Elizabeth
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 10, 2011 23:11:45 GMT -5
Hi All,
I buy Mary Kay make -up once in a while from a lady who approached me at the grocery store of all places. Turns out we get along great, and I do like the product, but they can be pricey. She does try to recruit me once in awhile, and this is what she does full time because one of her DS is handicapped, so it allows her a flexible schedule. I do give it consideration, because I am very interested and make up and skin care. I was a make- up artist to help pay my bills in college. I just wonder, is it all a scam? Does she really make money? I'm not one to approach people at the grocery store. If anything I would join to get make up at half off to do other women's make -up. This may have been addressed before, so if so I apologize. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 11, 2011 6:34:06 GMT -5
Do you have friends? Do you want to keep them? The stuff is nicer than it used to be but is WAY overpriced and the quickest way to irritate/lose friends is to try to sell them stuff. Most women by now know what they want on their face so if they aren't MK fans, they aren't going to become one now.
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bobosensei
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Post by bobosensei on Apr 11, 2011 6:59:23 GMT -5
My grandmother used to sell it. She did very well for herself without approaching people in grocery stores or doing the home party thing. Of course that was because she had an income tax business so most of her clients who were getting refunds got started buying from her when she did their taxes. Then they just kept coming back because it is a great product.
But I think for most people to do well you have to rely on getting people to throw parties in their home where they sell it to all their friends. I hate that.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 11, 2011 7:34:51 GMT -5
I dunno about Mary Kay, but I have a friend who's done that Silpada jewelry before, now she's doing something called Partylite. All she posts on facebook is crap about "host a party!!! Get x amount of hostess credit! Check out my page!" she can't make much money on it... I wouldn't want to put the time & work into it to not make anything. I do know an Avon lady who I think does decent business, but she has a full-time job too so it's just supplementary income for her (plus she's networked with tons of people from the place we both used to work at, so she has lots of customers already that have bought from her for a while).
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Apr 11, 2011 8:35:42 GMT -5
I work with an Avon rep who does a good business selling to coworkers on break, but she's been at it for years, and will get whatever someone wants, even if the item is no longer offered. She seems to have connections with other reps who may have a discontinued shade or item in their private stash of stock. She's great. Most other party-type stuff I just ignore. I especially stay away from the jewelry parties because I buy used jewelry in 14k gold for the same prices at which they're trying to sell plastic and silver at the party. Doesn't make sense to pay top price for something of lesser quality. I don't have much market for a lot of the junk that's being sold anyway, including jewelry. We have plenty of "stuff".
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 8:45:12 GMT -5
While *some* people make money with these types of home party businesses, I think they are few and far between. You may do well enough to support your own buying habit, but I wouldn't expect much more than that.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 11, 2011 10:38:34 GMT -5
I think the biggest problem with doing it to buy stuff for yourself is that your "manager" (or whatever they are called) will pressure you to buy a lot of samples. Because you don't know this lady well, you don't really know how much pressure she will put on you to buy the latest thing - all with assurances that you will sell it for twice what you paid for it. I know people with $16,000 of product and the corresponding $22,000 of credit card debt. I did know one lady who said she was doing "really well" with Mary Kay, but later her (relatively new second) husband divorced her and said it was because they weren't on the same page financially. I took that as code for "She's in credit card debt up to her eyeballs and didn't tell me about it when we got married and now I think she is just gold-digging." That didn't do much for my faith in Mary Kay as a money making activity. She didn't have fancy cars, or clothes or a really nice house, but who knows - no matter how much you make you can always spend more. I'd think really carefully about the kind of person you are. Are you willing to put yourself out there and ask just about anybody to try the products? Are you willing to spend your days convincing people that their skin care routine is wrong and they will never be happy unless they buy your product? (Okay - that is an exaggeration, but if you don't feel a little that way, you won't be successful.) Are you able to say "no" to bullies and very sweet ladies who are telling you they know best when they want to make you purchase a lot of expensive stuff? This is a non-complimentary website about Mary Kay. I would encourage you to read this and find one that has positive things to say about Mary Kay. www.pinktruth.com/
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 11:02:19 GMT -5
A mom at my daughter's dance studio 'sells'... basically she takes a minimum order that she needs to keep her 'salesperson' status twice a year... we all buy at 30% off, cause she's not trying to make a lot of money, just maintain her discount... and that gives her her minimum... Works for her/us...
