~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 7) ~

MarsdenCuckoo

MrsGSR wrote: »

Thank you for the very informative post Chazolate and for yours too Lozza1985. In my second camp my SL asked me if I was interested in being an SL and I asked on here and everyone reccomended I give it at least 6 months.
I'm glad I didn't because my SL hasn't been overly supportive and after I said I wasn't interested, she hung up on me when I called for advice and has ignored texts and emails so I have had to really get on and do myself. If it wasn't for the wonderful people on this thread I don't think I would have stuck it out.
If I ever do become a SL I will make sure I support my reps fully as I don't feel I was supported properly and my SL was more interested in working up the ranks instead of looking after her reps.

Sounds like, if you do decide to go SL, might be worth looking round for an upliner, who you are confident will support you. Takes time so plan ahead. Makes all the difference.

MarsdenCuckoo

Just to add to what's already been said above, last year I went to an Area Avon meeting and SL'ship was put very succintly in that the effort required is inversely proportional to the rewards i.e. initially you have to put in a lot of effort to build your first line and it can actually cost you money (hence the Business Development Bonus scheme otherwise I doubt whether anyone would ever do it! LOL), however, the higher up the ranks you go the better the rewards in relation to your personal effort required. By the time you hit Senior Exec level, so am told, your earnings are such that you no longer need the BDB scheme! That's a nice thought, eh? :j

:beer: everyone; hope your Avon businesses are going well.

MarsdenCuckoo

MrsGSR wrote: »

Hello everyone, hope you are all well. I seem to be doomed with Avon!
Recieved my C10 order which was well over HOV (as was C9) and I have not received my superstarter gifts! Also they sent me more order forms than I asked for, so I have had to pay for them. Ok so it's only 15p but still, the website nearly made a bigger mess up when I went back through the order and noticed it was going to send me 10 packs of books! luckily I noticed!
But they have sent me a returns book, AT LAST, was I meant to ask for this?

Sorry if this is not relevant but just wondering if you've actually just input your 3rd or 5th order and if you mean the freebies under the SmartStart scheme? If so, don't worry, camps 3 & 4, and 5 & 6, are linked - you need to achieve the same OV in both and your SmartStart freebie comes out with your 4th and 6th order.

Go all out to reach HOV in your 5th and 6th campaigns - the vanity bag is well worth having as a freebie.

PS: Yes, if you want a Returns Book, you need to order it.

MarsdenCuckoo

johanne wrote: »

quick question for SL's - ive heard their are cards you can give potential SLs to hand out to try drum up some interest in them finding reps before they sign up as a SL.... is this true?? if so what are they called?

Finally considering the SL route then? :j

Don't think you can actually order these type of cards (possibly called prospecting cards but not sure); they tend to be handed out by ASMs. If you ask your upliner/ASM, sure they'll be happy to 'tag' you as a Trainee SL and let you have some cards. You'll also need some sign-up packs too and books for your potential new reps, of course, but initially these are supplied by your upliner. Nothing to stop you preparing your own notes though and popping them in with your brochures. Converting customers to reps is a good way to grow your team being that presumably they'll already have their own favourite Avon products and have the perfect example of how to be a rep by copying you. :T

MarsdenCuckoo

missminx wrote: »

I am thinking of getting gift vouchers printed, I want to have them done properly so as to avoid any counterfeiting issues, and so they look professional. I think they will be good for birthdays/ Xmas etc. Also gives an option to sell to men, who can buy them for wives / girlfriends and not 'get it wrong'! Interesting idea anyway See how it goes.

Nice idea but I'd be careful before expending good hard cash on vouchers. Loyalty schemes are one thing but there may be some legal reason against your voucher scheme i.e. wouldn't that mean you were offering some sort of 'credit', which may need a license? Even if not, what guarantee have your potential customers got that you will still be a rep at Christmas-time?

Sorry to put a dampener on things; theoretically it sounds a good idea but not sure how practical it will be.

