Avon - Hints and Tips?

**dancingbutterfly**

hi all,
ive read through the entire thread with great interest!! im starting up again after a 18 month break and i would like to do an Avon party to get myself out there again and i havent got many ideas as what to do at the 'party'!:o
Obviousley i'll give them a brochure when they walk in, i'll sell raffle tickets, have a few products out to buy on the night, but im not sure what else i'll do!
i dont want everyone to just been standing there looking at me!!:rotfl:
If anyone can help me in any way i would be VERY greatful!!:D
Also how do i go about inviting people? invite the whole area?!! i have NO idea (as you can tell!:o )

thankyou!

Rage_in_Eden

OOOh toyed with this idea myself. I've heard parties range from "get a few of your mates 'round" (like Partylite) or "get a hall for a couple of hours and target the estate/area you live on". One thing I have seen a couple of times (and my then Avon lady did it when I was a Brown Owl) was to have a stall at a sale of work e.g. guides/toddlers/local animal charity etc and offer to donate a certain percentage to the charity. My then Avon lady did a huge stall with a tombola type thing to it and also took orders - she even sold the lipstick samples which as you can imagine the girls loved (not sure how their parents felt at little Flossie wearing bright red lippy ). Could you possibly do it at your place of work one lunchtime - I can't do this as I work for a cancer hospital and they get very iffy about people who aren't raising money for the hospital (I ve even had complaints via my manager that I'm selling avon - go figure). Let us know what you decide.

GhostHunter_3

Hi

Please can someone tell me how long it takes to receive the call off the 'local area sales manager' please?

I made an enquiery about 3 weeks ago to become a representative via their recruitment bit of Avon online website. The following week I received a welcome letter and a brochure by post, the letter says that the local area sales manager will be in contact with me shortly with more information. Yet that was 2 weeks ago almost and still I have not heared anything!

I don't know if it usually takes this as between 'campaigns' or if I have been forgotten about.

MANY THANKS!

Buffythedebtslayer

Hi Ladies,

I haven't posted on here for ages, I try to keep up but am having real trouble with Avon at the moment.

1. still haven't registered for Tax ness. My AM said it wasn't neccessary as I don't make anything... but am worried about it to the point where I think I should just do it and get the fine over with (been Rep for two years)

2. At work - main customer source, my boss doesn't want me doing it and two people owe me money but haven't paid yet. its a bit akward to be honest.

3. locally I did my street(27 houses) , but got 1 order.... who is now never in, so I will send that lot back.

4. I also have one more road I could do but to be honest..... and I am going to sound awful, but its rough and generally has ferral teenagers in it and a horrible pub.

I am seriously thinking of jacking it in. I could still do it at work, technically at lunchtime I can do what I want and if I happen to leave brochures laying around well......

but it just seems to be a source of problems. I think I might have a wander round the local area and see if I can find an un repped area to do away from my house, I like the doctors and dentists idea. there is a street round the corner I could have a go at?

I really don't know. I ve not made any money for months. I just can't find any one who likes Avon products round here, I think yea dodgy street would have customers but i could never do evenings there not with the pub and police etc. hmmm.

any suggestions.

xxx

Rage_in_Eden

Hiya Buffy

1. I am not registered. I make about £250 per year so I'm really not bothered. They get enough out of me with the 2nd house I own.
2. Why doesn't your boss want you doing it? Is there anyway you could tell your customers that you will have to do it "on the quiet"? My customers were very shocked when I told them (and to make matters worse I think it was one of the other girls in my office who complained about me). Surely if you chose to give up your lunchtime to do it they can't complain. What I now do is give out my brochures and have an e-mail address at home that all the orders go to. I also communicate with all my customers via e-mail as well. Then I make sure on the day I'm giving the orders out that I get in before my boss and give them out that way (I also finish early so I can take a rather meandering route through the offices home!). As for the people not paying I think you're just going to have the bite the bullet on that one and be polite but firm - I used to be really scared of tackling non-payers but now I just think "pay for it or else you annoying person". Make sure you tackle them infront of someone - the shame may prod them into action and you will have a witness.
3. Been there, done that. If you have no contact details for them the best thing you can do is pop a note through saying to contact you and if you get nothing then send it back - that said I guess you have already done this.
4. "Ferral Street" (the new soap opera on Channel 5 :rotfl: ). How about dropping off early a weekend morning (when all said teenages will be no doubt sleeping off the effects of the night before)? You could then collect brochures say the following weekend afternoon. Be strict in when you deliver - if they have to get out of bed for their shower gels so be it - say you have a busy time of it and that's the only time you can do it. I would also use last campaign's brochures for this as well so if you get nowhere at least you haven't lost anything.

