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Avon.com review: becoming a sales rep is a big mistake 66

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Author of the review
8:58 am EDT
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I signed on to become a representative for avon. It was only $10.00 and seemed like a great deal because you order product first and pay on a billing system. (Other companies you pay lots of money upfront). You attend meetings with other reps and learn about sales. I found out where avon makes money. Selling to reps. They offer this really great deal, so much money off if you obligate yourself to a certain number of a product. For example I thought I could sell 50 perfumes. They tell you, " hey it's no big deal, if you don't sell them, just send them back before you get billed!" if I were to sell these perfumes, I would also win a christian lacroix designer purse. Long story short, I didn't sell the perfume but the purse cam in the mail. I boxed it all up and sent it back. Not only did they claim not to recieve the purse and perfume back, they charged me $400 for a cheap nylon purse. So I ask my district leader for help. Apparently I was supposed to send the purse to a different department (However no one bothered to tell me that ever). And she recommended I call the help line. The help line has been outsourced to india and nobody understood what I was talking about. Since the purse was a prize and not something I ordered, they couldn't help me. I went back to my district leader for help (When I was placing orders she was my best friend) now she brushes me off. She can't help me and doesn't know the name of the new person in charge of prizes. So here I sit with a huge bill for perfume and a purse that I don't have. I can't get an itemized bill or invoice to save my life. And i'm being made to look like a loser by my district leader who is telling the other reps that I was removed for non-payment. $10 bucks my butt, the district leaders con you into obligating yourself to these programs. I watched out esteemed leader con a woman who had been selling for a week to buy 80 face creams. She will never sell those. Plus they tell you if you don't sellsomething, just return it. If you do too many returns, they freeze your account and you can't make the returns for a month and meanwhile you've gotten the bill for those items. If you read this and still decide to sell, be very careful. Some women can do it, but for every rep that makes it, at least 10 don't. I was recruiting so I know this for a fact. Thanks for listening.

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66 comments
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Donna Furrer-Wittmann
, US
Aug 26, 2018 12:32 pm EDT

"Avon / becoming a sales rep is a big mistake"

I am sorry you have had this experience. The upline has really gave you some bad advice, and it appears that they were recruiting people to boost the sales for the team. But as a beginner, product they give you should really get you started. That is insane, I love Avon, and honestly brochures, samples, online facebook and your web page are awesome tools. I have wonderful upline, and we have monthly meetings and no one I have ever met has given me any advice like that, especially when you are just beginning. Yes you are right Avon is the only Direct Sales company that you can start of with little money. I sell Avon, and I working on another organization that is great too. You can always change your upline, and get involved with a team that is less intensive, and have had years of experience. I am sorry you had a bad experience. :(

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Katheleen Wilson
, US
Aug 08, 2021 4:30 pm EDT

I am not surprised and I am sorry you had this experience. I am 70 years old and have sold AVON since I was 17 years old and my mother's Avon Lady came to our house every two weeks and she had samples. She would visit and we always knew she was coming because my mama made a homemade cake with fudge icing. When I graduated from high school, she took me on her route, yes, back then they had a route, she wore a suit, always had her makeup perfect and always made sure she had her new lipstick on. She retired and I was able to work at the Telephone Company full time and still do my Avon. It actually paid for my business school and also when I got married it helped pay for my wedding and then I had a baby and was on leave without pay at that time and was able to still sell AVON. Even though I have sold AVON on and off for over 50 years you do not get that time credit as you relocate and it is like starting over. I have made the President's club twice in my career with AVON. I just relocated back in 2013 from PA to LA because my mother passed and I had to move back home to help with her estate as she left me her property and now less than 3 months ago I had to move 2 hours away because Hurricane Laura and Delta destroyed my property and I found out on 11/11/2020 that it would cost over 60K to repair and upgrade my home and then two days later my 49 year-old son passed away and so my youngest child lived in Lafayette La and said Mom move here so I sold some property and moved here. I have been trying to re-establish my AVON and after 3 months I finally got an order. But AVoN no longer is a family it is made up of couples that know nothing AND I MEAN NOTHING ABOUT AVON, all they want is you to obligate yourself to buy these outragous products that you know you are not gonna sell. I don't know about any of you older Reps but all this new stuff AVON have are over priced and items to fix your hair etc are over a $100 dollars and don't know about y'all but my clients are on a limited budget and half or more that half dont even want catalogs anymore. Half the new reps dont even have a clue how Avon got started and dont even know the name of the lady and I have the porcelin doll of her. It is a shame also when my son died, the two people, (married) who were my leaders wanted me to make up for lost time and I referred them to the old days when one of our Avon Sisters lost a loved one, we all got together to help her out as well as be there for her to make sure that her Avon got delivered, packaged and got the credit. Well you can forget it today. I dont even then AVON will be around in 5 years, because even in the hair salon I have used for years don't even keep any brochures anymore. It is sad but that is the NEW AVON FOR YOU. Kathe Wilson Representative.