MarsdenCuckoo

Mumto2 wrote: »

Hi all,

What happens if you don't order anything for a campaign? Is there any kind of standing charge?

Just trying to figure out my strategy for covering the 6 wks holiday without affecting the kids too much

No standing charge for not ordering anything. You're self-employed and it's up to you whether to place an order every campaign or not. Just plan the school holidays to fit in with your lifestyle but it's a good idea to let both your customers and your upliner know if you are planning to miss a campaign or two.

MarsdenCuckoo

MrsGSR wrote: »

Thanks MC.
She has paid up but I have decided as that entire road have been not only rubbish at giving books back and only two have ordered the last few camps that I will give that road a rest for a few camps till I am feeling better. I'm sick of putting nots through doors then trekking up there to find they haven't left their books out or are not in!

Have decided to drop a note to my regulars explaing I am downsizing and giving them my email address too. Haven't quite figured out what I am going to say in it but I will have a think!

You're very welcome. Hope you managed to draft a suitable note and it's helped.

MarsdenCuckoo

missminx wrote: »

Loyalty schemes are a good idea. I thought if I had some £5 vouchers they could be a good loyalty reward as what costs the customer £5, doesn't cost us that, and they have to have earned the voucher in the first place. I will keep you updated!!

Now that's different to selling vouchers so an excellent idea. I donated a basketful of Avon goodies last year to a silent auction for charity and included a voucher for 10% off next order - wasn't one of my better ideas! :rotfl:The lady, who made the highest bid and won it, usually ordered every campaign but don't think she's ever ordered since!

MarsdenCuckoo

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

I too am having the same problem, Which i want to nip it out before my customers feel its normal to give me the run around.

In C10, I lost lots of books, Nearly 30! People believed that they could bin them, Because they didn't want to order, Plus i have had a few people becoming abusive because they have told the "last rep"
that they didn't want books. I'm kinda of lost as what to do.

My SL is telling me to keep dropping book in because they will warm to me, But i have tried explaining:-

• Its costing me future sales, Because i'm loosing books
• Its costing me, Because I'M buying the books
• They clearly don't one
• Or their not ordering, Which means, Hourly rate i'm out of pocket.

When i started last month, I was given 106 house with the promise i HAD over 30 regular customers, 6 customers never missing a order.

However, Within a month, I have lost 6 blocks of flats (9 homes in each) Management team have stop door sellers!

22 House's I have been told not to drop to again (Last rep was told)

10 Who are always giving me the run around*
I have asked them over & over to leave their book outside for collection. I also leave a note explaining when i will be back, But they NEVER leave the book there!

One women on C10 had a £70 order, But later refused the order due to me being late, This was because i was having to deal with the above management team.

I know, C11 for sure, Is going to be rubbish. I'm not going to make £78, I have 6 days left & only have £24 in sales. None of the so called regular customers are climbing out of the wood work.

Thanks I_GEEK for the advice, I will be using this for sure! :T

It's your Avon business so you run it how you think best (within Avon's T&C's of course) - don't just adhere to what your SL has told you because it doesn't seem to be in your interests at the mo.

In your case I'd certainly adopt a 'knock and ask' policy rather than a 'stuff and run'. The pro's and con's of both systems have been discussed many times before on MSE and what suits one doesn't necessarily suit another. When you are first starting out, it makes sense to only leave your books where you know they are wanted. Really can't see any point dropping books off to houses where they've told the previous rep they don't want one.

Quite often people want to make sure you're reliable before they trust you with an order so it's worth persevering with anyone, who says they'd like a book, even if they don't order at first/every time.

Routine is also the key.... your customers get to know when you are due so hopefully remember to leave their books out and/or make sure they have the cash waiting for you when you deliver their order.

Keep at it; it's hard to establish your customer base initially but it does get easier.....

Dick_here

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

it's a good idea to let both your customers and your upliner know if you are planning to miss a campaign or two.

Don't miss more than two though or you'll get removed as a Rep.