Anybody here an Avon representative?

[hostingp]

Hey everybody,

I was with Avon in 1993-94 when I was about 20 years old (yep, do the math....I'm admitting to everyone that I'm 30!)

Anyway, I basically just played around with it and it never really went anywhere, but the other night I went to a Mary Kay party and started to rethink things. I liked Mary Kay, but it actually got me thinking more about Avon again.

So I am considering joining again and am interested in what has changed in the past 10 years or so and how business is going for current Avon reps. I'm also curious about costs, commissions, etc...

I'm not sure if anyone here is a rep, but if you have any experiences, I would love it if you would share them with me. I'm not so sure that the moderators would like a commerical for Avon here, but if you would like you could PM me or just PM me and ask for my email address and I will give it to you privately.

Or, if you have just general information that isn't too commercial-sounding maybe you could post.

Incidentally, if anyone is with a similar company that I don't know about, feel free to educate me via PM if you like. I'm considering something like this for the social aspect of it, a few extra $$ and a change from what I do for my day job.

Thanks DOD'ers,

Jen

[3tbear]

I used to sell Avon too, it actually paid my rent when I was living up in the boondocks of Maine, and then I did it when I moved back to Connecticut. I remember it used to be that you had to buy all the bags you used for your customers and samples, but that you got the samples a little cheaper. Avon is actually online with their own web-site where you can order the same stuff so I don't know if you want to do this again because of that. How about jewelry, women love that. It's just a thought.

[Debbie42]

I am a Avon rep I don't have a big customer base but it pays for all of the Avon I want and I love getting the What's new book. I do all of my ordering online and pay online also. Billsmrs is also a rep.

[stking]

I have been thinking about getting into Avon, too. A friend of mine does it, and she says she does it just for the tax write-off! She does profit a couple hundred bucks a month too tho. I was thinking it would even be a good way to get some exercise! When I'm out walking around the neighborhood, I could be putting books on people's doors. My biggest question is how much all those catalogs cost.
I thought because of the internet, maybe people won't buy from you, but my friend said that if the rep. is delivering to you, you don't have to pay the shipping and handling so that is why people still buy from reps. I would love any other info. people want to share about it in this thread also!

[worshipfulheart]

I just recently quit Avon. I am not much of a salesperson but I did enjoy selling Avon. My problem was that I spent more than I made so it kind of defeated the purpose.
When I started it was only $10.00 to join. Every once in a while they do a promotion where they waive the sign up fee and it is free.
You do have to purchase your catalogs, bags and any other supplies you might need. I did not find this to be very expensive.
A few benefits were that you could place your orders on line wich made the paperwork a LOT easier.
I have a program called AV4, if anyone is interested I will sell it to them) It is a record keeping program made specifically for Avon. It keeps track of your customers, what they have ordered in the past, what has been paid to you and is owed to you and keeps track of your profits for taxes. I am terrible at keeping paperwork so this was a major blessing to me.

If things are still the same when you start , you make 40 or 45% on your first three campaigns, then your percentage is based on the amount you sell. I did about $300- $350 every campaign so I made 35%.
I think the minimum you make on orders is 25%
The best things about Avon were that the products sell themselves and they are affordable. THere are new catalogs every two weeks and new products all the time, you don't have to buy a kit or inventory but you are free to do that and you don't have to have home shows or parties and pressure people to purchase highly overpriced stuff.
Avon is also very flexible, I knwew someone who made most of her money buying inexpensive lotions and perfumes and making gift baskets for almost every holiday. Also, most Avon products are consumable so if someone finds something they like they will come back when they run out, you are not stuck with one time sales.
I hope this helps.
God Bless!!
Angie B<><

[freesurfer]

I can honestly say I don't hear much about Avon anymore. Mary Kay seems to have taken over around here.

[stking]

I did it! I have been doing Avon for about a month now and love it! worshipfulheart, do you still have the AV4 for sale? I was thinking about getting it but don't even know how much it costs.