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workpublic
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Post by workpublic on Apr 11, 2011 11:05:59 GMT -5
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Apr 11, 2011 11:11:45 GMT -5
Mary Kay isn't a scam. It's a real product, and you can potentially earn some money. This means of course that you will be hawking products to your friends and relatives who most likely won't appreciate it.
Personally, I cut off people who view my friendship as a potential source of revenue.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 11, 2011 11:12:44 GMT -5
Do you really have the extra time to do this?
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Apr 11, 2011 11:16:15 GMT -5
I had a friend who did it and she had to buy the products to sell for, I think she said 50% and then turn around and try to sell it to people for 100% of the price. The profit margin for her was very small because she couldn't find enough of a market base, so she bought out her stuff herself and quit. She said despite what they said in the sales potch Mary Kay reps are VERY territorial so it can be difficult to find customers without crossing into someone else's turf. It might work if you live in a dorm and can hock to the university students or if you can get fellow co-workers to buy. Otherwise you are going to have to host parties and hit the pavement if you want to make any money at it. The BIG money maker is getting other women on board. Apparently you get a chunk of change for each new recruit. I had a lady tearing her hair out when I attended a party and I wouldn't sign up to sell, I was costing her money.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 11, 2011 11:19:09 GMT -5
People REALLY don't like friends USING them like this. Just saying.
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Elizabeth
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 11, 2011 11:36:00 GMT -5
Yeah, I definitely would not like to sell to my friends, family, or approach strangers. I don't like the facial parties either. I went one time with this lady to her weekly meeting or whatever and they introduced some new products and did their sales awards, etc. It was awkward, like they all wanted me to come on board and join the team. I declined saying I have too much on my plate right (I really do, but still I probably wouldn't). But she left me a vm last night saying that they have a special on the starter kit and now would be a good time to start my MK business. Pressure, pressure. LOL!! And thanks for the website Thyme and Workpublic. These are probably the reason this business makes my "spidey sense" tingle.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2011 11:37:48 GMT -5
This is a non-complimentary website about Mary Kay. I would encourage you to read this and find one that has positive things to say about Mary Kay. www.pinktruth.com/Fascinating site! I could spend all day on it but have to get back to my day job. I was invited to an MK "demo" where they were going to let me try out all kids of products and give feedback. The person who invited me just saw me when I was a participant in a Toastmasters contest, we had a nice conversation about something completely unrelated, and somehow she tracked down my e-mail address. What a pain to have to troll for business everywhere you go! I write a careful reply thanking her for the invitation and telling her I don't wear makeup (which is true) so I wouldn't be very useful in giving feedback on products. I think I saved myself a high-pressure sales pitch.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Apr 11, 2011 11:39:00 GMT -5
But she left me a vm last night saying that they have a special on the starter kit and now would be a good time to start my MK business.
They ALL say that. That is how they hook you in. It was a steep discount for my friend's "starter kit", but after that the amount she had to pay for her products skyrocketed.
She will get a chunk of change if she can get you to sign up to be a representative. She isn't offering this to you out of the goodness of her heart.
That is where the really money is, get people to sign up underneath you. I do believe they also get a % of your profits but I'd have to ask my friend about that.
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TD2K
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Post by TD2K on Apr 11, 2011 12:45:49 GMT -5
I do believe they also get a % of your profits but I'd have to ask my friend about that.
