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Re: Mary Kay Cosmetics - think twice and get the facts first (Reply to this comment)
by legrandebazar
Paganjane, do you know anything about Mary Kay or are you just guessing? I am a Mary Kay consultant and Mary Kay DOES tell you EXACTLY how you can get bonus incentives like jewelry, free products, cars, etc. They offer many rewards in return for hard work. And it's your choice, no one is obligated to do anything for the company. You can put in as much or as little effort as you want but you will not be penalized.
I agree that no one likes to feel pressured but everyone goes about the sales in a different way. In fact, the company does NOT condone being pushy AT ALL. They emphasize building relationships with people and providing the best in customer service. Just because some people are persuasive or pushy doesn't mean it's the right thing to do or that that's what Mary Kay stands for. And if someone can't speak up for themselves and lets someone take advantage of them, then that's a bad quality too. Mary Kay consultants need to spread out and get referrals to expand their business and make money. So to some that may come off as pushy, but that's how sales works. As long as you go about it in a respectful way and respect people's boundaries there shouldn't be a problem.
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Oct 29 '09
9:45 am PDT
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Re: Please Read! (Reply to this comment)
by legrandebazar
I totally agree with you. Not every consultant is the same. Give Mary Kay a chance. It is a great company if you don't hold a grudge against it because of some bad sales people out there. There are lots of shady sales people in the world. Car salesmen get a bad rap too but that doesn't mean you can't buy a great car from a trustworthy salesmen who will give you a good deal. My dad has been in the car business for 25 years and truly believes in honest and loyal customer service to keep customers coming back to him. If you have the same attitude with any sales you do, then you don't need to be pushy. You let your charisma and the product sell itself.
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Oct 29 '09
9:37 am PDT
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Re: I Was... (Reply to this comment)
by taurus0460
I absolutely LOVE your response. LOL
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Aug 28 '08
9:00 pm PDT
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Re: Jonestown Revisited? (Reply to this comment)
by taurus0460
A poster for MK said, "After viewing comments on this opinion, I find it sad that there are so many sad, bitter, angry, frightened, ignorant, unkind, and self-centered people out there. It is unfortunate that they don't know that they don't know what they are talking about. I have nothing but pity for you."
It is so like someone brainwashed by a cult to "pity" everybody who is not in it, who doesn't "understand". The more you open your mouth to "defend" yourself by putting down other people, the more I have to laugh and disregard your opinion.
Like so many others here, I don't appreciate being accosted with heavy-handed sales practices for any product, not even my favorite things - they're just "things".
Although I use makeup and even like some of the MK products, I don't enjoy having them consume my life.
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Aug 28 '08
8:51 pm PDT
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Re: Please Read! (Reply to this comment)
by likewhatever
bull! try going to pinktruth.com! its from prior directors and consultants. im sure there are a few happy people working for mary kay or they still wouldnt be in business but they are a cult nontheless
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Feb 17 '08
7:19 pm PST
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Another way to repel the pinkos (Reply to this comment)
by mpbarbare
Dress goth. Ever since I left my conservative job for a creative one, and have been able to dress as gothic as I want, this has kept them away from me. I haven't been pestered by a consultant in about fifteen years now.
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Aug 08 '07
11:30 am PDT
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Cult is Right! NOT Recommended (Reply to this comment)
by venema69
A while back I met a woman at a networking meeting and I knew she was a Mary Kay consultant. We began chatting and I thought, gee, this gal is really nice - even friend material. Little did I know what she REALLY had in mind.
After several networking meetings, the pressure was on. I consented to have her do my makeover, of which I really did not need, but what the heck, I thought, I'll give it a try. She kept telling me how beautiful my skin was, and of course, I soaked up this compliment. With each product carefully applied to my face, the compliments increased, and I got caught up like I was in cement boots!
The package facial deals were presented to me with precision and aplomb, in addition to the incredible make-up, and how it enhanced my features. I wound up relinquishing my debit card for an amount I was not intending, and could not afford at the time.
