~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 7) ~

MarsdenCuckoo · 12 February 2011 at 5:55PM

jacquij123 wrote: »

Hi,
I have a dilemma that I would appreciate some comments on, though go easy as everything else is falling apart at the moment....
Anyway, I was doing Avon before Christmas, had loads of problems with the short campaigns, orders late because of the snow, items missing etc. Anyway, right in the midst of this everyone in my family was ill with flu and my little boy who is 1 developed pneumonia. Everything unfortunately went a bit haywire and I basically gave up with the Avon. Unfortunately some customers didn't get their orders, no big ones, just bits and pieces and I didn't get in touch with them either.
Now everything is getting back to normal I really would like to give Avon another go but don't know how people will feel if I turn up now. I could offer a discount or something? I don't have a record of those orders I missed or I would go and apologise...
I would really appreciate some views, even if it's not positive.
Thank-you

Hi Jacqui,

Would like to add to what others have already said, but firstly.... if things are still 'falling apart at the moment...' for you are you sure you're OK to try and resurrect your Avon business? For my 2p-worth, don't even think about starting Avon again if there's the remotest chance that you won't be able to cope with looking after your customers and dealing with whatever else life is throwing at you at the mo.

Having said that, and if you're convinced restarting Avon is a good option for you, in your situation I'd drop all your old customers a note something along the lines of:

"Hi, I'm back - your 'brand new' Avon Lady! Really appreciate your support last year and my apologies if you were one of the few customers, who didn't get your pre-Christmas order. Please be re-assured that I am keen to be a successful Avon Lady and will do my very best to make sure you can take advantage of all Avon's brilliant offers in 2011. To reward your loyalty I am prepared to offer you a free gift for orders over £x from this book."

In my opinion, there's no need to wear a hair shirt or give anyone any details. Life happens to everyone and it may just win you some extra support that you are 'big enough to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back in the saddle again'.

Good luck.

lozza1985 · 12 February 2011 at 6:11PM

Right - have added the new brochure links & a link to the product recommendation thread onto the first post, first page

MarsdenCuckoo · 12 February 2011 at 6:31PM

missminx wrote: »

Afternoon everyone Still feeling rubbish, but have got around to putting the thread up for recommending and giving advice on Avon products. It should be near the top if you can take a minute to add your preferences to it, and then hopefully we can have a link on the front page. Hope you all find it useful :A

Thanks, MM; have contributed but forgot to subscribe so will need to add something else now - doh!

Brilliant idea! :T

Turkishdreamer · 12 February 2011 at 6:49PM

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

Hi Jacqui,

Would like to add to what others have already said, but firstly.... if things are still 'falling apart at the moment...' for you are you sure you're OK to try and resurrect your Avon business? For my 2p-worth, don't even think about starting Avon again if there's the remotest chance that you won't be able to cope with looking after your customers and dealing with whatever else life is throwing at you at the mo.

Having said that, and if you're convinced restarting Avon is a good option for you, in your situation I'd drop all your old customers a note something along the lines of:

"Hi, I'm back - your 'brand new' Avon Lady! Really appreciate your support last year and my apologies if you were one of the few customers, who didn't get your pre-Christmas order. Please be re-assured that I am keen to be a successful Avon Lady and will do my very best to make sure you can take advantage of all Avon's brilliant offers in 2011. To reward your loyalty I am prepared to offer you a free gift for orders over £x from this book."

In my opinion, there's no need to wear a hair shirt or give anyone any details. Life happens to everyone and it may just win you some extra support that you are 'big enough to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back in the saddle again'.

Good luck.

Hi Jacqui

I am an ex Avon Manager and prior to that was a rep for over 20 years. Just wanted to add my little bit and hope something from it is of help to you or any other reps or sales leaders.

Always keep things simple and don't make promises that for wahtever reason you may not be able to keep.

