Tam
Trade Count:
( 13)
Pink Fog? What's That?
Karma: 117
 Offline
Posts: 1151
|
 |
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2008, 08:28:44 PM » |
|
Well THAT'S not good customer service! But then, it's MK we're talking about...
 How true! The SD said it was to cut down on people purchasing products at flea mkts, etc. ?  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Pink Lighthouse Lounge
|
|
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2008, 08:28:44 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
surrenderthepink
Trade Count:
( 0)
Haze Lifting
Karma: 5
Offline
Posts: 69
|
|
« Reply #16 on: April 24, 2008, 08:33:39 PM » |
|
Smartinpink, I once had a customer make a return of an old product she had bought from someone else. I took it back and returned it to the customer. They flagged it but did not notify me so a month went by and I had not got anything back in the mail so I called. Then they told me they would honor it but it was flagged because it was an older product. I explained it was returned to me but the customer bought it from someone else. From what I understand they will no longer take returns now that have not come from one of your own customers, specifically for this reason.
I had the exact same experience. I had a new customer who didn't have a consultant anymore, but had an old bottle of something from the classic basic line that she was not pleased with. So I took an exchange, and submitted it on InTouch, and they 'flagged' it because of the old number. My question is, what is a customer to do when they aren't satisfied with an older product? The guarantee does not specify a time limit. And what about the consultant who sells an older product to a customer when there is nothing wrong with the product, just that it is discontinued so it shows up as an old number. Then the customer decides she does not like the color or changes her mind about getting it and returns it. Then the consultant can expect not to be reimbursed by the company and will take a loss just because the company keeps on changing their products all the time now. I started in MK about 13 years ago and none of this existed then. At that time whatever was returned to you could be returned to the company. Absolutely no questions were asked about it. In those days I just loved a lot of things about the company. (The Directors they were another story!) Since the company started to enforce these rules they are much less desirable as a company to work with, IMO. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
mklost
Trade Count:
( 25)
Still Foggy
Karma: 4
Offline
Posts: 46
|
|
« Reply #17 on: April 25, 2008, 07:10:45 PM » |
|
I had no idea there was a problem returning unwanted products! That was something we were always told to do....even if it wasn't our customer. We were to honor the 100% money back quarentee, because we were with MK! I would have been furious if I had gotten "flagged" for doing something I was told to do to "honor" the company policy.  This last year I have finally faced the fact that I was spending way more in Sec 2 items, PCP things, hostess gifts, and the website than I ever would admit to myself. When I questioned the time that they calculated as "income earning potential" I was told that the time I spent on the phone, warm chattering, etc didn't count. Only the time at meetings and parties, etc counted toward the $50/hr or whatever figure they dream up. I have decided not to send back my order for this year only because I have already sold a lot of it and the rest I will be able to sell. I have enjoyed trading with people at this site and look forward to doing more. I had completely decided to get out by August and not go back, then I get a postcard from my nice director (really, she is) saying that she hopes I will stay in, even if its just for personal use. My heart wavers again and I think, should I do it? Then I read another story on this site and it shows me again what a vicous cycle this is and that I have to get out and stay out. I think if I stay out until August (my official termination date) then I will be over my hurdle. I don't know why I am so weak about this. Maybe its because I just sold a bunch of product, but I know deep inside that it is just a cycle and not an ongoing occurance. I don't have the knack and have turned friends and co-workers away with my MK sales talk. Anyway, thanks again for this site. I don't have anyone else I can talk to...my recruiter who is my best friend, keeps saying that if we both ran this business right, we would have no trouble going along with all these changes....and that is another whole, huge, frustrating issue!!! Thanks for helping keep my head above water!  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
surrenderthepink
Trade Count:
( 0)
Haze Lifting
Karma: 5
Offline
Posts: 69
|
|
« Reply #18 on: April 25, 2008, 09:10:50 PM » |
|
