Thursday, November 15, 2007

When Consultants Attack

Have you ever been confronted by a Mary Kay consultant while shopping in a store? This has happened to me no less than 5 times. Twice it was the same woman in the same department store about 3 months apart. I'd like to point out that I not only like Mary Kay consultants (I've known/know several) but I also really like Mary Kay products. That being said, I do not enjoy this particular tactic of "recruiting" potential clients. It does not work on me and I really can't see it working on most people. But, they must teach it at the sales training or something for it to have happened to me this many times.

If this has never happened to you, they usually stop you while shopping to say something like:
"Excuse me. I just noticed how put together you are! You have a beautiful face." (or other such flattery). Then they proceed to introduce themselves and they want to know your name too - so they can start calling you by your name. And then they move into the invitation to a party, etc., etc., etc. I have been confronted like this in department stores, while getting a pedicure and last night...at the grocery store.

Now, really. Am I the only one who doesn't want to be bothered with this while shopping? Maybe it's because I'm one of the few women who doesn't actually like shopping that much. This kind of thing only distracts me from my goal, which is to be done as soon as possible.

9 comments:

Emily Cade said...

That is so odd! I've never had that happen to me! Granted, I do love shopping... but I don't think they sense the "anti-shopping"-ness in you and attack. That is so weird. Maybe it's a Texan thing. Speaking of Mary Kay, I really think they are doing themselves a dis-service by not joining the rest of us in teh 21st century. I too like Mary Kay products, and if I could buy them in the store, or even online, I might actually own some, but because I have to have a representative FIND me, and then I have to jump through hoops and go to parties to get them, I stay away. I tried to buy MK online once, but it just told me to enter my zip to have a rep contact me. Uh, no, I'll just got to Target and buy ANY OTHER BRAND.

Supermom-In-Training said...

This used to happen to me almost daily when I worked in Plano. I would be on my way into Starbucks to get my much-needed morning coffee and BAM - the consultant would hit me with the "you look so put together..." Couldn't she have at least waited until after I got my coffee??

Mandy Boyd

Jacquie said...

I love Mary Kay and it is actually all I buy! This has happened to me several times and it is very annoying. I was in Target and the lady told me she wanted to enter my face into a contest. What? No thank you!

Lynn Leaming said...

I am so sad. I guess I am just not "put together enough" because this never has happened to me. But I wouldn't want it to anyway. How is this not a form of soliciting? And most stores have signs up saying you can't do that.

Heather said...

Starbucks seems to be a popular hang-out for them....that is where I usually get 'attacked' as well.

Stephanie said...

Okay, I've never been attacked either. I'm attributing it to the fact that I'm never all that put together!

Lindsay said...

I have had it happen once and it is so annoying. I used to be a part of MK for personal use only - never sold it - and they do teach it in the sales stuff. I thought it was dumb and who would fall for it - I mean seriously if we were so put together then why would we need their product. :) It is a good product but I hardly see it anymore - Arbonne is kind of taking over it appears to me.

Christina said...

Oh my goodness, this happens to me a lot as well! I used to go to Target a lot on my lunch breaks and was approached at least 4 times! I've been approached at Wal-Mart twice and McAllister's Deli while waiting in line trying to figure out what I was going to eat. I was so annoyed because I was hungry! I have nothing against Mary Kay either, but am in the same boat as you. I don't like this type of "recruiting".

LoriLoo310 said...

I had someone do that to me in Macy's just the other day. I "sell" Mary Kay for my personal use (as well as my mom's and sister's), so it's an easy get-away to tell them that I'm already a consultant. Next time they approach you, tell them that you would also "like to enter their face into a contest." See how they react!