~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 7) ~

MarsdenCuckoo

cheltenhamgal wrote: »

I went with my daughter and her friend on Monday afternoon to collect the 100 brochures we delivered on Saturday.
1 order out of the lot of them for £27.50
37 "please do not put one through again" including one very rude woman who said " what on earth have you pushed it through for if you want it back !" " don't do it again" and slammed the door very hard in my face !!
35 weren't in and hadn't put the brochure outside
27 who hadn't ticked " please do not put one through again"
Feel a little deflated but will have to carry on as my ASM is on my back

As many on here know, there are two schools of thought as to the best way to cover new territory: 'knock and ask' and 'stuff and run'. Am a great believer in the first route and, maybe, with the amount of wasted time and effort you've just experienced, it may be an idea for you to give the 'knock and ask' route a go?

Certainly, when you first start you don't have many books so I tell all my new team members, make sure you only leave them where you know they're actually wanted. Yes, it may be easier just to stuff a book through a door but, as you've now found, it can aggravate certain people and chances are that only 1 house in 3/5/10 will even want to look at a book. So, whilst initially it takes longer to knock and ask, it works out quicker in the long run as you don't have to go back and pick up a load of unwanted books.

If you think you're too shy to 'knock and ask', just try it.... what's the worst thing that can happen? They say No (it's not going to hurt) and you get to keep your book to ask the next person. (There are also certain people, who flatly refuse to order from anyone they've not met personally too so until they've met you they won't give you an order.)

Each to their own, obviously, but if one route isn't working for you, at least give some thought to changing to the other one.

Good luck.

joyfull

Your thoughts please....

Been doing Avon about 8 yrs, so am used to difficult customers & will put up with a lot, as a rule.

Today revisited a 'difficult' customer as she had misunderstood a offer and ordered a free gift she wasn't entitled to. Not able to contact by phone so popped in to explain her misunderstanding & ask if she wanted to change the order. She was (as usual) cool and slightly off with me, insisting she was right. No 'sorry to have troubled you' or 'thanks for coming round' . She was downright rude at the end of the conversation.

When I got home I was so angry I got on my bike (literally) & went round there again and firmly but politely asked her if I had offended her and said I found her to be unfriendly and brusque with me. She tried to make light of it, but I made sure the message was communicated.

Her hubby followed me out and quietly said she's like that with everyone because she's getting dementia.

My feeling is, dementia or not, I still wish to be treated with basic respect. I struggle with my own health issues. I've not got the thickest skin in the world and don't want to take others' angry energy whether they can 'help it' or not. Decided if it continues, I'll drop her as a customer.

Interested to hear what others would do?

Thanks

missminx

joyfull wrote: »

Your thoughts please....

Been doing Avon about 8 yrs, so am used to difficult customers & will put up with a lot, as a rule.

Today revisited a 'difficult' customer as she had misunderstood a offer and ordered a free gift she wasn't entitled to. Not able to contact by phone so popped in to explain her misunderstanding & ask if she wanted to change the order. She was (as usual) cool and slightly off with me, insisting she was right. No 'sorry to have troubled you' or 'thanks for coming round' . She was downright rude at the end of the conversation.

When I got home I was so angry I got on my bike (literally) & went round there again and firmly but politely asked her if I had offended her and said I found her to be unfriendly and brusque with me. She tried to make light of it, but I made sure the message was communicated.

Her hubby followed me out and quietly said she's like that with everyone because she's getting dementia.

My feeling is, dementia or not, I still wish to be treated with basic respect. I struggle with my own health issues. I've not got the thickest skin in the world and don't want to take others' angry energy whether they can 'help it' or not. Decided if it continues, I'll drop her as a customer.

Interested to hear what others would do?

Thanks

This is an awkward one. Maybe let it go for now, and if there is a further issue then speak to her husband. Explain the problem and ask if he can explain to her, at a time that is 'good' for her. As dementia sufferers seem to have times when they are in a better frame of mind to understand. If she has dementia, she really can't help it, and whilst I understand your frustration I don't think she should be ditched as a customer (yet). HTH

lozza1985

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

All Avon reps are self-employed so there's no restriction about not working for another company at all.
)

Unfortunately it's in the small print somewhere (used to be on the back of the green contract) you can't work for a "competing company". Far as I know they don't tend to bother for people who are just reps, but sl have been contacted when they've started another business (think it was the candle one) telling them they need to stop or have their avon account closed! How on earth they decide what is a competing company though I have no idea, you would think it would just be cosmetic companies, but knowing avon it could be decided at random!

lozza1985

Hmm getting somewhat deflated - have no end of reps, who despite they get good orders (over £200), know they can contact me for help....decide to stop without doing the decency of letting me know! Getting somewhat fed up, and thinking I might not bother recruiting for the rest of the year as I just haven't got my heart in it anymore, had too many people this year waste my time by joining, then not ordering, leaving me out of pocket for books, and then people just do a couple of campaigns and leave. Plus the reps who ask me questions, I reply & ask them something/offer them some extra books - and they don't even bother to reply to say thanks for the offer!!!! People used to seem to stick it for longer (about 6 months min), but seems to have dropped massively this year, despite the fact that they are getting higher orders, and I'm just feeling like I could use my time better at the moment!

nicki_2

Been out tonight to collect books. DD isn't 100% with a stinking cold (typical really as has trips out with school tomorrow & I'm out on trips next week! ) but bundled her up in waterproofs as we've been having torrential downpours here and off we went in the glorious sunshine with just a few grey clouds. We got halfway round and there was this almighty rumble of thunder and DD nearly ended up inside my coat :eek::rotfl: So we decided that since she wasn't well, if it started raining we'd head home. We did the last 2 streets on a "if they've left it out great, if not we'll knock tomorrow" basis as it started raining. Just as we were about to come through my frontdoor there was this huge flash of lightening followed by window rattling thunder :eek: We got through the door and the heavens opened with torrential rain and hailstones! So Avon can take a backseat tonight :rotfl: If my customers have a problem with that then tough, health comes before money & customers I'm afraid.