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Suzie Jones 34
, US
Aug 22, 2018 11:38 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm reading your post in disbelief. I've been with Avon for over a year and it's like you had a foreign experience. You said "I would also win a christian lacroix designer purse" AVON didn't offer any kind of incentive with a designer purse. Not sure if that was an incentive from your leader that was from her to her team, but that's not from the company. I stay up to date on all incentives and just went to look in my back office and there is nothing like that.

You are not required to have any inventory. If your leader was giving you an incentive for 50 perfumes which is what it sounded like you DO have the option not to participate. There is no where in our Policies and Procedures that states you have to BUY anything.

I've had nothing but an amazing experience with Avon. I suggest you contact CorporateCareTeam@avonusa.com to get this whole thing straightened out. This just doesn't sound right at all. We don't even have district leaders anymore. They did away with that last year. So I'm not sure what you are talking about there.

Having women buy 80 face creams? What face creams were they told to buy? Why would anyone do that? It makes no sense ! I'm in so many Avon groups and I've never seen or heard of this. The $10 special only went on for a month and what perfume incentive where they told to buy?

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mariemariemarie
, US
Aug 03, 2018 10:12 am EDT

I had to heal skin contamination.
After opening the cosmetic did not notice anything special. after use, the skin began to bake, tears flew from the eyes, the whole skin was red. I went to the doctor, I got an antibiotic and I treated myself for a long time. After putting the cosmetic into the test, it turned out that there are dangerous to health and life of molds and bacteria. Most likely, at the instigation of my friends, I will go to court for compensation from Avon.
I warn everyone against using these cosmetics !

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Donna Furrer-Wittmann
, US
Aug 26, 2018 2:02 pm EDT

Wow that is terrible, I have eczema and never had a reaction form their products, only Mary Kay made my skin burn and turn red.. I was miserable, no less a week before my wedding... ugghhhh.. Avon and Clinique are the only 2 products I can use on my face and skin.

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Chrissy930
, US
Oct 26, 2017 12:50 pm EDT

Being a rep is the worst. I was stuck with a mentor who for 2 years since I joined never thought of contacting me. Avon refused to let me get a mentor who I know personally and is forcing me to stay with this mentor who gets bonuses for me being on her team, but doesn't do a thing to help. Then they banned me from their facebook for speaking the truth. I wish I had never signed up to sell in the first place had I known they didn't care about reps.

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Donna Gari
, US
Nov 11, 2016 8:39 am EST

I think the main issue was with your district leader. Some leaders and mentors don't want to help a representative and/or don't even care. And I think that if you don't have a sufficient customer base, don't order so many products. I have about 11 customers but I don't buy the specials. You are the boss! You take control of what you think you should/should not order. I've been in Avon for a little over a year and the only money I've spent was on myself--products I wanted! I'm not obliged to buy anything additional even though I may be told that buying 10 bottles of perfume is a deal. It is a deal but I just don't have that number of customers yet. So, I don't buy it--MY decision. You have to think for yourself and do for yourself. It's YOUR business so you do as you please (within guidelines, of course). AND, if I call and don't understand a customer service person on the phone, I ask for someone else! If I don't understand them, I don't understand and I speak up! I ALWAYS get someone whom I can understand. And IF I get conflicting messages, I'll ask to speak to a supervisor. I've never had a problem. I enjoy being an Avon representative very much and love that I can basically run MY business how I want.

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Starseed027
Secaucus, US
Sep 04, 2009 1:16 pm EDT

Wants to order AVON products and claims she sent check. Check for avon products never recieved but a fake check for the same amt she claims to have paid. T his fake check was from a college. Seems to be a scam! I will NOT send Brenda Gray products.

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StellaNopay
Orlando, US
Feb 01, 2011 3:41 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Yes, I know exactly about Avon stealing returns and not giving the reps credit - saying they never received the returns or they were later! I sold Avon for about a year with no problem. My DM told me and a friend I recruitied (so sorry!) to just save up all the returns and return them all together - which we did - they deinied receiving the box, even tho I have a signed receipt! I told them I was not paying for theose items and they cut me off for non-payment! They are real scammers!

