MY “I” STORY
I have been promising this story for a long time and today I feel it is my time to tell it. There are some things I don’t remember as this happen in 1988. Here is my experience with Mary Kay, my “I” story:I received a phone call one day from a relative asking if she could come over and give me a facial. After the facial, as we were talking about her new venture, she invited me to a VIP night later that week and another one the following Saturday morning. I had nothing to do so I said Ok.The VIP event had some guest NSD but I don’t remember her name. Looking back, it was a rah rah sessions to get people to sign up. It perked my interest but I didn’t sign up till the Saturday event. Caught up in the excitement and winning the raffle (complete basic set), I took the plunge. I think at the time it was $114.00 with tax. However (and please ladies, help me out with this), my director would not give me my starter kit until a) I booked my first six facials or classes and b) ordered my inventory. I ask for help because I don’t know if this was common practice or just her.
The unit meetings were on Monday nights. When I went to the first one, I was the only new recruit and received from her a gold leaf. We also talked some about inventory (which I could not afford) and made plans to try for a bank loan. She went with me to the bank and as I had no collateral, no loan (this was before the credit card craze). With that avenue gone, it was suggested that I try to borrow the money, which I did but not enough for a star order, which was $1200 at the time for sapphire.
When I told her I had the money (only $250.00), she didn’t want to place and order, instead she came up with a plan. She would sell me $500.00 of her own product and once that was sold, I would have the money to place the ordered. I thought it was an ok plan but there’s more. Right before I signed up, the company had changed the packaging (compacts, etc.) and she gave me all the old stuff. How can you sell from a look book with old product and be a success?
The first few weeks went well, I sold some but no one wanted that stuff. As time went on I started losing interest in driving 20 miles to her meetings and since I was not a star consultant, she never answered calls or took the time to help me. Sending the stuff back was not an option as it did not come from the company.
Looking back, I may have blamed the company all these years but in fact it was one unethical director. I don’t know if she is even a director anymore nor do I tind the need to reveal her name. As for the literature, yes I did READ it and those in MK should Read it too. Maybe if the internet had been available back then, things may have been different.
One more footnote to this: around the same time I signed as a consultant, there was another person in this neck of the woods signed up who recently became an NSD. Cathy Littlejohn rose to the top this past October, she lives not far from here.
Maggie, this director did you WRONG and there is no excuse for it. She was selfish and greedy and opportunistic. I’m sorry about your experience. Good for you, though, for placing the blame where it should be–on her. I hope she is not a director any longer.
I have heard of directors in the past not allowing a newbie to get their starter kit till initial classes were booked, but have not heard of that practice in the past few years. It goes against our independent contractor status for someone to do that. The kit was paid for by the newbie and whatever good intentions are there to get the newbie going, are outweighed by the fact that the director is holding the kit for ransom.
You were mistreated and I’m so sorry. I wish more information had been available to you at the time. Thanks for telling your story.
Maggie, I couldn’t have said it any better than “Me” so I will just second what she wrote.
Oh man, oh man! You were used by your director in the worst way. I feel she took advantage of you by selling directly to you instead of just letting you place your order. This gave you NO credit toward star and she sold you old stuff?? Unbelievable. Is she still a director?
I have never heard of not getting your starter kit until you booked or got inventory. We have ours shipped to us directly. The inventory talk is right after we get the kit. You can get it or not, the end.
I’m sorry this lady took advantage of your inexperience. It probably hindered your start considerably. If she is still a director, I would perhaps report her to MKC to avoid others being treated in the same manner.
I’ve never been to your blog before, but I saw the link on Me’s blog. What happened to you is terrible. I do hope that you made MKC aware of what this director did. It breaks so many of the rules in the agreement. When I read these kinds of stories I am so thankful that I have ethical directors guiding me in my MK venture.
Wow, that is crazy. I got my kit shipped directly to me. And my word of caution to all newbies out there is to purchase what inventory you can afford – period. Your business will grow and you will be able to make bigger orders. Or better yet, if you want to wait and save up to start your business like I did, then join, purchase the inventory you want not what someone else tells you to do. It is YOUR business and YOU make what YOU want of it. I do MK for fun. I love the products and hey, if I sell some and book a party, that is great.