Anyone who reads MK related blogs, whether pro or anti, probably already knows that there are most likely some changes coming to our color line. This is an especially big topic over at PT. It seems to me that some (not all) of the folks over there would like to have it both ways. They would like for everything to stay the same, all the while complaining that MK products are out of date. Personally, it’s really a non-issue for me at this point. I like the products that we have now, but if the company decides to make changes, then I will be fine with it. I’m sure that any changes made will be for the better, and as with all life changes, we will all adjust.
Every company makes changes to their product line. It’s a fact of business, like it or not. The cosmetics industry is a constantly changing business. Have you noticed how often Revlon and CoverGirl come out with new products? They aren’t just adding the new products to their current line. Something is being done away with. There are always new colors, new formulas, new technology, etc. that can and should be taken advantage of. We don’t expect, and probably wouldn’t want the exact same products we used 10 years ago if there is something better that we can use.
So, what’s your take on product changes? I like them. I would hate to think that I am selling a product from a company that believes that there is no room for improvement. That would mean that they believe they have perfected something, and we all know that perfection in a product is rare, if it exists at all.
You know what is strange about this whole thing is that if the colors didnt change someone would be moaning and groaning. When they do make changes they are gradual and not instant. My heart really does go out to those who have been hoodwinked by someone but once things are rectified its time to just move on and heal from it. Some stories Im well aware are true and some are not but the changes are gradual.
My director is a second line to Rena Tarbet and she is an HONEST director and she informed me a year ago that they DO listen to the Nationals and to the consultants and believe it or not some of these changes are suggestions that have come from the sales force!!! Not corporate!! So what does that tell you?
I think they are a business like anyone else but they DO listen to their sales force unlike some companies Im familiar with.
I like the changes and I don’t think they do them too often. If we watch our inventories properly and order less color inventory now, it should be a non-issue for most people. It will be an issue for those who order, not sell, just order in order to stay/become directors or stars. If your inventory isn’t selling, don’t order! AHHH! This is such a pet peeve, sorry! What I am meaning to say is that the changes will be good and people like something NEW. I know I am tempted to even buy loreal or what not at walmart when I see new stuff! Why can’t it work for us too?
I think the problem comes in when the packaging changes so that color inserts will no longer fit into the old compacts. If the packaging format stayed the same, I don’t think anyone would care. Really, who cares what *color* the compact is, as long as your existing product fits into it?
Last time they changes color – they changed the pink to platinum packaging but kept the same shapes. They have not changed shapes since the square to current oval shapes in early 1990s
They are changing the shapes this time, though, unless there is a HUGE outcry from the salesforce to prevent it.
They dont need to change the shapes they are FINE as they are and I think they should stay platinum…
They are supossed to make them more compact/smaller too. I think poeple like that better. Clients like it more = we sell more.
I agree about the only issue being the change in the packaging. How can I honestly promote the compacts with even a slight knowledge that if I sell it to a customer now, in three months she may face the choice of having to purchase a new compact because she can’t get product to fit in the one she has-I would feel terrible!!! Especially as a new consultant still trying to build a relationship and credibility with my customers, a change in packaging makes building that up even more difficult.
Plus, if they make the packaging smaller, won’t that mean less product? They may be keeping the amount the same- I haven’t heard anything about that.
Anyway-I’d just like a little advance notice-then I could stock up on my customers’ favorite callers (yup, advance notice of changes could actually mean MORE sales for the company) and not feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place when it comes to selling a custom compact.
Anyway, are there any suggestions for ways to deal with this anticipated change in packaging?
First of all, we don’t know that these product changes are true. At this point, this is just a rumor.
IF this rumor turns out to be true, we have no details – yet. Let’s pretend that it is all true. Maybe the Company will have some kind of an adapter pan for our current compacts that will hold the new sized and shaped product. We also still have the product replacement program. We could simply do an exchange with our customers to get them switched to the new products.
Maybe, just maybe, the shape and size of the compact is the only thing that will change and they will still hold the current shaped products.
According to the rumor, the changes will take place over 18 months. I don’t see how the eye and cheek colors shapes and the compact shapes can happen any way but all at once. So, they do what? Change the compacts first but we have nothing to put in them for how many months? Or change the shape and size of the eye color but have nothing to put it in for how many months?
Unless…… there is an adapter pan ….. Then they could change the eye colors and provide the adapter pan. We put the adapter pan in the existing compacts to hold the new shaped eye color. Same with cheek color. Then last, the new size and shaped compact. Thus gently easing us and our customers through a transition phase.
I am just speculating……..