I'll pretty much guarantee they do or they wouldn't be suggesting to friends this is the deal of the century. This is a basic feature of MLM and how they sell that you can make the big money.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Apr 11, 2011 12:47:46 GMT -5
This is a basic feature of MLM and how they sell that you can make the big money.
They got mad at me because I didn't beleive them that I get a "free car" just by selling their make-up.
That's like the people who come knocking on my door telling me they get a free trip to Cancun if they sell 3,000 magazine subscriptions.
Isn't going to happen.
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Plain Old Petunia
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Apr 11, 2011 18:50:29 GMT -5
Yeah, I definitely would not like to sell to my friends, family, or approach strangers. I don't like the facial parties either. I went one time with this lady to her weekly meeting or whatever and they introduced some new products and did their sales awards, etc. It was awkward, like they all wanted me to come on board and join the team. I declined saying I have too much on my plate right (I really do, but still I probably wouldn't). But she left me a vm last night saying that they have a special on the starter kit and now would be a good time to start my MK business. Pressure, pressure. LOL!! And thanks for the website Thyme and Workpublic. These are probably the reason this business makes my "spidey sense" tingle. So even though you declined to sell MK, she has called you back to say that now is a good time for you to start. Do you see what she has done there? She has rolled right on over your "no" and focused on your qualifier "now is not a good time". Oh, but you're wrong, it is a good time because she can get you a good price. When is a good time to insert fire crackers up your nose? It doesn't matter, because you no desire to insert fire crackers up your nose. Similarly, it is irrelevant that now is a good time to do something you have no desire to do. What I have learned to do in these situations is......NEVER qualify your "no". So don't say "No, now is not a good time for me to sell MK." Instead, say "No." or "No, I am not interested."
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Elizabeth
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"The inner mechanations of my mind are an enigma."
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 11, 2011 18:57:54 GMT -5
"When is a good time to insert fire crackers up your nose? It doesn't matter, because you no desire to insert fire crackers up your nose. Similarly, it is irrelevant that now is a good time to do something you have no desire to do."
When you put it that way, yes you are right. She did throw out my "no." I wonder if she has convinced someone else to work for her. She said on the vm that she wanted to be a director. I'm not sure how many employees you need to get to that position.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 11, 2011 18:58:17 GMT -5
I always answer "I'm a horrible sales person. I refuse to talk to anyone I know about things like this. And I won't cold call or approach anyone I don't know about this." They still pressure me, but at least I already told them I'll be a suck-ass revenue stream.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 11, 2011 19:21:09 GMT -5
I spent a long time on that Pink Truth website, so much of it sounds familiar... my cousin is in a MLM group and all the cultlike tactics are the same as I've seen with her. I have a few friends who are selling MK (though thankfully none are doing it as a primary job) and they always seem desperate to get others to sign up. It is amazing, when you break down the costs/possible benefits, how even the "highest sellers" don't net more than $30K or so per year. No thanks.
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2kids10horses
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Post by 2kids10horses on Apr 11, 2011 19:44:23 GMT -5
Mary Kay is not a scam, but it IS Multi-level marketing. It does have decent products, or so I've been told.
I've always heard about MLM, the way you were recruited in, is the way to sell the product. Therefore, if you join, and you were recruited at the grocery store, this means you should approach everyone you see at the grocery store! If you don't want to do that, then pass.
I don't know the details about MK, but I bet to be a "Director", she has to fill some sort of "downline". A downline is the list salespeople she has brought into the company. Once she has enough recruits, she starts to make money on their sales. She probably has some minimum dollars of sales she must personally make, and if she can't sell it, she'll buy it to qualify her to receive the commission she has earned from her downline. Her basement will likely start to fill up with merchandise. So have directors above her. That's how she can fill the orders for discontinued stuff. She contacts directors above her, ask who has xyz product in their basement, and can she buy it from them to fill her order? They're glad to be rid of it!
