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

I,_Geek

Yes, try ringing but make sure it's being added onto your regular order, not going in as an additional.

If that won't work, your next option is an additional but if you won't earn anything on it I'd explain to the customer that they'll need to wait until next time. Did you give a cut-off time? If so, mention that. Even if you didn't, you can say that you did try several times to get in touch before you sent the order off.

Pips_Mum

Thanks! Will try ringing them.

Yes both the texts and the reminders through the door all had the cut off of THURSDAY evening, I always do this in the hope of preventing this from happening!!! Oh well!

Thanks again x x

I,_Geek

I do clear cut-offs, too and people are always understanding when I say or even start with, "I know I'm late but..."

lozza1985

When I give my customers cut off dates I always say 2 days before the actual deadline, in the hope that even if they are a day or so late getting in touch it'll still be before I've actually submitted my order. Otherwise I always just say that I can put an extra order through but it would be a charge for delivery and I don't earn anything from extra orders - not a lie really, unless its a very large order I wouldn't do - customers I've found have been understanding as they realise I'm hardly going to pay for delivery when I won't earn anything. But - I only do this as I've been doing avon for years and my customers know I'll do as much as I can to help them usually so I'm not just being awkward for the sake of it, I think they realise that yes we make money from it (otherwise what would be the point in doing avon?!) but we don't make a fortune from it.

Pips_Mum

Thanks again

I messaged her in the end and said that I had checked and unfortunately I could not add to the order this time but I would be happy to honour the prices/offers this time when I submitted next order.

I have territory but its not great as more than half of it is inaccessible due to them being sheltered accomodation with door security systems. Last 2 campaigns I have done awful, last one I just met MOV and this one didn't make it (£54 and £5 of that was mine!!)

Any ideas for good incentive offers? I find the free gift when you spend over £xx is good and I can usually find something nice form my stash. Any others that work well for you? Really could do with bumping up my orders.

I,_Geek

Must admit I'm very skeptical of incentives (and I've tried a few) because you need to be 100% certain it changed their behaviour - i.e. they might have spent more that time because they needed to stock up, had more spare cash, or just liked the products more. When I did a loyalty scheme to encourage people spending under £10 to go over it, it didn't change their spending patterns at all. I find that people either have the money or don't, like the products/offers or don't.

You may as well return the postcodes you can't access if you're sure you won't ever be able to cover them. Having them on your account might be preventing you from getting extra streets actually, because your ASM will be assuming you're getting sales from them. There's no harm in asking what else is available as well.

How long have you had the other streets for (the ones you can work)? I re-canvas houses who said no to more brochures and used to leave it 2 years but on one street I went back after just 1. It's really surprising that these people can change their mind, and even though most haven't it's still great to get a few new customers. Also re-canvas people who didn't respond either way and people who use another rep.

You can also let your existing customers know that their f+f and workmates can order. Some don't think they can. Also mention that you can call separately on anyone they know - within whatever distance you're happy to travel (I'd keep this pretty small unless you drive around for other reasons, but it could still get you other customers in the village/suburb).

Pips_Mum

Thanks so much for the ideas I Geek and sorry for my delay in answering you, little one started school Monday so its all been about getting him settled this week.

The trouble with the territory is its only 2 streets but they are not actually streets! They are U - Shaped pedestrianised walks, over the walkways are the sheltered flats, running along each side are the accessible houses. Because they are all mixed together I don't think they are able to seperate the territory in Avons eyes. ASM is aware of the problem as I have mentioned it to her a couple of times, most recently when they reallocated areas last month.

Definately planned to recanvas ALL the houses a little nearer Christmas as its been about 6-8 months since I started doing this area.

I already make them aware that I do a refer a friend scheme where they can get a free gift if a friend orders and this has got me a couple of extras.

I wondered about doing some kind of incentive in the run up to Christmas, kind of like the payday bonus that Mr Ms do. Maybe along lines of £1 back to spend at Christmas with every £10 you spend in run up from say October? I know this could potentially lead to me having to fork out for stuff myself at Christmas when they all claim their £££s but would have gotten me extra sales in the meantime. Whats anyones thoughts?

Little_miss_rara

Hi Everyone, I've just started out as an AVON rep last month, delivered all of my first orders yesterday and got £150 worth of sales .
Thank you all for your brilliant tips.
Rara x

Pips_Mum

Well done Rara x

Money_maker

Pips_Mum wrote: »

The trouble with the territory is its only 2 streets but they are not actually streets!

You need more territory. If they know what the area is made up of, your ASM needs to have a proper look at it (google maps may help) and get you some decent roads. Incentives can only help to a certain extent. You need the customer base to start with. Although you can influence the average spend of a customer, this tends to be a temporary fluctuation when levelled out along the course of 18 campaigns.