I'd have a look around your area and pop a few last campaign brochures mixed with new through the other areas. Don't forget to do something promotional - you need to make a splash! "He who dares wins Rodney" etc....

Hope this has been a bit helpful but I think we all know how you feel. We've all had times when we've thought about jacking it in and the earnings have been poor - I didn't make any money for about 4 campaigns straight - and sometimes it can be like flogging a dead horse. Are there any toddler groups or groups you belong to. I've noticed that you have to have a bit of a thick skin about this - how many times have you been flogged stuff you didn't really want? One bright light at the moment is that Avon don't charge extra for larger bra sizes!

Rage_in_Eden

GhostHunter wrote: »

Hi

Please can someone tell me how long it takes to receive the 'local area sales manager' please?

I made an enquery about 3 weeks ago to become a representative via their recruitment bit of Avon online website. The following week I received a welcome letter and a brochure by post, the letter says that the local area sales manager will be in contact with me shortly with more information. Yet that was 2 weeks ago almost and still I have not heared anything!

I don't know if it usually takes this as between 'campaigns' or if I have been forgotten about.

MANY THANKS!

This seems a long time to wait unless somebody is on holiday. I'd give them a ring and sound all confused - usually works for me!! :rotfl:

Buffythedebtslayer

Rage_in_Eden wrote: »

Hiya Buffy

1. I am not registered. I make about £250 per year so I'm really not bothered. They get enough out of me with the 2nd house I own.

yeah I was just thinking about it so i could maybe mystery shop, And the worry. but other people don't seem to worry so maybe I should just get over it? or pretend I just started, it would be helpful in some respcts, the experience would do me good - accounting etc

Rage_in_Eden wrote: »

2. Why doesn't your boss want you doing it? Is there anyway you could tell your customers that you will have to do it "on the quiet"? My customers were very shocked when I told them (and to make matters worse I think it was one of the other girls in my office who complained about me). Surely if you chose to give up your lunchtime to do it they can't complain. What I now do is give out my brochures and have an e-mail address at home that all the orders go to. I also communicate with all my customers via e-mail as well. Then I make sure on the day I'm giving the orders out that I get in before my boss and give them out that way (I also finish early so I can take a rather meandering route through the offices home!). As for the people not paying I think you're just going to have the bite the bullet on that one and be polite but firm - I used to be really scared of tackling non-payers but now I just think "pay for it or else you annoying person". Make sure you tackle them infront of someone - the shame may prod them into action and you will have a witness.

I love the e mail idea, i have an e mail for avon actually, but so far haven't pushed it at work cos I am there but it would be brilliant to ask for money
and get orders. My boss is trying to get an outstanding Ofsted and thinks essentially teachers should be so dedicated that doing silly things like Avon will give the wrong impression. he is a stick up git to be honest.

Also next year I move to another bit od the school and will be nearer more people....

Rage_in_Eden wrote: »

3. Been there, done that. If you have no contact details for them the best thing you can do is pop a note through saying to contact you and if you get nothing then send it back - that said I guess you have already done this.
4. "Ferral Street" (the new soap opera on Channel 5 :rotfl: ). How about dropping off early a weekend morning (when all said teenages will be no doubt sleeping off the effects of the night before)? You could then collect brochures say the following weekend afternoon. Be strict in when you deliver - if they have to get out of bed for their shower gels so be it - say you have a busy time of it and that's the only time you can do it. I would also use last campaign's brochures for this as well so if you get nowhere at least you haven't lost anything.

it was just doing all those houses and then getting nothing I don't know how
people who do loads of houses cope it would make me so mad!! I could go saturday mornings. and give them a week would mean I could get more use out of my brochures.....do a bit of the street at a time.

Rage_in_Eden wrote: »

I'd have a look around your area and pop a few last campaign brochures mixed with new through the other areas. Don't forget to do something promotional - you need to make a splash! "He who dares wins Rodney" etc....

Hope this has been a bit helpful but I think we all know how you feel. We've all had times when we've thought about jacking it in and the earnings have been poor - I didn't make any money for about 4 campaigns straight - and sometimes it can be like flogging a dead horse. Are there any toddler groups or groups you belong to. I've noticed that you have to have a bit of a thick skin about this - how many times have you been flogged stuff you didn't really want? One bright light at the moment is that Avon don't charge extra for larger bra sizes!