[worshipfulheart]

Hi stking!
I do still have the software. I dont remember how much I paid for it, will have to ask hubby later. I did try to look it up on line and found this:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

It is a free download of AV4. I don't know if it is a full version or partial. I had the partial for a while, (I think you could only store 10 or 20 customers.) but it let me see if it was worth getting it or not. Even if it is a partial you might want to try it out and then let me know if you still want the software.
If it is the full, even better, you got it for free (:

I checked out another site, it is selling AV4 for almost $60.00 (gasp!!)
I certainly don't remeber paying that much for it but it is possible that we did.

Check out that other site and then PM me if you want the software and book, I won't ask for anywhere NEAR $60.

God BLess!!
Angie B<><

[Lisa21476]

Originally Posted by stking

I did it! I have been doing Avon for about a month now and love it! worshipfulheart, do you still have the AV4 for sale? I was thinking about getting it but don't even know how much it costs.

AV4 is $30 brand new if you download it and I believe it's $40 if you have him send you a CD of it. It's an AMAZING program that I recommend to EVERY rep out there. I've been using it since January 2001 (I started in August 2000) and it's great having my customer's purchase histories. All updates are free.

Feel free to ask me any questions

[stking]

Originally Posted by Lisa21476

All updates are free.

Really? I thought you had to pay something for each campaign's new items. That's great if it is free! Do you know much about the e-rep site? I am weighing the option of doing that instead but that is $7.50 each campaign.

[worshipfulheart]

Originally Posted by stking

Really? I thought you had to pay something for each campaign's new items. That's great if it is free! Do you know much about the e-rep site? I am weighing the option of doing that instead but that is $7.50 each campaign.

I know some people that liked having the e-rep site, but when I was selling, the majority of reps I knew said that it was not worth it to them. Most people did not get referrals unless they were in the higher ranks of sales already and their current customers preferred to deal with them personally rather than order online. If you have good marketing skills to advertise and possibly get customers you would not normally get in person it might be a good thing but because of all the negative feedback I got, I chose not to go e-rep.
I remember my mother selling Avon and one of the reasons I feel it is so popular is because of the personal visits, that is what I enjoyed mopst about selling it, meeting new people and socializing, etc. This is also what I enjoy about buying it. I would much rather buy from someone I know and can develop a rapport with, and they get to know what my skin care, makeup, etc needs and desires are than to go to a dept store or buy online. In my experience, this has been the case with most people I have dealt with.

[bwitt71]

I'm an Avon rep. I did it about 5 years ago then quit. I've started again. I enjoy doing it. Start up fee is still $10.

As far as the website, Avon will direct you to a reps website to place an order. You can set up your own website for selling.

They've updated quite a bit since I originally joined. They have loads of online training courses (that range from 15 - 40 minutes) that help answer questions and offer guidance in marketing Avon.

Mary Kay is big, however, Avon is big also and more reasonably priced, offering many other items besides skin care & make-up alone. So it's usually an easy sell. It practically sells itself. You simply MUST be willing to carry brochures around with you at all times and approach ANYONE about it. Even strangers.

If you or anyone else is interested in starting with Avon (whether for the first time or the second...or the third), I will be happy to help you. I will be your personal support at all times.

[Debbie42]

Avon has been on the Fortune 500 list every year since there has been a list. Start up cost is $10 there is online training that is at no cost to you. If you want to sign up find a local rep as you do have to be signed up face to face. There has been some trails of online signups but I think finding someone to do it that can meet with you if you have any problems would be the best. I am in leadership and would be happy to answer any questions any one has.

[mye01]

hi there..been an "avon lady" since 2002, i was in my sophomore year in college when i joined..yes it true that we have the tendency to be "our own favorite" customers, simply because avon products are fantastic..i am proud to say avon helped me pay my college fees..thanks to avon their product are so easy to sell..cheers girls!!!