~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 8) ~ Please read first post :)

New_to_Avon

I,_Geek wrote: »

I've heard of SLs (possibly ASMs, too) offering one-off rewards for reps who find leads for them - their friends, etc... This is usually when the rep is absolutely sure they don't want to be a SL themselves. Many don't, but are happy to help out their upline (particularly if it was a supportive SL) by pointing anyone they know who'd like to sign up in their direction.

Setting you a target of 3 per week means you'd have to start putting leg-work in - your immediate circle of friends and family will soon run out. You'd basically be a SL. If you pushed yourself to meet that target of 3 per week you'd be looking outside your F+F, and that's potentially awkward seeing as you yourself aren't a SL. There are guidelines that SLs have to work within when recruiting/advertising, but since you wouldn't officially be one I don't know how other SLs would feel about that.

When you say you called in to collect your books, I read that as you went to your SL's house to collect rather than them coming to you. That, plus asking you to find reps for them, starts to give the impression they're not prepared to put in the graft that comes with SL-ship. When I considered being a SL there was a health issue for me to consider, and I was told that it would be okay to ask people to come to me to sign-up/training etc... In the end I decided that was too much to ask/would put people off/I don't want children running around my house .

If you'd like to keep the SL route open as an option for yourself, keep any F+F you may have passed to your upliner to yourself. They'll be a useful starting point, and it would be less stressful to do your first sign-up with someone you know. Your upliner should also be there to train you, but I imagine you'll be less worried about looking like a newbie if you're signing up your mum, for example.

There may be a very good reason for your upliner asking you to go to them, and for finding them reps, but I'd be a little concerned about training if you decide to become a SL yourself. Your upliner would be responsible for training you in person, including at least the first sign-up.

You can become a SL as soon as you like, but bear in mind you'll be training other people in how to be reps so you need to be confident in dealing with canvassing, how many books to order, returns, additional orders, re-charges etc...

Thanks, thats a brilliant answer. You guessed right, my SL hasn't been in touch since she signed me up and I had to contact her today to arrange to get the books. She'd had a family emergency so was babysitting grandchildren, she had offered to come round initially but I said I was happy to go round, suits me better as its only round the corner.

I don't really want to give her my contacts as I indicated to her right from the start that I wanted to become an SL as soon as possible and yes, I can probably sign my Mum and even my boyfriend might be persuaded if he sees me making some money from it!

Thank you for your answer, its really helped and spurred me on to become a SL even sooner now, I'll talk to my ASM when she gets back off holiday next week for some advice.

kirstycobie

hiya,

can someone let know know if this is right?
one customer has ordered the arabian glow pearls at £9 and nother had ordered the Aribian glow multisylo at £6, but in the demo book there is a gift set with both in for £7, can i just order the gift set and click £8 and it will come in the order i submit for c14 or will it come with a later order that the offer is with like when i get my c16 odered delivered?
thanks

dingdongavoncalling

Additional Order
Is it right that you need to order £78+ of items in order to earn anything in an additional order? (i.e. it doesn't relate to your regular order value) Plus the p+p of £2.50 is to be paid?

I've been given another order (late) and havn't seen the customer in order to explain the P+P fees, I only submitted my order last night so they're going to have a long wait if I don't submit their order until C15. Trying to work out whether or not to pay the £2.50.

melvis

kirstycobie wrote: »

hiya,

can someone let know know if this is right?
one customer has ordered the arabian glow pearls at £9 and nother had ordered the Aribian glow multisylo at £6, but in the demo book there is a gift set with both in for £7, can i just order the gift set and click £8 and it will come in the order i submit for c14 or will it come with a later order that the offer is with like when i get my c16 odered delivered?
thanks

Yes that's fine, just make sure the multistylo in the gift set is the right shade you make extra pennies & get to keep the gift bag & dusting brush, or give them to your customers as free gifts :money: xx

melvis

Due to high demand we will be unable to supply the Vibrating Mascara – this offer has now ended. We have a new offer which is spend £5 in the flyer and you can order a Supershock mascara (using product number 36293) for £1.99. We trust that your customers will buy in to this new offer. Avon’s usual returns policy applies

Very handy, thanks Avon :mad:

I've only just started C14, how can they be sold out of C15 stock already?!

Me thinks I won't be handing the C15 sale books out

kirstycobie

melvis wrote: »

Yes that's fine, just make sure the multistylo in the gift set is the right shade you make extra pennies & get to keep the gift bag & dusting brush, or give them to your customers as free gifts :money: xx

aw thats great, thans for the quick reply.

can you order as many of the demo's as you like or is it limited to just one? thanks

melvis

Welsh Carrier Bag Charge
Background
From 1 October 2011, there will be a minimum charge of 5p on all single use carrier bags.
The carrier bag charge is being introduced to dramatically reduce the number of carrier bags used in Wales. This charge will affect all retailers in Wales, not just those who sell groceries.
The Welsh Government has consulted on the charge and there have been some changes after feedback from businesses, organisations and individuals.
The Welsh Government is proposing:

• a 5 pence minimum charge on all bags (including paper bags)
• that the charge will start on 1 October 2011.

The 5 pence charge should be enough to influence consumer behaviour and reduce the number of bags given out without putting an unnecessary burden on shoppers, or preventing impulse shopping.

