Our new compact on E! for summer looks!

The site is still closed for comments, but I thought you might like to see the new products coming mid-June! 

Click here

  Please check back again soon.

Thank you for visiting.  Not sure when we will be open for business again!

We have been discussing “THE LAWSUIT” on the previous topic and, of course, it is being discussed on other sites as well.  One of our loyal readers and I have corresponded off the blog a big, and realized that “THE LAWSUIT” brings up a myriad of issues. 

I’m not sure if she wants to be identified so until she tells me it is okay, I won’t do it, but she whipped up a list of the first ones that came to her mind, which are right in line with my thinking as well.  Since I am a bit pressed for time, she has graciously allowed me to copy her writings.

I would love discussion on this, both by MKers and those that are not in MK (whether former or never).

The initial conversation revolved around the fact that Touch of Pink (”TOP”) has old product listed on their site for sale.  Now that in itself is not terrible, but also listed is product that Mary Kay Corporate recalled.  Does anyone remember the lip wands that developed a mold problem?  Corporate recalled these and replaced any that had been purchased.  TOP has these listed for sale.  The average Connie Customer does not know that these wands had a problem, nor does she know that the company recalled them.   If she purchases one, gets sick or disfigured, what kind of liability does Mary Kay corporate have?  This type of discussion is what led the the following list of issues as well as the understanding of why MK had to pursue this legal action.

1.  What is a consultant to do with old inventory or inventory that is about to reach its expiration date? 

2.  As recruiters/directors, what obligation do we have to our team members who are looking to get out of MK to help them liquidate?  What steps can we take?  Especialy if they’re not returning our calls/emails/letters?

3.  What should we do when we receive emails from other consultants asking for products that were discontinued so long ago that they’d easily be expired now?

4.  Should we actively email MKC every instance of seeing product sold on eBay, at garage sales, etc?

5.  How should we handle it when a client comes to us to return product that is (a) expired and/or (b) they didn’t buy from us?  How can we send them to 1-800-marykay without alienating them?

6.  What is our response to clients who ask about this lawsuit or PT or other negative sites or buying on eBay?

7.  What should we do if we have sold product to a liquidator?   Should a consultant call MKC and confess?  Would the punishment be less? 

I also commented that I didn’t know if TOP had a return policy.  They do.  It is listed below.

TOP does offer a 30 day return policy.  Here it is:

Return Policy:

Your complete satisfaction is our top priority. If an item
you ordered from us does not meet your expectations, simply
return it by mail within 30 days of receiving it. 

No refunds will be issued on returns received after 30 days
from the purchase date. No exceptions!

We will refund your credit card for the original purchase price
or exchange the item for you.

Exchange Policy:

If you need to exchange a product, please return it
to the address below within 30 days of purchase.
Please include a note with your exchange including what you’d like to exchange,
your full name and the email address you used with your order
so we can look up your order to reship your exchange to you.

To Return Merchandise:
Simply place the item and original paperwork securely in a package and mail to:

This is quite different from corporate’s return policy and I can see that Connie Customer might, after the 30 days, turn to a local consultant and try to return, exchange or get a refund, which leads back to the question above.

I have a few thoughts on all of these issues, but would love to hear from you first.

Colleen, one of my loyal readers and contributors, has pointed us to a fabulous post about market saturation–and other sales issues as well.  Thank you, Colleen!!

Please go here to read this great article, and I suggest bookmarking the site for future information!

My favorite line is “. . . excuse makers are more interested in “Not failing,” than in succeeding. “

New Ordering Criteria for Cosmetic Display Tray

As you know, we recently placed criteria on how the Cosmetic Display Trays may be purchased due to a higher than anticipated demand for this new item.

We are thrilled to let you know that we’ve made some major changes to the ordering criteria. While we still don’t have the quantities to open the ordering up fully, we are now able to significantly lower the ordering criteria.