The next step was working on me to be a Mary Kay consultant and how independent I could be, and that I could make sooo much money doing this.
Okay, so I consented to attend one of their meetings. I arrived at the hotel conference room in a pantsuit, very professional, and stayed for the entire presentation. The four women who sponsored this really had their act together and their shtick.
Just before the next meeting, I received a call from my "friend" and she politely asked me if I would wear a skirt or dress to the next meeting. I was appalled. She said that Mary Kay's consultants do not wear pants/slacks. I responded that in this day and age, that is ridiculous! Never-the-less, my nice pantsuit had come with slacks and a skirt, so I complied, but with gritted teeth. After the meeting, I knew this was not for me.
I called Mary Kay in Texas and was told that this is not a requirement, but it's up to each individual group (right!), and Mary Kay prefers women to not wear pants.
Okay, that did it for me. I'm not a "women's libber" but why does a company still keep women stuck in the 50's? Was Mary Kay really a man who wanted women to be prissy independents, think of their family as second to God, then put their career as the third priority? This is really weird. So, if you want women to keep progressing in the corporate/societal world, in my opinion, don't be a Mary Kay consultant.
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Apr 01 '06
8:13 pm PST
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Please Read! (Reply to this comment)
by sorry4u
I have been in Mary Kay on and off for 11 years. I am an educated mother and wife who wants to stay at home. I have read several remarks toward the MK Cult women who do all things that affect people to the point that they write rude stereotypical remarks for 5 years. It amazes me that anyone could put all women into one place. I am very aware after 11 years in MK that there are crooked sales people in it for themselves only. I am also aware that the people sitting right beside me in church every Sunday are just the same and don't sell pink products. In case you haven't noticed...this is more the norm anymore than the abnormal behavior of Americans. We each have to keep our faith and press on and not get tied into the deceit. After little time in the company again, I have been able to deflect the true leaders and the women who are out for themselves in our area. You must be a strong woman who is capable of accepting RESPONSIBILITY for your own actions, not others. I feel for those of you who think that I a Mary Kay Consultant eat babies, but what is wrong with a grown intelligent woman to say something so STUPID? According to Websters, a cult is: A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. What you others are doing is just as much a cult as what some of the BAD MK women are trying to do. You are trying to talk all women and their husbands out of a possible career choice due to your hatred, rather than stating your facts of your situation and allowing others to not follow "under the guidance of an authoritarian leader" as yourself of course.
I feel sorry for someone with so much anger, hatred, and malicious attitude to try to financially endanger some of our self-employed Mary Kay companies. There is nothing wrong with giving the facts. But the fact is I don't eat babies, I have 5 at home!!! And my husband loves that I actually am putting money into our account! And he will love me more when I buy him a brand new motorcycle this year! USE COMPASSION WHEN YOU WARN WOMEN RATHER THAN FEAR!
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Feb 02 '06
10:44 pm PST
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. (Reply to this comment)
by munkus
I read brilliant essays like these, as almost all your stuff is, and wonder why I bother at all.
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Sep 14 '05
5:50 am PDT
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Re: Re: I laughed off my petit bourgeois derriere. (Reply to this comment)
by rplumb
I think it's great that as a husband you are able to see how the company has helped your wife.
I used to be a Mary Kay consultant, and I have seen the negative things that many of these women have mentioned, but I know that despite those things, I did learn quite a bit, and I have been able to take that with me in another company that allows me to work from home now. Knowing how MK consultants are mainly distributors, I knew that if I was looking for something else, I wouldn't want that, and I've found it. A company that doesn't require me to be a distributor or stock up inventory, and has an excellent compensation plan. And if I didn't experience MK, I wouldn't appreciate what I have found. So.....I like "the Lion King" how Raffiki says,"you can run from the past, or learn from it."