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Vera Trice
Henderson, US
Jan 02, 2011 10:42 pm EST

I ordered some avon and I went to pick it up, there were others there to pick up avon also. When I ask about my order, Carla Moore, said, "Oh, I JUST SOLD IT TO this lady here. You see she wanted it. This happened about 3 times. Then they told me they Carla Moore and Judy Kennedy (her sister) said, they stop selling avon. I called Mrs Lewis, the Dealer. I ask why will they not sell to Black women (ME). I do not know, but they do not work and sell avon anymore. That was two years ago and they still sell avon and give the order to Mrs. Lewis and on Sunday she picks up the money they have collected and any new orders.
I do not have any photos, but I did call mrs Lewis.

Vera Trice

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rocksta4life
, GY
Oct 12, 2009 11:55 am EDT

I bought multiple DVDs and apart from them being poor copies, both DVDs I bought refuse to work after the first showing.

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Anne Thomlinson
Manchester, GB
Sep 22, 2012 9:35 am EDT

I am writing to complain, about the above Avon representative. She uses all the products in the containers; and delivers, empty foundation cosmetics and empty eye shadow products. She should"nt be a representative of Avon at all. She is certain to give that very nice Company a really bad name, I found no fault with the products in themselves, but will stop buying from now on; as this woman representative is the only one on this street. Your"s Sincerely Anne Thomlinson

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sbonile
, ZA
Jan 23, 2016 12:39 am EST

I also join Avon as a representative so what happened is I had to pay for my order to be released, then a month ago I made a payment so later on when I check my acc it reflected that I did not pay, so when I check the slip it was the wrong easypay no, so I want to know what must I do now or who should I call for this

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Cosimo Bressi
, US
Jan 14, 2016 7:35 pm EST

I am not trying to take one side or another here but I do have to bring logic and reason into this. Many complaints here about Avon just like many people do about their regular jobs. You only get out what you put in. This, no matter what anyone says or tells you, is a Sales role and to make money in sales you need to be a certain type of person. I have been with Avon almost two years now and no I do not make millions or even thousands from them but I do maintain an additional income from this. The main reasons are web sales and I am always sharing and telling people what I do. On top of that I follow up frequently. A good sales person does not become successful by just saying something once or twice and hoping people beat their doors down for the latest product. If and when you become a rep you need to be good at two things Sales and entrepreneurship. There is no easy way about this. If you are good then yes it will be easier. This is a business and when you are new or returning it needs to be realized that you need to put a lot of effort to get anything back, With all the competitors today Avon is not as big and wanted as it used to be so you need to do a bit more work to get sales and be successful.

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Angie Maria641
Saratoga Springs, US
Nov 10, 2014 7:39 am EST

I have been a rep for over two years and this next campaign is my last. Avon just doesn't allow Reps to make enough in earnings.
It used to be a 60/40 split. Meaning no matter how much you had in sales Avon gave you a 40% commission. Well they no longer do that. Now it is 20% from $49.99 to (I think) $250.00. After $250.00 it is 30%. I can't remember how much in sale is needed to earn 40%, but it is a lot and I only make it at Christmas time. With twenty percent sales, you earn nothing after shipping cost, brochure cost and sample cost. Believe me there are times when I don't break even. I dropped all of my contacts outside of where I work (a school district) due to the low commission. It Was not worth driving all over to delivery orders (big and small) when gas was almost $4.00 a gallon. The only way to make money are the following ways: a HUGE customer base that is located in your place of employment, becoming some type of district leader who makes earnings of the reps you suckered into signing up, or if Avon gets rid of all the unnecessary district leaders and give Reps the 40 percent they deserve. I am sad that I decided to stop selling. Avon is a great product, people love it and I had fun doing it. Also, I believe a Avon needs to allow Reps to sell the products on their own website designed buy the Rep (not the worthless one they give you to work with) and the let Reps sell on Amazon and Ebay. Why not? Let's face it, Avon isn't doing well. The time has come for Avon rethink things! Bye Bye Avon.

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Too many items often on back order. No one wants to wait a month for foundation. I never had problems when calling Avon regarding issues. I found them to be very pleasant and helpful.

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lorena reaney
, US
Jul 20, 2014 5:11 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have been a avon representative and i worked with managers and i said i would pay what money was owing two years ago and they couldnt tell me what campaign i owed so i forgot about it but it was i who contacted avon again the debt collectors had no file on me and had to reopen cause for two years i have no answers. so my mother was going to join avon for me who lives with me and the manager silvia accussed me off a horrible crime of trying to sign up under fraud and i wil be taking it further as also she said that after paying avon back which is what im doing she made sure i would never be with avon agian and my daughter and mother cant ever join ... so you know what avon can do i dont have to tell you all i wanted to know is what campaign i have mentioned it to different managers have statements saying i paid all campaigns and they still cant tell me what campaign i owe money i am the one who will pay it again no thanx to avon so i can get them out of my life and i wouldnt work with a manager who threatens people and says never to call again lorena reaney

