As I posted in the introduction thread, I am new to this forum.  I am a MK consultant.  I have been for about 8 years.  I'm "on the fence" as to stay in, get out, or go personal use.  So why do I feel guilty?  It's not that I care about my director/unit.   I haven't been to one of her meetings in probably 4 years.  She's a nice lady, I just got tired of paying her every week for nothing!  I find out more MK info from the internet than from her.  And she never taught anything worthwhile, no new looks or colors, nothing. 

I have no active recruits.  I've never been one to BS people with warm chatter.  I've gone from 200 customers to 50 to about 10 reordering customers.  The reason?  Because MK keeps changing.  And with every change people get mad.  They want the stuff they like and if they don't like it, they go elsewhere.  I can't blame them.  I have 1 endless performance mascara left and when I use it, I'm off to find another brand.  I HATE the new ultimate mascara.  I've lost more customers to other brands facial cleaning clothes.  And now that MK (late like usual) is coming out with them, those customers won't be back. Why pay the expensive MK cost when they can go to Walmart and get something for a third of the price?

I'm not even sure why I started this topic.  I guess just to vent to people that understand.  I know I can't talk to any of my fake MK friends. 

The only think in MK that I really like is the skincare (cleanser and moisturizer). 

Thanks for allowing me to vent.  Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Thanks prdiva4!


I've been thinking about it some more while I had a lunch break at work.  When I got into MK all my family (except my DH) acted like I had the plague.  They were not and are not supportive, didn't buy anything etc.  Around them, I always did the "fake it till you make it" routine.  I guess I don't want to hear the "told you so."

Also I do like the MK cleaners and moisturizers.  I have very oily skin.  I use the velocity in the morning and the timewise at night (it's too heavy for day).  I've been using and guess that I like the day/night.  I use (but don't think they work all that well) the eye creams and lip stuff.  I think MK color isn't better than anything else, in fact some is worse. 

So in theory I could go personal use so I can get the cleanser/moisturizers.  I need to find a new eye cream for these crow's feet that I have. 

So would you do this, go personal use?  Would you tell your customers or not?  I'm thinking not.  I know other consultants and directors that will let me borrow stuff.  So in theory, my customers would never know.  I don't want to be a fraud. 

I need to go through my records and see how much color I actually sell.  I'm guessing not a lot.  Heck an eyeshadow lasts a long time.

So how do I get rid of all this color and not loose money?

Maybe I should make a list of what MK products I use and if I like them or not.  I've been head to toe MK since day 1.  It's almost scary to start the process of finding new stuff, even for stuff I don't like. 

Thank you for allowing me to ramble.

if you return stuff you are out for good, correct?

Ginger,
I think your idea of making a list of the products and deciding which ones you really like is a good start.  I basically did the same thing.  I ended up realizing that the only MK products I really liked where the 3-in-1 cleanser and the day solution (because of the SPF).  I hated the foundations because on me they always rubbed off on everything.  The acne supplies seemed to have identical ingredients to those I could purchase for less at Wal-mart or the grocery store.  Like you, I didn't see that the eye creams doing much.  As I went through the list, I began to get excited about trying new stuff.
Take a long hard look at the MK products you really like and the ones that are just "okay."  Then do a little research and you may find other products that will do an even better job. 
Make sure you are staying loyal to something that is really worth staying loyal to.  For some, the products are worth staying in MK, others decide to dump MK completely.  Unlike a MK recruiter, I encourage you to research your decision, and make an informed decision.
weuyc

Ginger,
My story is very close to yours. I've been in MK less time than you have, but have found the same thing to be true. Went from a huge customer base to now having about 10 customers that order consistently, and they only order the basics. Thank goodness because with the changes to the products that are coming soon, I wouldn't want to have to explain them all!

I decided that with my current customer base (that actually orders) and the fact that I couldn't get that much back by returning my product to just be a personal use consultant and order only once per year. I rely on a couple friends, and of course the fabulous ladies on our trading board  Love, for anything that I don't have. I've been selling much of my excess product that I know I won't sell on eBay and have done really well. Just weigh all your choices and make the one that feels the most comfortable and you're probably on the right path.

I understand the guilt you are feeling too. I don't particularly care for my director sometimes, and my recruiter, who was a dear friend, is getting further away every day. I had to come to terms, exactly like prdiva, that I have to think about myself. I can't worry about them - they didn't worry about me when they got me into this business, so I can't think about them when I get out. I haven't regretted my decision once, and I feel so much freedom on this side that I can't imagine looking back! 

Wow, do these stories sound familiar...  I was so worried about the "I told you so" from family and friends!! 

And now I am realizing that everyone is so HAPPY I quit, they don't even have time to think about crap like that...

Do what you feel is right in your own gut, and think about yourself and what you are getting from this experience -- when I weighed the pros and cons, I had my decision made for me.

Again, cloud nine has called and I answered... 

Really Ginger, it comes down to what you can afford.  If you have a lot of product, like me, it may be more reasonable to send it back.  If not, and you have a really good (I say that cuz mk is expensive even at w/s) income, then you may want to be personal use.  I started puting out feelers in my town w/the consultants and found many that were disgruntled.  They are gonna let me buy from them at w/s so they stay active.  They were outraged when they found out how much I had been duped into buying.  This is my way of having my cake and eating it too.  I'm writing a letter to my customers explaining what happened and my reasons for leaving.  If they want to stay w/me as a non-consultant consultant I will sell to them at a discount.  I felt guilty at first for hooking them on mk but then I realised I can offer them more if I get out.  I simply can't afford not to send back my product.  As for your family and friends, even if they are thinking what you think they are, they will be understanding if you explain.  Tell them that you were duped (this is the time for getting empathy, not holding onto pride) and explain how.  When my family and friends found out, they were pi$$ed and tell ppl about mk all the time.  I did a lot of reading on here and mksucks and in the lit that the company puts out before I made my decision.  Ultimately I think you have to follow your gut. 

My husband has been overly supportive and I can not imagine telling him oh BTW I wont be entering DIQ in Jan. I am so lost. How did you send back your inventory after that long??? I thought once you were in for a year you could not send any back ? Please let me know.