Angry with manager-a vent, a rant
By rosegardens
@rosegardens (3034)
United States
August 24, 2011 10:33am CST
Hello fellow mylotters. I have some difficulty with my manager. On Monday my Avon order was due to go in. It was a larger order than normal, and that is exciting because I have until Christmas to sell a quota to be able to get in the Presidents club and get my 125th anniversary Ms. Albie statue. I really, really want that doll because it is a special anniversary edition. I may not make it though, I need to come up with 4 grand in sales by then.
I sent an email to my manager to inquire why my order was on hold for non-payment, and how much do I have to pay in order to get it released. Also I have some returns and I cannot call and speak to anyone, because the automated system will not allow me to speak to anyone until I make a satisfactory payment. I did pay what I had on hand to pay them, but it was not enough apparently, and only my manager can tell me how much I need to pay in order to get the order out of hock so I can distribute to my customers. My balance was $195.00, and I do not have that to give them. However, I did have $70.00 from customers to pay them that I collected over the weekend, but did not know if that is enough. I already paid just over $400.00 dollars to them after I sent the order.
In the past, my managers would contact me immediately to help me get my order. They would call Avon for me to try to get them to release it, sometimes it was successful, sometimes not. Every time they let me know exactly how much money I had to pay in order to get my order released. I know my balance, but I cannot pay the entire balance because of chargebacks, people not paying me on time, etc. Other managers would help immediately because it is important to get that order on time, or at least the next day. This manager has not contacted me yet, and it is Wed. morning. I do not know who to complain to. I did not place a complaint after the first time I ever spoke to her. I had the same difficulty several campaigns ago and had to contact her on Monday evening. Do you know she did not get back with me until Wed night? I said to her, I called you Monday night. O, well I replied within the 48 hr timeline Avon gives me. I said to her: my order should have arrived this morning, but because you didn't contact me, now it won't be here until next week, and my next order goes in the following Monday! I was very upset. She told me I was being rude, and that I am the CEO, president, owner, etc of my own business and I need to learn to do this myself. I should not have to have someone hold my hand. Now, the manager does get paid by Avon for whatever sales we generate, so in a sense, I am working for her as well. This is the laziest manager I have ever had in my life. I asked her how long she was a manager, she had started out as a rep for 7 years and worked her way up, and a manager now for 8 years!!! O my gosh, why did Avon not fire her yet? She cannot possibly be any help to the district. I can't imagine!
Does anyone have any ideas who I can complain to, besides writing an email. I'm not sure who the email goes to, and if it would do any good. I need to somehow get hold of her manager, and I don't know how to do this. I have never had to do this before!
Am I over reacting? Should I try to contact someone about this horrible manager? Am I the one at fault and should I stop complaining?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
9 Sep 11
Hi there, Rose! I don't think you're being a complainer at all. I have the same perspective as you on the issue because I am a Mary Kay consultant. If I was treated in the way you've been treated, right off the bat I would no longer want to be a consultant...that'd be my first impulse. But I love the products and really enjoy my customers, so I wouldn't do that. I'm sure that's the same reason you do what you do. I love Avon products, too, by the way! Reading your description of what took place and how you were treated by your direct manager makes me wonder how she became a manager in the first place? Managers in my organization are top-notch and earn their right to be called that. If there were any complaints whatsoever, I know the company would be looking into it. I'm not sure how far you've gone in contacts up the ladder since this discussion was posted, but I sure hope you've had more luck from the company itself than you've had with your manager! It also makes me wonder...since she's your manager, she probably is over a bunch of other consultants. I feel bad for them, and I wonder if they have the same complaints. It's really sad that she would do this to you because she knows that if you're productive, she'll be productive; everybody wins when you are able to sell lots of product. Good for you for sticking in there. By the way, I don't do any orders through MK that I can't pay for right off the bat. I don't send any of them to my team leaders and do the "bill me later" type thing, but I understand not everyone has that luxury. Some months are tight for me when I can't play an order for new product because I have to meet a certain amount and can't afford to pay for it all at once. It's a nice option to have, to pay later, but I'm sorry for you that this has blown up to be a much bigger issue than it needed to be. I wouldn't be so nice if this happened to me. I'd be doing something about it every day. That would make me so upset if someone were to say to me that it's my fault (push it back on me when it's their fault) and tell me I'm the CEO of my own company. Yes, you realize this, but it's her issue that you haven't gotten your order yet, and in turn, that's going to look horrible on you to your customers. I'm sure you could've ordered product from another consultant who's on the same level as you and gotten your order quicker. This is really sad, and I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I surely hope things have worked out for you. Feel free to update me on the issue any time. I'm curious to know what they are telling you now! Take care, my friend, and have a wonderful weekend!
