyone, all of the time. You just got a very small taste of it. It doesn't feel very good, does it? I'm sorry that you were even subjected to those con artists. Please know that this has happened to many, many people. Now please hurry and prevent this from happening to your friends/family whose numbers you gave out. Okay.

pinkpunch,

Thanks. Actually we were supposed to get $10 off for giving her 5 names. (There were 2 of us there.) I've already told at least 1 person that I gave her name out and she laughed. I'm hoping it won't be too bad. And we didn't even get the $10 off with this order. She said she'll save it for the next event we go to - we were supposed to go to one Tuesday, but ended up not going. I just feel stupid because I know that just means I have to spend more money to get my $10 off. I feel really stupid. I'm trying to make myself feel better by saying I like the products, which I really do, I just would never have paid that much for that stuff in a store!!!! And now she keeps trying to get me to be a consultant. My last email to her explicitly said I don't want to, so we'll see what happens next.

[quote] I've already told at least 1 person that I gave her name out and she laughed. I'm hoping it won't be too bad. [/quote]
Please make sure that you tell them to just say "No and do not bother me EVER again." You have to be firm and clear with these people.
[quote]And we didn't even get the $10 off with this order. She said she'll save it for the next event we go to - we were supposed to go to one Tuesday, but ended up not going.[/quote]
Okay good, you didn't go. This was just one more lure and tactic to subject you to the cult. They are trying to get you to drink the pink kool-aide and join. Good for you! Stay far, far away. Just the fact that you express how much you like the product, they are just waiting to jump all over you. I hate to tell you this but they also, probably, already know your hot buttons and are waiting to use them on you the next time they get you in their presents. If they figure out that you will not be returning, then the next step for this consultant is to ask you to "help her out with her business." She will tell you that she's trying to move up in her business and is learning to do interviews. She will ask you to please do a "practice" interview with her and her Sales Director on the phone. It's not a practice interview at all. THEY, will be trying to recruit you, once again. Remember, her Sales Director is trained to get you to say "yes" no matter what obstacle you throw out there. Do not do the interview, just say "No". She will try to guilt you into doing it by saying it would help her out a lot.
[quote]I just would never have paid that much for that stuff in a store!!!! [/quote]
If you would like, you can ask many gals on here what they have switched to, on the products that you like so much. There's a lot out there that is cheaper and just as good, if not better.
[quote]And now she keeps trying to get me to be a consultant. My last email to her explicitly said I don't want to, so we'll see what happens next.
[/quote]
She will continue to bother you until you demand to be left alone. She is or is being trained to not take "No" for an answer.

Hope this helps. Keep in touch, okay.

pinkpunch,

Thank you for all of your kind words and advice. I truly enjoy this site. My initial problem was that at the initial makeover we went to, (which was fun) I just casually mentioned that the extra income would be nice. HUGE mistake!!! As I now realize they jumped all over that so that I am where I am now. I honestly have a career that I love and have no intention of leaving. I do have a hectic schedule, which was my initial excuse as to why I didn't want to get involved. So, of course, the plan of attack has evolved to "Let's get together to see how Mary Kay can fit into your schedule." I just feel bad because I know this person from church and outside of this association she seems like a very nice and very Christian woman.

Do current Mary Kay consultants (not looking to get out) visit this site to see what we are saying about them?

[quote]I do have a hectic schedule, which was my initial excuse as to why I didn't want to get involved. So, of course, the plan of attack has evolved to "Let's get together to see how Mary Kay can fit into your schedule."[/quote]
Bingo! That's tactic #1 to overcoming "your' objection. Next, they would ask you to map out your week, day by day. Then, see how many 2 hour segments you have in your week. They would make it sound soooo easy to fit MK into those slots, meanwhile, leaving out very important info and also using a lot of deception and half truths. For example, they point out 2 hour time slots out of your week, but they leave out that you must have the time to preprofile each guest coming to the skin care class, check and pack your bags properly, drive there (amount of time???), do the class which really takes about 3 sometimes 4 hours, and drive home. Now does that sound like 2 hours of your day to you? They sure made it sound easy, though. :s
[quote]I just feel bad because I know this person from church and outside of this association she seems like a very nice and very Christian woman.
[/quote]
bonkers, most of them are nice and they "think" (b/c they are brainwashed) that they are doing something good. If you really feel bad for her you will be doing her a favor by pointing her in the PT website direction. If she treats you differently, after that, then she wasn't as nice and Christian like as you thought that she was.
You will see for yourself, first hand, how they come off soooo very sweet until you question or disagree with anything that has to do with MK. Then the claws and fangs come out!
[quote]Do current Mary Kay consultants (not looking to get out) visit this site to see what we are saying about them?[/quote]
That's a tough question to anwser b/c some do and some don't. The company and their SD's firmly TELL them to never come here or anywhere else that has negative things to say about MK. A lot of the consultants that are already very brainwashed will never disobey that rule. That's part of the "Cult" tactic, called "information control". Some come on here to fight(but they'll never tell their SD b/c they did a very, very bad and naughty thing :s ) and some come on here b/c their gut has been telling them that something stinks in MK and they want to investigate what we have to say, for themself. Those women usually get their gut feelings anwsered right here. When they post for the first time it usually starts with, basically, something like... "I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT, I JUST KNEW IT ALL ALONG!!"

LOL!! I really like this site. And thanks for the advice on their next tactic. Forewarned is forearmed!

I was just worried about the consultant I know coming here and seeing what I'm writing about her. Not that I've given any identifying information.

And when I was just lurking on this site I actually toyed with the idea of giving her this website. I think she said she's been with MK 20+ years, though - not sure if it would make a difference.

You never know, bonkers (good name, btw - I think we all did that when we were in MK!), many of our members had 20+ years into the madness before finding their way here. And they are really valuable members.

I was so close to getting into DIQ and it's like out of no where I woke up and decide that this is not a real career. There is no stability and I've been brainwashed for 4 years and for 4 years I wasn't satisfied with any of my JOBS because I was wishing I could be working my MK business full time... I was sooo blind but now I feel free.. free to be normal and free to think for myself. Now I realize that it's okay to work for someone else! I don't have to feel mediocre or like a total loser. And I don't have to confuse God with Mary Kay Corp. which is something that happened to me often. Career is always gonna be first when someone mixes the company with God because according to them, God wants us to recruit and sell makeup. Just b/c Mary Kay was a Christian, the company is annointed or something?? Give me a break! I can finally focus on a real career now instead of thinking about how the "pink bubble" is better. Has anyone here had the same feelings?

Hi back. Yes, I had the same feelings as well. Looking back over my 4+ years in MK, I had SO MANY red flags. I consider myself pretty "street wise", but for some reason couldn't see through the B.S. I am so thankful for this site for so many reasons, but mostly because I don't feel so alone. Reading stories from others, I know my situation, unfortunately, is not unique. If we can help just one person at a time, it's worth it!

i joined mk 6 months ago, thankfully i had no extra money and could not place an inventory order. my sd suggested having parties and raising the money. in 2 months i sold over $1200 but never saw a profit because I felt pressured into ordering more. i was a star consultant my first quarter and loved it! the second quarter t and even i worked my behind off with parties and facials and phone calls and fair booths but i did not make star and was made to feel terrible about it. i loved mary kay in the beginning but i am feeling down now. when i talked to my sd about it she talks to me like she is reading a script she has an answer for everything and i am sick of it.

I was a consultant for 18 years and a SSD for 8 of those, resigning my unit 8 years ago. Are there sites like this for other direct sales companies like candles or kitchenware? Or is this site unique to MK because of the ability to stock inventory?

"I was approached by a friend from church about becoming a consultant."

"I just feel bad because I know this person from church and outside of this association she seems like a very nice and very Christian woman."

Given what Mary Kay career path climbers have to do each and every day in order to get promoted, I am quite cemented in the view that Christian women cannot walk the Mary Kay career path without damaging their walk with Christ on some level.

In the November 2007 issue of Applause magazine, there's an article which introduces us to an ESSD Harrison, who also happens to be a pastor's wife. Check out this quote:

"...this pastor's wife stepped into a pink world, and once exposed to Mary Kay's positive philosophies, she saw herself in a whole new light."

STOP.

This is a pastor's wife. And as a pastor's wife, she undoubtedly counsels and teaches many seekers (especially women) about the Light that is Jesus Christ. She would also teach others to how see themselves as Christ sees them, per the Bible's guidance.

How frightening is it to read this account where Harrison gushes that she now sees herself in a whole new light thanks to Mary Kay? It's as if Harrison is saying that the Light of Christ just wasn't positive enough, and that Mary Kay did so much more for her than God ever could.

Friends (and especially any Christians reading here today), this should trouble you right down to your socks.

Harrison bubbles on about the importance of "abundance mentality" and stresses the importance of listening to the CDs of top leaders each day. So let's fast-forward two years later. Has the light of Mary Kay taken Harrison to NSD heights?

Harrison's website lists her as an SSD, which is down TWO ranks from ESSD.

I pray that this fall has helped Harrison draw closer to the Son; the Light that ever trumps the cheap and harsh glare of Mary Kay Cosmetics.

I'll be honest. In my searches for Mary Kay, this site always comes up. And I think your are all the saddest group I can imagine.

I am sorry on behalf of the Mary Kay consultant or director who must have really hurt you somehow.

It seems your mission is "support one another in leaving Mary Kay and living their lives outside of Mary Kay." But really, after years of coming across this site....I have observed your mission is to blame others for your unwillingness to run your own businesses, to take responsibility for your own lives. Instead, you come here to join the blame game and make Mary Kay out to be some evil conspiracy out to get you. What don't you understand? You buy something for $1 you sell it for $2. How is that a scam? If you don't learn to manage your money and take a profit, that is your failure, not the company's...not your directors...not your NSD's. If you're not meant to be an entrepreneur...or not willing to grow into one..that is fine.