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Sep 05 '05
6:06 am PDT
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Helpful link (Reply to this comment)
by TLCREDD
Corrected link:
www.thepinkingshears.org
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Aug 19 '05
1:34 pm PDT
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Hilarious advice- wish I had followed! (Reply to this comment)
by heatherweh
I had a similar experience with a Mary Kay agent recently. I was approached while in line at the grocery. The young lady behind me just said "Hi, I'd like to buy you a free facial". It was bizarre. She explained that she sells Mary Kay and unlike you, I wasn't quick enough to come up with a fake name and phone number and so left with an appointment to meet her at her home.
"Oh well" I thought, "I can just buy a new mascara or something and it'll be nice to meet someone my age who lives in the area." Wow, I was naieve. I went to her house and was asked to fill out a form describing what was wrong with my beauty regimin and what I wanted to improve about my skin, etc. It was overall rather awkward; she seemed sort of taken aback when I asked her non-beauty product related questions, like "when did you move to the area?". She used all the cliches that are apparently taught in the Mary Kay training "You know you are just at the age where women start developing wrinkles", Close your eyes and imagine yourself beautiful", etc. After I had exfoliated and moiturized (for the third time) she told me to compare the freshly scrubbed side of my head with the "yucky side". I didn't see any difference, but of course agreed out of politeness. My politeness was stretched even further when I reluctently agreed to host a Mary Kay party and she nailed me down to a date and location, then again when I was presented a list of packages that I could purchase ranging from $45 to $349! I asked to start with just the cleanser and was told you have to use all Mary Kay products or you can't buy them? I gave in and bought some hand and lip smoothing kit for $46. I left feeling as though I had been suckered and wondering a) how I would explain to my husband why the hand cream I bought was worth nearly $50 and b) why I had agreed to alienate all my friends by inviting them over so they could be pressured into spending buku money on glorified soap. I am unsure on how to take Mary Kay, but I don't really like the high-pressure sales tactics and recruiting. Everyone says Mary Kay products are great, especially the reps, so why not let the products sell themselves instead of forcing people to buy more than they want or things they don't need?
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Aug 15 '05
5:38 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Mary Kay is a cult! (Reply to this comment)
by paganjane
Thanks, but I would rather not be approached by total strangers. It makes me uncomfortable and I feel put on the spot.
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Jul 29 '05
6:35 am PDT
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Mary Kay Cosmetics - think twice and get the facts first (Reply to this comment)
by paganjane
I do not recommend going into this "business" (Mary Kay), as many of the women have alienated family and friends by pressuring them to join. Nobody likes to feel pressured. Also, the "Free Car" (pink cadillac) is a lie that they have been telling for years. The TRUTH is that this car is a LEASED car. You can drive it as long as your sales are at a certain level. Once your sales drop, you turn the car back in. Its not any different from any other company car. Lots of business loan their employees a company car. As for the "free prizes" like faux jewelry, pins, scarves, handbags - hey, if you want stuff like that, just hit the mall when there's a good sale, and buy some of these things. No need to join Mary Kay in order to get some nice things. Also, MK won't tell you how hard you have to work to actually GET these prizes.
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Jul 28 '05
8:45 am PDT
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Mary Kay - The Whole Truth (Reply to this comment)
by jrichardsmk
If you are considering becoming a Mary Kay consultant, please make sure you are making your own completely educated decision, get BOTH sides of the story. Check out http://www.thepinkingshears.com
Jessie
Mary Kay Independant Beauty Consultant since April '03
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Jul 08 '05
9:02 am PDT
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Salvation for MK Cult Members!!! (Reply to this comment)
by TLCREDD
Your characterization of the MK freaks is absolutely on point!!!! I am ashamed to say that I was once one of the clan.
The company teaches their soldiers to be masters of mind control and manipulation. Give them an opening, and they won't hesitate to pimp it out for all it's worth.
Yes, their comments like "you're so sharp" WERE created back in the 60s and they're still used today. What a shame they can't update their lingo. Well, it's not a surprise since they haven't updated their dress code, which includes skirts and closed-toed shoes to all company-related activities!