I have got 2 orders made tonight though by people who don't speak English They asked me to go inside and showed me what they wanted I can't be doing this everytime so I'm wondering is there some non-english guides to filling out the avon order that I could print out or order? I have alot of arabic/bengali/polish and who knows what else around here! I was thinking of making one myself, but if there's already instructions somewhere then it'll save me some time, if not then I know what my first school-free week will be spent doing!

Off to look through and see how I'm doing, I know I have a few orders already :j:j

MarsdenCuckoo

nicki wrote: »

Been out tonight to collect books. DD isn't 100% with a stinking cold (typical really as has trips out with school tomorrow & I'm out on trips next week! ) but bundled her up in waterproofs as we've been having torrential downpours here and off we went in the glorious sunshine with just a few grey clouds. We got halfway round and there was this almighty rumble of thunder and DD nearly ended up inside my coat :eek::rotfl: So we decided that since she wasn't well, if it started raining we'd head home. We did the last 2 streets on a "if they've left it out great, if not we'll knock tomorrow" basis as it started raining. Just as we were about to come through my frontdoor there was this huge flash of lightening followed by window rattling thunder :eek: We got through the door and the heavens opened with torrential rain and hailstones! So Avon can take a backseat tonight :rotfl: If my customers have a problem with that then tough, health comes before money & customers I'm afraid.

I have got 2 orders made tonight though by people who don't speak English They asked me to go inside and showed me what they wanted I can't be doing this everytime so I'm wondering is there some non-english guides to filling out the avon order that I could print out or order? I have alot of arabic/bengali/polish and who knows what else around here! I was thinking of making one myself, but if there's already instructions somewhere then it'll save me some time, if not then I know what my first school-free week will be spent doing!

Off to look through and see how I'm doing, I know I have a few orders already :j:j

Well done you. Sounds like you have your priorities totally right! :T

Pretty sure I read somewhere on the website about instructions in foreign languages but if it's just a matter of ordering why not suggest they just ring the items they want and fold the pages down (or even rip them out if they're on your back campaign)?

MarsdenCuckoo

lozza1985 wrote: »

Hmm getting somewhat deflated - have no end of reps, who despite they get good orders (over £200), know they can contact me for help....decide to stop without doing the decency of letting me know! Getting somewhat fed up, and thinking I might not bother recruiting for the rest of the year as I just haven't got my heart in it anymore, had too many people this year waste my time by joining, then not ordering, leaving me out of pocket for books, and then people just do a couple of campaigns and leave. Plus the reps who ask me questions, I reply & ask them something/offer them some extra books - and they don't even bother to reply to say thanks for the offer!!!! People used to seem to stick it for longer (about 6 months min), but seems to have dropped massively this year, despite the fact that they are getting higher orders, and I'm just feeling like I could use my time better at the moment!

Like customers, think good reps come in 'waves' too i.e. a few good ones and then the ones that fall by the wayside for no apparent reason. Some SL's have a policy of signing up 'anything with a pulse' - maybe now is the time for you to be more choosy and only recruit people you are convinced will stay. Of course, it's not easy to tell.

Maybe a break would do you good too?

MarsdenCuckoo

lozza1985 wrote: »

Unfortunately it's in the small print somewhere (used to be on the back of the green contract) you can't work for a "competing company". Far as I know they don't tend to bother for people who are just reps, but sl have been contacted when they've started another business (think it was the candle one) telling them they need to stop or have their avon account closed! How on earth they decide what is a competing company though I have no idea, you would think it would just be cosmetic companies, but knowing avon it could be decided at random!

Thanks for the info; makes sense I guess.

MarsdenCuckoo

joyfull wrote: »

Your thoughts please....

Been doing Avon about 8 yrs, so am used to difficult customers & will put up with a lot, as a rule.

Today revisited a 'difficult' customer as she had misunderstood a offer and ordered a free gift she wasn't entitled to. Not able to contact by phone so popped in to explain her misunderstanding & ask if she wanted to change the order. She was (as usual) cool and slightly off with me, insisting she was right. No 'sorry to have troubled you' or 'thanks for coming round' . She was downright rude at the end of the conversation.

When I got home I was so angry I got on my bike (literally) & went round there again and firmly but politely asked her if I had offended her and said I found her to be unfriendly and brusque with me. She tried to make light of it, but I made sure the message was communicated.

Her hubby followed me out and quietly said she's like that with everyone because she's getting dementia.

My feeling is, dementia or not, I still wish to be treated with basic respect. I struggle with my own health issues. I've not got the thickest skin in the world and don't want to take others' angry energy whether they can 'help it' or not. Decided if it continues, I'll drop her as a customer.

Interested to hear what others would do?

Thanks

Not an easy one and depends how long she's been a customer and/or how well you know her/her husband.....

I'd tend to 'treat her like a child' i.e. order what she asks but amend her order if necessary to incorporate the offer (or not, as applicable). Just be firm but kind. She may be over-forceful at times because she's feeling lost/cross with herself for her 'lack of understanding/incompetence' now. Explain that the offers can be confusing but IF she wants this product then the price is £x but you can always return it if she doesn't want it after all.