topic Re: Avon observations in Beauty

Avon observations

Lulu Bea — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 23:58:59 GMT

Word on the street is Avon is ousting it's CEO and replacing with the gentleman who runs Herblife. News sent stock up.

Avon has to get a grip on Ecommerce being the name of the game. Gettng the color right for cosmetics is critical. And how will you get scent described so the average person can understand? I have no idea what "radiant water accord" is nor do I know what a Kyoto Flower smells like. Keep the actual notes but then put it in real words. As far as color, maybe they can start a small sample program that can be purchased.

The possibilities are endless with ecomm technology. Do they charge reps for having an online store or to do email campaigns to their customers. I'd love to get emails with new products in descriptions I can relate to when it comes to color or scent or anything.

I understand why they went after the Herbalife CEO as the selling channel and mulit-level marketing is applicable. I think they should have gone after a mover and shaker in the Ecomm community.

Re: Avon observations

mistriTsquirrel — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 02:53:55 GMT

I used to be an Avon rep. I don't recommend it. They claim that the stuff practically sells itself, but it was like pulling teeth to get people to buy. And they had an order minimum when I joined that I thought seemed reasonable. Then they doubled it. They sent literature trying to tell me that it was for my own good. (LoL) If I didn't meet the minimum, I would not get a percentage off of the products, so I was paying the same as everyone else to get the products if I didn't meet the minimum. I also had to pay out of my own pocket to return items that customers didn't like back to Avon.

When you go to the website, you can choose a rep to shop through. It's all automated, so you never actually speak to the person when you make your order. Anyway, there was an instance when a friend ordered through the website using my name and I got no commission for it. I got a notice that she ordered using my name, but no check was sent to me and no money was deducted from my bill on any of my orders. I don't know if that was just a mistake, or if it's a scam and they are trying to make people believe that they are supporting a rep when they really aren't.

As a rep, you have to buy your own testers, because their sample offering is small (and even those are something the reps have to pay for). So you wind up buying things for people to try, thinking that if people can smell or see the product, they will be more likely to buy. However, it seldom worked out that way, in my experience. Most of the time people were not impressed by what I had to show them.

There were many times when I didn't meet the minimum, so I bought things myself in order to maintain my status as an active rep and get a small discount on the products (that piddly discount is what they refer to as your "paycheck." LoL, again.) At first I was willing to spend a little money on products I didn't need, thinking I was just getting my business off the ground. Eventually I realized that I was losing more money than I was making, and Avon was reaping all the benefits. I wasn't just working for free, I was losing money.

These MLMs are pyramids. You are unlikely to make much money unless you recruit several others under you. Then you get a small percentage of what they make when they sell anything. Unfortunately, that involves putting unwitting individuals in the same losing situation that you yourself may currently be in.

I know there are some people who think that selling Avon is a great gig, because they know lots of people who are willing to buy, so they don't lose money doing it. However, in talking to people who have been reps, I don't think that experience is the norm. Most of the people I've talked to who have sold Avon have no interest in doing it again. Avon has sent me e-mails, trying to tell me that they sweetened the deal somehow for their reps, and it's easier to make money now, but I'm not willing to play their games again.

I still have stuff I bought from them to use up. I don't think I'm going to be buying any of their stuff after that. Aside from the bad experience I had as a rep, I was regularly disappointed by having my favorite fragrance or other item discontinued. And the quality of some of the items was hit-or-miss. I'm just done dealing with their nonsense.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if their business failed, and it wouldn't bother me either.

Re: Avon observations

ALRATIBA — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:09:18 GMT

I've been buying Avon online since I retired in 2010. I get periodic emails with specal offers.

Re: Avon observations

sandraskates — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:34:58 GMT

@mistriTsquirrel- A now retired woman dropped her catalogs around various places at work, plus she had some regular customers. But like you, she said it actually costed her money to be a rep.

If I was judging from all the bags she brought in I'd have thought she was making money hand-over-fist!

I miss seeing her and her catalogs. I'd buy periodically and was happy with items I purchased, and some items were decorative, not beauty.

