Mary Kay Consultants: Why I Respect Your Gangsta, But I’m Not About That Life

June 1st, 2012 - By Sheena Bryant

fashionmefabulousinfo.blogspot.com

Not long ago, I was sitting at a local bar enjoying a quick bite with a friend. As he and I dished about life and sports as guy and gal pals do, a lady comes over to our table and she says to me, “You’re beautiful.” Flattered by her words, I tell her thank you and let her know that I really appreciate the compliment. I intend to get back to the conversation with my friend, but she continues. “And you’re very graceful. I noticed you when you first walked in. Are you a dancer? You have the body of a dancer.” At this point, I’m still flattered but I’m definitely getting a little uneasy. I politely thank her again, and let her know that I am in no way a dancer and that I could only dream to have the body of one. Surely our quick exchange would be over at this point and I’d be able to go on with the conversation I was clearly having when she walked over. Yet, she continues: “May I ask what kind of skin care products you use?”

It is at that point it hits me and I could hear the voice of Florida Evans crying out in the background, “Damn, damn, damn!!!”…I’ve been caught by a freakin’ Mary Kay lady.

Is it just me, or are Mary Kay consultants highly aggressive? As the young lady starts to explain to me that she owns her own Mary Kay business and would love to talk more about the products the company offers, I know instantly that it will NOT be easy to get rid of her. Even after explaining to her that not only do I rarely wear make up but that I also have a really simple and natural skin care regimen that doesn’t involve a lot of products, she refuses to give up. Now, I’m the kind of girl who rarely gives out my information. I think long and hard about giving my number out even to men I’m actually interested in. But the Mary Kay lady walked away with my phone number and email address. That’s how aggressive she was.

I can think of at least three other separate occasions when I have been borderline accosted, in very similar fashion, by Mary Kay consultants. Walking down the street, shopping, dining out, I’ve been blindsided by members of the pink brigade while doing all of these things. It always starts out innocently, usually with a compliment, and just when you start feeling yourself and plan to give a quick “thank you” and strut off—they go in for the hard sale. They do not take no for an answer.

I recently found out that I’m not alone. A number of my friends have had very similar experiences with consultants. In fact, one friend compared the tenacity of some Mary Kay business owners to that of followers of a certain religious faith who are usually very eager to share their beliefs. We’ve decided that of the two, Mary Kay is definitely more aggressive. They’re gangsta. I respect it, but I’m simply not about that life.

While I’ve decided to, henceforth and forevermore, run in the opposite direction when a Mary Kay lady makes her presence known, I know that the company offers some very positive incentives for women. Mary Kay allows women to go into business for themselves and to do so in a way that affords them the flexibility that many other careers fail to offer. In an economy as tough as the one we’re currently enduring, that’s nothing to smirk at. Consultants are able to take advantage of a 50 percent discount on products, making a 50 percent profit on all products sold. There are leadership opportunities that allow women to transition into director positions and help other consultants build their businesses. And we all know about the infamous pink Cadillacs that Mary Kay Consultants can earn; add diamonds and luxurious trips to the list of enticing incentives as well.

For some, a Mary Kay business may be just what the doctor ordered. Lots of people are searching for the perfect way to create additional streams of income for themselves. For me, I’ve been scarred and I am indeed scared. I like to tell a woman she is beautiful and keep it moving, but that doesn’t seem to be the Mary Kay way. Eh, different strokes for different folks I suppose. Since I have yet to find a successful way to emerge from an encounter with a Mary Kay consultant without giving her some sort of information, I’m just going to try to avoid these saleswomen at all costs. What about you?

Have you been in any situations when you’ve come unsuspectingly face to face with a Mary Kay lady? How did it go? If you are a Mary Kay lady, have you enjoyed your experience working with the company thus far?

Sheena Bryant is a writer and blogger in Chicago. Follow her on twitter at @song_of_herself.

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http://www.facebook.com/lameesha.johnson Lameesha Love-Independent John

lol, the equivalent of jehovah witnesses (no offense, i respect them but come on now…)I always lie and say that i have really sensitive skin and I can only use a special PRESCRIBED facial products- and if they continue there is always the opportunity to walk away (I got followed by avon once before though…creepy)
Mina

What I don’t get about Mary Kay is that they used to sell their products without a case. That was years ago but I don’t care either way now if they’ve changed that. Why the f#$k would I buy eyeshadow that comes shrink wrapped and not in a case with at least one brush?? I was turned off after that and told that MK lady exactly where she could go!
- http://twitter.com/frankadank20 Franchesca London
  
  who was selling u eyeshadow in shrink wrap! lol that must be a bootleg version, were u in the market??? lmao.
http://twitter.com/NewNaturalSista High GrAdE KarMa

Lol yu just venting because not all mary kay consultants act like that lol!! I see people are using the slang “you ain bout that life” smh when that went universal I though that was only a southern slang!!! It was big back in 07-08 everyone down here was saying it now the rest of the world caught on to it lol
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Peaches%20The%20Writer PeachesTheWriter

I try to support anyone who is trying to run their business. I try to find something I like and can use. I am not a fan of most MK, but I like their lip liners. They are very moisturizing and the colors are great.
- http://twitter.com/frankadank20 Franchesca London
  
  you like all of those things but yet you are not a fan. lol you are contradicting yourself don’t you think.lol
Tina

Ahhh! I was one! It didn’t last long…at all. I was trying to help out a family member, and joined her team. I ordered my products, and then something told me to search the net. Well, most of the info I found was negative, including that MK is a cult…lol. I sent EVERYTHING back. I love the products. They really are great, but I can’t deal with the ambushing.
Meadel25

