Have you ever bought from Avon catalogues before?

@kiran1978 (4134)
Australia
June 3, 2008 8:28am CST
Last week I just joined up to be an Avon representative to try and get some extra cash. I was a bit reluctant at first, thinking I am not really a sales person and I don't like to push people to buy things. But that is the beauty of this job, the book sells itself you don't have to push them to buy anthing. You just ask them if they are interested in looking at the Avon booklet. I did not think I would have much success, but so far it has been pretty good. In one street alone I found 3 customers, I think that is quite good. I make 25% of all sales now, that I have made over the $180 sales bracket. I find it a great way to make extra money and good way to meet people. So I was just curious if you have bought from Avon catalogues before or other types of catalogues? What do you like about catalogue shopping. I think the main advantages is that you don't have to buy till you get the product and you get to shop in your own home, plus there is lots of discounts. So please share your thoughts on catalogue shopping?
4 people like this
17 responses
@chrissieatu (1033)
• China
3 Jun 08
Two of my friends are the sale representative of AVON too. They start their little business on campus about a month ago. They told me that things go well too. I brought the foundation and mascara from them the other day. Lots of students brought their products because they are cheap and convenient.
1 person likes this
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Yes I agree the products are quite reasonably priced. I am tempted to buy alot of things but I am stopping myself as I want to try and make money not spend money, lol.
1 person likes this
• China
6 Jun 08
Yeah, I admit that it's quite difficult to resist the temptation. When I plan to buy the foundation and mascara from my friend, I brought the brochure to my dorm. And then the other three joined me to buy something too.
3 Jun 08
I've bought loads of things from Avon. I'm in the UK, so their stock is probably slightly different over here, but most things are reasonably priced, and do what they claim to. I think though, that as the internet is now so popular, and most homes have it, that catalogue shopping has waned somewhat. Avon have a website that you can order things from, without having to find a representative, order from a book and then wait a month for your items.
1 person likes this
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Gee I did not think so many people liked Avon, that is great to hear. Hope the internet does not take over too much, otherwise I won't get any sales. I did okay on my first job, sold $315 worth of product, so pleased with that. Have a great day!
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
Being a male guy, I think it would be awkward for us to sell such items. However, I have friends who have been selling the product for quite a while already and are doing it as a sideline. As you can see, during work breaks, they sell this items to fellow workers. I would say that its great and they are earning money out of it. The catalogue is such a great help in selling such items since they can really attract buyers.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi jpso, yes being a male would be quite funny watching them sell Avon consdiering most of the products are female products. It is great to do as a sideline job I agree. I just sold $315 worth of products on my first job and I will get 25% of this which is $78, good little pocket cash.
• United States
5 Jun 08
Well...you know I have! lol I am glad you posted as I was wondering how it was going for you.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Well it's all thanks to you my friend that I thought of signing up in the first place. So thank you for mentioning their products to me, I am grateful that you did. I have been doing pretty good. I have already sold $320 worth of Avon products so I get 25% of this which is about $78. So I am really happy with this, I only did 2 streets so far and sold to some family members. I still have 5 streets to go, so next time I should do even better. I will keep you posted on my success with Avon, have a great day!
• United States
3 Jun 08
I love Avon, I used to buy every time a new catalogue came out. Unfortunately, since I decided to take the plunge, quit my job and work from home, I don't get to see the Avon catalogue anymore since the rep I bought from worked with me. I haven't found a rep around home yet, but I will. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do well.
1 person likes this
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Awesome good to hear you love Avon that gives me motivation. Wish you lived in Australia I could be your rep, lol. I did quite good on my first job I sold $315 worth of products, I will get paid $78 of this. So good way to make extra cash whilst at home with bubs. Thanks for your response, have a great day.
@roanne05 (1290)
• Oman
4 Jun 08
yes, i bought certian things on catalogue's...good luck to your new business!
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Thanks roanne, good to know another person has bought from catalogues.
@roanne05 (1290)
• Oman
5 Jun 08
your welcome my dear!
• India
4 Jun 08
Hi Kiran So glad this is working for you, we all do need some extra cash to egg us on! I have been approached by quite a few people (close friends really) to take up Oriflame, but I refused. Oriflame, as you know, is similarly catalogue-based selling and a team effort. However, like you, I was apprehensive about my selling capabilites and fearful of rejection. On top of that, I found the oriflame products way too exhorbitant for Indian middle-class. There is no dearth of very good herbal products in India and paying thru your nose just because its an international brand, is something I could not accept. Since I myself was not convinced, I did not join the team. I lost quite a few friends BTW, but I did not like the idea. However, after reading your post, I got curious about AVON and went to their indian site and yes, the discounts they are offering is fabulous indeed. After the discounts, they are almost at par with the quality herbal products that are made in india.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hello, thank you for taking the time to look into Avon and letting me know what you think. It is great to get peoples perspective about Avon. I think Avon has some great bargains, the prices seem quite cheap compared to what you purchase in a shop. I have done pretty well so far, I have only done 2 streets and sold some products to some family and I have sold $315 worth of stuff, of this I get $78, so not bad. I plan on improving on this next time, I ran out of time this week. It wasn't too bad trying to sell them, most people were very polite, no rude people when I answered the door. Maybe you could try selling it in your country for extra cash. Have a great day.