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Rejuvance
Halifax, CA
Jul 12, 2014 7:29 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Good morning, I was reading this comment to learn the downside of the Avon business opportunity since I didn't know how this was working and I am very surprised to see that you need to buy your inventory and sell it after and deal with returns, and plus dealing with the orders. I hope for you that this pay good because this is a lot of work. I am working with Rejuvance, partner with Sea Bella and Melalauca. I didn't had any experiences in sales but and it was a rough start because I needed to learn how to start building my business but at least I don't have to buy my product to build and inventory, and I not dealing with orders or returns, I just have to refer new customers or business partner to those companies and I get pay $25 per new enrolment plus up to 20% of commission on all the monthly orders that my customers are making for the lifetime that their account is active. For me that is great, like I said I have no sales skills but for some reason I did manage to enroll 23 customers since March 2014 and we are July 12, 2014 today and If I do nothing in my business because I am on vacation for a month or sick and can't work for a full month and all my 23 customers make there monthly order I will receive an income close to $350 in commission for this month without working. ok this is not millions but for me it is pretty good start for doing nothing. If you want to have some information about this contact me and I will be happy to provide you some information about our team.
email: career@rejuvinateyourlife.com

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Rtamayo1
McAllen, US
Jul 06, 2014 11:01 am EDT

Avon can allow you to make a living. If you do not believe this you must google Sylvia Tamayo as she is an Avon representative from South Texas who has figured Avon out and succeeds in it by supporting a family of five and being her own boss. Avon is a market where dreams can truly come true but you have to put effort into it and have an awesome representative to help you. Trust me Sylvia Tamayo is simply amazing when it comes to Avon and she will truly help you with any questions, concern or if you simply want advice about Avon. She has been committed to the company for over twenty years and earns roughly more then $100, 000 a year, check out her online website and give her a call, talking and advice is free.
http://stamayo.avonrepresentative.com
link to her website
My name is Rey Tamayo and I have personally witnessed her hard work gain her success and she is always glad to speak to individuals all over the United States in order to guide you through the steps necessary to succeed as an Avon representative. If you continue to be doubtful look up or call Sylvia Tamayo, she will guide you with constant contact and reassurance that will guarantee your success in this sector of business!

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avonsucks
, US
Jun 20, 2014 9:11 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avon is a piece of work and just a plain piece of work of work i kept trying to contact someone about HELP and how to pay my bill someone named Kara Davis was no help I emailed her about a millions times then on top of that they had address wrong i tried calling customer service that was no help they don't speak English very well ### my 1 year old could answer phones better then that. if i knew avon was "international" i would of never became a rep i like to keep the people of the USA EMPOLYED

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GeeGeeof6
Hephzibah, US
Apr 03, 2014 8:36 am EDT

I have read some of the complaints and all I can say is WOW!
I have been selling Avon for a little over a year and I have not had any of the crazy issues I'm reading about.

Some truths: 1. Yes paying for returns suck however, I understood that going in and I don't blame Avon but sometimes I do get a little aggravated with the customers. But it's just like with anything that you order online; you don't know if you are going to like it or if it will fit right until you receive it. So you can't really get too upset with the customer. Besides to return the stuff is usually right around $6 which is cheaper than going to the post office.
2. Yes the customer service is based out of India however, these are people who are doing their best to try and assist us reps with issues. So yes sometimes I may have to repeat myself or ask them to repeat their selves but in the end they always get the job done to my satisfaction. Keep up the good work India :)
3. Not sure about this whole ordering 50 items and trying to sell them. The only orders I place are the ones my customers order from my books. No more, no less.
4. My only issue is that I have not made much money selling but that is partially my fault. I don't have enough customers. Most of the time people don't know I sell until I'm handing someone their order. I need to promote myself more and I'm sure I will make more.
5. Bottom line; unless you have a large and I do mean LARGE customer base you are not going to get rich selling Avon. So if you enjoy selling then continue to do so. If not, then just stop selling. There is no penalty should you wish to discontinue selling.