Also...I find it interesting that if someone you know is doing Mary Kay and offers you a facial...that you're so incredibly offended. If you don't want a facial, you don't have to get one. If you don't want to purchase Mary Kay products, feel free to purchase other products. There's nothing scam like about it...if I tell you I'm in a challenge to complete 30 faces, you're right...because this is my business and I always have a goal to introduce the product to 30 new people every month. It's not a scam, it's a genuine offer you can choose to take advantage of or not.

I find it fascinating that one has to register here to participate...and in fact, I'll be amazed if my post isn't moderated and then shut out because I am on the "other side".Your mission to "help people leave MK"...is weird. How is that a mission? Wouldn't your time be better suited actually helping people who need help, like women in domestic violence shelters or orphans or something? If I wanted to leave Mary Kay and go back to my previous career, I could easily do that. I am an adult who can make my own choices. I'm not in a cult that gives me some kind of ultimatum. My Mary Kay sisters (and brothers) would support my decision of whatever I thought was best for my life. Either way, I'm a better person, stronger and more solid, for having been in Mary Kay. I've learned self discipline, money management and how to over come personal challenges.

But seriously, folks. If you don't want to do Mary Kay...that's just fine, go live your lives. No one cares. It's your life. Why do you come here and just bash on others? Go get a job. Go do something new. It wasn't for you. And that's OK. But for some of us, it is for us. We're doing it! We're making it! We love our customers, our products, our company. Go make a name for yourself, rather than try to tear down the Mary Kay name. I'm disgusted at those of you who are still consultants who come on this site and bash the company you are a part. I'm disgusted at you former directors who come to this site and are now making a new career out of being anti-Mary Kay. Wouldn't your time be better spent helping address the issue of human trafficking of women and children in this country? Or homelessness or something actually worth while?

Ouch..."cheap and harsh glare of Mary Kay cosmetics...."

This pastor's wife is not saying that her business is better than Jesus. Wow. No...she's saying that God is using this business as a tool to refine her. Motherhood helped me "see things in a new light"...but it doesn't make motherhood better than being a Christian, it's just another way God is giving me opportunities to be transformed. Marriage is another one. My teaching career was another one. My career as a journalist was another one. And now my Mary Kay career is another way God is transforming me...and be because the company's philosophies of God first, famiy second and career third...along with living according to the Golden Rule...is helping me to become more of a Godly woman. Because of Mary Kay, I'm remembering to value others the way God values them, to be others-focused instead of focusing on my self, to be of service to others,instead of thinking how others (or this company) can serve me. I am learning to remember that I can do all things, even the scary things, through Christ. Again...Mary Kay is not a whole new religion. It's not a replacement for Christianity. It's not a cult. I would say that it is a biblicaly based way of life that teaches women to be the Deborah's, the Esters and the Ruths of the Bible - strong Proverbs 31 women who know how to make money and be a blessing to others.

"Mary Kay...is a biblicaly-based way of life that teaches women to be the Deborah's, the Esters and the Ruths of the Bible - strong Proverbs 31 women who know how to make money and be a blessing to others."

Doubtful. Observe:

Deborah was a judge who bravely went into battle because Barak feared General Sisera.

Esther was put into her position by God to intervene on behalf of her people, knowing full well that the King could have her executed for coming to him when she wasn't summoned.

Ruth demonstrated amazing faithfulness by refusing to leave her mother-in-law Naomi's side and stay in a land that wasn't her own.

The Word doesn't seem to reveal how Deborah made her money, but both Esther and Ruth married into theirs, much like some of your NSDs.

As far as the woman in Proverbs 31, here's how she made her moolah:

"She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard...she makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes"

To buy a field and sell clothing you have crafted is VERY different from pimping a recruiting racket through the use of manipulation and emotional hot-button pushing.

Putting honest work like weaving clothing or tilling the ground on par with only discussing the top three levels of inventory with potential prospects (taught by NSD Stacy James), working scripts with titles like "Get The Recruits You Need!" or suggesting that women sign up without telling their husband (taught by several MK leaders) is absolute folly.

So to bring this around full circle, friend, Mary Kay is about as biblically-based as Playboy magazine.

Welcome to Pink Truth.

Let's break this down, Sylvia, dear.

I'll be honest. In my searches for Mary Kay, this site always comes up. And I think your are all the saddest group I can imagine.

[color=maroon]Actually, we are happy because we are MK-free![/color]

I am sorry on behalf of the Mary Kay consultant or director who must have really hurt you somehow.

There are so very many who hurt those on this site, it can only be a company-wide accepted practice.

It seems your mission is "support one another in leaving Mary Kay and living their lives outside of Mary Kay." But really, after years of coming across this site....I have observed your mission is to blame others for your unwillingness to run your own businesses, to take responsibility for your own lives.

Oh, here you are very, very wrong. We HAVE taken responsibility...apologizing to those women we hoodwinked while in MK, apologizing to our husbands for all the debt, and fighting to take back our faith.

Instead, you come here to join the blame game and make Mary Kay out to be some evil conspiracy out to get you. What don't you understand? You buy something for $1 you sell it for $2.

If only, if only...it's more like buy it for $1, have it sit on your shelves for years, then discount it to pennies on the dollar just to get it out of the house.

How is that a scam? If you don't learn to manage your money and take a profit, that is your failure, not the company's...not your directors...not your NSD's. If you're not meant to be an entrepreneur...or not willing to grow into one..that is fine.

Oh, please, it is the directors and NSD's that push you to toss any money-management out the window. Otherwise, you wouldn't order and they wouldn't get their "love checks"

Also...I find it interesting that if someone you know is doing Mary Kay and offers you a facial...that you're so incredibly offended. If you don't want a facial, you don't have to get one.

They offer a facial, but it is NOT a facial. In a real facial, you don't have to do everything yourself. What they offer is a recruiting session masked with makeup.

If you don't want to purchase Mary Kay products, feel free to purchase other products. There's nothing scam like about it...if I tell you I'm in a challenge to complete 30 faces, you're right...because this is my business and I always have a goal to introduce the product to 30 new people every month. It's not a scam, it's a genuine offer you can choose to take advantage of or not.

All I can say to that is

I find it fascinating that one has to register here to participate...and in fact, I'll be amazed if my post isn't moderated and then shut out because I am on the "other side".

We have had many ladies who started on this site as somewhat pro-MK. The difference between them and you is that they came here with an open mind, not to insult those on here.

Your mission to "help people leave MK"...is weird. How is that a mission? Wouldn't your time be better suited actually helping people who need help, like women in domestic violence shelters or orphans or something?

We do all that and more. How about you?

If I wanted to leave Mary Kay and go back to my previous career, I could easily do that. I am an adult who can make my own choices. I'm not in a cult that gives me some kind of ultimatum.

One question about the cult thing - do you keep in touch with ANY of the ladies who have left MK? Hmmmm? Thought not; those who leave a cult are shunned.

My Mary Kay sisters (and brothers) would support my decision of whatever I thought was best for my life. Either way, I'm a better person, stronger and more solid, for having been in Mary Kay. I've learned self discipline, money management and how to over come personal challenges.

But seriously, folks. If you don't want to do Mary Kay...that's just fine, go live your lives. No one cares. It's your life. Why do you come here and just bash on others?

There is healing on this site. We only bash those who treat women poorly; namely MKCorpse, NSD's, and most SD's.

Go get a job. Go do something new.

Did that; love what I'm doing! AND I actually get paid for every hour I work!

It wasn't for you. And that's OK.

Gee, thanks.

But for some of us, it is for us. We're doing it! We're making it! We love our customers, our products, our company.

Continue to read on this site; your love of the products and company will be tested with the truth.

Go make a name for yourself, rather than try to tear down the Mary Kay name. I'm disgusted at those of you who are still consultants who come on this site and bash the company you are a part. I'm disgusted at you former directors who come to this site and are now making a new career out of being anti-Mary Kay. Wouldn't your time be better spent helping address the issue of human trafficking of women and children in this country? Or homelessness or something actually worth while?

As I said, we're doing that. I have MORE time to volunteer since I don't have to warm-chat everyone I meet.

Ta ta, Sylvia.

Sylvia, I would like to encourage you to read a few of my past articles which explain why the god of Mary Kay and the God of the Bible are not one the same:

http://www.pinktruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=494&Itemid=58

http://www.pinktruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=495&Itemid=58

Now I'm not going to deny that women can and do learn life lessons in MK, but they often come at a very high moral (and often financial) price.

For example, a director may claim in her I-Story, "My Mary Kay career has made me more self-confident!" Well, how? What sort of work does she do that might make one more self-confident?

Our director may have gained confidence through the practice of warm-chatting others for bookings and/or interviews, as in "I'm in this contest, see...would you mind being a practice face for me? (insert "sincere" compliment here)!" It's ulterior motive-soaked patter that's peppered with very subtle fibs in the hopes of hooking a booking. But you're gaining confidence, by thunder - confidence at someone else's expense! Hail Mary Kay!

That director may have gained her confidence in SCCs, too; by overcoming selling objections with garbage NSD guidance like, "I promise it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission. Why not go ahead and get what you need now and then you can get the rest later if [your husband]agrees!" THAT one certainly falls in line with Proverbs 31, doesn't it, Sylvia? "Her husband has full confidence in her...she brings him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." It's like the Bible totally copied NSD Rena Tarbet's New Consultant Guide; Selah!

What about gaining confidence through recruiting objections? It's always a possibility when you're telling potentials "Will you help me with my training? I'm just going to share information with you - I'm not going to try and recruit you!" Oh sure, the recruiting interview is supposedly just for "practice," but signing that Agreement will certainly NOT be seen as such!

Sylvia, hear my heart. Do you think that if God wants to foster growth in you, He will require you to do things contrary to what the Word teaches? Or is He more of a "Find a way, make a way" kind of guy?