Effective immediately, all independent sales force members who place a $200 wholesale Section 1 order will qualify to order two Cosmetic Display Trays. For each additional $200 wholesale Section 1 order placed, two more display trays may be purchased.

For example:

• An $800 wholesale Section 1 order is eligible for the purchase of eight Cosmetic Display Trays.
   

• A $1,200 wholesale Section 1 order is eligible for the purchase of 12 Cosmetic Display Trays.

This tray was designed to professionally hold your color and foundation products at your parties, classes and events. When you pair the Cosmetic Display Trays with a Lipstick Caddy, also found on Section 2, you have a presentation sure to impress!

Remember, the larger Mary Kay^® Compact Pro™ will be available for ordering this fall and is your retail answer for customers who want a larger compact to hold their color products. You’ll hear more about this beautiful new Compact Pro™ at Seminar 2008. Please keep in mind, the Cosmetic Display Tray is not intended for resale–not only would this impact the inventory of the Cosmetic Display Tray, it may jeopardize the future success of the Compact Pro™.

Inventories and demand of the Cosmetic Display Trays will be re-evaluated going forward and we will keep you posted on any changes to the ordering criteria. We appreciate your understanding in giving everyone the opportunity to purchase this wonderful new item.

A good friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, pointed out something to me from PT that is hilarious.  There are a few people on PT that really get my back up and I’m sure you all know who they are.  Tracy Coenen herself, Suzy Q, Raisinberry (a/k/a Raisin-Stupid-Berry or DingbatBerry) and Lazy Gardens.  SawTheLight used to but I guess she went off to paint pictures of horses and collect her director check even though she bashes Mary Kay all the time.  Lazy Gardens really chips my nail because she has never been a consultant, she is a liar and she acts like she knows everything.  She is a certified desert landscaper.  What the heck is that?  Plant a cactus and you’re done.  Anyway, yesterday she posted a comment that she meant to be derogatory to those of us in Mary Kay, but she hit the nail on the head regarding someone else.  Here is her comment, in part:

. . . if you are a clinical narcissist … all other humans exist to serve your purpose, you are entitled to have whatever you want, and dumping used-up people is like throwing away used kleenex.

Criteria for narcissistic personality disorder to be diagnosed include:

* Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
* Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power or beauty
* Believing that you are special and can associate only with equally special people
* Requiring constant admiration
* Having a sense of entitlement
* Taking advantage of others
* Inability to recognize needs and feelings of others
* Being envious of others
* Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

Recognize anyone?  

(Emphasis mine)

Does this not describe Tracy Coenen to a perfect T???  If LG was so darn smart, she would realize that what with Tracy tossing her friends aside like “used Kleenex.” 

Here is my belief about Tracy and I will believe this until the day I die because I have seen way too many examples for me to change my opinion.  Tracy is furious that she could not rise to the top of MK faster than a speeding bullet.  She is used to skirting all boundaries to get what she wants because she feels entitled.  When that didn’t work in MK, she quit and starting her internet bashing and has done it every since.  She now has put a spin on it to make it look like she is helping other people.   Here is an example of that from her own website:

And for that very reason, I will not stop. Do you think maybe I’m a little tired of explaining things about returning inventory? Yes, I’ve been at it for 3 years now, so it’s old to me. But it’s NEW TO THEM. I never knew how many consultants have no idea that they can get their money back!

And it’s not just that issue. There are many others. I’ve discussed them to death. But this isn’t about me. This is about the women who are seeing this stuff for the very first time.

I do it for them.

Aw, isn’t that sweet?  She is so giving and nurturing and caring, isn’t she?

Blech!!!  Excuse me, I had to spit–had a bad taste in my mouth for even thinking that.

See characteristics above.  Tracy is envious of us that have a Mary Kay life.  Heck, she is envious of anyone who has a life at all.  She is as mean as a snake but believes she deserves all the adoration and envy she can muster out of people.