I used to be a mary kay consultant and what I can say is that everyone handles their business differently. There is a difference working from desperation and inspiration. Those who work from desperation are those pushing Mk ladies, those who work from inspiration actually have a desire to show other women how to be in business for themselves and provide financial stability to their lives. What some reps seem to forget is that mk is direct marketing and it is a people business. That be said, don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.
abc123

Thank you for this! I almost got sucked into it by a girl who was supposedly trying to be my “friend.” She only wanted to get a referral bonus off of me! LOL. Every time I talk to her, she’s telling me about promos I can utilize to by thousands of dollars worth of product so Mary Kay can make money, but if I don’t sell it, I’m out all that money…no refund! Totally unnecessary! I’m so glad someone finally said it!
- Kat
  
  Actually, the Mary Kay company offers consultants a 90% buyback guarantee. anything you don’t want they will refund 90% of your money if you bought it within the last year.
  - IMO
    
    They only offer the 90% buyback because IT’S TEXAS LAW. They basically charge the consultant a 10% restocking fee….and then turn around and re-sell that SAME product to another consultant as “new”. Outdated product they sell on eBay. Many consultants have gotten some of this “restocked” product in their orders….had the previous consultants re-order label on it. Run, Run, Run away from MaryKay.
http://twitter.com/Mel8671 Mel Morton

That hustle is called “warm chatter”…I was in the life for a while but I wasn’t able to do it. It didn’t fit my personality.
Tagirl

LMBO at this article. It’s way on point though. My mom decided to sale Mary Kay once, when I was a teen, but found that she wasn’t about that life either(the aggressiveness that they need to exude). She ended up with hundreds of dollars worth of makeup that she turned around and gave as gifts to people(birthdays etc). I’ve never used any of their makeup, just some of their facial cleansers and lotions.
- Tagirl
  
  *sell
Dreamie318

This is why I could never be a saleswoman for a company like Mary Kay. I don’t believe in harassing people to buy crap they didn’t want in the first place. Many times when I’m in a situation like this, if I have the money I find myself buying something just to get that person out of my face. These salespeople need to think about whether their actions fall within the boundaries of politeness & common courtesy. If I were to be as aggressive about NOT wanting the product and rather wanting the salesperson to get out my face and go on about their business, I would be considered rude. These people do not just let you politely decline.
Stragi25

Its either them or the Avon lady!!
Sabrina

Yeah, they’re annoying. I had an “acquaintance” (did I spell that right?) that sold MK and she would always seem so fake to me. She invited my friends and I to “hang out” for a “facial party” or some crap like that, and it turned out to be a sales thing. At the end of the day, the face wash made me break out. I did buy some eyeshadows, but they were nothing special.
Korey

I don’t use cosmetics… But I love to get political with them… I ask if they test their products on animals, if they are reducing their carbon footprint, are the pink Caddies hybrids….

They usually just walk away by then.
Jessjanet32

I have and it can get pretty annoying. I’ve been invited to events that turned out to be Mary Kay parties, which I didn’t appreciate; I don’t like being tricked into anything. Or ‘winning a free makeover’ and when you show up, they try to sell you what they use on you. One woman blew my phone up and I’m to where I just don’t entertain any of that. Do what you do but know when to back up.
- J
  
  yes, Ive even had women invite me out to coffee, under the pretense of forming a friendship, only to try to recruit me to sell…UGH
MissK

“DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!!!” hahahahahaha – I was JUST discussing this with a few of my marketing classmates and the idea of personal selling can quickly garner the same skepticism and stigma most consumers have toward the proverbial “used car salesman.”
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Heidi-Burks/1459308198 Heidi Burks
  
  Hi miss K I know you don’t know me but I myself am starting a business. If you don’t mind I would love to get some advice from you on how to be a better sales-person…I am not into network sales…however i do believe that a career in sales can be lucrative.I want to find the right way to connect with my customers so that they will return.search for me on facebook alford126@hotmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon
Pingback: Mary Kay Consultants: Why I Respect Your Gangsta, But I’m Not About That Life_Careersconsultants.ca
Pivyque

I have been…but I always say the same thing “I don’t wear make up, but I do appreciate the compliment. Have a great day! *Smile*”
Chanda

I thought about becoming a Mary Kay lady as a side hustle but changed my mind. Don’t use their products and won’t commit. I’ve never been bombarded by Mary Kay ladies from out of nowhere. Usually the Avon lady just give you a catolog and sample and keep it movin’.
LESY

I do not believe in promoting businesses like this. I feel if I pay someone a compliment it should be geniune not to get them to buy something. I understand their hustle but its overwhelming. I was in college and decided ok I will buy the pack to use the make up. But they kept calling me for meetings, asking about sales. I did not do for money just for cheaper makeup. People stopped me and asked what I use and I told them. THey either bought some from me or my site or bought a pakcage. I never approached or pitched to anyone. I do not want family and friend avoiding me because they dont want the sales pitch. I am me. I do not sell it any more just did for like 2 months in college… and I made about 2000 dollars. I stopped to concentrate on school and run an online store. Mary Kay is like a cult, they use whole women running theire own business as a ploy. They push too hard and I dont have patience for them. When you run a business let it speak on its own. I hate pushgy sales people …. to keep interrupting your conversation was rude. To give you a complimnent to sale something is fake. Mary Kay needs to have several seats
HOUSTON TEXAN

UGHH I CAN’T STAND THEM. I BUY MY STUFF AT THE COSMETIC COUNTER AT MACYS AND KEEP IT MOVING. I DONT DO CHEAP CRAP.
- Victoria
  
  I wouldn’t exactly call $90 for a skin care kit cheap! LOL

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