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

I,_Geek

Thanks for letting us know what's gone on in Ireland. It's disappointing to hear it was handled so badly. I agree, it would be difficult for them to ever come back when there are reps, BDs and customers who remember the rug being pulled out from under them.

All the best for finding something to replace the Avon - either from an income or just a hobby pov.

Pea123

Thanks I,Geek. I expected more from them to be honest, but they aren't the first company to just pull out of Ireland with no prior warning and I daresay they probably won't be the last.

I shall have to find a replacement cleanser, moisturiser, shampoo and perfume as well! It'll probably be hard to come by something as good for a similar price. :-(

hotpot1000

Its a disgrace that they haven't paid the reps and left them out of pocket. Can you not pursue it? There is no reason why they could not pay what they owe you.

Mumto2

I agree with the above, you should not be left out of pocket.

It's not as if they have gone bust, just made a business decision not to operate in that area. Shocking behaviour.

Good luck to you x

Pea123

I've tried contacting them via the UK site, but was informed that it was for UK residents only. I then asked if they could please give me contact details for someone to talk to, but have heard nothing back. I've asked me BD for contact details but haven't heard anything from her either other than I can sell the things that I was due to have my accounted credited for this week. I think she is more concerned about chasing reps who owe her money at this point. I'm really not impressed. It's put me off getting involved in any other network marketing company.

ukclare

As a long time Avon Rep I must say that I am appalled and embarrassed by the way Avon have handled this - I hope they will ensure that all of the Irish Reps have their accounts sorted out properly.
Significantly, there seems to be very little chatter about this and certainly nothing on the official UK forums - guess they are pretty fast on the "post delete" button!!
The Reps and even Customers show great loyalty to Avon and it is just a shame that this is not reciprocated. I understand that it was a business decision to close the territory but how they handled it speaks volumes about what they actually think of us!

I,_Geek

Ukclare - don't worry, there's been plenty of posts about this in the PC section on Connects and they've been up for a few days without deletion. The posts certainly haven't been positive either.

Pea123

I have to say I am getting thoroughly annoyed with them now. My BD suggested that make contact via the UK site to see if I could get an answer regarding the money I am owed. The first response from Avon basically said that the site was for UK customers only and gave me a link to the Irish site. I pointed out that the Irish site was shut down and that I was trying to make contact with someone to discuss the money they owe me.

Second reply stated that 'as of the 8th April Avon no longer trade in Ireland'. Away on with you! Sure I knew that! So I replied to that effected and requested that they pass on my query to someone who knew what to tell me. So they did.

Today I get an e-mail from a different department to tell me to contact my BD if I have any queries! Grrrrr! :mad:

Feel like I am banging my head off a brick wall. I am guessing that the circles I am being sent in just show that as rep I mattered not a dot to them.

Pea123

Some of you may be interested in reading this -

Just how did those people find out? Well here’s a little sample of the answers I received yesterday on Twitter and Facebook.
Donna: What?! I’m a rep and haven’t heard anything!! [this was at 8pm and she saw it on Facebook]
Louise: Real shame. I was a rep. Never heard anything from them today. Contacted my Business Developer and she found out on the radio
VonFluffy: my friend only knows because I told her, she hasn’t heard from anyone from Avon.. She’s devo
Alairia: gutted for the reps.. to find out the way most did was not nice – no chance to prepare or get something else lined up
A former Avon rep contacted me directly, wishing to remain anonymous and said “Just wanted to give you a bit more info. I don’t want to cause any hassle for my distributor by talking about it too publicly as she’s taking it pretty hard.
Basically the area managers and distributors were told to dial in to a conference call at about 11am this morning. They weren’t given any detail but assumed it was a normal conference call about new products etc. That’s when they were told that, effective immediately, Avon would cease trading in Ireland.
The website was taken down pretty much instantly and they were told to start ringing around their reps. A lot of reps knew before their distributors even had the chance to call them, because press releases were out already.
That’s was pretty much it. They were sent on their way with nothing more than that really.”

It's from a blog post which contains details on how the news was actually delivered.

lozza1985

What an awful way to treat people!!! If I was you, I would get as many reps & BD to create a lot of noise publicly, and very clearly point out that you've been left out of pocket because of not having any warning - avon must have known for a while that they were planning to cease trading in Ireland, so they could have given you all chance to tie up loose ends, and also for customers to stock up a bit on their favourite products if they had given you all a few months notice. Shame on Avon for treating you all like this