Sylvia, oh Sylvia! Welcome to the Excellence in Education, otherwise known as Pink Truth University! We are happy you are attending today. Let me introduce myself, I'm Professor OnelessSD (as in no longer a Sales Director) - I held that title for 7 yrs, earned 5 Court of Sales Rings, etc.

So let's hear a little about you:
1. How long have you been in MK?
2. What title do you currently hold?
3. What is your $ average per face?
4. What is your goal? (other than coming on here and trying to slam all of us)

Let's start with those 4 simple questions. I think these are valid questions because it helps us to know what kind of student we have here. We're all about helping you, you know.

Oh, 1 more question, if you are so appalled by us, why do you keep coming back? Just curious.

Ive just started as a consultant in Mary Kay for about 2 months now. And now that i found this website. I don't no what to do anymore. I don't no if any of you's are telling the truth. Or lies?? but i love what im doing now. And meeting new people. My goal is to become a director. OMG! I'm stuck on this! what should i do? should i give it a go for a couple of months to see if this really is a bad idea? or leave ASAP?!

This is not PinkLies.com

You better believe these stories are true. Your goal of becoming a director will lead to debt and and a life of lies. Yes, you should leave ASAP if you want to hang on to your money, integrity and sanity.

Before you take another single step forward into the MK quagmire, please read, read, read this site. It is NOT possible to be a woman of integrity and be a sales director in MK. Even worse, you will end up paying MK for the privilege of losing your integrity.

Run away as fast as you can.

WTF ... You are not "stuck on this". But if you don't bail out fast, you will be stuck with obsolete product, a big debt, and a wrecked marriage.

Ask your director the following things:
* What is a chargeback, and how often do you get them?
* What percent of your commission check is taken back in chargebacks every year?
* How many times in the past year have you had to ask your unit to order so you could stay a director?
* How many times have you "missed production" in the past 12 months?

* If she has a Mary Kay car, ask "What is a "car copay" and how often have you had to pay it?"

**********
If she starts waffling, shucking and jiving, tap-dancing like a politician asked about his mistress ... you have your answer.

WTF:

While you're at it, ask your director how much inventory she's sitting on, as well as how much credit card debt she has.

If she has a lot of both, that's another sign that she's purchasing her production to maintain her directorship.

Does that sound like a viable business to you?

WTF - You should also understand that if you become a Director and you miss production 2 months in a row (say for example, you have a death in the family and you need to travel), you will be fired and your entire unit you worked hard to build will roll up to your current Director. This is the Mary Kay game. Build weak units under you and wait for them to fail so you can profit off of someone elses hard work.

jedco
I have a question who said this quote?
Success isn't measured by your bank account, but how many accomplishments you have in your life." -JC-

WTF Do NOT give up on your dreams. The reason there is a 2% rate of women that succeed is becasue that 2% didn't give up.

Hello.
I have learned that in any business you must one invest, and 2 work!

No matter what kind of business you do your going to invest. NO one puts a gun to your head and tells you to put shit on a CC.
I have a very successful MK business, and I came in with ZERO inventory. I have a strong team as well and they cam in with ZERO inventory,
My Unit is an amazing group or women, and My Director and NSD are annoited women of GOD. They are what MK wanted this business to be.
When people come into this business they get gready and fail, it takes time and patience, and faith.
If you allow your first year too place minimum orders and get a solid customer base, and work on building your team, and being patient no one should fail.

There are so many Direct selling companies out there why not bash them all then...how many women sell "toys", and other things as well.... Bash them too...then,
Why is that the NUMEBR 1 Cosmetic company is getting such a bad wrap b/c those 2% of peole are succeeding and you gave up and failed???
Shove it up your BLEEEEEPPPs

NewYork, just because one has questions about MK or is considering leaving the business does not mean they're abandoning their dreams. Woman can and do reach their dreams without Mary Kay's "help."

Regarding your "very successful Mary Kay business," I warmly welcome you to back up this claim by posting hard numbers via your Schedule C (minus your personal information, of course).

Welcome to Pink Truth, NewYork. You will be floored at how much useful information you will discover here.

[quote]NO one puts a gun to your head and tells you to put shit on a CC.[/quote]
Not a Colt .45, but peer pressure and lies (the weapons of choice for white-collar fraudsters). The Scribbler has a choice selection of quotes from NSDs' training material about how to push for the win, the big order and a higher commission check.

[quote]I have a very successful MK business, [/quote]
You will, of course, be able to define "very successful" by quantifying your income from sales, the expenses of doing the business, and the number of hours you work.

Please remember to include the party booking, prep, and cleanup time, as well as all meetings, retreats, and recruiting interviews in your hours worked. One of the basic frauds in Mary Kay is to encourage IBCs to ignore their unbillable hours and pretend that sales at a party divided by the party duration is "$/hour".

EXAMPLE: If you sell $500 at a 2-hour party, that's $250 gross markup and would be claimed as "$125 an hour" ... but if it took you 10 hours to do the activities around the party, you are down to a maximum of $12.50 an hour and that's before expenses and taxes.

[url=http://www.pinktruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=64]This explains it.[/url]

[quote]My Director and NSD are annoited women of GOD.[/quote]
They are whited tombs, spouting scriptures they have warped to their own purposes.

[quote]They are what MK wanted this business to be.[/quote]
I have read all of Mary Kay's biographies and other books. The one thing she wanted in her business was to be on the top of the heap ... and she is the source of many of the objectionable practices in this business.

Newyork - We will assume you are lying until you post your schedule "C". Most MK consultants lie about their earnings and when they claim they are making good money, NONE of them have ever proven it. TRUTH HURTS

NewyorkC09
[quote]Success isn't measured by your bank account, but how many accomplishments you have in your life." -JC-
[/quote]

Oooohhh, leave it to an ash kissing kaybot to twist a quote! :s

Definition of accomplishment:
1. an act or instance of carrying into effect; fulfillment: the accomplishment of our desires.

2.something done admirably or creditably: Space exploration is a major accomplishment of science.
(Lying, deceiving and manipulating others for your own gain is not admirable or creditable. Lets get that straight, okay!)

3. anything accomplished; deed; achievement: a career measured in a series of small accomplishments.

4.Often, accomplishments.
a. a grace, skill, or knowledge expected in expected in polite society.
(In MK, the only polite society you get is if you ask no questions, do EVERYTHING your SD says to do and a lot order products
b. any acquired ability or knowledge.

Lurkers:
In any REAL situation that involves Leaders, if the company or Army etc...keeps losing people it's b/c of their leaders!
Go ahead....show up at your unit meeting and then do not go back until 2 months later. There will be all different faces there except for maybe 3-4. Why? They didn't quit, their leaders failed them. In the real world any leader with stats like that would be gone, history, but in MK, MKC doesn't care b/c the SD can just go out and get more victims. MKC breeds women to act and look the part but they have no idea how to run their own business. They just needed a husband with funds to buy their way up. That's how they got there. It wasn't admirable skills or knowledge....unless you feel that cheating is a skill.
But remember....if you cheated, then you've never really won.

I recieved the Product Repurchase form and I am about to send my products back, but I have a question...If my friend gave me a bag full of unused 2 year old makeup from when she was a consultant I was wondering if I could return it and still get money back, eventhough I didn't purchase it myself...

LCS-
If you are in Canada, they compare what you send back with your orders. In the USA, they do not.

In the USA, you can get back 90% of the dollar value of the orders YOU placed in the last 12 calendar months ... send them makeup where the current (or last known) price adds up to that figure.

If you send them more than that amount, they keep it and you do not get any money back from it.

If you have more inventory than you can get a refund on, send back the stuff (color and fragrance) that is hard to sell, keep the skin care to sell.

Im very pleased to say that Ive saved another2 Pinkies from wreak N ruin , took me 6 months of pointing out some of your problems you people have gone thru with this CORRUPT scam of a bussiness . 1 of these Ladies was the area Rep (Troll) who was blowing flowers up my wifes skirt in order to BRAINWASH her just as she herself was being BRAINWASHED 3 saved ... many more to go !!!!

I am not going to totally blame or credit Mary Kay (the company) for my decisions. I did fall in love with the product and the make up. I admired the person that shared the skin care class with me. I was drawn to my skin and asked her if I could join in, I am a total girly girl and love quality skin care and for a long time I had trouble really finding good make up to stay on my somewhat oily skin.

I was excited about joining Mary Kay but there were five (5) flags that appeared that I did not pay attention to.

Flag #1 - The lady that I admired and asked me to come to her home for "dinner" was my former Office Manager and failed to attend my wedding so she proposed this dinner and cake as her way of apologizing. I accepted because when I did work with her, she was a great boss. So what if she didn't have the communication skills to follow up on what she couldn't follow through with?

Flag #2 - I received a call from a Director and I had no idea I was going to get a call to be drawn in further and deeper. My recruiter and now director scheduled a meeting to convince me to buy packages of inventory. My director was charming, she had a way of being direct and appear "successful". But I wondered, why did she need to carry around a cream cheesed bagel for dinner if she was so "well off" like she said she was.

Flag #3 - My director said I had to make a minimum of a $200 order to stay active as a consultant. She did not say if this $200 was weekly, monthly or quarterly, she allowed me to believe that it was a weekly order by not answering my question via e-mail at all.

Flag # 4 - The Director said that her unit has a contract with David's Bridal that is only $40 to receive all the names and numbers from all the brides to be. I agreed to pay the $40 thinking it was a yearly expense, turns out it was monthly! When I did call these brides I spent my weekend nights trying to talk to these ladies and they were mostly frustrated because they were not aware that David's Bridal sells their contact information off. The brides to be I did manage to meet knew what Mary Kay offers and took advantage of the free skin care class without wanting to buy any thing or have the means to buy a $300 order because after all...they are on a budget buying affordable wedding dresses!?! I was one of those brides years back, why would I spend $300 on skin care...???? Oh that's right, the famous line at the end of each skin care class "close your eyes & think of your most expensive outfit, think of how many times a year you wear it and now think of how often you are going to wear your face!??!"