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Michelle N.M
Santa Fe, US
Feb 24, 2014 9:24 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Don't use Avon. Its a scam. No one helps you when you need it. Closed my account as a Rep, and was told 8 WEEKS to get a refund. Total BS.. This was in Santa Fe N.M

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Endthemadness
North Las Vegas, US
Jan 22, 2014 12:32 pm EST

Don't sign up for AVON! I signed up while my husband was deployed and then when he returned I canceled my account because I just wasn't making any money. Mostly I was buying and selling product to cover my own makeup costs. If you only have 10 customers how many trays of eye shadow and items do you think they can buy before enough is enough. So I quit this year and canceled my account with a balance of $0. Well about a month later my account was reinstated without my permission and products shipped and charged in my name to my house. I called customer service and they reversed the charges and canceled the account again. It has happened two more times since then and each time they apologize and cancel the account. Well this last time I asked them who opened my account and ordered under my name and my credit? The lady stuttered and couldn't get a full sentence out and wouldn't tell me what happened. I told her to type in the account information that I would sue them for fraud the next time this happened, she said I will pass that along and hung up. I think the customer service reps all read from a card and can't handle real complaints other than what is posted in the book. This is all the same as identity theft and anyone else would go to Jail for it. Watch your back!

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Thought
, US
Jan 16, 2014 8:06 pm EST

my sister has been selling Avon for 15 yrs. Loved it recruited over a hundred ladies. She has done well with it. Recently another manager or whatever they call them allowed a salesmen to order over 45, 000 worth of product. We have never heard of any one in Avon allowing that much product. Her manager quit and the district manager put this women in my sisters down line or under her. Then they allowed her to send back lots of her Avon products but started deducted her lost out of my sisters check each month. Now over a 1000.00 dollars. She probably makes 500 a month. I couldn't understand how they could do that they are independent contractors . If they did that on all her 100 salesmen when they didn't pay she would never have any money. Does this sound illegal to anyone. Also I think the other manager probably quit knowing that was going to happen. she has called her district manager and corporation nothing came of it. I hate it she is a widow, loved it, worked hard all her life what a shame to treat someone that loyal this way.

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Roslyn Katiforis
, GR
Aug 20, 2013 1:36 pm EDT

We now live in Greece and i recently purchased a dress from the local rep here in the village on the condition that if it was the wrong size I just wanted to exchange for a smaller size.
Paid for dress, tried it on, too big.
Returned to the Avon rep, she informs me that it can't be returned.
I gave her back the dress and told her not to be so lazy, either get me a smaller size or money back.

I tried to send an email to the head office complaining, but the website will not translate from Greek to English, no other country will help.
I have never had problems before when we lived in Australia but now I will never look at or purchase Avon again.
Now I can't seem to track down the rep.
I believe it's up to the Avon rep to do all and everything they can to keep their customers happy, not the customer chasing the Avon rep.
I have paid for a dress I don't have.

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kimsears
Newport, US
Jun 17, 2013 8:50 am EDT

I have given my Avon representative money for an order that I placed the week of June 4th. Today is June 17th and I have yet to receive that order. When I asked my R.E.P what the hold up was she replied she wasn't sure but she emailed headquarters and no one will email her back. What can I do about this?

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FinePrintReader
, US
Mar 02, 2013 2:00 pm EST

I was an AVON Store owner. I put my whole savings on the line to own my Avon store. I was told I would get all this support. I never got any support. And I was told I could place returns and get refunded. This was a nightmare to do and I was constantly in a struggle with Avon to get refunds. I finally ended up closing the store because you can't make money with Avon. Again I was told that I would be able to return any unsold avon products. It has been a year and I have been fighting with AVON as they owe $5000 in returns. I know people will disagree with me but that is because they have been drinking the Avon koolaid. I have worked wtih some of the top sellers for Avon and they have admitted that they are not happy with the way Avon runs things. And I can't tell you how many reps that worked with me had the same or worse experiences. And to the comment above you do not get a person on the line whose first language is English. AVON is outsources everything. They are not American made, only in the origin of the company. The only people that actually do get to speek with someone living in the United States when calling Avon is Avon's top sellers or top leadership people. There are many resources that have studied Avon and the direct sales companies and the truth is only about 1% of the consultants in any given company can make a living at doing that alone. The average income for the rest is under $2000 per year. Don't get me wrong I am a strong supporter of most of the Direct Sales companies out there. But Avon as well as others is not truthful in what they tell their reps or potential reps

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TellItLikeISeeIt
, US
Sep 24, 2012 5:39 pm EDT

I am a representative…don't be too quick to blame the rep… I signed up as a rep and AVON sent my order to another rep..they called it a drop location..but never told me and therefore my customers have still not received their stuff. Why? Because when I got my order it had been opened, cream half used complete with finger marks…it was gross and this other rep left it on her dirty front porch of a dirty country shack! I will be AVON because I asked that this order was resent to my house and I have waited almost a month and they keep saying they will and then don't. My up-line is lazy and refuses to assist me in any way and lie and say they do not have my phone number when I have included it in my emails asking for their assistance. I will never order AVON again either.