A little note on the front of the new brochure with a free sample should be sufficient. 'Apologies for any problems with the previous order. I am giving you my e-mail address and telephone number, so that if I should miss you when I call for your order you can send it to me. I have attached a sample of a product you may wish to try'.

A number of customers are at work, have family commitments (as you do) and like to place their orders at their convenience. A number of my past representatives found almost a 50% increase in orders and their values when giving the text/e-mail option. Be sure to give a deadline date for orders though.

Good luck and please persevere, Avon served me well for nearly 30 years and gave my kids those little extra's, which they wouldn't have had without it.

jacquij123 · 12 February 2011 at 7:04PM

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

Hi Jacqui,

Would like to add to what others have already said, but firstly.... if things are still 'falling apart at the moment...' for you are you sure you're OK to try and resurrect your Avon business? For my 2p-worth, don't even think about starting Avon again if there's the remotest chance that you won't be able to cope with looking after your customers and dealing with whatever else life is throwing at you at the mo.

Thank-you for your comments, after I posted I thought someone may pick up on that. What I mean by that is things like my full time job, struggling to cope with no money...etc etc so I feel at the moment I need to be doing everything I can to earn more.
I am going to give it a go, a free gift, discount and a note to get things started so hopefully it will be ok.
Thanks again.

MarsdenCuckoo · 12 February 2011 at 7:58PM

jacquij123 wrote: »

Thank-you for your comments, after I posted I thought someone may pick up on that. What I mean by that is things like my full time job, struggling to cope with no money...etc etc so I feel at the moment I need to be doing everything I can to earn more.
I am going to give it a go, a free gift, discount and a note to get things started so hopefully it will be ok.
Thanks again.

You're very welcome, J, really hope there is some light - very quickly - for you at the end of the tunnel. Life happens to everyone and no-one is perfect. Your customers will, hopefully, appreciate that and appreciate you all the more for trying so hard.

The main thing is that you have a healthy and happy family; hopefully, the rest will fall into place and don't you give a second thought to anyone, who moans about not having had a 'few Avon bits' delivered in those deplorable weather conditions when you were battling with so much in your personal life.

Good luck again - sounds to me like you're a trooper and you truly deserve success.

MarsdenCuckoo · 12 February 2011 at 8:03PM

Turkishdreamer wrote: »

I am an ex Avon Manager and prior to that was a rep for over 20 years. Just wanted to add my little bit and hope something from it is of help to you or any other reps or sales leaders.

Always keep things simple and don't make promises that for wahtever reason you may not be able to keep.

A little note on the front of the new brochure with a free sample should be sufficient. 'Apologies for any problems with the previous order. I am giving you my e-mail address and telephone number, so that if I should miss you when I call for your order you can send it to me. I have attached a sample of a product you may wish to try'.

it! :j

Am always too verbose.... Simple is good! :T

I must try harder, I must try harder, I must try harder.... :rotfl:

PS: Welcome to the thread TD; looks like we have a real pro on board now!

Turkishdreamer · 12 February 2011 at 8:49PM

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

it! :j

Am always too verbose.... Simple is good! :T

I must try harder, I must try harder, I must try harder.... :rotfl:

PS: Welcome to the thread TD; looks like we have a real pro on board now!

Love this thread, loads of good ideas.

Wouldn't say I was a pro, just been there, seen it and done it. If any of it is useful to anyone then that is a bonus...:)

ceejaydee23 · 12 February 2011 at 11:18PM

JacquiJ -- Hi A fair few pages back I pretty much said the same kind of thing regarding my Christmas Orders, Life had been soo bloody hard over December and January, What with the weather, and illnesses, With My Campaign 4 brochures, I kind os made a newsletter stating about winter bugs, and weather making it hard for us to get out and about. And thanking my customers for their loyalty and custom.

But 1 thing i do find a little off, that someone from a couple of streets away could post her book and order in for me, yet someone 2 doors down from me didn't, But made a point of telling me about it a few days ago.