Attack of the Satin Hands
November 11, 2006 by Shannon Nelson
Filed under About Me, Our Beauty Tips
Ok this post really has nothing to do with makeup, but it has to do with Mary Kay and they sell makeup, so I deem it appropriate for this blog.
Today was an event I hold twice a year to raise money for The American Cancer Society (and we raised $1000 Woo!) It’s made up of crafters and direct sales vendors. One such vendor was a Mary Kay mother-daughter team or “Double the Satin Hands Trouble” as I like to call them. One big rule I have, is that you cannot be aggressive towards guests…that means trying to sell your products.
Alas, like oil to water, Double Trouble decided this rule did not apply to them. I watched them as they actually grabbed people by the hand and brought them over to their whole Satin Hands setup. Other times, they approached people the ole “face model” way, except instead complimenting them on their hair or something else non-makeup related.
I watched them go to each ACS volunteer and talk up Satin Hands and just act beyond “assertive” and that is being nice. So when Miss Queen of Satin whooped de doo Hands came to my table while I had a customer, some displeasing things took place.
Basically the customer I was talking with was telling me about her husband’s cracked hands, I told her about Country Bunny Bath & Body’s Lotion Bars and she bought one of the men’s scents. As she walked away she said, “I hope this solves his problem.” Miss MK asked her what the problem was, the customer told her and Miss “Assertive” gave the whole Satin Hands speech. The customer looked baffled and pointed out that she just bought products from me to resolve the issue, and Miss SUPER Assertive tried to talk her out of it. In-front-of-my-table!
In my sternest voice I told her that the customer had bought a beeswax item from me that was quite marvelous and proven to cure cracked hands. She shrugged and said, “Beeswax is alright.”
Mary Kay rep.’s have always tried to have the image of being classy, but I’m sorry, the actions today were pretty class-less. I mean seriously, what would you have done if a rep. did this to you with your customer?
Rudeness people, complete Satin Hands pink cadillac rudeness.
Wow, you handled that really well! I would have definitely gotten all “gangsta” with a lady – excuse me, “lady” like that. Those kind of sales tactics are totally uncalled for and a complete turn-off.
How inappropriate! And how embarrassing for you as an organizer of a wonderful event, Shannon! We all have to look at ourselves in the mirror and be happy with the person we see – unfortunately for Double Trouble, it may not be so pretty.
That’s way off. I wonder how these people sleep at night.
Oh my goodness! I have thought most (not all) but MOST mary kay people were waaaay too pushy like that.
Right in front of your table? THE NERVE!
I have found that mary kay reps are some of the worst. If I am invited to a party I will not go. When asked why I tell them that I don’t appreciate sales pressure. I have seen people buy things just to get away from them. I also like a make up line that evolves with the times…you know, things change. Some of their colors have been around since my mother sold in the early 80s.
Check out pinktruth.com if you want to read some crazy stories about Mary Kay and their “classy” consultants. Sadly, your experience not surprising….
My mother signed me up for Mary Kay – but I flat out told her I was not going to push people. I’d let them know that I sold it, I’d be more than happy to bring samples over so they could try it, but I was not going to push them into sales. That just gives me a bad reputation for anything else I might do!
Boy…this was class-less and they sound clue-less too!!! You handled it with class though!! Do check out pinktruth.com for the real truth about this company.
on behalf of all Mary Kay consultants, I do apologize for their behavior– it is again corporate rules to touch or demo products at a fair booth or such– she was way out of line– I have been with mk for 10 years and the girls in our area are taught to help and not push–it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch– again sorry–
thankyou so much for raising so much money–that is so wonderful!
Typical Mary Kay behavior.
Very sorry to hear this happened at your event. Although this is fairly common, it is not representative of ALL Mary Kay consultants. I personally know a handful of classy pink ladies who would hang their heads in shame at this outrageous behavior. Personally, I don’t think it’s a very good company, but there are some good people in it who seem to be fighting a losing battle against corporate and national area greed. I can only reiterate R’s advice, to pop on over to http://www.pinktruth.com to find out what a lot of former and some current Mary Kay consultants and directors have to say! Thanks for the giggle. Been there / done that!
If I were the organizer, and I think you said you were, I would have told her to leave. She violated the rules of conduct that you had set out beforehand, obviously. I used to sell MK, but once I discovered what the company was all about (i.e., recruiting, frontloading and a LOT of out and out fraud) I got out immediately. No to mention the fact that Satin Hands sucks anyway. What nerve!
As the event promoter, you may want to put something in writing next time and I would not invite them back again. If they did it to you, how many other vendors did they do it to.
I was at an event in earlier this year and I represent Color Me Beautiful and I use to be in Mary Kay. And the MK reps came to my table asking how I like CMB. After I told them how CMB runs their company, they couldn’t even through in my face that I should have stayed in MK because CMB is everything they are not.
Thanks to everyone who is leaving comments.
Minnow–this happened about 30 minutes before the event was over, so I didn’t want to cause a scene by kicking her out.
Angela–yep–I have it all in writing. All of my vendors have to complete an application, sign a waiver and sign off on the code of conduct. :) I’ve stuck to this in the past when I’ve had other vendors not adhere to the rules (I’ve gone through 3 MK vendors because they can’t seem to follow the rules!)