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Merry Widow
Charlotte, US
Jul 18, 2012 6:23 am EDT

I have been selling Avon for more than 2 years and have lost more money than I have made! I pay off the balances of my account and low and behold, I get hit with another balance owed - even though the day before it was zero! There are times when my balance is $200 or more and orders are still shipped to me, then all of a sudden they hold an order for $20! I have had no support from my district manager. the woman who recruited me dropped out because she delivered prematurely and I didn't even find that out until I attended my first sales meeting! I feel like Avon has left me hung out to dry! Seriously thinking of seeking legal advice to see if I can recupe any of my losses! Those outsourced calls are ridiculous! I have had team leaders tell me not to deal with them because they are idiots! With all the people here in our country without jobs, Avon should be ashamed of themselves by outsourcing.

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aaustin1982
Houston, US
May 27, 2012 1:46 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am in my 2nd campaign with Avon. They billed me for my first order of $184.30. How do I get paid from that? The put my next campaign order on hold because I paid them their part and not the whole amount of my order. So I called customer care they couldn't tell me all they said was Pay The Whole order amount. So how do you get paid? amanda_austin@yahoo.com

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trp5658
, US
Feb 21, 2012 11:50 pm EST
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I was an Avon Representative for about two (2) years and became thoroughly disgusted. When there was a problem and you called the phone number all you got was people that didn't understand English. It was a waste of time trying to explain to them the problem. They failed to credit my account not once but twice, saying that payment was never made, when in fact, the one payment which was check, had been deposited into their account and the 2nd payment was made by a debit card and was taken out of my checking account by them. I have sent items back and told they were never received, I refused to pay for them since I had proof of sending them back. It was a waste of my time. The icing on the cake was when they turned over a balance that they said I owed (even though I knew I owed nothing and my account balance on the my avon site showed a .00 balance) to a collection agency who I am still arguing with. I received absolutely nothing from them stating I owed them anything until I received the letter from the collection agency.

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fairiesRfun
, GB
Sep 16, 2011 6:18 pm EDT

I decided to give Avon a try to earn some extra money to go towards my school fees. I signed up on the website and forgot all about it, anyway I kept getting calls from Avon that I couldnt answer because I was at work/in class etc. I was always gonna call back when I had time, but jeez these people do not give up! At one point I had seven missed calls in the space of one hour! CREEPY. So i decided to avoid because theyre desperation is offputting. Anyway the area manager got wise and called me from a number I didnt recognise, I eventually decided to give it a go, see where it would take me. I had an area manager visit my house and this is where I learned of AVONS UNPROFFESSIONALISM she was really overfriendly and innapropriate and I couldnt get rid off her, eventually she left me with a bunch of brochures, I made sure she knew that I was not going to commit myself yet, she said that was fine. Anyway next day 8 MISSED CALLS AND VOICEMAILS! ALL OF THEM OFFERING FOR HER TO COME ROUND AND HELP ME PLACE MY ORDERS WTF?!? IS THIS A JOKE? I MEAN THAT BEHAVIOUR IS NOT JUST WEIRD ITS DAMN RIGHT CREEPY! In the end I just didnt want to deal with them, I kept recieving voicemails, missed calls, emails, they basically scared me off. lol

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kat1212
bloomfield, US
Aug 21, 2011 5:33 am EDT

i quit selling avon in june 2011, before that i signed up in sept 2010 i loved it at first, then i signed up to be a leadership rep and guess what the dsm loved me like she was my best friend in the world . after a few months had past i felt like i was doing her job for her she would give me leads and i would sign them up it got to the point where my vehicle was running on its last leg, my mother had gotten cancer, my fiance and i were fighting all the time and my kids missed me cuz i was always on the go or when i was home i was working on the computer or on the phone with either a downline rep or a new customer. so i talked to my dsm about it she gave me space for a while and then asked me to do this incentive that i could win 5000 dollars so i did it it took a course of three months after said and done march 2011 i was fed up with it all i was burned out i started ignoring calls from the dsm i did that one day cause i was with my mother in the hospital and the dsm had threatened to take my 5000 away from me . I got pissed i called avon and our divison manger she was wrong she couldnt do that . so i was nicey nicey to the dsm untill may i did everything for her she asked just incase the division manager was wrong i sure didnt want to loose my 5000 in betweeen that time my van had surely went to hell i needed a new one, i was trying to redo my kitchen and help out with my mother june 15th came around to make along story short my 5000 came in the mail and i quit that very same day ought me a new van, my mother survived her cancer and me and my fiance are still together . but i will tell you all something before i quit avon lauched the new believe program it is a great program and thats where your money is yes i lost my downline when i quit but i still keep concact with them and thy share there success stories with me and yes they still ask for help from me because thy dont like the dsm either. i regret the money that i had coming in it was enough to spoil my kids and i could have bought the new vehcile without the 5000 but my kids and family come first before i get something new . If i ever sell again my one promise to myself is to never have contact with that dsm again.