@ryzach (1544)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I do not order from catalog very often but did order from Avon catalog about 5 months ago. I even met the lady when ordering and delivering the product. What surprised me is that she never called me back to see if I wanted to re-order or to see if I liked the product. I know you don't want to be pushy but at least check on the customers you do have and see if they can use any thing else or how they liked what they did order. People want some kind of attention without be constantly bugged about sales. It is kind of a happy medium. I don't mind catalog shopping but do not care to buy clothes or shoes from catalogs. Those I like to try on. I like all the discounts Avon has. I should try using their products more often. Good luck to you.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi ryzach, I think it is important to follow up with customers too, to see how they liked their product. Thanks for the feedback about Avon, I am making note of all the advice I am getting since I am new at this. I have a designated area that I sell to, so I will be going to the same customers once a month, those that are interested. I won't be hassling people who have told me that they are not interested. I would not like to purchase clothes either but with Avon you are allowed to return them if they are not the right fit. Have a great day and thanks again for your input.
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
3 Jun 08
I am not an Avon lady myself, being a guy but I do see them making sales and I have seen the catalogs; they are wonderfully made and one can really make a sale just by showing these. I think it's a very wonderful idea and one can make a good income from it.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi underdogtoo, I appreciate your feedback on Avon, it is good to know what a male thinks of their catalogues. I hope I can make a great income from it one day.
@Sharon38 (1912)
• Jamaica
4 Jun 08
Where I work we have alot of Avon representatives and the good thing is that we dont pay them until pay day. I really enjoy shopping from avon. the qulaity of the goods are good and even though we may be able to get a similar product not the same avon product cheaper, the avon products smell better, are better in every way. I buy shoes too and toys etc for my daughter and myself.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi Sharon, great to hear you think highly of Avon it gives me more motivation to sell Avon products. I think it is great also how you don't pay till you recieve that is a great bonus. They also have great offers all the time, such as two for one etc. Have a great day!
@gemini_rose (16264)
25 Jun 08
I used to be an avon rep, when I started the street I had was a nightmare. My first lot of orders came to a total of £450.00 ($800 or more approx. When my delivery came, I had just had a baby and I had to go and deliver the whole lot, it was a nightmare I could not handle it at all! It took off way too fast and eventually I just chucked it in. I no longer order from avon simply because everything I used brought me out in a rash on my face, shame cos they have some great stuff but I must just be sensitive to their products.
@Candee (530)
• India
4 Jun 08
That's good to hear Kiran. I have bough a few of Avon's product, mostly lipsticks. They have a cool range of colors.
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi candee, good to know you have bought Avon't products and you are satisfied with their lipstick range. They do seem to have alot to choose from, I will have to check some out myself.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
4 Jun 08
Good for you! I hope you make it big as I really know some people who earning quite a sum from that. Just keep on getting contacts. You know I am also a member of Avon but I only use my card for my own benefit as I am getting 25% off. I do not have the talent of convincing people to people and really I don't have much time for that. I usually buy bra, some accessories and lipstick from them but not much of the other products as I prefer other brands. Here's hoping that you really get good earnings from Avon!
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Thanks salonga, I hope I make it big too, I am mainly looking for extra cash this year while looking after my baby, then next year I will return to teaching. But who knows if all goes well I may continue it next year on the sideline. I think that is the key building up regular contacts. I am even dropping booklets off at my daughters daycare. Have a great day, happy posting.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I really like the collectibles in the Avon book but I don't buy all it anymore because I don't have an Avon person that I know. Maybe I should start doing it just so I can order it myself. Was it hard to get started or a lot of cost involved?
@kiran1978 (4134)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
Hi ZephyyrSun, it was not hard to get started at all. I simply went on line to www.avon.com and I filled out information on their site saying I wanted to sell Avon products. They rang me then in half an hour. I had an Avon lady come and see me the next day and explain how to do it all. It costs nothing to start up that is the beauty of it.The more you sell the higher comission you get. But you need to sell over $75 to start receiving commission. Then you earn 15% of all sales. If you make it up to $180 in sales which is easy to do, you make 25% of all sales. Then if you are extra good and you make up to $675 in sales you make 35% of all the sales. If you buy products for yourself you get the discount of what ever your % is off, for eg - 15% 25% or 35% according to what sales you make. I am pretty happy with it, I just made $320 in sales so I got 25% commission which is $78 profit for me. They take out $7 for delivery though. Good luck with it, if you decide to take it up. If you need any more help, send me a message.
@littleowl (7157)
16 Jun 08
Hi Kiran-I get Avon catalogues all the time at one time it wasn't that good but now it is a brilliant little catalogue to get things from and has expanded its range from just make up to clothing accessories etc I find it great-my daughter and friend also buy things from it-at one time I was an avon rep but at the time the percentage in return wasn't as good as it is now-your friend littleowl
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Jun 08
i usually buy my stuff from catalogues. i enjoy the convenience of shopping right at my own home. i save time, money and effort in doing this. i think you are right in making that decision to be a sales representative of avon.
@ynigz1 (472)
• China
4 Jun 08
I haven't buy any of the catalogues before. I don't like that kind of shopping.