For anyone who needs de-programming or plain old sisterly support against the black hole of MK, please visit MKSurvivors at http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/MKSurvivors/.
We're here to support women who are considering gertting out of the rat race. If you haven't considered it yet, please do so. Your credit card and your family will thank you!!! Learn the truth about this Multi-Level Marketing scam that gets billions of dollars out of women every year!
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May 02 '05
7:01 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Married to the Pink Cult (Reply to this comment)
by majesticeagle
Mary Kay is the number one skin care brand to it's consultants only. How many consultants have a warehouse of inventory and cannot sell it? How many actual customers that buy the products are there? You cannot tell, because the products are sold to the consultants to stay in business.
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Apr 04 '05
7:21 pm PDT
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So very true it is scary!! (Reply to this comment)
by sdennis
Like it will do any good, I have emailed their corporate office and local sales nazis telling them to lay off in the area I live and work. I have been approached 7-8 times recently. At first I was annoyed, and now as I have been approached more and more I have become nothing less than enraged. I play along just long enough to get her card and then immediately turn her in and point her out to store personnel for solicitation, telling the store if they don't keep people like her out their customers will inevitably dwindle. The new signs on the doors should read "NO Solicitation, ESPECIALLY from you Mary Kay freaks!!" It annoys me to no end that I can't spend one moment away from my work or home without being attacked by one of these pre-recorded zombies, I just can't take it!
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Mar 25 '05
8:00 am PST
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Re: I laughed off my petit bourgeois derriere. (Reply to this comment)
by joekano
As the Husband of a fairly new Mary Kay Consultant, Three Months in the Biz, I found reading the range of opinions here very interesting so I thought i would mention a bit about what Mary Kay (Australia) at least seems to be like to me.
It is giving my Wife a confidence i thought she would never learn in dealing with people not just children ( she has worked in childcare for like 15 years, great with kids, shocking with adults ) and it makes me so happy to watch the joy she gets out of doing this job.
She hasn't been pressured into buying a heap of product up front, in fact her unit director ( who just went pink car, shes choosing a beetle and should get it in feb or march, they look cool!) tells her "girls" to make sure they profit from the whole experience and actually retain some of their sales for themselves.
She is looking great, her skin is lovely and she likes doing her face up, and my wife was never a girly girl type as she puts it, and she hated pink, now she just doesn't seem to want to walk past pink stuff, or black, that seems to be the other colour she likes at the moment ( she even nicked one of my black sandwich keepers that i scored ( er...i do Tupperware in my part time, heh, but i do it because i love the product, not committed enough to ever make much money and i buy too much i want for myself, go figure eh.)to keep samples etc in ).
The life skills she is getting, the organisational skills, the self development are just great. i am so happy my wife was asked to join Mary Kay by her sister in law.
We had both tried Direct Selling before, Herbalife, and I gotta say, great product awful unrewarding business plan. Mary Kay and Tupperware are both much better. Why? Because you are selling a want. Women want to look good. They also want the food they buy to last etc.
My Wife and I have been to each others unit sales meetings etc as guests and we both love to crack jokes about how they are cults etc but its in good natured fun. The Whole Jonestown reference was i think just a little nasty minded.
Besides neither serves any cordial at their meetings.......
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Jan 05 '05
5:17 pm PST
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I laughed off my petit bourgeois derriere. (Reply to this comment)
by raiuchka
No, really, I am a Mary Kay consultant, and I actually did guffaw. I was going to send this link to some of my fellow Mary Kay consultants. Then I read your comments here, realized you weren't necessarily just going for comic over-emphasis, and reconsidered sharing the joy.
I originally rated your opinion "Not Helpful" because, much as I think you are a great writer, I didn't find anything actually useful in making a decision, which is after all the overarching purpose of Epinions. Nor did I find that your opinion is well-informed, as many here have already somewhat shrilly pointed out. However, I am now going to go back and change my rating to "Somewhat Helpful" because you have certainly painted a picture of how I don't want to run my business! And, okay, maybe a little because you made me laugh.