Flag # 5 - Both my recruit and director firmly encouraged that I attend a MK Seminar. I hesitated because I was newly unemployed and on a budget but later agreed to join them. The day of our trip, both of their cars were suddenly not capable to endure any driving conditions. I was practically cornered to driving 300 miles to this seminar they encouraged me to join! I naively drove them to the Seminar because I was into this far, why not continue figuring out this MK thing?

Yes the MK seminar is an experience, they shout, dance, sing and hold hands. They make everyone feel important and capable. They also encourage lots of shopping!

After this whole thing and coming to consciousness, I found out a few things about myself:

1. I like to shop
2. I like to be around women who uplift one another
3. I can be charmed
4. I like making women feel pretty
5. I like to sell
6. I like make-up
7. I'm pretty impulsive in my decision making

Because I am unemployed I thought Mary Kay was my way to make some money but realized what I was really contributing to is my addiction to shopping, pleasing others and addiction to the adrenaline rush when you actually sell something and make a nice profit. At the end of it all, the profit doesn't even polish the debt I allowed myself to accumulate. It is not all lost though, at least I have gained consciousness of how I fell and will not fall again.

I would just like to say Thank You to the founders of Pink Truth. I am in the process of sending back my inventory (will call next week for the paperwork - thanks for the awesome spreadsheet too!), and I am so relieved! I started MK in June, and it took about 6 months for me to figure this whole "thing" out. The final straw came in November when my Director advised I hold an Open House to show case my Holiday Gift Baskets. I’ll spare the details of all of the hours I spent planning (which, of course, you are NOT paid for), but I will tell you that I had a total of ZERO “yes” RSVPs (this was out of around 35/40 invites). That is what put me over the edge and finalized the decision to quit.

I am one of the consultants who was hoodwinked into buying a large initial product order. I have never been able to clear my shelves of all product as "promised" by my Director. I am operating at a loss for my business to boot! I was told; upon voicing my concern for the overstock of product, that I would double my initial order in profit upon getting my "Perfect Start"....you can guess how well that went! (...oh, but I probably just didn't try hard enough - please notice the dripping sarcasm).

I also totally understand EVERYTHING posted on PT. I was cajoled into a false sense of "promise" for my business, but, fortunately, since I was reading posting on this site, I still had my eye on reality. I was told to try harder, to think of more people to solicit and the harder I tried, the more I noticed that people were starting to back away from me. Just the stench of MK turned people off. Further, I was told by my Director that I NEEDED to tell people I was in MK because others needed to start to associate me with MK. Bad advice - I would watch as people would blink and fidget and make a hasty exit from my mere presence when I mentioned MK to some.

I would also like to advise - please, if you are new to MK and have any doubts, keep your head grounded in reality. Directors will tell you crazy "techniques" to get more customers, or to merely get you in touch with existing customers. I was told by my Director to do two things: 1. call folks at least 8 times. Somewhere in the 8 calls, as my Director pointed out, your client will answer....yeah...to tell you to cram it! 2. call women with desk jobs at the office b/c they "welcome" the interruption. Uuuuummmm - I had a corporate desk job for 7 years, and I can tell you that a MK solicitation call would NOT have been well received on my end...under no circumstances! These techniques only piss people off - I know b/c I would probably be pissed if someone did this junk to me!

Next, and most importantly (!)...PLEASE do NOT believe ANY of the subtle manipulative tactics Directors use to make you feel like less than the person that you are! I was called out on a few weekly conference calls as the example of "what not to do" (hello!!! STILL the new girl at this point). I also attended a unit conference call with a "motivational speaker" who was trying to tell us that we sabotage ourselves and that we need to work to overcome our bad patterns of self sabotage (blah, blah, blah). Yeah, everyone probably has moments of self sabotage, but when I pushed him for information on how to "overcome" these moments, I was referred to an individual consultation with him, which I followed up on....and guess what???....he NEVER contacted me for the follow up. Go figure! This call was all about subtle manipulation....you are messing yourselves up, you need to stop....oh(!)....but you have to figure out why and how to fix the situation!

Remember - you were a functioning woman before MK, and you always will be....with or without MK. MK is OPTIONAL, it is not your life!!! Being smart, practical and using good judgment does not mean you are a lazy loser (as some MK folks might tell you).

I would also like to say, contrary to what the "higher-ups" will tell you...yes, people ARE watching their money in this recession! I was told otherwise by my Director. However, upon speaking to my friends about MK, some pointed out that they are now functioning on a budget. As one friend stated "make-up is an extra - it a luxury, and if I have to buy cheaper makeup temporarily, I will." Meaning, people are going to Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, etc...to buy make-up. MK Directors scoff at this idea. IT IS A REALITY! Especially in areas that are harder hit by the recession.

Finally, I have to say that I really enjoy reading the posts by the more seasoned MK consultants - the ones who actually worked for MK when Mary Kay was alive. After reading the posts, and keeping her autobiography in mind, I really have to say that I believe that MK is not, today, what Mary Kay would have wanted. I do not believe that she would have wanted her Directors telling lies and manipulating people. Further, I believe that it was never her intention to ruin lives, cause unnecessary stress and tear family structures apart. I just can't believe that she would be proud of her company today.
So, all that said, I would just like to say again, THANKS to the women of Pink Truth. My Mary Kay experience, while short, was miserable. Had it not been for PT, I probably would still be beating my head against a rock trying to figure out ways to “grow” my business….which, to even call MK a business is a joke!

I joined MK about 2 1/2 years ago for something fun to do. I was an extremely busy person and just needed something outside work that would allow me to meet new people, have a good time, and make extra money if possible. My SD was, and still is, a wonderful person. I never felt pressured to buy inventory, she never made announcements about us having to order so she could make production/keep her car/move up in the company/etc. I was very fortunate to have met a SD like her, because I know other SDs who are terrible, who pressure their customers/team, who embarrass "unproductive" team members, etc. Despite my SDs good nature and seemingly honest personality, I was still duped by the MK Corp. Let me tell you a bit about my story.

I was drawn by the idea of making so much money without having to work a ton of hours, but as many of you have stated, you work WAY more than just the party. If you choose to preprofile, you can spend hours on the phone with potential customers. You have to clean your mirrors, stock your cotton balls, applicators, towels, headbands, etc. You have to load your car, drive to the location, have the party, order any products you need, package them, ship and deliver them, etc. By the time you are done, your 2 1/2 hour party took 10-15 hours! Not what they tell you in recruitment. I had a nice customer base and a good number of customers who regularly reordered without hassling from me (because I refused to be a hassler!). I was fortunate that I knew a lot of people who knew some people who knew some people, and I never had to "warm chatter" (aka, stalking strangers and following a cheesy script to get them to let you put product on their faces). But I recently moved to a new state where I don't know anyone, and found that because I won't stalk strangers using some cheesy script, I have 0 customers. That's problem #1.

Also, I was initially impressed with the amount of money I made in MK. In my first year, I made a $11,000 profit...then I did my taxes. That $11,000 was down to...are you ready for it...$1.67!!! After hostess gifts, free gifts, Section 2, supplies, mileage, meetings, conferences, seminar, etc. I made a whopping dollar sixty-seven. So problem #2 is that I didn't really make any money. Without looking at the exact dollar amounts, I thought I was really doing well, I thought that I had a successful business, like many of the kaybots, I thought it was great. A friggin' dollar sixty-seven cannot even put a gallon of gas in my car, and that was for one year of work!

Problem #3 is that while MK will tell you that it allows you spend more time with your family, the only women that is true for are the women who previously worked a 9-5 job, only have parties/consulations with women during the day when their spouse/children are gone, can deliver/order/profile/ship/etc during the hours of 9-5 when their family is gone. During my 2ish years of active MK, I saw less of my husband than I do know when I work a 60 hour/week job! Women only wanted to have parties on the weekend or in the evenings...when my hunsband is home from work. No one wants to have a party during their lunchbreak or at 3 in the afternoon. That's silly! And MK will push these ideas of "Lunchtime Facials" or "Worktime Quickies" or whatever, but I have never met a single woman who thought that was a good idea. So in reality MK takes away from time with family.

Problem #4, the skirt issue. I don't mind wearing skirts, and I owned several before my time in MK. But after one major event involving a skirt, my entire outlook on MK changed. I was being very "Go-Give" and driving several people to another state so we could attend a MK conference. The women I was driving lived all over the state, so it took several hours to pick them up and we were running a little late to the opening events of the conference. I don't like to drive in skirts, so I had on black slacks (with a button up shirt, sweater, heels, and pearls I might add, not jeans and a t-shirt or anything). We arrived at the conference just prior to the on-stage recognition. My unit was being recognized for something, and I went up with the group. The MK corporate people would NOT LET ME ON STAGE BECAUSE I HAD ON PANTS!!!!!!!!! I was furious. A DIQ heard me mention it to someone and had the audacity to tell me that my negative attitude was really bringing everyone down, and had I followed procedure, it wouldn't have even been an issue. That was really a turning point for me. I looked very nice, very professional, and was only running late because I was being nice and giving other people who wouldn't have been able to attend the conference the opportunity to do so.

I must say, however, that not all MK is bad. I did meet some generally nice women who I stay in contact with even though I'm no longer active and live 8 hours away from them. I do have enough MK products to last me a long while(because I bought inventory that I would use!). I learned more about taxes than I'd ever known before. I gained money management skills and strengthened my time management skills.

I do think that it is nearly impossible to have MK be your full-time income. I think that many women get douped and believe in the bullshit nicely wrapped in a package of prettiness by MK. If I still lived in my original hometown, I would probably still sell MK, but I've never thought that it would be my full-time career, and I believe that's the best way to view MK. If you want to do it as a hobby, as a way to meet new people, as a way to get your own product at 50% off while letting others who alreay like the product get it from you, I think that's okay. But if you think you're going to make $10,000/month, have women calling you to get "facials", only have to work a few hours a week for a great reward, become a SD and live the high life, you're looking in the wrong place!