I think if you have a customer who really is upset, offer the new compact at half off. Then you will not lose money or the customer. Since we know this will be coming, perhaps you still CAN order favorite colors (stock up). However, that can backfire, too. I had a lady who lived for cocoa creme lipgloss. I ordered her 5 ahead when they were discontinued. She thanked me tremendously, bought ONE more, then decided she wants to try something new. After 2 years! Go figure. That is just how it goes sometimes.
I think change is still good. If Clinique or Lancome had the same line season in and season out, people would look for another line in order to get something new.
This is all the more reason to order as you sell. Keep SOME inventory, but if you MUST order more to achieve a goal (not my recommendation to buy a goal…), then go for basics: cleansers, brush sets, satin hands, etc. Even if those change suddenly, you can sell them from old beauty books or give a deal on them to repeat customers with a “new line” sale.
Have you all seen MK phillipines and MK Australia websites? They have a skin care line that looks like the classic but its called Botanical!! Hmmm….
No, I am going to check that out. Sounds good to me though. We need to compete with other lines who are more natural…that is very in demand these days. Much more than our classic, even though I do use the classic basic formula 1.
Updating products is good. Encouraging too much inventory (as many SDs do), and giving short notice on product changes, is bad. In the past, the consultants have been given only a few months notice when the company knew about the changes much longer, and people got stuck with old product they could not sell. That’s where there’s been a problem. Hopefully there will be plenty of notice this time.
Hmm… I came in with about $1500 wholesale of stuffs that was discontinued a few months after I started… pink compacts, pink pan color products, pink lipstick tubes… mascara… etc etc etc
I DO want change for BETTER however I also want them to be SMART about rolling this stuff out and not just “dropping” it on us like before.
As a Senior Director who is Go-Give I can tell you that the company has NOT said a word about such change.
HOWEVER I do find it interesting that the Color Pallette is being discontinued.
A final thought… it seems that we can always find “previous” and “limited” items when we need them on the “MK Black Market of Trade”
LOL, black market…too funny!
Yeah, I do wish they would let us know sooner. However, this may be a problem inside corporate. Maybe they do not know for sure if a product will be added until a few months out. There is most likely a lot of red tape associated with that. I dunno, I do not keep color on hand. But think about this, should we keep tons of inventory? Will it go bad before we sell it? I mean, I know it keeps for a while, but heat, cold, time…all can effect the product. Just a thought.
Hmmm… You all haven’t been reading your In Touch website. After pinktruth.com outed the upcoming MK product changes, MK In Touch posted the news. Just go to the left hand column & click on “For All Sales Force”, then click on “Just the FAQs” and scroll down about 2/3rds of the way to the question “How often does MK make product changes?”. This was first posted Jan. 16, 2007 and then updated Jan. 31, 2007.
It was news to me that MK would give that much notice to consultants. I was actively attending my ESSD weekly meetings, attended Seminar, reading the Applause cover to cover searching for tidbits and checking the In Touch website daily for a year prior to the pink to platinum change. No mention was given until about a month or two prior to the change. The change was like surgical menopause – instant and painful and no one wanted the pink parts.
It’s official (mostly). My director told us at our meeting last week-all color inventory is changing, including new compacts. I’m fairly sure the shape of the insert is changing as well, though I would have to confirm that. She did give us some good ideas about how to move our inventory out, though very few of them involved actually selling the product, most ideas were akin to offereing an eyeshadow as a gift with the purchase of a miracle set. Oh well. I’m just glad we got notice. They’re starting with the lipsticks in December-BeeReady! lol
In all seriousness, I’d love to see a post with tips about how to work through such a huge transition from both a customer service and money management perspective (i.e. when you sell an eyeshadow, obviously don’t replace it, but be sure to save at least 50% to purchase the new eyeshadows when they come out).
The new compacts are gorgeous you guys and customers are going to be EXCITED about being able to customize them however they want.
December starts with lipsticks, so start offering a “lipstick to listen”, offer a FREE lipstick with the purchase of a complete custom compact or even as a gift with purchase option instead of the cellu-shape. Also, start moving your powders and bronzing powders. A great way to do that is to offer 1/2 off the powder with the purchase of their foundation compact or vice-versa.
Also in December the PACKAGING only will start to change on the liners and glosses. Formulas and shades stay the same, just transitioning to black.
Oh… the new brush set is available NOW and before I forget, the new lipsticks have a click-cap to keep the cap on! YAY!!
More changes to come in March and then June. So don’t freak!! You could make and deliver a baby by the time the whole transition is completed!
Hey Turning Pink just came by to say hello I have not seen you lately…
TurningPink… you have been tagged!
~myst