Re: Avon observations

Katcat1 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:35:49 GMT

I think a woman would be good in that position; one that has worked in beauty products. Hopefully, the new CEO does a good job. I have not purchased Avon in over 40 years. The lady in our building passed away that sold Avon. I would not mind selling it if the odds were in my favor with the co.

Re: Avon observations

AngelPuppy1 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:49:16 GMT

Avon has been a part of my family from as far back as I can remember. We all loved and still love Avon! I have had good experiences with Avon and have had really good Avon reps. until the one recently who doesn't seem to care whether she sells or delivers your products at all. I have always found the products to be very good and reasonably priced. The jewelry has held up well and I have some from many, many years ago that still looks great.

I hope the company continues to make it and do well. I really love this old company!!! I would hate to see it go.

I did sell Avon myself a long time ago and I didn't have any problems with it. I didn't make a lot of money because I didn't know a lot of people and I didn't really go after it. But I enjoyed getting my little discount, and I enjoyed getting to see new products first and getting a discount on them.

Yes, it is true that you must purchase your brochures and other supplies that you need. But at the time I did it, the cost was very minimal. I don't know what it is like now.

So, overall, I have very good things to say about Avon!!!

Re: Avon observations

mistriTsquirrel — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:52:49 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 I can understand why you have nostalgia about Avon, and like things you've purchased from them. I'm conflicted myself about no longer purchasing Rare Gold and a few other items. Rare Gold is a fragrance I've liked for a long time, and I used to wear it quite frequently.

One thing I can tell you is that the brochures went up in price. Maybe they once were inexpensive, but they went from being kind of pricy to being not really worth it when I was a rep. And from the time I started to the time I quit, there were several changes made that made it harder and harder for me to make money. It's possible they're trying to reverse some of those changes after losing a lot of their people, and that's why they've sent out e-mails saying it's more rewarding to be a rep now. But I don't trust them. The prices and minimums seemed reasonable when I started, and then they changed the terms on me. So I have a feeling the experience of being a rep is different now than it once was.

That said, if you're just in it to get the discount for yourself, friends and family, maybe it's not such a bad gig (I can't say what their minimums or discounts are anymore, as I'm no longer a rep, so I don't know).

But based on my experience, it's not a good way to make extra money, which is one of the claims they make in their recruitment advertisements and literature, and it was something I had hoped for.

I don't talk about my experience with Avon much, but since it came up I wanted anyone who is thinking about becoming a rep to know what they could be in for.

Re: Avon observations

tototwo — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:10:14 GMT

I never worked for Avon, but I did work for a different direct sales beauty company for a couple years. I had the same experience as @mistriTsquirrel -- it cost me more money than I made, but was certainly educational! Plus, we got to take my loses off our income tax, so it wasn't a total loss.

I love several Avon products and have been buying Avon since I was a teenager back in the 1960's. There was always an Avon Lady in my office or in my neighborhood to buy from. For a few years, there was an Avon store at the mall. These days I purchase online and some rep somewhere gets credit for my purchases, but I don't know who it is. I hate to hear stories about Avon's going out of business - I would definitely miss it.

Re: Avon observations

mistriTsquirrel — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:25:50 GMT

For anyone interested in learning about MLMs and how they work, Google "John Oliver MLMs" and a YouTube video will come up that illuminates what's wrong with this type of business model.

Re: Avon observations

Harpa — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:04:23 GMT

This is off-point, but my fondest Avon memory is when I was wearing one of their fragrances and got the compliment, "It should be illegal for you to wear a fragrance like that." Which was not expressed in any negative way! They were truly captivated.

(I got many a Tova compliment, but not like this.)

Re: Avon observations

bonnielu — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 12:12:08 GMT

I met a very nice Avon rep a few years back and buy "sometimes" I mostly like Cover Girl in the box stores instead. IN the case of CVS products can be returned. I imagine Avon has the same rules,not sure. Never had to do it. I only buy Creme to Powder, liquid makeup, black eyeliner in any case.

Re: Avon observations

pegsue — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:57:19 GMT

Avon has been a part of my life since I can remember! The Avon lady used to come to my mom and grandma's house when I was little and I was soooo excited to get those tiny little lipstick samples! I remember when I got old enough my mom bought me the Sweet Honesty perfume-and I think they still have it!