I had no idea there was a problem returning unwanted products! That was something we were always told to do....even if it wasn't our customer. We were to honor the 100% money back quarentee, because we were with MK! I would have been furious if I had gotten "flagged" for doing something I was told to do to "honor" the company policy. This last year I have finally faced the fact that I was spending way more in Sec 2 items, PCP things, hostess gifts, and the website than I ever would admit to myself. When I questioned the time that they calculated as "income earning potential" I was told that the time I spent on the phone, warm chattering, etc didn't count. Only the time at meetings and parties, etc counted toward the $50/hr or whatever figure they dream up. I have decided not to send back my order for this year only because I have already sold a lot of it and the rest I will be able to sell. I have enjoyed trading with people at this site and look forward to doing more. I had completely decided to get out by August and not go back, then I get a postcard from my nice director (really, she is) saying that she hopes I will stay in, even if its just for personal use. My heart wavers again and I think, should I do it? Then I read another story on this site and it shows me again what a vicous cycle this is and that I have to get out and stay out. I think if I stay out until August (my official termination date) then I will be over my hurdle. I don't know why I am so weak about this. Maybe its because I just sold a bunch of product, but I know deep inside that it is just a cycle and not an ongoing occurance. I don't have the knack and have turned friends and co-workers away with my MK sales talk. Anyway, thanks again for this site. I don't have anyone else I can talk to...my recruiter who is my best friend, keeps saying that if we both ran this business right, we would have no trouble going along with all these changes....and that is another whole, huge, frustrating issue!!! Thanks for helping keep my head above water! Take it from me, mklost, the more you listen to the people in MK the longer you will be stuck in it. Look at me, I was in for almost 13 years. And I always felt guilty or reticent to make that move to actually get out. This last year, the whole year I was undecided and the only one I could talk to about it is one friend who is in MK, an ex director, who only stays active now so she can sell off what she has as inventory. Every time I would talk to her it would be evident how confused I was about actually terminating myself from MK. When it came time for my last chance to order before being terminated I got the inevitable call from my Director saying I should call her to discuss "helping me with my business." That made up my mind for me. This woman who was not returning my calls when I needed her help all of a sudden found my phone number when she thought I was in danger of becoming inactive! I just could not bring myself to call her back. It is just too little too late. I think I was undecided because as long as I was "active" in MK I felt like I still had a "career" even though I was not making any money from it. Becoming inactive I can't kid myself anymore. I know I have to find another avenue of income and move away from this fantasy "career". I know there is more to my identity than MK. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
zaid
Trade Count:
( 0)
Pink Fog? What's That?
Karma: 28
Offline
Posts: 366
|
|
« Reply #19 on: April 25, 2008, 11:23:49 PM » |
|
I lost alot of customers when the change or discontinue a product. I had a large customer base for the Today perfume or mist and when they took it out none of them wanted to have a new fragrance. So I lost the steady $200.00 a month. And with all the change and so on I got to the point of been very dispointed with the company. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Live, Laugh , Love
|
|
|
mklost
Trade Count:
( 25)
Still Foggy
Karma: 4
Offline
Posts: 46
|
|
« Reply #20 on: April 26, 2008, 04:35:36 AM » |
|
Thanks for you input! I have to keep reminding myself of this trap ... and you all are helping me do that. Three months away and I will be totally terminated! Do they lock you out of InTouch after a year? I hope so. I want to use these products to pay off my debt. I want to use ebay, but am afraid to do that until August. My friend would be appalled and so would my director, if she knew what I was doing here. But my opinion is that I am helping out other MK consultants, or ex-consultants. The product is still getting around, just not the MK way.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
mklost
Trade Count:
( 25)
Still Foggy
Karma: 4
Offline
Posts: 46
|
|
« Reply #21 on: April 26, 2008, 04:45:22 AM » |
|
I think you hit the nail on the head, Surrendethepink! As long as I am even selling a little bit of it, I feel like I have another job. I just have to look at it as getting rid of the stuff so I can pay off my debt. Not a career or some way to boost my self-esteem. I am not a MK Consultant, just provide a service for people who can use some of it. I think it makes me feel like someone when people come up to me at work and ask me for product they can't get anywhere else (or get easily). Makes me feel special. I am really trying to be honest, here. I think it has become a pride thing and maybe that's how I can beat it. Thanks for letting me think out loud! I know there are people here who can relate with me, so I don't feel so ODD!  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
PPA
Give up the pink, and no one gets hurt!
Global Moderator
Trade Count:
( 2)
Karma: 188
 Online
Posts: 1555
Rockin' and rollin' at the lighthouse!