Meanwhile, I also bet she has to buy some minimum quantity for her own PERSONAL use. This is over and above the minimum she must SELL to a third party(s) to keep her Director status.
Now, look, all the stuff I just said may or may not be true of Mary Kay, but it is typical of most MLM companies.
If you are a hotshot salesperson, and you don't mind rejection, it IS possible to do well in MLM. Most people don't understand how much work is involved, nor the financial requirements, nor how the product will pile up in your basement.
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Post by bobbysgirl on Apr 11, 2011 19:45:19 GMT -5
My friend is a district manager. She makes over 100k a year. Until recently. She's starting to sound desperate.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Apr 11, 2011 20:16:47 GMT -5
I am a retired IRS agent. I've audited a lot of people who sell Mary Kay. I don't remember any who make any big bucks. Most had losses.
My best friend tried hard to sell it and couldn't. So did my niece. Both sold their remaining inventory at big losses.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Apr 11, 2011 20:52:50 GMT -5
This is what a a teacher friend of mine told me: To maintain her "consultant's" standing she had to order from Mary Kay $400 worth of product twice per year. She pays Mary Kay 50% of the catalog price for the products. She gave up trying to turn it into a business. However, she did like their stuff. So, twice per year, she'd tell a select few of us that she was placing an order. We'd pay her 50% of the catalog price and she'd order it for us. She got to keep getting the stuff at half price and keep what ever that month's deal was and we appreciated her extending us the deal.
I hate it when people attempt to guilt me into giving them money.
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JustLurkin
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Post by JustLurkin on Apr 11, 2011 21:20:22 GMT -5
Both sold their remaining inventory at big losses. You can usually get people's remaining inventory on ebay in bulk for very low costs. I actually bought a similar product from one of my son's teachers a few years ago, it took forever to receive the product--I never asked for the status and just chalked it up to a loss, she eventually did give me what I ordered, but said she would nevvvver get involved with that again. Anyhooooo, if the lady makes sooooo much money, why recruit you--why not just keep allll the money for herself? Guess I wasn't very helpful...but I'm tired...honestly, I saw the title and thought "What the heck is that Letourneau chick up to now?!"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2011 10:06:42 GMT -5
No, you should not be a Mary Kay salesperson. My wife's cousin was a rep and mentioned to her how she loved working from home. My wife just made a general comment, and all the sudden, the cousin was calling and asking her to go on a conference call to learn more. So she agreed to "help her cousin out", wasn't impressed, and didn't think about it. 30 minutes later, the cousin called and my wife said "Sounds good, but it's just not for me". 2 days later, the cousin calls back and asks if she wants to do the call again and that it would be good for her training since she could have her director on the phone. My wife, who is really nice, reluctantly agrees. She then blows off the call when she gets too busy and then gets a call from the cousin. And then my wife just told her "Look, I've just been busy and didn't see the point of sitting on a call when I have no intention of buying".
Be aware of the whole "Well, you can buy stuff at 50% just for your friends! Because in order to buy wholesale, you need to buy minimum quantities".
Finally, look at the income claims. They say if you do 5 shows per week, you'll make $48K per year. I don't know...5 shows sounds like A LOT to be able to book. And $48K doesn't sound like that much. Instead, if you want to make money at home, look at the lady that runs pinktruth.com. She has a website, she has traffic, and she gets paid for ads. That's how I make money and I don't have to deal with pesky directors.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 12, 2011 11:33:02 GMT -5
Gross or Net?
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TD2K
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Post by TD2K on Apr 13, 2011 8:59:36 GMT -5
I had a guy approach me in the grocery line once 'don't I know you?', 'did you go to school around here?', etc, etc, etc. We chat for a few minutes and no, can't figure out where I might have met him. He gave me a business card for Quixtar (Amway's on-line version) and when he later called me, I told him after I had done some googling never to call me again. It was just a one big set-up to try and recruit someone.
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