What a great site and VERY eye opening. I met a MKC and went to her seminar today with a friend of mine. We wanted to support her by going. From the info we got, I thought we were going to get a facial, not sample products ourselves on half of our face. I didn't do half my face, I did my whole face. When I told one of other directors that I did my whole face, hse gave me the strangest look like I had broken some kind of rule or something. The product was nice and felt good but I think it's because I cleansed and scrubbed my face and added some moisture back onto it and my skin was happy, so of course it "glowed".
It was the typical sales pitch made pretty. There were prizes, snacks and all that stuff. I have done home slaes before and know the pitch so I wasn't worried. My "consultant" was so sure my skin looked better that she noticed the difference between the two halves of my face. She was thinking I only did one side until we told her I did my whole face. She then insisted one side looked better than the other. She tried to give us the why we should do MK spiel, even telling me that I would have so much more business with my own company if I joined MK. I have my own event planning biz.She even said I would learn how to talk about my business with MK. I felt like she kind of made me feel like I would be such a better business woman by being part of MK. She then proceeded to ask us what we wanted to buy. I was just going for fun but somehow walked out with a Satin Hands kit which I don't need. I love the Satin Hands but don't need the kit.I also wanted to try the 3n1 cleanser but was told that I had to get the whole kit and that the cleanser wasn't good without it. We were told that using a 'hodgepodge' of products makes them ineffective. I've been using different products for years, even when I worked at a cosmetics counter, and haven't had a problem. So she almost got me by saying that if I bought the Starter Kit i would get the Timewise kit and so much more. I thought about it, I mean who doesn't love all that extra stuff, right? Especially me, a shopoholic, haha. BUT after reading all the posts here on this very cool site, I have stood my ground and just said "no". We did notice a little change in her and others when we talked about other products and how much we liked them.
Thanks for th esite and for the op to vent.

Anti...most of here have been DiQ's, car winners and Directors of all levels...are you sure you want to chastise us about "working the business?"

AntiHater ... Bill Gates started out rich and got richer. His father was a prominent lawyer, his mother served on the board of directors for First Interstate BancSystem and the United Way, and her father, J. W. Maxwell, was a national bank president.

It helps to have trust funds, and relatives who can help you get a business loan.

ANTIHATER
[quote]and im not in mary kay i do music and graphic design so i know what hard work is.[/quote]

So basically, you have no clue to what it is that we're talking about, therefore, you have no clue to what it is that you're talking about. :s
BTW, no caps in the beginning of each of you're sentences give you away.

Mary Kay is an MLM. All MLM's operate the same way. The product is secondary to recruiting . A few may earn pin money, but only the creators/owners and a select few make any money, no matter how hard one works at selling the product. Those that are at the top (1-5%) work hard to earn their money by causing everyone else to lose money, along with emotional and relationship damage. It may be legal, but it is immoral and unethical. And the lies, deceit, and false promises involved in recruiting are the same across the board.

As Robert FitzPatrick says, “Sadly, few people get the big picture about multi-level marketing schemes.”

” But all of them, in reality, sell the exactly the same product: an endless chain income promise. MLMs are all in the “business opportunity” business, not “pills, potions and lotions.” And all of them sell the same “opportunity”, which is the chance to sell the “opportunity” to others who sell the same opportunity, forever and ever. Amen.”

Hater, YOU need to get a life. We are all lazy, blah blah blah, you should have worked harder, blah blah blah. Yep, you sound like a hater to me

There's the door .

Buh-bye.

Trolls are so funny!
They think we sit (in our respective homes) in the corner and moan and wail and feel sorry for ourselves. It never occurs to them we have families and friends we love (who love us) and jobs we love, where we REALLY help others.

Hey Troll!
We have full productive satisfying lives.
We warn people about MK because MOST people LOSE money.
We also help people get out of MK and get some of their money back.


Gosh! We're EVIL!!!

For being an ANTIHATER, she sure sounds pissed!

I agree, Ican. She sounds....HATEFUL!

And manic.

Doo, I like what you said about MLM being an "endless chain income promise."

It's always about the opportunity, the potential. Never the reality.

Wow - Anti - sounds like you've got some anger issues - I suggest some professional help. Good luck to you.

I have been a consultant for 2 years now, I have no problems with it. I did not start off with buying the $600 wholesale inv. out of my pocket I got orders and purchased that way. I never even did the $600 wholesale I just did $400, my customers got there products and I got some in return that I did not pay out of pocket. I then sold it and made my registration fee money back and then some. No one makes you put money on your credit cards, even if they pressure you, obviously the people that feel they got screwed cave in to pressure. I on the other hand do not. My director tried to get me to use a credit card and I told her NO plain and simple. I will not allow myself to get into more debt which is why I joined in the first place to try and make that extra income. I did not join thinking this was going to make me rich and I could quie my job. If you did, that was very irresponsible on your part. I dont have excess inventory, I only purchase as I get orders and since you get the 50% I choose to get extra inventory or I just keep the money for myself. Regardless it does not come out of my pocket.

ornelas, well goodie for you.

Apparently you weren't told that you need to invest in your business. When I first started, I was told it's not debt, it's an investment- big difference. You can't open up any store if you aren't willing to invest.

Apparently you don't attend any meetings on a regular basis? Apparently you don't purchase any supplies to support your business?

In your 2 years- prove it by your schedule C.

Before you go on about how we are so bad and stupid to put it on a credit card- prove to us that you are so smart.

Put your money where your mouth is.

I have been a MK consultant for about 18 months. In that time, I've maybe sold $2,000 retail product. I don't think I've put more than $300 into my personal account as a "pay check" due to all the expenses. I started with $3600 wholesale inventory and still have most of that on my shelf and most of it can't be sold back to the company.

For a company who claims to live by "The Golden Rule," I have yet to see that. My director has yelled at me in front of others in my unit when I ask questions or call her out on her poor behavior. She is constantly badmouthing other consultants, directors, and NSDs. When I left her unit to attend another meeting, she said she'd have me fired!

I contacted the company in August when things got really bad with my SD. They told me I could go to another meeting and deal strictly with my NSD and not have to have any communication with my SD.

That was all working out great until I got my first recruit last month. The SD has called my new recruit to say bad things about me and the director of the meeting I currently attend. My recruit hasn't placed an inventory order and I'm tempted to tell her to run as fast as she can away from the business and quit myself.

I would be taking a huge loss on the product I have on my shelf and I don't know what to do with it.

I think the new meeting I'm attending is great and the director is great, but I'm afraid that due to the issued with my upline director, this situation will continue to go from bad to worse.

I'd really like some advise on what I should do.
Thanks!

Confused, It is really hard for any of us to tell you anything but get out now.
I hated the thought of losing $ because I had more than I could return...but staying in does not get any easier.

You know that all your products are being sold on EBAY by others who were frontloaded and are drowning in inventory, right? Go check it out. MK was happy to load up all the IBCS with more product than they would ever need, knowing full well that SC classes were virtually non existent. Now the IBC faces EBAY competition from all that Mary Kay greed.

Really think out what the future holds when your own SD is actively adding new competitors (recruits) within your market as quickly as she can.

The business model is flawed..seriously flawed.

ConfusedMKConsultant

I agree with Raisin. You may not know this but b/c you are STILL a part of your SDs unit, your recruits will be contacted by her(even without your permission) and receive many communications from her. This puts your recruits in a very awkward position. This also gives her a chance to convince them to come to her meetings (there is a cost for training and she wants that money) and also a chance to talk poorly about you.
You are not allowed to switch SDs. The rule is that you must cancel your consultant # and wait an entire year before you can sign up with someone else.

If by chance, you think that another SD would be better, odds are you are wrong, some of them are just better actresses. If you ask any SD personal questions or proof of her income etc...you'll be ousted.

Ok I have a question.. can you just buy a limited amount of inventory, take orders and make a nice amount of money? or should I say a decent part time income each month?

lisabrown,
It will be helpful for you to read here a little more.
So many have asked this question already and gotten a complete explaination. Suffice it to say, you can make some pocket change but you will never make any "decent" monthly income. I guarantee you will lose money and you are setting yourself up for some bad experiences too!
Most of all, do you want to support a company that contributes to the personal and financial ruin of women all across the country? That is the question to ask yourself.

Welcome to Pink Truth and I hope you will take some time to read and understand the articles written here.

and another thing...she called me (my director) to try to get me to open a credit card and get a loan...I told her my credit is not that great, I can't get a loan nor do i want one..I almost bought in to this again..I won't be pushed by these people so THEY can make money...I decided to do this at my own pace..so far, I have several people who want to order and I'm fine with that

Lisabrown ... only if you consider making less than minimum wage "decent", and an unpredictable income per hour acceptable.

Look on Craigslist and eBay and see how much is offered for how low a price. Do you want to compete with suppliers who are giving it away, and a company whose leaders encourage deep discounting to lure customers?

You can't make it selling a product where there is no control over the number of resellers in your area ... you can't even find out how much competition you have in order to make a good decision whether to try selling or not.

This is Amway, but with lipstick instead of laundry soap.

wow, wow!!! (don't mean to sound like wubbzy lol), but this is really shocking...I just came back from taking my son to burger king, and i over heard a conversation from the ladies sitting next to me saying someone just called her on her cell phone offering a free facial from mary kay...in my mind I cracked up thinking oh my gosh. I can't see myself pushing people for a facial or anything...come to find out, they were family and the ladies sister sells mary kay and she told me she does pretty good with it..she does not go to meetings, or have parties..she just gives out the book and let the women do the ordering..she's been in it for about 2 years and she says she done alright.....