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mytinkerbell
Clearwater, US
Apr 08, 2011 1:33 am EDT

I have been selling Avon for many years. and yes i have had some problems. if you do not pay your bill within 3 campaigns.
yes they will put you in collections. they did it to me, after so many times my manager tried to help me. it was my fault cause i just ignored it. but i was one of the lucky ones and after paying off the collections, i had a really helpful manager and i was able to become a rep again. but with one exception, i had lost my seniority and i had to start all over again. but this was my fault not the company.no matter how large or small your bill is, you must make a payment within 3 campaigns, or Avon will not only put you in collections but will also be remove you from avon. but like i said i was lucky. a another thing, don't make the mistake i made and buy more so much more then your customers do. and don't ask for credit too many times, you will have to lose your instant credit, and you will have to send back your merchandise back first before they can can give you credit and try not to send much back after that if you want your instant credit back. as far as calling customer service, try emailing them that is much more helpful then making that call, as well as not making a long distance call. there is one good thing about calling,
instead of being put on hold they give you the option to get a call back with the next available server.and they tell you how long it will take. when you first sign up and get a kit, that only includes your books an order book and perhaps a few samples. all your other supply's, suck as bags and samples and more. your should order in your first order, and yes you must pay for them including more books. but what do you expect for only $10.00 for a kit.
but a little advice, try to find other reps that order books in bulk that you can get your books through. most fliers and sales booklets are usually free and they are sent to you automatically. except for the outlet. you have to order and they only cost a dollar and something. but make sure you tell your customers that everything in the outlet is on clearance and there is a chance that those items could be sold out.
in the first 5 campaigns i think you will get 50% on. after that your earnings depend on your sales .but i tried selling other products such as Mary Kay that gives you 50% every sale. and the district leader once told me that if you want to be successful with anything you have to put effort into it. well i did not go any further with Mary Kay, because unlike Mary Kay, Avon dose not expect you to have any kind of an inventory. but you can have an inventory with Avon if you'd like, but that's your choice.

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IndSalesRep
, US
Mar 14, 2011 6:11 am EDT

People that willy-nilly sign up for businesses without reading the fine print get what they deserve. Who goes right into a new business and orders a jillion bottles of perfume? really? without a customer base? "it was only ten bucks to sign up..." = not a serious seller. My DM has never once tried to get me to buy anything. Of course, I know how to say hell no if she ever did. Avon does have it's flaws, but reps should do the training and get a clue before they jump in with both feet. I can't believe all the crazy crap all these posts have...misinformed, lazy reps .
Oh, and I never even had an upline.. and my DM is nonexistent. Some of us are motivated though to suck it up, figure it out and sell!
And no rep should ever pay an erep fee... that is just too easy to avoid!
And paying for returns... so? Would you rather pay for the occasional returns OR FOR SHIPPING YOUR ENTIRE ORDER EVERY 2 WEEKS? UMM, I'll pick the returns!
No instant credit... you still get credit; just takes longer.

Good Grief.. what a bunch of whiners. Send me your customers!

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AmoreW
Hillsboro, US
Jan 21, 2011 10:21 pm EST

WHAT A NIGHTMARE! Every month I was a rep I was shipped things I did not order! The company refuses to pay for the returns! I was shipped 11 boxes of crap I DID NOT ORDER!@! I told them they needed to have UPS get back out here and pick these back up, they refused! The cost to throw it out my self will be over $25 since it will not fit in my garbage! Customer service! BAH! Even if you are even lucky enough to get an Indian operator that speaks partial English, they never do much to help you! Can not believe I fell for this companies sales ploys! Let me add that my district reps NEVER call me to check in, they then change their emails without notifing me, and never respond to thier AVON account email! WARNING! Do not become an AVON Rep!

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PurpleOcelot
Carrollton, US
Jan 03, 2011 1:53 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Call Avon headquarters and report them.

