~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 7) ~

MarsdenCuckoo

nicki wrote: »

Can anyone help me with breaking down my invoices for tax returns?:o I haven't managed to get around to contacting HMRC about a course yet, and I'm struggling to get my head around things. Is this break down right:
- Items ordered for customers is "Cost of sales"
- Bags, rep cards, brochures, pens are "general admin"
- demo items (bought specifically for demo) including the plastic ring sizers, colour swatches etc are "Other Business Expenses"
- My earnings count as "drawings"

How do I record returns? As a credit I understand, but what catergory would they come under?

I've spent 3 days now racking my brains trying to sort this out and I'm no closer :mad: ANY help would be appreciated.

Haven't been on a course and actually not needed to do this yet so a bit of a shot in the dark.... Can't you just contra your returns off your sales and input a nett figure?

dean72

thank you MarsdenCuckoo I Will keep that in mind.
I have picked up another 40 houses last night and got another £48 of orders so over the 20% and managed to get another 40 books out so on wed got 200 to collect so should make over £150 mark.

also I did not realize how much writing there was name, address and tel so I have ordered a rubber stamp from vista print with 250 business cards and stickers for bag saying (please leave on doorstep for collection) for 7.23
so should save time

I,_Geek

nicki wrote: »

How do I record returns? As a credit I understand, but what catergory would they come under?

I've spent 3 days now racking my brains trying to sort this out and I'm no closer :mad: ANY help would be appreciated.

I wasn't sure myself because the profit/loss accounts I keep are laid out (that came from The Telegraph's financial site so I assume they're the proper way of doing things) a little bit differently to how HMRC asks the questions.

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This is how The Telegraph example laid things out:

Turnover (the money you take in from customers)
Cost of sales (how much it costs you to buy the items you sell)
Returns (the money you give back to customers - total brochure price)
Credits (whatever Avon gives you back for any returns)

Gross Profit = turnover - cost of sales - returns + credits

Then you list whatever expenses you've got

Net profit = gross profit - expenses

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I did each campaign separately, made a list of any other expenses (not bought from Avon), and then did an overview (laid out like the Telegraph example above) for the year. So in the overview the turnover was the turnover from each separate campaign added together, same for cost of sales, and so on...

But then I go to do my tax return there's a box for Turnover, and then the next section is expenses. I rang them up because I wasn't sure where to put the returns (the money I give back to customers) and the credits (the money that comes back to me).

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So this is how it worked for HRMC, which still gives you the same net profit, but the figures just go in different places:

Turnover (add on any credits from Avon)

Then you list the expenses. HMRC just needs one figure for this. So I'd add up all the brochures, bags etc... but I'd also include the money that I have to give back to customers and also the cost of sales figure.

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I,_Geek

dingdongavoncalling wrote: »

Hiya all!
I am hoping to recanvas my teritory and want to include some flyers. I have looked on vista print as that usually has good offers but can't find any on flyers. Does anyone know of anywhere else I could order some for cheap?
Thanks

I've just ordered 1000 postcards from Vistaprint - sturdier than flyers. The text won't date and I should get 3 re-canvasses (6 months apart) out of them. They were about £57 (total cost), which works out at nearly 6p per card.

I'm only giving these cards to people who've said they don't want books. Otherwise everyone else due to be re-canvassed gets a backorder book. A bit more expense (depending on how many you lose, it might work out the same as flyers if you can re-use them) and hassle to have to go and collect them, but easier for customers.

MarsdenCuckoo

dean72 wrote: »

thank you MarsdenCuckoo I Will keep that in mind.
I have picked up another 40 houses last night and got another £48 of orders so over the 20% and managed to get another 40 books out so on wed got 200 to collect so should make over £150 mark.

also I did not realize how much writing there was name, address and tel so I have ordered a rubber stamp from vista print with 250 business cards and stickers for bag saying (please leave on doorstep for collection) for 7.23
so should save time

You're very welcome and really good idea to take advantage of the Vistaprint offers. I print most of my own notes but have ordered postcards, calling cards, address stickers, small ink stamp (bit too small so I bought a John Bull kit type stamp from Lidl), car door magnets, T-shirts and recently just got the garden sign but was a bit disappointed with that.