Well, here’s the thing.  The type of people that feel that way about her are the ones that don’t read what they sign and don’t know how to find out how to educate themselves about Mary Kay.  See what she said above?  “I never knew how many consultants have no idea that they can get their money back!”    Guess what you morons.  Pick up the phone and call the company.  Call your recruiter or director.  READ THE WEBSITE.  It’s all there.  You didn’t need Tracy Coenen to tell you.

Or maybe you did, because your collective IQs are so low all you can do is read the words of a clinical narcissist.

Sorry if that seemed a bit harsh, folks.  But that last post of Tracy’s really made me sick to my stomach and I am not too nice when I am in the condition.

Thoughts?

Keep going to take a peek at the summer gift with purchase and the Compact Pro!! 

This will be the gift with purchase.  Is this awesome or what???  The colors are Silky Caramel, Lemongrass, Amber Blaze and Denim Frost.  Samples of three of them will be in the Look book (which has also been redesigned).

And here is the mailer for the summer PCP program which features the Compact Pro!!

They just keep it coming over at PT.  They keep handing me all this ammunition on a silver platter. 

Check out the “quiz” that Raisin-Stupid-Berry has written to see how much of a fog a consultant is in.  She even encourages Corporate to use it!  It has all kinds of questions about activities or thoughts that might be seen or experienced in Mary Kay.  I thought, “Okay, I’ll take the stupid quiz.”  I am moving right along with all “No” (zero points), then I had one “Yes” (2 points), then back to the “No” answers and….what’s this?  Suddenly a “No” is worth a point?  Oh well, okay, add the point.  I answered a couple of more with “No” (that were also worth a point) and then I started skimming.  I got to the results portion and was informed that a score over 8 meant you were in the fog, the higher the number after 8, the more dense the fog.

So…..I went back and counted all the questions that gave one point for a “No” answer.  There were TEN. 

And she accuses Mary Kay corporate, Mary Kay directors and NSDs of practicing manipulation?

Did you know that Mary Kay® Apple Berry is the third most popular Mary Kay® Creme Lipstick shade and according to global makeup artists, the most suitable shade of our entire product line for all skin tones?  Around the world! 

Because of its on-trend, “every woman” appeal, now Apple Berry has much more to tout than just a pretty pout.  In honor of Mary Kay’s birthday on May 12, Mary Kay markets from the American Southwest to the Asian South Pacific, and points in between and beyond, can turn this hot seller into a heart-felt benefit for women and children.  Through a new charitable initiative called Beauty That Counts™, Mary Kay will donate 100 percent of its profits from the sale of Mary Kay® Creme Lipstick in Apple Berry from May 2008 through the end of the year to charitable organizations that support women and children — just part of our Pink Changing Lives™ corporate commitment to change the lives of women and children around the world.

Why wrap this Beauty That Counts™ donation initiative around just one shade?  Because Apple Berry is globally suited to any skin tone, the entire world of Mary Kay can rally behind one product with universal constistency.  When you see a woman wearing this color, you and your customers and sales force members know she’s helping to make a lasting difference.  It’s all part of Pink Changing Lives™ through a cause that’s too important to ignore.

Planning special packaging for Apple Berry lipstick will help tell the story of our mission and offers a brand-building gift item for you and your customers.  And because each market will contribute to a local cause that supports women and children, giving and receiving Apple Berry lipstick becomes even more beautiful!  Considering the millions of lives we can potentially touch, who wouldn’t love reaching out through this simple gesture?

HOW TO START MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Your purchase of Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Apple Berry, beginning May 1, 2008, will contribute to this effort. For every tube you buy, you will receive in your order a FREE limited-edition bag, available while supplies last.  The coordinating bag features special printed messages on the outside that convey the Company’s mission to help change the lives of women and children through this initiative.  To ignite your customers’ own spark of generosity, all you have to do is put the tube in the bag with your own special touch.  The company requests that the bags be used only with Apple Berry lipstick to preserve the impact of this special donation. 

There is a special part number to use starting May 1 to ensure that 100 percent of Mary Kay profits go to this important cause!

*Taken from Applause, May 2008