Then about 22+ years ago I sold Avon. I did it for a couple of years and did ok-I took brochures to work which had about 50+ women, took them to a friend's work and shared with friends and family. I never pushed it-if they ordered fine, if not fine too but I always did ok-even after the expenses of the catalogs, samples, etc. It was always exciting to see what was new and get the products ahead of time. This was all before you could do the online ordering-or maybe it was when it was first coming out but I ended up quitting as I had a baby and it was too much at the time.

I still have an Avon lady and purchase from her regularly. She drops the books off (I like to have a book to look at as opposed to the computer) and use their deodorant, bubble bath, eye liners, nail polish, hand and body lotions, Skin So Soft and a few other products. I have noticed lately the commercials on TV and the push to become a representative. I have never had anyone really bother me about that so I hope this new leadership doesn't become like the Mary Kay reps always hounding you. I hope Avon does well.

Re: Avon observations

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:20:58 GMT

@mistriTsquirrel wrote:
@AngelPuppy1 I can understand why you have nostalgia about Avon, and like things you've purchased from them. I'm conflicted myself about no longer purchasing Rare Gold and a few other items. Rare Gold is a fragrance I've liked for a long time, and I used to wear it quite frequently.

One thing I can tell you is that the brochures went up in price. Maybe they once were inexpensive, but they went from being kind of pricy to being not really worth it when I was a rep. And from the time I started to the time I quit, there were several changes made that made it harder and harder for me to make money. It's possible they're trying to reverse some of those changes after losing a lot of their people, and that's why they've sent out e-mails saying it's more rewarding to be a rep now. But I don't trust them. The prices and minimums seemed reasonable when I started, and then they changed the terms on me. So I have a feeling the experience of being a rep is different now than it once was.

That said, if you're just in it to get the discount for yourself, friends and family, maybe it's not such a bad gig (I can't say what their minimums or discounts are anymore, as I'm no longer a rep, so I don't know).

But based on my experience, it's not a good way to make extra money, which is one of the claims they make in their recruitment advertisements and literature, and it was something I had hoped for.

I don't talk about my experience with Avon much, but since it came up I wanted anyone who is thinking about becoming a rep to know what they could be in for.

@mistriTsquirrel

I understand what you mean. I haven't sold for many, many years so I am sure that a lot has changed. Like everything! Back then, I made a few $$ but not much but I did it basically to get my own things cheaper so this wasn't a concern for me. But as you say, if you go into it to make a lot of money --- I think it would be very hard!!!

Re: Avon observations

newname0 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:03:43 GMT

@Lulu Bea wrote:
Word on the street is Avon is ousting it's CEO and replacing with the gentleman who runs Herblife. News sent stock up.

Avon has to get a grip on Ecommerce being the name of the game. Gettng the color right for cosmetics is critical. And how will you get scent described so the average person can understand? I have no idea what "radiant water accord" is nor do I know what a Kyoto Flower smells like. Keep the actual notes but then put it in real words. As far as color, maybe they can start a small sample program that can be purchased.

The possibilities are endless with ecomm technology. Do they charge reps for having an online store or to do email campaigns to their customers. I'd love to get emails with new products in descriptions I can relate to when it comes to color or scent or anything.

I understand why they went after the Herbalife CEO as the selling channel and mulit-level marketing is applicable. I think they should have gone after a mover and shaker in the Ecomm community.

That's the reason they are introducing in Campaign 3, 2018 energy boosting vitamins. Years ago they wanted to sell vitamins but were blocked by Shakley from doing so. Now they are. Hooray. I need the energy sometimes.

Re: Avon observations

suzyQ3 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:24:23 GMT

Herbalife? Hmm...rather a controversial choice.

Re: Avon observations

151949 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:59:08 GMT

In our small town we actually have a lady who has a beauty salon & AVON store in one.So I can go in and get my skin so soft as needed or when it's on sale.

We have purschased Avon at our house as long as I can remember.

Re: Avon observations

ALRATIBA — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 18:50:00 GMT

I've been buying Avon online several times a year for the last 7 years (since I retired - used to have rep at the office.)