That “free” Mary Kay car??? It’s not so free after all!

You didn’t get it FREE, you didn’t WIN it, and it’s not really even YOUR car. There are a lot of misconceptions about those red, silver and pink Mary Kay cars, so let’s reveal some truth here, shall we? I am going to simplify this, because there are so many rules involved that it makes my head spin.

First, Mary Kay leases the car for you and you get to drive it for up to two years (or until they tow it away because you can’t afford the lease payment when your production falls short) and then you start over again and try to requalify for a new one.

The car available to consultants (currently Chevrolet Cruz):

Personal active team members needed: 5 to go “on target” and 12 to complete

Wholesale production needed: $4,000 in a month to go “on target” and $18,000 (of which you can personally contribute no more than $4,000) in four months to complete. Also, you must have a minimum of $4,000 per month, whether it takes you one month or all four to complete your qualification.Maintenance wholesale production needed: $4,500 per month to keep the car with no payment toward your lease

Cash Compensation (in lieu of taking the car): ranges from $0 to $375, depending on your wholesale production for the month

Monthly Lease Payment (if your production falls short): up to $375, again depending on your wholesale production

Base MSRP: $16,975

Total “wholesale production” cost of car: $130,000 ($4,500 per month for 24 months + $18,000 during qualification + $4,000 during the “on target” month)

The first car for directors (currently Chevrolet Equinox):

Active team members needed: 30, also what is required to initially qualify for directorship

Wholesale production needed: $24,000 in one calendar quarter to go “on target” and $48,000 in two consecutive calendar quarters to complete

Maintenance wholesale production needed: $24,000 per calendar quarter

Cash Compensation (in lieu of taking the car): ranges from $0 to $500, depending on your unit’s wholesale production

Monthly Lease Payment (if your production falls short): up to $500, again depending on your unit’s wholesale production

Base MSRP: $23,580

Total minimum “wholesale production” cost of car: $264,000 ($24,000 per quarter for 8 quarters + $48,000 during qualification + $24,000 during “on target” quarter)

The pink Cadillac for directors:

Active team members needed: 30, also what is required to initially qualify for directorship

Wholesale production needed: $48,000 in one calendar quarter to go “on target” and $96,000 in two consecutive calendar quarters to complete

Maintenance wholesale production needed: $48,000 per calendar quarter

Cash Compensation (in lieu of taking the car): ranges from $0 to $900, depending on your unit’s wholesale production

Monthly Lease Payment (if your production falls short): up to $900, again depending on your unit’s wholesale production

Base MSRP: $45,995

Total minimum “wholesale production” cost of car: $576,000 ($48,000 per quarter for 8 quarters + $96,000 during qualification + $48,000 during “on target” month)

After I wrote all this, I got into my brand new car THAT I AM PAYING FOR and hoped that I wouldn’t pass a Mary Kay car on the way to my JOB. I think I’d have asked the women driving if she’s ever let her unit members borrow the car. . . I mean, they did pay for it.