Is it the MK products that people don't like or the consultants? Has anyone encountered a bad consultant?

Question

I'm a consultant and people constantly bash MK...I feel hurt because I'm not as pushy as the other consultants may be..I look at it like this..if people want to buy, they will, if they don't they don't. People shouldn't judge a group based on 1 person...I'm just curious to know how people feel about the consultants and if it's the product or the consultants who sell it that turn people off from MK.

Answer 1

Speaking as a former MK consultant - there are a couple of things you need to realize about the "business" As just a consultant, you are the low man on the totem pole! And you are part of a "unit." There is a director over each unit, and there are many different kind of consultants . . . but depending on the director, and the recruiter that the certian consultant is under, they are under alot of pressure to "book classes, sell products, recruit new consultants." As a consultant, when you make an order, your recruiter makes a comission off of your order, so they will pressure you to make orders.
And the director moves up in rank when they have a unit that is pulling in alot of sales and has a big number of active consultants, who are constantly recruiting more consultants.
Anyway, you probably know that all anyway, but the reason I got out of MK, is because I had an extremely pushy director, and I, like you, was not a pushy consultant, and I just couldn't deal w/ all the stress (it's supposed to be MY business after all) and I do hear alot of people bashing MK because of the consultants. It is hard to overcome that stereotype. Best of luck to you, I hope you have a succesfull MK career!

Answer 2

I am also a consultant...if people would just try the products, they are every bit worth the price...I mean, look at Lancome and Estee Lauder, they are more than twice the price and don't last near as long. I am like you though, I do not want to pressure anyone and I try not to come across as pushy....All directors are not like the one that the former consultant described either. My director is great and she does not pressure me into ordering or anything. She just trys to help...She is there when we need her!! Most of the people who bash MK usually just don't know what they are talking about. it is hear say....they hear someone who had a bad experience and then they twist it all around and keep spreading it until it is all out of proportion... Good luck to you with your MK business!!!

Answer 3

I love the products, but I have to agree with those who have had bad experiences with the consultants. Just as you said, they are pushy and they keep bugging you til you hold a party at your house and invite your friends so that they could sell their products. I honestly think that MK would have a better reputation if the products were sold in a department store. My mom has been using MK products for over 5 years and her skin looks unbelievable. Bear in mind, she is 77 years old, but she does not look a day older than 55.

Answer 4

I've only ever met 2 consultants personally and they were already friends of mine before they started. They were not pushy in the least. But I did pass by a Mary Kay booth at the local state fair last fall (they have a booth in the same spot every year) and the women there will harrass anyone who doesn't stop to talk to them.

That said, I hate their products. They're very overpriced. Even the lowest quality makeup product from Walmart or Walgreens gives me better results than any Mary Kay product I have ever used. Many friends of mine have had bad experiences with the consultants and products alike. My sister is former beautician and she won't even touch their products due to the quality.

You have a bad experience and then move on to something that works better for you.

Answer 5

Both. My general opinion of the products is that the colors, formulas and even packaging are old-ladyish and not trendy. I don't know anyone my age (mid-twenties) who would be caught dead whipping a pink Mary Kay compact out of their bag.

Most of the Mary Kay consultants I know are old ladies who wear caked-on makeup. I actually went to a party once and everyone was given samples of makeup to try, we had to put them on and then go around and say how great everyone looked. Unfortunately, the samples weren't neutral colors and the colors DIDN'T look good on everyone so it was kind of a wasted effort.

I also don't like it when ANY consultants use Answers to try and sell products...unfortunately there are more MK consultants than any other line.

Sorry if this comes across as rude or blunt, these are just my experiences with Mary Kay...good luck to you and I hope you're a better representative!

Answer 6

I have friends who are MK consultants. I don't think it's that necessarily but that the products are so expensive. I loaded up on MK when my neighbor went out of business..otherwise I could not justify paying so much for the product. So my thoughts would be that is the reason....you would just need to market to a certain group of ladies who have that kind of money to spend. :) Hope this helps!

Answer 7

I personally feel the products are inferior quality for the price.
Mary Kay is the typical multi level business, and people feel backed off by multi levels and pushing does not help. Sure you can get the initial sale but they make buy as their sales person they are making you buy then making you push... Overall I just don't like anything about it, I have tried everything in the line to help my sister in law that was selling it, so to help her out I bought A LOT that ended up in the trash.
I don't want to hurt your feelings but I am being honest as per your question. But I think that's everyone opinion