Hi Lisa, If you got her number then ask to see her Schedule C. I know a LOT of women who have sold MK, but I have yet to meet one who has made money. There are soooo many other great products from companies that don't prey on women, you don't need MK. You'd make more money waiting tables or being a whopper flopper than in MK. Please spend some time reading here - especially the discussion board.

for me this is just an opportunity to make,(if any), chump change, which is what it'll amount to (lol), plus I like the quaility of the make up..My husband is on disability so we have a pretty decent income coming in from that..so Im not dependent upon this.........Thank God!!!

hey are those rings fake??? how much are they worth?

and I have to say that your website is very informative...thanks for the very many articles and facts about this company that has conned so many women..

HI everyone,
I'm at the point where I don't know what to do (well I have two little voices inside). One says just try with the selling (no recruiting, no inventory, no nothing else) and the other is saying: stop right there!
I signed last week for MK Consultant. I haven't got my starter kit yet. I went for a facial and I bought the whole carrier full of products. I liked them and still do very much. Then the SD gave me a DVD to watch and got together with me the next week (last week) and that's when I signed. Everything I read on this site so far, as a beginner is true. When I signed, I was not told that I would have goals to achieve like 30 faces in 30 days, becoming a star whatever, buying an inventory, recruiting etc.. This is what I am SOOOOOOOO mad about. I was told exactly this: Great money, flexibility,no quotas, we'll go step by step. She showed me copies of her checks from 4 years ago and they were big for monthly income. Of course I had no idea about chargebacks (and still don't know what they are). So anyway it sounded fun and since I love the products, I signed.
She gave me stuff to read and sheet to complete and when I started to read, I started to have doubt. There was that inventory thing that was NEVER mentioned before I signed and also many other things I should do to "be successful". Oh I know I don have to buy the inventory but "you can't sell from an empty wagon"? huh? She suggested I get a loan and I won't.
All I wanted to do was to sell good products and meet nice people. I had no idea that I would be encouraging a company that treats people that way. Hiding facts to a potential consultant is like lying to me and it's disrespectful.
What should I do now when my starter kit arrive? Of course she had it delivered at here place because she said she wanted to go over everything with me.
And to the ones that badmouth this site I will say: thank God there is a site like this. It will NEVER be ok to hide facts and lie. That's a deal breaker.
I would still want to use the MK products, any suggestions?
Thank you and to the person who started this website, you are an Angel. To everyone who take their time to answer, you are Angels as well.

dear scared- if you want out- call the company and tell them asap. Tell them that your starter kit was to be sent to your SD, and you've changed your mind. But since it was to be mailed to her (your sd) you have no control over whether or not she opens it.

Tell Corp asap- have them cancel your consultant #, and refund your money. If you like the products- check ebay- there's a lot of it there.

I hope this helps. If what you said is a deal breaker- then break the deal before you inadvertanly get sucked in.

good luck and keep us posted!

Scared, they do not tell you things on purpose all along the way. They know that if you knew all the facts you would indeed become "scared".

Funny thing about that, we were taught that new recruits become scared because of self doubt, so that's WHY you don't tell them everything. A little idea like "inventory" and in star amounts, might cause a panic!

Under the controlled sales presentation of your sales director, you can step by step be made comfortable to think you are chosing an amount of product that makes sense for you. Without that control and performance by your SD, you would say, "WHAT THE F? WHo NEEDS 6THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH to do a perfect start?"

Only this isn't where the hidden stuff stops. It goes all the way up the career path. You would never become a DIRECTOR is you had any idea of what you actually had to do to pull production!

SO, the point is, if deception bothers you now...guess what? Selling and ordering and delivering afterwards is a whole lot of work for chump change. And Inventory on hand is a financial crap shoot that costs you money.

You could halp Train your SD...by asking her why so much information is Not told upfront. That it is deceptive, and how can she continue to be so deceptive if Mary Kay is such a good opportunity?

Thanks raisinberry and onelessSD. I don't even have my Consultant # yet. I think I was suppose to get it today. I'm suppose to go to a new consultant orientation thing this morning and I don't know if I should just not go or go and make sure the kit is not open if I want my money back. And is it too late to get my money back?
I have to leave in a hour if I want to be there.
Thanks

Wow..I hope you get this. Call her and cancel. Tell her you are returning the kit.

She will tell you to give it a chance...You can counter by telling her that you have recently become more familiar with the overall results of a mary kay business, and you believe it is not in your best interests to continue.

Then repeat this phrase again and again and again, as she probes for more info.

Yes you get your money back. Have your recruiter pick up the kit and bring it to you, since it was supposed to be delivered to you anyway.

They do that to keep you from reading ahead and bumming out their "orientation".

Oh and one more thing...if they opened your kit and try to tell you they can't return it now, that is a lie. (NO KIDDING...I HAVE SEEN THIS LITTLE TACTIC TAUGHT AT TRAINING EVENTS)

You can put all the contents back inside and ship it back.

Since Mary Kay corporate never asks their NSD's to attend a SD's orientation, or watch a Unit Meeting, all the lies that fly only get reinforced. Multi-levels are shady organizations that just care about building profit centers, not people.

I just want to say the I am glad that this website is out here and available. Several years ago, I plunged head first into MK, qualified for DIQ a couple of times, but soon felt that to be successful and "go to the next level" involved me putting forth much more of my own money than I ever imagined. However, by the time I realized it, I had already bought the MK dream hook line and sinker, quit my job and put my family in a tight place financially. By the time the dream began to turn into a nightmare it was too late. I quit MK cold turkey once the light bulb went off for me. I had not choice, once my husband figured out that the career path was a scam, I really had no choice. No midnight calls from my SD anymore, needless to say... I struggled for the next year to regroup my life and get back on track with my family, friends and most importantly, myself. I just started using the products again this year. When I quit, I stopped using the products all together. I gave my inventory away to whomever wanted it. But after reading some of the posts, I think I may start purchasing them off of ebay. I am still hurt by this experience and have conflicted feelings when I buy products from someone who has bought into the MK mirage. Do I really want to support them in something that I know is not good for women in terms of a career? No. I will definitely send her the link to this website.
I wish this sight had been around years ago, when I quit MK. Please have anyone who is thinking about doing MK whether for personal use or the career path visit this web site. They need to go into with both eyes wide open. Instead of both eyes blind folded as many of us did. Be well everyone!

Thank you raisinberry. I sent you a private message just in case. I want to tell her the truth before revealing too much here.

Oh how I remember telling consultants in my unit to specifically not discuss inventory or 'other' details that might scare away a potential recruit. What is it that I used to say: "Once someone makes a commitment to becoming a IBC by signing their agreement, it flips a switch and they start thinking like a business woman." (translated: Don't tell them anything until I can get them alone and talk them into a 3600!) Of course, I was also brainwashed and thought, as I was taught by my SD, that I was just beginning to mold them into a successful business woman..even the ones without teeth who should have been using their credit cards for dental work, not inventory...I'm not being unkind, but sometimes I had absolute confidence that a new IBC didn't have the charisma or confidence to sell a single eyeliner and yet I was encouraging her to do a 3600 inventory order....I am so thankful that I woke up!

Hey 2pinks,

Welcome to Pink Truth.

Hop on the Discussion Board and say Hello.

I've been in Mary Kay for a little over a year. I started with full force, despite my bashfulness. I went to strangers homes, pestered friends, etc., etc. I knew with my personality, it was going to be a tough road, but I was determined. I pined away at my cashier job (where I am still) where I met up with someone I will call Lady Success. She was cute, out going, she already conned her friends into selling so she could move up the ladder quickly. She comes to me at my cashier stand and tells me that things in her Mary Kay business are not going so well. I said, "Really, I thought you would have your red jacket by now". She said, "I did have it, but I lost some of the people I signed up and Mary Kay took the jacket back." I knew then that I was wasting my time. I also knew, that if this was "my" business as I have been told by my director (a very sweet lady) I wouldn't lose my red jacket. If I do well in a business of my own, and I buy a red jacket, it is mine, but the red jacket, the car, etc., they are not yours, this is not your business, this is Mary Kay's business, and when you fail, the company takes back their stuff.

HI Ladies,
I am a Mary Kay consultant. I was curious about Pink Truth and what ladies has to say. I am no sales director or anything close to a title that will constitute me as "brainwashed". I am only here to address that everything in this world is a mindset. I wanted to be with strong, confident, independent, beautiful women and be empowered by what drives MK ladies to succeed and have somekind of an income. They have been outfront with inventory...i did not have to get an inventory but i choose to because I wanted to maximized my business. it is a business. As much as MK is not at all the "perfect" or "golden child" of businesses, I am just amazed at how many WOMEN (not yelling just stressing the word) would smash and bad mouth a company/organization that was built to empower WOMEN.
Maybe its not for you...or maybe you were not cut out for what MK has to offer - bottom line Mary Kay did it and so many other women are making it and feeling good about themselves, and looking pretty.
I wish you ladies good feelings and good outcome. I am only a part-time Mary Kay beauty consultant that choose to have her great skin care and make-up for half price. I think that reason alone is something to smile about.

gforce, I'm glad you are happy with your Mary Kay business but what you need to realize is that most of us have gone much higher than "personal use consultant".

I was in Mary Kay for 29 years with the last four of those being a Sales Director. That may not mean anything to you, but it might help you to understand when I say, YOU DON'T KNOW SQUAT about the company! I'm not yelling at you but I capitalized for emphasis. YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW SQUAT if you are just personal use.

Think what you will about the so called wonderful and positive company you are affiliated with but you are most certainly wrong. Mary Kay does not enrich anyone's life. Not financially or in any other way. As a matter of fact if you check your taxes you will see you don't even make a living wage!

I am not here to smash or bad mouth anyone. I participate in Pink Truth to warn ignorant women such as yourself about the dangers of Mary Kay. Don't take that wrong. Just hear what I'm saying to you. You are the easily duped kind of person Mary Kay Corporate looks for. You are the food that feeds their machinery. Nothing more. It's really very sad!

Now if you want to speak respectfully, we will dialog with you. But if you continue the way you just commented you will get blasted. A word to the ignorant so to speak....