Peace.
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Jul 31 '04
12:05 am PDT
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Re: Married to the Pink Cult (Reply to this comment)
by hopec
I feel sorry for your wife. She needs your support and you are bashing her choice instead. Make-up is not meant to be understood by men. If MK is such a bad deal - cult or pyramid scheme- how is it the number one selling cosmetic and most successful business for women? Sounds like you might be jealous that your wife could be something without the help of a man.
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Jan 23 '04
8:01 am PST
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Re: Re: Mary Kay is a cult! (Reply to this comment)
by hopec
It saddens me that people like you are trying to give Mary Kay women a bad name. I personally approach a woman for one of two reasons: you look like you could use some help with your facial routine (or lack there of) or you are so attractive that it would be an honor to have you wear MK. Loosen up and don't be so defensive. All we are trying to do is have a little fun while we make a career. We are by far a cult.
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Jan 23 '04
7:55 am PST
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Married to the Pink Cult (Reply to this comment)
by mike-kay
It looks like most of these comments are to women from women. Well here is how the other side sees it...It is a cult. A strong cult. It is a money pyramid disguised in 50 shades of blue, brown and pink eyeliner. And it is dangerous. It preys on a herd mentality. Get 6 women together tyring on expensive makeup like it is a 5th grade slumber party and you are bound to sell something. Most of the time no one wants to buy anything but they feel like they have to. Remember the last time you came home from a party with the cheapest country basket made from the Amish that you could pick out of the catalogue at your friend's "debut party". Or how about the candle and Country Living party Aunt Bertha threw. Wow. Some party.
Then there are the constant calls and encouragement from your pyramid leader - the lady who actually thinks her name is Mary Kay and spends all her waking hours bothering others until they buy lotion for 20 bucks a pop. She sends post cards that read "Great job! You are already in the blue diamond club". Now if you would only quit your real job and work all day bugging people you could join the red diamond club. Next is the yellow diamond club, and before long you can win a pink cadillac. Don't forget the 3 hour meeting tonight to discuss skin toners. You could win a free eyeliner! And make sure your husbnd joins us for the spouse's pool party and makeover on Sunday! Yeagh, that might happen.
I especially love how it is recommended you buy thousands of dollars worth of makeup up front so you have enough when the big orders start pouring in. Then you can have fun for hours a night trying to organize your little samples and packing your next days makeup suitcase for the big "party".
Look - this is cycnical and poking fun at Mary Kay. I am living through this debauchery, and doing my best to support my wife. But, come on, I am a guy. Makeup does not make sense to me. I don't understand toners, I don't want ant-aging cream for my feet, I don't care if my cuticles go out of place or if my eyelids are pale. My brows are ok how they are, and I consider it a success if I keep my nose and ear hair out of sight. I like to use real soap (the kind that still comes in a bar) - so keep that little spongy flufey away from me - even if it sporting the pink MK.
So yes, I come back to my first conclusion. C-U-L-T. They are brainwashed. Broken down little by little and worked to exhaustion until they finally see what they are doing, or the other option, (please do not let this happen to my wife) they become a "lifer". Not one soccer game, trip to the mall, family get together or church picnic goes by without talk of the pink demon. It rears its ugly head at every turn. It can't be stopped. It thinks total strangers want its potions and it trys to broaden its triagle base whenever possible. So guys out there - if you are listening - take my advice. If your wife comes home from one of these cult meetings and thinks she would like to try Mary Kay - take action - IMMEDIATELY. Buy her a puppy, jewelery, go to a movie, start a new hobby together - do something - anything to get her out of the jaws of the pink ladies.
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Sep 09 '03
6:22 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: I guffawed, something those Mary Kay ladies probably never do.... (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
mkmae5, meet the return key.
Return key, meet mkmae5.
There, I've introduced you two! I hope you'll become fast friends.
Wow! It's a famous saying in Mary Kay and when someone isn't interested in what we have to offer we simply say WOW! Which means: With or without you.