PRINCESSX87

Hi everyone,

Glad to see everyone is getting on well with their Avon-ing!

I was wondering how you all manage to advertise yourselves? I have been advertising on free sites such as, Gum tree / Facebook ect. But I’m not getting anywhere. On top of this, I have been given a street with the promise there is plenty of customers.

However,

I have canvassed, With no results but loads of “no more books” I also had 2 customers, Ask me, For the last rep (My SL *) as both said they would rather order from her, Because they don’t trust younger reps!

I’m feeling a little down hearted because I’m working my backside off each camp to gain nothing.

I have contacted local coffee mornings, To hold a table / stall & I’m being declined because other reps already have a table!

I’m starting to think my SL has set me up! Because she started me with 106 house’s. Followed last camp with another 100 odd, However when ever I’m taking books out, I’m getting pulled up by home owners telling me that they told the last rep they never wanted anymore books*

They have told me what she looks like, 1 livid customer even told me what car she drives* But SL swears blind - That none of this ever happened!

So what should have been nearly 230 houses, Has now dropped:

32 Already has a rep (My SL & her husband I believe)
56 Just puts the books out, Can tell no on has even looked
46 No more books
12 Just bin the books & never opens the door when I knock for them*

I have spoken to my SL the other day, Because between my orders being nicked & Customers going crazy, I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall. I understand some of the issues are my own, But I feel I’m getting no support or guidance from her at all. My asm, Is currently been signed off sick (She just found out she has cancer) So I believe my SL is hoping to take over from her, So !!!!!! anyone else who gets in her way!

I’ve also asked if I can train to become a SL before Christmas, (Avon are constantly sending me leaflets to become one*) But I was told I had to wait until I have done all campaigns before I was entitled!!

Is there anything I can do to boost my customers & Orders? Or so I just call it a day??

Many thanks, In advance!

dean72

Hi
PRINCESSX87
sorry to here about your problems I have just started Friday so cannot really answer your query but I have done 5 things so far hopefully it works.
1) doctors surgery and dentist
2) daughters school

I left 2 books with my info and 5 order forms also my face-book page that I am putting e-brochure onto every month (thats the plan)
so even if nobody buys from that brochure they can go to face-book and order.

3) notice in supermarkets in the area.
4) put some brochures in nursing homes/sheltered housing.

I am still open to new ideas I am also going to incorporate ebay into advertising and bit torrent by writing ebook on how to make a living with Avon with all my details Incorporated into it as I also want to be sales leader.

any other advice would be welcome.

I,_Geek

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

I have been advertising on free sites such as, Gum tree / Facebook ect. But I’m not getting anywhere.

The free sites usually tell you when the ad will expire so make a note and re-new them. If you're finding this is too much hassle for no contacts then leave it.

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

I’m getting pulled up by home owners telling me that they told the last rep they never wanted anymore books*

The SL could have passed on bad information to you - i.e. not remembering which houses said no. Or the customers have got confused. They see a book through the door as a book and some have no idea Avon/Betterware etc... are different companies and each rep is independent of the other.

The houses who haven't said no, carry on with for at least a few campaigns.

After that look at how much effort you're going to have to put in with the people you know are interested. Would it be worth losing the territory altogether (so no obligation to re-canvas) and relying on networking and F+F? This may not bring in the biggest orders but you might find it's much less work.

MarsdenCuckoo

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

I’m starting to think my SL has set me up!
.......

I’ve also asked if I can train to become a SL before Christmas, (Avon are constantly sending me leaflets to become one*) But I was told I had to wait until I have done all campaigns before I was entitled!!

Oh dear, deffo looks like you need some support - will PM you but meanwhile there is nothing in Avon's T&Cs to say you have to have completed a certain amount of campaigns before going TSL.

Nil desperandum!

dean72

hi just been reading about tax and is it right you cannot claim against free gift incentives.
so its far better giving cash incentives 10% discount that kind of thing. as if you don't earn it you cannot be taxed on it.

or am I missing something.