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Hi JJ! Thank you for responding. This thread was getting lonely. lol!
I didn't contact anyone about it, but I am very interested to know how on Earth she is a manager in our company. I've never had a manager treat me that way before. I did speak with the lady I buy my books from to ask how to complain, and she told me. She also gave an earful about how rude she was to her (the book lady to the manager--lolol!) She is treating everyone poorly apparently. Now my book lady rakes in close to $100 grand a year in commissions, so her sales are incredible. That is a person you treat with kid gloves. If she quits it can hurt the entire district.
I do not have any specific person to contact to complain, just the regular Avon number. I guess the manager that is over my immediate manager isn't a very good one either.
If we didn't have the award coming up in December, I would more than likely quit. I really, really want the 125th anniversary Albi. Been working hard to get her.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Hello, great to hear from you and glad I could revive a lonely discussion lol! You seem to be a very goal-oriented individual, and that's extremely important given your semi-recent experience with Avon. Thankfully, they have the upcoming awards, goals, and incentives to keep you as a consultant (because they are blessed to have you!), but it's really sad when an undeserving manager takes that position...and what's worse, it sounds like her direct manager isn't all she's chalked up to be either. It takes a whole team of "greats" to be great. Unfortunately, those above you in management positions don't deserve to be there. What I've gathered from this discussion, you'd be a pretty great manager yourself, and hopefully you'll be the one to replace them someday! All I can tell you is to keep up the good work and continue being the best you can be. I know it'll pay off for you in the long run. In the mean time, I'd love to keep up on your progress, as I mentioned before. I'm not very high up in my MK business, but I always make my minimum quota to remain a consultant. I sell to mostly friends and family so I can get the products I use either for free or at an excellent discount. That is enough for me. I have my own small goals of what I can do with my finances, so I don't expect to get rich off it someday, but there's always that possibility as well. If ever I lose my full-time "regular" job, I've definitely got a fallback. For you, it sounds as though Avon is much more than that to you. I'm so glad to know you're a dedicated, hard worker, and I surely hope this situation works itself out for you! Take care and I hope to hear from you again soon! (And hopefully the next time brings better news for you and your Avon business! 
)
)1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
13 Sep 11
Thank you so much JJ! Those are very nice things to say. I'm not looking for a management position. Just would like to get the award. Getting the Presidents club is good enough for me right now. Otherwise, it is too stressful.
I like getting the discounts through Avon as well. Because we are having a great sale this time on shower gels, I'm going to get a bunch for gifts. My customers will appreciate them! They will only cost me about a dollar each. But I have to buy about 40 of them! I got a fabulous leopard print purse and sold a couple because others like it so much.
It is great that MK gives such a good discount to you, and even free items. Good luck to you and your business, and I hope you don't ever have to fall back on it and can keep your regular job. It sounds very important to you.
I have a so-so start for this campaign coming up. So far only a hundred in orders, and I need to make $550.00 every campaign until Christmas to get that award. I got real lucky this last campaign; a gentleman who is helping a friend out bought almost $200.00 worth of Avon for her birthday. Without his order, I would not have made my goal for that campaign. Sales have increased a great deal because I've been working hard trying to get them going. I get a little unnerved thinking some of these campaigns coming up, I'm going to drop back to $200.00 again. 
I've had to purchase some items for myself that normally I wouldn't have, but they are useful. Like the brown boots I bought. I prefer black, but since it is helpful to getting the Albi, I bought them and glad I did. They are pretty cool looking and comfy.
I will keep you up on the progress, and I so appreciate your interest. My website is on my profile page if you ever want to check out a catalog. I know MK only does makeup, but Avon also has clothes, jewelry, shoes and items for kids.
BTW-did you know the Sun company, located in California, makes the cosmetics for both Avon and MK? lol. Isn't that funny. Learned that in a business course I took in college.