|
|
« Reply #22 on: April 26, 2008, 07:08:54 PM » |
|
My heart wavers again and I think, should I do it? I felt the same way, but you really should think with your head on this one. Part of the way they keep you in is by saying things like, "Hear my heart..." etc. MK appeals to the emotional woman in ways we still can't explain. The only person you answer to, in the end, is yourself. You have to decide what is right for you. NO ONE can tell you that a decision you make that you believe is right FOR YOU is the wrong decision. That's not their place! I don't have the knack and have turned friends and coworkers away with my MK sales talk. I know EXACTLY what you mean. It's not a knack... REAL salespeople don't go after close friends and family. Think about it! Imagine if a car salesman used the 3 foot rule, or an insurance salesman, or even a shoe salesman... it's ludicrous. I still haven't completely fixed relationships I battered with my MK sales pitches. My poor friends! I didn't understand what was wrong with it at the time - I was SOOOOooo excited... and they were trying so hard to be good friends, and in the end I drove them all away. It's been almost 2 years now since I got out. That is hard to believe - but I still haven't repaired all of my damaged relationships, and I am still carrying around some lingering debt from my inventory 'investment.' But it does get better - the minute you free yourself from the guilt, the commitment ... its a huge weight lifted to have a PLAN and to put it into action... one that actually HELPS you. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
mklost
Trade Count:
( 25)
Still Foggy
Karma: 4
Offline
Posts: 46
|
|
« Reply #23 on: April 26, 2008, 07:45:32 PM » |
|
THanks for your input, PPA. You're right. I have to think with my head, not my heart. I have to stop listening to other people and think for myself. My recruiter is trying to talk me into MK again b/c I sold some things this week, but I know they aren't going to buy that much again and will only do reoders now and then. At least I know enough to stay away from meetings! Now if I can just let go of the guilt feelings.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
surrenderthepink
Trade Count:
( 0)
Haze Lifting
Karma: 5
Offline
Posts: 69
|
|
« Reply #24 on: April 27, 2008, 12:23:59 AM » |
|
I think you hit the nail on the head, Surrendethepink! As long as I am even selling a little bit of it, I feel like I have another job. I just have to look at it as getting rid of the stuff so I can pay off my debt. Not a career or some way to boost my self-esteem. I am not a MK Consultant, just provide a service for people who can use some of it. I think it makes me feel like someone when people come up to me at work and ask me for product they can't get anywhere else (or get easily). Makes me feel special. I am really trying to be honest, here. I think it has become a pride thing and maybe that's how I can beat it. Thanks for letting me think out loud! I know there are people here who can relate with me, so I don't feel so ODD! I think what you are saying is that the longer we stay in MK the more our identity is built up around it. I have been in so long I don't even know who I am anymore without MK. It is almost like getting a divorce from a bad marriage and having to find your true self all over again.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
mklost
Trade Count:
( 25)
Still Foggy
Karma: 4
Offline
Posts: 46
|
|
« Reply #25 on: April 27, 2008, 11:40:55 AM » |
|
I'm sure you're right. I was thinking MK all the time and I was only in it 3 years. Can't imagine what it would be like for you.... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
surrenderthepink
Trade Count:
( 0)
Haze Lifting
Karma: 5
Offline
Posts: 69
|
|
« Reply #26 on: April 28, 2008, 12:21:52 PM » |
|
I'm sure you're right. I was thinking MK all the time and I was only in it 3 years. Can't imagine what it would be like for you.... To be honest, even after I didn't order when my year was up I was still thinking I could still sign up again at a later date. I am taking this one day at a time but I doubt I will ever sign up again. It is just that I had to think of it that way to get myself not to place that order. Now, I took inventory of what product and section 2 I have with the idea of liquidation and I am taking that one day at a time too because I just can't imagine not being in MK anymore.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
PPA
Give up the pink, and no one gets hurt!
Global Moderator
Trade Count:
( 2)
Karma: 188
Online
Posts: 1555
Rockin' and rollin' at the lighthouse!
|
|
« Reply #27 on: April 28, 2008, 01:37:38 PM » |
|
I'm sure you're right. I was thinking MK all the time and I was only in it 3 years. Can't imagine what it would be like for you.... To be honest, even after I didn't order when my year was up I was still thinking I could still sign up again at a later date. I am taking this one day at a time but I doubt I will ever sign up again. It is just that I had to think of it that way to get myself not to place that order. Now, I took inventory of what product and section 2 I have with the idea of liquidation and I am taking that one day at a time too because I just can't imagine not being in MK anymore. Which is why some people refer to it as the pink 'cult.' It truly affects people deeply, in ways not completely understood. I wish some high profile psychologist would do a study on how participating in MLM companies can affect an individual! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
surrenderthepink
Trade Count:
( 0)
Haze Lifting
Karma: 5
Offline
Posts: 69
|
|
« Reply #28 on: April 28, 2008, 02:06:31 PM » |
|
I'm sure you're right. I was thinking MK all the time and I was only in it 3 years. Can't imagine what it would be like for you.... To be honest, even after I didn't order when my year was up I was still thinking I could still sign up again at a later date. I am taking this one day at a time but I doubt I will ever sign up again. It is just that I had to think of it that way to get myself not to place that order. Now, I took inventory of what product and section 2 I have with the idea of liquidation and I am taking that one day at a time too because I just can't imagine not being in MK anymore. Which is why some people refer to it as the pink 'cult.' It truly affects people deeply, in ways not completely understood. I wish some high profile psychologist would do a study on how participating in MLM companies can affect an individual! I am sure they will find out that they prey on the insecurities of people. In MK they look for the specific hot button that will push you to sign up. This is the same as what a cult does to get members. No different than some of the other cults out there. I was watching a Nightline show about Scientology and according to what they are saying a lot of it has to do with being sworn to secrecy. Once you leave they don't want the person to discuss anything about Scientology. That is the same thing in MK where you are encouraged to lie in order for people to think they are entering a perfect Pink  when they join MK. Of course, none of it is true. Yet, why does everyone in MK candy coat it to the outside world? I never voiced my doubts abou the company to anyone outside MK, only to some other consultants who were close confidantes. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