Q&As
What does this mean to me?
If you sell goods from a base in Wales, or sell goods that are delivered in Wales, you will be required to:

• charge your customers 5 pence per bag
• keep records for at least three years of the charges you have made
• donate the proceeds to a good cause

Why is the new carrier bag levy being introduced?
The Welsh Assembly want to promote wider use of reusable bags to conserve our limited resources, encourage sustainability, and cut down on waste and litter.
When is the new carrier bag levy being introduced?
1st October 2011
What is a single use carrier bag?
A single-use carrier bag is a bag that is not designed for substantial reuse and are often given out with the aim of transporting your goods home for just one trip. These are most often plastic bags but can also include paper bags and those made from plant-based materials or natural starch. All the bags that Avon currently offer for sale as delivery bags are in scope for this legislation.
What is not a single use carrier bag?
Any bag that is meant to be kept and reused. For example a cotton shopper, hemp bag, wicker bag or basket, string bag etc.
How much is the charge?
There will be a minimum charge of 5p on all single use bags.
Will Avon give the relevant details to the Welsh Assembly?
No, you must do this yourself.
Will Avon charge me for the bags I order?
You will be charged for the cost of the bags as now, but there will be no further charge from Avon. The new charge is being introduced by the Welsh Assembly, not Avon, and is applied at the point you use the bag to deliver orders to your customers.
Will Avon collect the money and pass it on to the Welsh Assembly?
No, you must do this yourself.
Where does the money raised from the charge go?
We can't tell you what to do with the money, but the Welsh Assembly want it to be passed on to good causes in Wales, particularly environmental projects. They will set up a voluntary code of practice which sets out where they would like the money to go.
The Welsh Assembly recognise that many people will have existing partnerships with good causes and they do not want to cut across those arrangements.
Will Avon tell me how many bags I have ordered / keep records?
No, you must keep your own records, based on the number of bags you use to deliver orders – the charge is on the number you use, not the number you order.
Do I have to charge customers 5 pence extra if they order a Bargain pack?
Our understanding is that as these are sealed prior to the point of delivery these do not need to be charged for.
Do I have to charge customers who buy gift bags from Avon an extra 5 pence?
Our understanding is that these bags do not need to be charged for provided they are not used for the delivery of goods.
Do I have to pay a charge if I use brochure bags to protect my brochures and customer order slips?
Our understanding is that these bags are not liable for the charge as they are not used for the delivery of goods.
If I use an Avon bag to take the order to the customer but do not leave the bag with her, do I need to charge 5 pence?
If the bag used fits the definition of a single use bag, the charge applies if you use it to deliver goods to the customer, regardless of whether you leave it with the customer or not.
Where can I go for further information?
For full details on these changes please log on to https://www.wales.gov.uk or https://www.carrierbagchargewales.gov.uk
I read something about additional requirements for those that are VAT registered or supply more than 1000 bags – what are they?
If you pay VAT or supply 1,000 or more bags in a reporting year you must publish your records for that reporting year. Your records must be published on or before 31st May of the following year and must remain published until the next 31st May.
You must publish either:

• on your internet site, prominently on your homepage or with a prominent link from your homepage
• display a notice in your premises in a prominent position where customers can read it

Do I need to keep records?
Yes, you must keep records for three years. Log on to https://www.wales.gov.uk for full details on what you must record.
Are there any bags that are exempt from the charge?
The only bags that are exempt from the charge are:

• Small flat paper bags that do not have handles and are no more than 175mm (width) x 260mm (height) or about the size of a greetings card.
• Very small plastic bags that do not have handles and are no more than 125mm (width) x 125mm (height). These could be used for very small items such as buttons or small screws.
• Small three dimensional paper bags that do not have a handle and are no more than 80mm (width) x 50mm (gusset width) x 155mm (height). These are about the size of bottle of cough mixture.

The Welsh Assembly have gone mad :eek::eek:

What if your customer won't pay for a bag? Do you have to carry all their items loose and just pile them onto them? :rotfl::rotfl: Avon's not like a shop, where a customer can choose to bring their own bags!

Hope England doesn't go the same way! x

melvis

kirstycobie wrote: »

aw thats great, thans for the quick reply.

can you order as many of the demo's as you like or is it limited to just one? thanks

Normal Demo items are one of each (for make up it's one of each shade etc, some clothes/footwear will state you can order one size only). Money makers (such as the Fergie Outspoken perfume in HT15), you can order as many as you like. Clearance again you can order as many as you like, but keep your fingers crossed that they're in stock xx

kirstycobie

melvis wrote: »

Normal Demo items are one of each (for make up it's one of each shade etc, some clothes/footwear will state you can order one size only). Money makers (such as the Fergie Outspoken perfume in HT15), you can order as many as you like. Clearance again you can order as many as you like, but keep your fingers crossed that they're in stock xx

hi,
thanks for that info, just one more question! where do i find the money makers at? thanks

melvis

kirstycobie wrote: »

hi,
thanks for that info, just one more question! where do i find the money makers at? thanks

They'll always be in HT, normally only when something big is coming out that they want to promote, 9 out of 10 times this will be perfume It means you get to earn more commission if you sell them full price, or sell more if you sell them cheaper.

E.G. The Outspoken money make in HT15 (which you can back order with your current order ready for C15) is £10 per set (50ml EDP, 10ml purse spray & 75ml body spray). The introductory brochure price is £15 per set so if you sell them full price you'd make £5 per set (or 33% commission against your normal 20/25%).

I ordered 12 of these sets and lots of samples and gave a sample to everyone with their C13 order and to everyone who's taken a C14 brochure off me too. I've been selling the sets for £13.75. I've already sold 4 sets this week. My customers are getting a bargain (£1.25 off brochure price + the product before it's in the brochure) and I'm still earning over 27% commission :T

One of the rules of Money Makers is you have to wait 24 hours between your customer ordering and you delivering. My customers are mainly at work (I don't do territory) so they order one day and I take them into work the next.

HTH xx