You seem to be pretty good in sales. You could probably do very well with MK. Maybe someday you will be driving around in a pink Cadillac! 
I'm not looking for a management position. Just would like to get the award. Getting the Presidents club is good enough for me right now. Otherwise, it is too stressful.
I like getting the discounts through Avon as well. Because we are having a great sale this time on shower gels, I'm going to get a bunch for gifts. My customers will appreciate them! They will only cost me about a dollar each. But I have to buy about 40 of them! I got a fabulous leopard print purse and sold a couple because others like it so much.
It is great that MK gives such a good discount to you, and even free items. Good luck to you and your business, and I hope you don't ever have to fall back on it and can keep your regular job. It sounds very important to you.
I have a so-so start for this campaign coming up. So far only a hundred in orders, and I need to make $550.00 every campaign until Christmas to get that award. I got real lucky this last campaign; a gentleman who is helping a friend out bought almost $200.00 worth of Avon for her birthday. Without his order, I would not have made my goal for that campaign. Sales have increased a great deal because I've been working hard trying to get them going. I get a little unnerved thinking some of these campaigns coming up, I'm going to drop back to $200.00 again. I've had to purchase some items for myself that normally I wouldn't have, but they are useful. Like the brown boots I bought. I prefer black, but since it is helpful to getting the Albi, I bought them and glad I did. They are pretty cool looking and comfy.
I will keep you up on the progress, and I so appreciate your interest. My website is on my profile page if you ever want to check out a catalog. I know MK only does makeup, but Avon also has clothes, jewelry, shoes and items for kids.
BTW-did you know the Sun company, located in California, makes the cosmetics for both Avon and MK? lol. Isn't that funny. Learned that in a business course I took in college.
You seem to be pretty good in sales. You could probably do very well with MK. Maybe someday you will be driving around in a pink Cadillac! 1 person likes this
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
13 Jan 12
Hello there! Oh how I love to read threads of rantings here in mylot. It really makes me get excited to read every word of it. I have been a customer service representative with T-Mobile USA for flexpay. and I hear rantings and customers venting out most of the time... worse.. they really do badmouthing over the phone. But we are all trained to deal with that and do the right actions for their problems!
In your case I hope this has all been sorted up and you already got the Ms Albie Statue! Manager should treat his or her subordinates as customers as well. Treated very nicely. You will not be called a manager or a supervisor without your subordinates. So whatever concern your subordinates is telling you, give an ample time for you to hear them out. If there would be any problem, you should be there also to sort things out because it will also be your problem as well. you are representing one department and in your case, she will represent the whole district.
We have here nearest in our place the factory of AVON International. Your company I guess is dealing with the distribution of the products itself. I am sorry I will not be of help to you but then I am pretty sure this has been sorted out at this time. It has been 5 months that have passed and I know how Americans deal most of the problems in an immediate manner!
I just shared this because even if I am in the least position kissing as* the customers, I should have to tend to their concerns even if they are so pissed off.
Thank you for this nice post!
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
14 Jan 12
Thank you. Do you work for Avon as a customer service representative? It is exciting to have such a large name-brand factory or distribution center nearby! That is kind of cool.
This manager is a temporary one, so I am hoping to have a permanent one very soon. Lord, help us. She is still in the position, and why I do not know, and another thing--how she has been here so long is one of the 7 wonders of the Earth. 
Her immediate supervisor should have nixed her long ago since her attitude would be driving away representatives. We are the storefront, so when there are less people selling the product, it makes sense the district sales suffer, as I am sure they have.
Thank you for responding to my post, and I wish you well in your line of work. I could not do what you do! I would go nutso after a week! You are a very strong person to be able to handle people in such a professional manner.
Do you work for Avon as a customer service representative? It is exciting to have such a large name-brand factory or distribution center nearby! That is kind of cool.
This manager is a temporary one, so I am hoping to have a permanent one very soon. Lord, help us. She is still in the position, and why I do not know, and another thing--how she has been here so long is one of the 7 wonders of the Earth. Her immediate supervisor should have nixed her long ago since her attitude would be driving away representatives. We are the storefront, so when there are less people selling the product, it makes sense the district sales suffer, as I am sure they have.
Thank you for responding to my post, and I wish you well in your line of work. I could not do what you do! I would go nutso after a week! You are a very strong person to be able to handle people in such a professional manner.