Wow! Really? You are going to post that schedule C of yours, right, so we can see the proof that you are actually making money at this? 'Cause see, it's this crazy thing, but WOMEN come here claiming to be part-time MK consultants ALL the time, and yet can't prove that they make a dime. Considering that you can buy excellent cosmetics at a fraction of the MK wholesale cost and not pay outrageous shipping, I'm still trying to understand why any woman would do it. But hey, that's just me.

Little tip for you, gforce. There's thousands of women on this site who've been in Mary Kay and found out what a toxic company it is that uses and abuses women's souls. It destroys marriages and families by manipulating women into poor decisions. Ever heard of the "husband unawareness" program? How about "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission?" Or, "Would he ask your permission before he bought his fishing supplies?" There's NOTHING enriching about these things. If you are happy doing what you do and you can give money to a company that promotes these things, that's all you, babe. Knock yourself out. But for some of us, working with and for a company like that just turns our stomachs.

And heed freshie's advice. You want to learn the truth, start poking around here and reading, THEN post. But keep going with the "Mary kay is so great" mantra and you'll get booted. We didn't go onto intouch's site and tell you how crappy MK is. You CAME to us. Maybe for a reason? Keep reading.

Why would you settle for 50% off retail with the conditions that you must place a minimum order to keep that discount level? Have you ever checked out eBay? There are over 50,000 Mary Kay products listed at a fraction of the price you're paying with your discount, and many with free shipping.

Doing MK your way just is not smart, if you are doing it just for personal use, as you state. There are too many ways out there now that you can get exactly what you want, when you want, at a much cheaper price.

gforce, I can only tell you of my experience regarding women being "empowered." If you consider a sales director manipulating me into placing a $1,800 order empowering then yeah, MK goes all the way with empowerment. This director overcame EVERY objection I had and played me like a fiddle. Does that make me stupid? No, this director was smooth, she convinced me that she had my best interests at heart, that I was making a smart business choice based on a company that has been around for 45 years, she gained my trust and got my money.

The first few weekly meetings I attended were lead by the most vicious, fouled mouthed women (empowered no doubt), I've ever met. There were usually three directors and four consultants at these meetings. An intimate group but nasty. One director humiliated me in front of everyone for NOT wearing a skirt. Yeah, that was empowering. My director only bothered to show to one of these meetings.

Disgusted by the lack of professionalism I began attending meetings lead by a different set of directors. They also had foul mouths and told obscene jokes. I don't need to hear the f-word or sex jokes at what should have been quality training meetings.

So from my experience I can say I never saw empowerment. I saw a bunch of women swearing, wishing horrible things to happen to anyone who said "no" to Mary Kay, and acting maliciously towards others.

If that's empowerment then I'd rather be weak.

They have been outfront with inventory...i did not have to get an inventory but i choose to because I wanted to maximized my business. it is a business.
That is exactly why I chose to carry inventory. And because of that choice, I lost money. When they told me that carrying inventory was the best way to run my Mary Kay business, they were not upfront and honest with me about the risks involved. My SD was not upfront with me about how she benefited from my large initial order. She specifically told me that she recommended a sizable inventory package NOT because it was good for her, but because it was good for me. That sort of implies that it wasn't particularly good for her -- which is untrue.

I am just amazed at how many WOMEN ... would smash and bad mouth a company/organization that was built to empower WOMEN.

The victims of Mary Kay are mostly women. We are here because we did not find it empowering at all. The actual affects it has on women mean far more than the company's propaganda about what it was built for.

Maybe its not for you...or maybe you were not cut out for what MK has to offer - bottom line Mary Kay did it and so many other women are making it...
Mary Kay was at the top of the pyramid. Her results are not typical. And from the evidence we've seen from their own documentation -- showing the best that a very few people do in the Applause magazine -- it looks as if only a tiny percentage of women doing anything I would call "making it" in Mary Kay.

And when I was being recruited, I was certainly told that I was perfect for Mary Kay. My friends were impressed with how much I knew about makeup and skin care, and how good I was at sales. I have been good at almost everything else I've ever tried in my life. I really don't think me not being "cut out" for it was the issue.

...and feeling good about themselves...
Well, we've certainly encountered plenty of women who felt bad about themselves because of their Mary Kay experiences...

I am only a part-time Mary Kay beauty consultant that choose to have her great skin care and make-up for half price...
Then why in the world do you have inventory? I thought your goal was to maximize your business??

Hey gforce -- You should go for sales director, or something close to that title; you certainly have the (lack of) vocabulary skills to go with it.

gforce said, I did not have to get an inventory but i choose to because I wanted to maximized my business. it is a business.

And how much money are you making at that business? The purpose of a business is to make money. If you want to be empowered and socialize, join a service sorority.

bottom line Mary Kay did it and so many other women are making it and feeling good about themselves, and looking pretty. At the expense of thousands of other women who were manipulated into supporting the success of the few. The losses of every consultant liek you, who buys more than she needs, or can sell, is what props those women up: your losses are their bling.

gforce- my pt girlfriends have spelled it out nicely, and I suggest you heed their advice.

We are not asking you to quit your Mk business, but before touting how "great" it is, simply read what we've already written. I for one have over 15 yrs in MK- I've been a sales director, there are many who have been in way longer than I have, all to find out how truly damaging this company ultimately is to women and their self-esteem.

Gforce
There are many ways to brainwash a person. Remember Hilter? Jim Jones? Heavens Gate?

Hi,

I have a question regarding Mary Kays compensation plan after age 60 or 65...I heard that lets say you work and build a residual check of 5000 per month and then when you turn the age of 60-65 your check is lessened to half of what it was...Does anyone know if this is true or not.

Thanks,

dpawelek ... The only way you can keep that "residual check" is to keep working, keep recruiting, and keep those recruits buying BIG inventories.

You don't get any "retirement" unless you are an NSD.

dpawelek

Did someone tell you that there is a compensation plan for consultants or SDs after the age of 65?

I'm curious to know because they always leave out crucial info, to get people interested in signing up.

The philosophy in MK is, if they "leave out" info, they haven't actually lied. BUT, leaving out the "whole truth" is deceiving others (lies of omission).

For example: If you were told that there is a compensation plan after the age of 65, this is true BUT it's ONLY for NSDs.

You'll have better odds playing the lotto and winning the jackpot, then becoming an NSD.

No Actually I heard that the percentage that you make goes down after age 63 or 65 And then of course your residual would go down because you make a lower perfentage after this age..Does anyone know if this is true how would you find out...Will the company tell you directly if you call them?

Thank you

Do not use the word "residual" when you mean "commission on orders from current recruits".

True "residual" income is income you get without doing any further work on that project or for that company - it's sort of like royalties from a book. Actors in commercials get "residual payments" when the commercials are shown, on top of the pay they got for making the commercials.

IF you are still in Mary Kay at that age,
AND IF you have any recruits who are ordering product,
Your normal commission would still be paid.

BUT ... if you are a director or team leader and your recruits don't order enough to keep production up, you lose the unit and the commissions from those recruits. So if you want any money from Mary Kay after the age of 60-something, you can't stop! That's not "residual income".

Lazy, maybe we could call it "reductional income".

pinkpeace- funny!

my sd is in her late 60's- never made it to NSD, although she spent the last 30 yrs seriously trying. (At one time, she heard a rumor that they were going to move the retirement age 70- and she was going to make it if they did - she has now 1 offspring - who is a retiring NSD- her now commissions are pitiful since I'm not her gravy-train any longer).

More like residue income

Not really sure if I did everything right.
Mary Kay quoted me a retail value for return. So if I used the spreed sheet provided and just have to make sure the retail value matches what they said I could return?
Need help

hydros, is corp sending you a form? Word has it they are requiring the use of their form now. And yes, match the retail amount.
Welcome to pt.

My mom met up with her consultant and told the consultant about my health problems. Consultant said MK would be "perfect" for me. This was about a year ago, a few months after I found out I have a genetic mutation that left me with 1 kidney.

My mom NEVER asked a single question, just listened to the "executive pay with part-time work", sounds perfect (see below)! Her Consultant came over the next day and signed me up (I wasn't even present)!

4 months later, I found out MK DOES have quotas; minimum $400 retail every 2 or 3 months.

Let's clear something up real fast, I am on dialysis, which costs $100,00. Yes, A HUNDRED THOUSAND WITH INSURANCE. Every order I make goes to pay for dialysis and my many doctors co-pays, which are $50 per. I also have severe periods and I am on Seasonique, also $100 every 3 months.

When my mom found out about the $400 order, the cost of "Seaction 2", business supplies (cards, MK Gear, etc) she freaked out and told me to quit. The problem? I feel guilty about going as far as thinking about quitting.

What am I doing now? You guessed it. Ponying up every penny for that $400 order for "no-quota." MK, while paying over $8K a MONTH for dialysis, and $300 a month just in co-pays from my doctors, plus the cost of prescriptions.

When does that "executive pay for part time work" check come in? Oh, and I forgot to mention, I'm 20 years old. Shoot me now.

StuckWithPink,

First and foremost, please do not feel guilty about quitting MK. It is a scam. The woman who signed you up ( ) does not care about you or anyone else. Only herself.
Second, please call Corpse and find out (retail or wholesale) how much product you can send back and do so right away.
Click on Return Inventory at the top of the page to get started.
You can post your story on the Discussion Board. ( More people will see it there.) You can also ask any questions you have.
Good Luck!

Her Consultant came over the next day and signed me up (I wasn't even present)!

This is illegal!

There is NO CONTRACT between you and Mary Kay unless you actually signed that agreement or clicked that button.

This is identity theft!

StuckWithPink,

You are in my prayers. Please don't feel guilty about quitting. If you really think about it, you are never quitting MK, you are just reclaiming your life. Freeing your mind and wallet. Unleashing the ball and chains. Having a Pink Truth Intervention. Free at last girl, Free at last. May God continue to bless you!!!