I am a MKBC and I have never acted that way, nor have I ever seen anyone in my unit act that way. It is terrible that a few have to give such a bad taste to women out there. Mk has wonderful products, if they didn’t, they would not still be in business after 44 years. Those of you whom have only tried one product should not judge the entire line. The loyality that tens of thousands of women have to their cosmetics blanket the narrow minds to many. It’s unfortunate to those who chose to believe without doing their homework. Bless you all and I hope you are more positive with your future experiences. Proud to be in PINK!!
I have used MK products for many years and have been a MKBC for 3. Be realistic, in any direct sales environment you will find those whose motivation is less than honorable. The behviors described above are not promoted by the company. MK would no longer exist if they were. Instead, it has held top honors in the industry year after year, will soon celebrate it’s 45 anniversary and continues to conduct itself with the utmost integrity. This company is based on the Golden Rule. The corporate philospohy is Faith first, Family 2nd and Career 3rd. It is my opinion that consultants that hold lesser standards do not last long, and end up bad mouthing the company rather than looking in the mirror to face their own shortcomings.
I just recently started selling the MK product. I fully believe in this product. However I do agree being pushy doesn’t get you anywhere. Please don’t think of this as a Mary Kay thing. These two gals sold that way. I agree with the previous post of offer it up, let people know and go from there. The product is great but if people are interested they will be a valuable customer.
EO
What’s unfortunate, is that these two ladies are not the only ones who do this. I know several people who have also seen other MK rep.’s use the same tactics. I realize that not every rep. is that way–but the majority of them that I have come in contact with are.
I’m sorry, but if you “just started” selling MK, you have no IDEA the lengths they expect you to go to in order to sell this crap. And I do mean crap. I was right where you are about 3 years ago, I quit selling a little over a year ago because I was not willing to do the stupid things my director expected me to do in order to push people into buying stuff they didn’t want or need. Her idea of “getting out of your comfort zone” was my idea of being an undignified idiot and I refuse to do that for anybody. Just give it time, you’ll see what I mean.
Oh believe me I already see it. The hype is actually comical. I don’t have the pink cadilac mentality. However I do have choices. I can make it what I want to make of it. They can push what they want, that’s what they do but it’s what I choose to do with the advice.
I’m sorry your experience was not a good one. I don’t have crazy expectations, I’m actually happy to be able to support my own MK habit. If that’s what I get out of it, its fine with me.
I am really sorry that happened. I am an MK consultant, and that makes me ashamed for the company. Fortunately, I am not pushy, and I do respect others’ wishes.
1st upfront, sorry you feel the way u do. i see you have disgruntled feelings and dont know what happen to U personally to hate us so much. i agree there are some “ugly” MK ppl. i will be honest, my director, says we arent allowed to sell directly from a booth like that. I love the satin hands, thats how i found your blog. the lady obviously loves it to, thats why she was probably 1 reason she was like that. I am a wsahm, and u know what biz i represent, but it stinks to know women like this leave such bad repore for us that struggle to have a good relationship with our customers…and to take care of every need for them. I personally am not pushy, i love my MK and i know not everyone will but since everybody can get a free facial, thats what i want to give out, the chance to try something. Your a retailer, looks like, u selling the beeswax. You believe in your stuff too right!!
Chrissie, I’m not a retailer, I had been in direct sales and selling at my very own craft fair that I personally put together. I had just sold a product to a customer when the MK rep. tried to “unsell” it. It was rude and arrogant of her. However, it doesn’t mean I hate MK or its rep.’s.
well i wrote u an email. but here i was feeling bad about your stuff, i still do. but ur not into retail, hun you have your website in this message. retail simply is selling products, so help me understand what it is that you are doing. i know u arent “selling” to us but its just poetic that someone can click your link and u have an online store for some to look at, hmm. i say very smooth. make us look really bad, which we do enough on your own but then u put your website up, lol good one, kuddos and A- for effort
Chrissie, I realize you are new to this blog, but I am pretty transparent on here and my other blog that I am a rep. for Jordan Essentials. I don’t consider it being in retail at all–its direct sales, it is what it is. Also the posts you are reading are pretty old.
Why don’t you take a peak at my about page–I’ll tell you there that I also work in Public Relations. Long time readers know all the in’s and out’s of who I am and what I do–so no one is trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
please dont think im being rude to u, i so hope u dont. there is nothing wrong with what u are doing. i googled define retail, this was the 1st hit response
Definitions of retail on the Web:
be sold at the retail level; “These gems retail at thousands of dollars each”
sell on the retail market
selling or related to selling direct to the consumer; “retail trade”; “retail business”; “retail price”
at a retail price; “I’ll sell it to you retail only”
the selling of goods to consumers; usually in small quantities and not for resale
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
notice selling direct to consumer. u are right u are in direct sales. but are selling goods bottom line. like walmart, they are a retail store. etc. i’m not judging u in anyway. i just see its awesome how u threw ur site in your blog, which if one does choose to, they can buy. no harm no foul
Oh, the stories I have about over aggressive sales people. I avoid them at all costs, even if I truly do need assistance, it’s just not worth it!
Mad respect to all the MKBC’s here in this thread. How unfortunate, though, to have to put up with this kind of “sales pitch,” at your OWN event, too! Not worth it. I hope they weren’t invited back.