Avon Representative Experience

Why did I choose to sell Avon?

I chose to sell Avon while I was struggling to pay bills at college. I worked a small stipend paying work-study job, had no car, and was living/breathing theatre at the university I attended. Thus, I was not left with an excessive amount of time for another part-time job. I knew I needed to do something to pay my bills. I saw a local ad on the local newspaper for starting your own company as an Avon Representative. I did a little research and saw what others had said about it. I decided to give it a try. I got on the website and submitted my information. Within a day I was contacted by the district manager to set up an interview to give me all of my information to get me started.

How much time does it take up?

When it comes to how time consuming it really depends on you. It is all a matter of how big or small you want your Avon business to be. Are you willing to take the time to pass out booklets, brochures, and engage in conversation with strangers. I was always encouraged to discuss Avon with at least three new people a day. I am not going to lie to you it can be difficult. Not everyone is comfortable with talking to strangers. You never know how they will react, but the tutorials on the representative site can really help you out.

Also I recommend keeping a calendar that tells you when all Avon submission dates are for your orders. If you submit your orders late or add an additional order after submitting for a certain campaign you can be charged fees which can limit your profit for that campaign. You really need to take the time to be organized. Once your orders arrive you need to sort and calculate the totals for each of your customers as well. However, the plus is that you get to make your own hours.

Is it worth it?

In my personal opinion I like doing it because I love the products I sell. I also love that Avon products are not tested on animals. Yet, if you live in a small town like I do then I would not depend on making a big profit from selling Avon. I only make 30.00-50.00 dollars per order, but it is my personal preference to not stretch myself too thin since I have a hectic schedule. I do know people who make a lot off of Avon, but with all businesses they have to invest a lot of time and money into their own businesses. You have to watch how much you spend on samples and other items for your customers or else you will have no profit.

What can I expect?

You can expect a slow start to begin with but it will get better. You need to expand your customer base and use social media to market yourself within your circle of friends. Wear Avon products so your friends will notice and ask where you got whatever the item may be. The big plus to Avon is that most of the items are a lot cheaper than store bought items. You can expect a rewarding challenge of starting your own business, but also the struggles too.

How good is the customer service?

The customer service network can be a little tricky. You need to submit an online questionnaire for your issue and then they will contact you with an answer via email. You can also try calling, but base don what I read it was not pleasant for some people. Also say a customer is not satisfied with a product and wants to return it. Well the money for the return of the product comes out of your pocket. While this is unfortunate it is a necessary evil and will be placed on your next campaign bill. It is very good to promote the return of the product if the customer is not satisfied. This will give you a return customer because they will then trust you as a Avon Representative. Overall the customer service is pretty prompt.

What are the benefits?

The big benefits are:

• Occasional free products.
• Make your own hours.
• Gain the challenge of owning your own business.
• Learn a new set of skills.
• Make new acquaintances and friends.
• Fun holiday parties within your district.

What are the negatives?

• Can be slow.
• Can struggle to get customers.
• Can get pricey if you are not careful.
• Have to pay to return items.
• May not make much profit depending on how much time you put in and where you live.

How much money do I need to start?

Getting started is very easy you just log onto the website and you will be contacted by your district manager. It only costs $10.00 to get started. The manager will explain the Avon process to you and will be there always to help you with any concerns you may have. While it is your business never feel like you have no where to turn with any questions. They love to help.

Would you decide to sell Avon if you started all over?

I definitely would. While it is not always easy to sell, it has always been a fun experience. It encourages you to be outgoing. I love selling makeup and the fact that it is not tested on animals is a big plus. Everyone I meet loves Avon's products and I love giving out samples to my customers. I would always recommend selling Avon.