So I happened to stumble across this site by accident trying to research ways to make my business better. Little did I know, there is no way to make it better b/c you are set up to fail.

I joined in March, did the $1800 inventory and have sold a few things. All the other orders I've had are for things that I don't have

I'm still going back and forth about whether I should quit, but I think my director just helped me to make a decision. She send me a text asking me to come to some dinner b/c our national is in town. I inform her that I can't because my family will be coming into town for my graduation. Her response, "Oh,congrats. I didn't know you were graduating, but your family will be ok for a few hours." That pink bytch. I quit.

I can't imagine how terrible those of you who did this for years must have felt. I know personally I am in a haze of self-loathing that I was so willing to believe such a pretty picture. My husband as well, who is in an inventory-driven market, feels scammed. After seeing me so excited, he was 110% supportive, and even cleaned out the back room for an office for me. And this was in no way a pressured decision. We went over this for a week (unlike the 24-48 hours mentality they try and use) and we felt informed. My SD was sweet, understanding, and didn't call or email me five times a day (things that WOULD have caught my attention). So we felt in control. Now granted, the money I have used for inventory wasn't rent money or day care money, just some we had stashed away, but to think that after meeting a woman once I was willing to let her pick out inventory for me before I even tried selling the product just makes me feel like an idiot. And I'm NOT an idiot...at least I never considered myself one before now.

Fortunately for me, I can send everything back, unopened, as it hasn't even gotten here (save the starter kit-but no worries there). If I feel this bad, I can't imagine how those who spent YEARS doing this must have felt, and still do feel.

Now I know you will always have the disgruntled few, and should take things with a grain of salt. And in fact when I first started reading this, that was my thought. But the more I read, the more it all made sense. And the sicker I felt. Here was money I could have put back into my family business, and instead used for something on my own. I DO feel guilty...but not to MK!

And yes, I spelled "looser" like that on purpose

crushed...i hear ya. I spent 15 years suppressing my intellect in favor of the women who I thought had my best interests at heart.

Even as I started to get facts and figures, it was always mitigated by the belief that I wasn't them (the loosers), I could make it work, I had integrity and shoot, its just a wholesale-retail business. If you work-it works. Period.

And it does work. For a while. And when sales begin to slow, and you are prodded to begin recruiting to "make the real money", you have placed your foot on the slippery slope of manipulation, half truths, deceit, hiding your own debt, ordering because you have to, not because you need something, ordering for appearances, learning to create the illusion of prosperity, becoming an elitest, coveting recognition, becoming expert at lies of omission by NOT telling your team what it really takes behind the scenes, because they wouldn't DO IT if they KNEW!

They trap us, and then we trap you. Directors are NOT the prestige group you think they are. They are in bondage SO BADLY they CAN NOT tell you the truth of their situation because they need you to BELIEVE and ACHIEVE to take some of the production pressure off of themselves.

And this is the MAJORITY of Directors.

Right now, there is a Director peeking in, SICK in her heart because she knows what I am saying is true, and she can not believe she is in this deep. And what does she feel? TRAPPED.

SHe has allegiances, and friendships, she has her car, she has her debt, and her entire life wrapped up in this scam...so now what does she do? She has to dig out...and she will work today all day and night to pull production and PRETEND that she isn't the sick soul that she has become.

My lurking Director friend. Stop the madness. Mary Kay is killing you...You won't even recognize yourself anymore, and you have to stop to turn it around and head back to wholeness and truth. Have courage. Tricking women out of their finances is NOT who you are. You learned it from the predators who tricked you.

Crushed - The best prospects for MLMs and cults are actually people who are "not that kind" ... catch them at the right minute with the right approach (backing off, love-bombing, whatever) and they take the bait.

Do NOT beat yourself up. You came up against an outfit with 45 years of polish and practice and they temporarily slid by your guard.

Crushed, please don't kick yourself around the block. At least you had your realization early on. That makes you one business savvy woman in my book!

I was duped for 29 years and you're right, the guilt I felt was huge! But as Raisin said, so many of us were so caught up in the lie that had become our entire life we couldn't get out. I was trapped for sure. However a moment of clarity hit me and I realized that it would go on like that forever unless I gathered what was left of my personal strength and cut my losses right then and there. I did it but the grief and self loathing was tough.

I am happy to say I am one year out of Directorship and seven monthes out of the company.

So look at it this way, we were all conned only you saw it for what it was before your inventory even arrived! That is most excellent and I rejoice for you!

Leave Mary Kay in the dust and feel blessed, because you certainly are!

Hi all!!!

I REALLY wish I had seen Pink Truth 3 months ago. I thought MK would be a great way to help pay for my October wedding.

I WAS WRONG!!!

I tried and tried to get people to do parties, I did one, and only one person bought something. And I realized this can't work out; I'd have to literally have NO LIFE in order to do even remotely decent for MK!!

So, I want to return my products (well, not all, there are a couple I use), get my $1200 back that I put on a credit card my SD told me I should get ( ), yes she told me to open up a credit card for this crap and I fell for it!!!!!

All the stuff I read on Pink Truth has happened to me, the whole fake smiles, the you "better be in a skirt deal" at Monday night Live, the time I almost passed out and no one asked me how I as doing when i clearly looked HORRIBLE after coming out the bathroom sweating, the inventory that's haunting me in my dreams now, everything.

I am going to call tomorrow morning, do the inventory sheet, and cancel my credit card! (or use it for, you know, the wedding) My question is, what do i do with the starter kit? and the business cards I bought (ugh). Should I try ebay to get rid of the starter kit crap?

Thanks!!!

You'll just have to consider the business cards a loss and throw them out.

As far as your starter kit, I'd keep the stuff you use and give the rest of it away. Mary Kay will not take any of it back.

One thing you could do is see if you have enough room left (because you've sold some product) and add a few of those foundations from your kit to your product return.

Other than that, ebay for your trays and mirrors. You probably won't get much for them though.

Hope this helps! And btw, welcome to Pink Truth and congrats on getting the scam figured out so quickly!

CRUSHED: We went over this for a week and we felt informed. You were presented with carefully selected information, and only informed of the things that were going to get you to sign up.

My SD was sweet, understanding, and didn't call or email me five times a day. She recognized that you were a "high control" person and didn't want to spook you. Had you been another type, she would have had a different approach.

So we felt in control. You were in control of a carefully set-up scenario, after having been given carefully edited information.

To think that after meeting a woman once I was willing to let her pick out inventory for me before I even tried selling the product just makes me feel like an idiot. And I'm NOT an idiot...at least I never considered myself one before now.

You aren't an idiot. You just ran into a recruiting machine with 45 years of experience behind her.

She exploited your strengths not your weaknesses. By making it seem all logical and rational, giving you edited facts, low key, she gave you the illusion of being in control and of making a rational decision.

Had she also informed you of the failure rate, the turnover and the hinky "Mary Kay math" that they use for these success stories ... your rational not-an-idiot minds would have made a far different decision.

Sylvia, I respect your opinion. I've never sold MK. And maybe you are the great exception to the rule...but do you realize how persistent MK reps are? Do you know what it's like to be at a school function, church function, kid's baseball game, etc and be cornered by an MK rep trying to convince you to give a party, get a facial etc, do an interview, be a model etc? That is totally unprofessional, intrusive and annoying. It is not networking. It's a sales pitch in an inappropriate place. None of these offers for facials or parties are for the benefit of anyone other than the MK rep. You may think the people on this site are a bunch of whiners but the reputation of most MK reps is well-deserved. Anyone with an MK rep as a friend has a story, or multiple stories, of how their friend turned a perfectly fine social outing into an uncomfortable sales pitch out of nowhere. If the product is so in demand, why must reps constantly solicit friends and family to put together parties for them - why aren't people coming to you. I just think alot of MK reps could make better money and work less hours and enjoy a much better reputation in their social circle if they got a part-time job. But if MK is your desired career-path - do it with gusto. But see how successful you are doing it by yourself, not on the backs of your friends and family. Seriously, attempt to create a profitable business where you leave your friends out of it - let's face it, your friends already have skin care and make up routines - you're not changing their lives. So is the product so good that strangers are getting your business off the ground and sustaining it - or are you still trying to get your cousin to host a party...Or warm-stalking ladies at the mall?

To the lady who hatepinkanyway I know it's been
hard but thank goodness you and other women
are waking up through this unpleasant process
So many people are lacking the correct skills to even do a real business ,then you get scammed for trying. Well I'm not here to scam you just to imform you. It takes skill, People skills. blogging developing relationships honest relationships with others. Here's a training website that may help you later in the post nefer

wth? nefer SPAM??

HI All
I just rejoined MK after a good 5 yr absents. Thankfully I have found THIS site....I am not reconsidering the whole MLM thing and MK. I was THIS CLOSE (pinches fingers together) to doing an $1800 order. DUMB!!!! I will keep MK for personal use and to anyone I give my card to that would like to order.
I thought this time around would be easier than the last, everyone is on the web and marketing myself would be easy. While that holds true, my director has such a positive spin on making me feel I SHOULD put in the $1800 order...it's only making HER money...maybe the US Government should look into this MLM of MK and put their feet down.

I thought this time around would be easier than the last, everyone is on the web and marketing myself would be easy.
But with everyone on the web, marketing themselves, you have that much more competition.

Unless you have a unique product, you end up in a large crowd of "me too" vendors, all fighting for their share of the market.

pinkandblack, welcome!
PLEASE,PLEASE, consider using/buying another, BETTER, CHEAPER, NON -MLM skin care line, so as not to feed the Pink Beast any more than it already consumes

Pinkandblack, the consensus from pretty much everyone on PT is that there is a world of better, cheaper cosmetics (try Ulta or Sephora - or even >shudder< Wal-Mart).

And anyone with a tiny bit of internet savvy can find MK stuff on eBay for pennies on the dollar.

Not that you asked, my my advice is GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN. Oh, and welcome to PT!!