I wish those MK consultants had said WOW! to me instead of their long, phony sales spiel.
I personally don't know how those women made a mistake by talking to someone so shallow.
Probably because you can't truly tell if someone is shallow just by looking, now can you. I certainly wish they had ESP and could tell right away that I was shallow so they could've saved themselves the effort.
First, you mention twice about the person's weight. What does that have to do with the price of rice in china?? Sounds like to me you enjoy picking on others to make yourself look good.
I only counted one mention of anyone's weight, and it was purely descriptive. I said, "an overweight, middle-aged" woman. Would it be better if I had said "heavy"? I don't care if the Mary Kay Jesus-haters and baby killers are thin, fat, or the size of Lincoln Navigators, I still don't want them approaching me.
s a shame that people blame being a person of faith and also having a business to cult related activities. I say too bad for you.
Where did I blame anyone for being a person of faith? I called them cult members. That's not the same as "persons of faith".
I suggest you check out Mary Kay the Company and look at the growth. All the other companies out there today are looking to Mary Kay for hope.
You're right. I'm sure the Dow Jones Industrials are lined up at Mary Kay headquarters, trying to get to the bottom of their business strategy so they can copy it. They're all moving towards the self-employed consultant hawking-products-on-the- street business plan.
I'm sure people and leaders across the world would have better things to do than give out awards and write tons of books about all the good things our Company has to offer and our leader if we were a cult.
I've begun reading the books about Mary Kay written by Vladimir Putin, Jacques Chirac, Kofi Annan, Jack Welch, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama, and I have to say, they're pretty inspiring. I had no idea how much these guys loved face spackle.
I guess you could say America is a cult because we look to the President for leadership "right".
Uh, no. I think most citizens look to their leader hoping to find leadership.
Just get your facts straight and quit picking on people who are simply doing their job!
I will continue to be annoyed with anyone who confronts me in public with an irritating, time-wasting sales ploy.
I would also quit associating people with their weight and the fact that they like to look nice.
OK, from now on I will completely dissassociate everyone from their weight and their looks. I will never again use size or appearance to describe anyone or anything.
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Mar 05 '03
11:31 pm PST
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Re: Mary Kay is a cult! (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
They made you eat babies, didn't they!
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Jan 11 '03
8:30 pm PST
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Re: Re: Re: Thought you'd find this interesting (Reply to this comment)
by lovemycody
I totally agree with Mr. Eyore, (even if I am months late on stating it--I just discovered you, LG). You have SUCH a talent! I enjoy reading your reviews and don't particularly even care that they are beside the subject in question. If you've never had anything published, you should look into it. You're like money waiting for a place to be earned. Yes, really.
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Dec 19 '02
3:03 pm PST
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Re: Re: Thought you'd find this interesting (Reply to this comment)
by Mr.Eyore
Yeah. They're evil.
I'm enjoying reading through some of your old reviews again, and I'm sort of glad that all this recent nonsense has made more people discover your writing. Not to get all chak on you, but you're just such a talent. I can't wait till the day comes when you are required to turn in a weekly column. This stuff gives me genuine pleasure, like Cintra Wilson for you.
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Nov 27 '02
2:23 am PST
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Re: Thought you'd find this interesting (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
Oh, and one more thing --
THE MARY KAY COMPANY HATES JESUS.
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Nov 24 '02
2:11 am PST
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Re: Thought you'd find this interesting (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
Typical cult behavior. Fire you while you're pregnant and fighting breast cancer, repossess your pink Cadillac, then claim they didn't really fire you because they can't fire you -- you're an independent contractor!
MARY KAY CONSULTANTS EAT BABIES.
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Nov 24 '02
2:10 am PST
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Thought you'd find this interesting (Reply to this comment)
by Mr.Eyore
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=350&e=5&cid=350&u=/kpix/20021122/lo_kpix/5109
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Nov 22 '02
2:43 pm PST
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