Its been really helpful, thank you. I really wanted to "talk" to someone who would understand how Avon is great in theory but sometimes a right pain in reality. it does take a lot to get to going. I shall crack on and have a look at my account and what not- have stuff to e bay or give away as gifts. hmmm.


thanks again
xxx

**dancingbutterfly**

hi peeps thanks for the replies!:D

rage in eden, i cant take it into my work really i work at an opticians and my boss is a complete a****** (sorry!) and is always putting me down for something so if i brought my brochures in i think he would lose it big style! (can you tell im looking elsewhere for a job?!!:rotfl: )
However my dad owns a pub and when i did Avon 18months ago i used to take about 5-6 brochures down their when it was ladies darts nights and omg they were like women posessed! which was fab!:D one lady used to spend about £50 every campaign especially b4 crimbo which really helped me!
i only used to make around £180-£200 of orders every campaign but it did me!
anyway sorry back to the party idea!:p im 22 and i love avon products but my mates (who are also 22!) arent really interested so im not getting anywhere there! so i think i'll try and do a party in my local community centre and invite the ladies who used to be my customers:p and a few new ones hopefully and my mum and some aunts just incase no one turns up!!:rotfl:
so now ive got to work out what im going to do in one!!

any ideas?!!

ccastley

Hi all,

I'm doing a car boot tomorrow (first ever - moved to a smaller house and have had to take a long hard look at a lot of stuff!) and I'm taking a load of flyers advertising for parties.

Approaching it as more of a party that they hold in their homes (think Partylite/ann summers)

I would appreciate any ideas of what to do at the party though!

I ordered the business builders box which was pretty good actually

It has 5 full size glazewears in it, one bottle of rouge, one bottle of noir, one bottle of true glow, loads of samples (though they are personal match which is being discontinued...don't forget to either stock up yourself for your customers that order this or tell them to!) a full set of brushes (blusher, dusting, lip, eyeshadow, foundation, tweezers, eyelash curlers and 2 sponge stacks), LOADS of lippy samples, some anew samples and 2 sets of day anf night hyrdrofirming samples. They also have a book that will come in handy for parties with a picture of a woman's face and 3 different headings so I was thinking I would ask each guest to write down their concerns (skin care and make up) and take them through which Avon products would help.

I'll do a raffle as well and take along products for sale from HT, etc, but any other ideas are appreciated as always!

Welcome back Elle! Sorry to hear about the way things have been going keep it up though

Rage_in_Eden

**dancingbutterfly** wrote: »

hi peeps thanks for the replies!:D

rage in eden, i cant take it into my work really i work at an opticians and my boss is a complete a****** (sorry!) and is always putting me down for something so if i brought my brochures in i think he would lose it big style! (can you tell im looking elsewhere for a job?!!:rotfl: )
However my dad owns a pub and when i did Avon 18months ago i used to take about 5-6 brochures down their when it was ladies darts nights and omg they were like women posessed! which was fab!:D one lady used to spend about £50 every campaign especially b4 crimbo which really helped me!
i only used to make around £180-£200 of orders every campaign but it did me!
anyway sorry back to the party idea!:p im 22 and i love avon products but my mates (who are also 22!) arent really interested so im not getting anywhere there! so i think i'll try and do a party in my local community centre and invite the ladies who used to be my customers:p and a few new ones hopefully and my mum and some aunts just incase no one turns up!!:rotfl:
so now ive got to work out what im going to do in one!!

any ideas?!!

Ah right - the old boss is a moron! I'm looking for another job too - hope they haven't got an avon lady....

As for your mates being 22 - if you buy any of the glam mags like NOW, New etc then see what they say about Avon stuff. I had a 24 y.o. at work ask me for the Cynthia Rowley and Rogue perfumes as she had seen them promoted in her mag (think it was Cosmo) and wanted to be the first to have them. Why not get a cheap little notebook and put any reviews in there? I have noticed that a lot of the pages in the new look revamped brochures have "as seen in ,...." on a lot of the pages - plus there's the celeb angle. Don't tell me they spend £12 on a lippy when they can get ours for £6. More money on make up = less money on beer - or is that just how my brain works? :rotfl: Party games for your "soiree" with a little token gift for the winner = I'm sure if you google this you'd find loads. How about celeb couples - get piccies of various celeb couples and ask them to arrange the right lady with gent (they do not get a prize for putting Tom Cruise with an alien (what Katie is doing married to him is beyond me)....). First one to get them done (say 5) gets a shower gel. "Pin the Pout on Posh" etc - I find that people love playing the games of their childhood. Even pass the parcel!!! As for your Dad's pub that sounds smashing - I LIKE possessed customers! Good luck!

Castley - the car boot sounds a great idea. A declutter and an advert all in one! Let us know how you get on (OH wants me to do a car boot - ha ha ha - like that's ever going to happen!!!). Besides, no doubt if somebody picked up a cross stitch mag infront of me I'd decide I wanted it back!!! E-bay is much more "remote"!!