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

I,_Geek

Oh I agree Avon needs to protect their name. I'd just like some consistency with how it's enforced because the vast majority of FB pages being linked to on Connects are using "avon" and nothing's being said. A SL on Connects said her FB page was used in a presentation on a massive screen at a meeting with ASMs, top Avon people etc..., with "Avon" being unmissable in her page name and nothing was said.

Will just keep my things Avon-free for now. If they loosen things up I might change them, if they don't (but I decided "what the hell!") and start telling reps to change things (like they've done with some e-mails) I'd only have to change back.

MarsdenCuckoo

I,_Geek wrote: »

Oh I agree Avon needs to protect their name. I'd just like some consistency with how it's enforced because the vast majority of FB pages being linked to on Connects are using "avon" and nothing's being said. A SL on Connects said her FB page was used in a presentation on a massive screen at a meeting with ASMs, top Avon people etc..., with "Avon" being unmissable in her page name and nothing was said.

Will just keep my things Avon-free for now. If they loosen things up I might change them, if they don't (but I decided "what the hell!") and start telling reps to change things (like they've done with some e-mails) I'd only have to change back.

Strangely enough I had a call from someone (ex Avon SL :rotfl:) promoting FaceBook 'Store'? today, offering to set me up with my own 'Avon FB website' for £99 for the year. Not totally sure but gather this is some sort of 'mini-website' and she was particularly promoting it re. Avon.

MrsGSR

Well after doing 5 campaigns and making the grand total of £17 , I have decided that's it.I'm doing C8 then missing C9 as I am away but C10 will be my last.
My sL left last year and her SL took on her reps. She is lovely but next to useless, not returning calls,she said she was going to give me some free products to a customer who was messed around with orders (not my fault) and never did so I gave her some out of my stash.
Have felt completely unsupported by Avon and although everyone is so helpful on here I have found that every campaign at least half my order hasn't arrived, or the wrong things arrived, last order I did the website froze and I couldn't order everything, I keep being charged for returns even though I have sent the items back and followed protocol.
Having two young children and a lot on my plate atm its stress I don't need. Sad though as i have some lovely customers.

missminx

Hello All!
Haven't had much time recently, but just wanted to point out that Avon may have problems with their 'ownership' of the word Avon. I am going to try and find out the legal stand point for 2 reasons. One, I think it is stupid, we are selling their products for them and they want to stop us stating what we are selling!! :T Very clever. More sensible if they asked that the quotation from the order slips stating the independence of reps.
Second, what about : Avon wildlife trust, avon inflatables, avon and somerset police, avon motor sport and avon-rubber just to name but a few. They don't own the word, only the logo.

Normally I would start a thread on Connects, suggesting that they insist upon the quote about independent selling. (and remove their heads from their behinds ) maybe not that bit... and realise that we need to be able to say what we do, and have relevant page names etc. I am getting really disillusioned with Avon, and beginning to consider giving it up, much as i used to enjoy it.

MarsdenCuckoo

Oh dear, MrsGR, what a shame. I seem to be lucky with my orders, generally everything is OK, but empathise with you getting fed up - particularly if you're not being supported by your upliner. Provided you're not a territory rep, you're easily able to miss two campaigns (you may then even be eligible for a Start Again for £10 pack which is well worth having) without a problem. Miss three though and Avon will charge you the set-up fee again if you place an order.

Here's a thought.... why not miss 9 campaigns and then come onto my team - you'll get all the support (and more :rotfl:) that you need - honest!

MarsdenCuckoo

Hi, MM, my own upliner said exactly the same when this was first raised by Avon. Pretty sure she changed 'Avon' to 'Aven' but don't think that was too successful..... I've gone from avonchris to avochris, which my SL Helpline seem OK with. Strangely enough we are allowed to use the AVON Sales Leader logo and also the lipstick carousel spelling out the word AVON so who knows exactly where or how the line is drawn.

If you do start a thread on Connects, let us know and I'll gladly contribute too.

:beer:

I,_Geek

I started a thread on Connects about the naming of FB pages a few days ago. Sometimes when a matter like this is discussed someone from HO will pop up to put us straight/offer help, so they must know the question's been raised.

lozza1985

Well in pleased to say that putting a note in with our books asking if people would contact us with their orders rather than have their book picked up due to the cost of fuel and wanting to be able to still give them their free gifts after 6 orders has been a success. We thought perhaps one or two would take it up, but a considerable amount have, so it'll save us some time & fuel collecting in our books. I did tempt then slightly by saying they'd get 10% off a selected new item each brochure, won't cost us much and it'll help get them to try something new.

Hoping as well that if they have the book hanging round the house then friends/family might see it and order too, will have to wait and see if that happens. Means as well of course I don't need to worry about any other reps collecting in those brochures as they won't be left outside.

Brown.Owl_2

That is something i have been thinking about actually - glad to hear it works!

I'm hoping that when they bring out the new online brochure that i can get a lot of my customers to use that instead!

lozza1985

Yeah I think the online brochure is useful - however I will still make sure that my customers get a "proper" copy of the brochure - I always think, if they have the online version, they'll properly skip through to what they know they want to order, whereas with the paper version, they can sit down with a cup of tea and have a flick through, and something new/different might catch their eye.

We were pleasantly surprised - I expected some of our customers to go "funny" about it - but so far, no-one has. I would hope that with how long we've been there reps for, they understand we wouldn't be suggesting it unless it would benefit everyone - they get longer with the book, and get a discount of a new item, and we get to save money. If anyone asks me in more detail why, I'll just say when I was doing my tax return this year I realised how much we actually spend on fuel, so something had to give, and we'd rather spend less on fuel & still give them the free gifts, I can't see how any reasonable person can object to that. I'm certainly not expecting all our customers to order this way, the elderly customers we have I haven't given them this note, as I don't want them to think I don't value their small orders because we do. But, we figured if enough took it up, particularly the ones that are a bit further away then it'll save us a considerable amount of time, and some money too. (any new customers I get through facebook now I don't give them an option - they have to contact me with their order, I figure they want a rep, so they'll do it. If they don't, they don't and they can find another rep closer to!). I'd definitely suggest to people giving it a try if you've been a rep for a while in particular as then people can appreciate your service more, and be willing to help make sure that you say as their rep.

All I've done when packing the books up for this "new" method of ordering, is pop the sale book & order form inside the book along with my little newsletter (basically when the order is roughly going to be, any good offers, and from now on which new item they can get 10% off), fold a page to flag a new item like I usually do - which from now on will probably be the item I'm doing a discount on, then staple a note to the front saying "if you want to order anything from this brochure, please contact us with your order by x date. You can contact us on x many thanks, Laura & Richard.