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sunflowers20
, US
Nov 25, 2010 1:34 am EST

I was an Avon rep for over 2 years and after having a big problem with the "returns department" for over a year, I have finally decided to close my Avon business. One thing I want to mention to any rep NOT accepting returns is that you are violating Avon's rules and you could be cut off for not accepting returns! They MAKE you accept returns and then they charge you to ship them back... Avon currently owes me over 100 dollars for items that they "didn't receive" or decided to take their time processing (up to 6 weeks) for no reason at all. I personally have very sensitive skin and have had to return things because of allergic reaction from time to time but Avon really does not uphold their own stated policies to take back items for "any reason at all" let alone a legitimate allergic reaction! I think it's a real shame because Avon does make some really good products (skin cream) even if some of the other items do lack in quality but they do focus on screwing over reps more than really sticking by their products. Reps are the ones who take the risk here, not the "Avon people" who seem to all be outsourced to India and have "no idea" what's going on. I think that Avon DOES know what's going on and they will avoid everything possible to act like an upstanding business model. I just can't take it anymore! I recommend that entrepreneurs stick with creating your own business online (easy to do these days) so that you can make up your own rules and be in charge of your own life and time. Do your research and find something that works... Avon should really change their moto from "The business for women" to "The business who screws women" . It works for some but not for most!

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Lexxie.Marie
, US
Nov 07, 2010 7:41 pm EST

im still an avon rep an have been for about almost a year now during the beggining things have been going fine i got alot more orders now its kind of dead although im sending out forwardable emails to my ecustomers staying in touch with them and also ordering brochures putting up fliers making ads & placing listings even making youtube vids. I dont know where ill end from here ive read a majority of all the comments that were placed on this post & also agree with the negatives and postitives im glad that there are people out there that arent playing games doing there avon bussiness the right way although i hope for a better turn out in mines im going to continue & give it another year to see what happens i hope throughtout all my hardwork it will pay off with avon if not ill find something different. if anyone would like to email me with tips ideas maybe even just advice from another rep my email is lilymarie009@yahoo.com

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chely0187
, MX
Sep 12, 2010 8:42 pm EDT

Some situations regarding avon errors are really understandable, when we (customer service) know that the situation u are facing on is an avon error and we cannot solve the situation we feal badly for u (avon reps) but unfortunally we have some guidelines to follow that we not always agree on. But when u enroll on the company u get a kit...an appoinment kit...that explains things such as the terms and conditions of the company, how to do payments on time, what happends when u dont paid on time, how to do orders, etc...if u dont get the kit from the recruiter theres 2nd option, youravon.com, if u dont have internet or dont know how to used it, u can learn more about how the company works in your 3rd option wish is US customer service...if u are receiving asisstance from cs in india and u dont understand him/her...requets a transfer to CS in america, or a supervisor, almost all of the situations can be fixed personally on youravon.com except price adjustments, ez returns is very easy BTW theres no such thing as an ez returns department LOL is just CS although not all agents have the training for that program so thats why they said things as "i will transfer u to our ez returns specialist" ...etc. if avon asked u to return 2 pairs instead of 1 probably was because u didnt do it correctly, ez returns doesnt have a brain on her own to add more items then the ones u mark LOL i agree that avon has some exagerated fees and some of them can be very unfair but u can avoid them by paying on time, doing orders on time, etc.

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mckinneyrockgirl
Houston, US
Feb 14, 2010 3:29 pm EST

Most of you people are right, Avon does completely suck balls. The products are cheaply made and way expensive. I avoid the Avon women (about 5) that solicit my neighborhood just like Jehovah's Witness. Anyone that would pay over about $6 for a lipstick is a fool.

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PRbyChristina
Markham, US
Feb 09, 2010 9:30 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I myself was a rep from [protected] in 2008 I had a school fundraiser that I did... Total in all $12, 000 in sales in a 4 week period. I put in the orders, and unfortunately the day that my orders came in I was in the ER with my middle son who needed stitches in his face from playing. I got home & SHOULD have had 14 boxes in total... I had 4... I called CS they referred me to my DSM so I called her... Left a message, waited 2 days for a call back and got NONE, called AGAIN and left a message, waited another 2 days... again no call back... they then informed me at CS that if I paid half they would ship the replacements... I did pay half and they shipped NOTHING AT ALL... this went on for FOUR MONTHS... calling & getting told I would get a call back and never getting a call not from the DSM and not from CS... After the 4 months... I was "inactive due to non-payment" Please tell me HOW they expect me to pay for $12, 000 in products when I didn't even get $2, 000 in products? I have since gone on to another company where I ALWAYS get 50% and I am MUCH happier... anyone who wants the info can e-mail me at Trejo_Home@yahoo.com as I do not believe in spamming boards... I would not EVER recommend anyone working for AVON unless your gonna do the minimum to get the 50% and just sell it in baskets or at stores etc...

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ididitwriter
Clearfield, US
Dec 27, 2009 12:13 pm EST

Avon has two problems I see representatives go through which I gathered from personal experience watching my wife as an Avon Rep and reading this blog site:
1. Customer Service is "F" when things don't go as planned
2. Some Managers don't know how to manage

My wife received emails saying her RMA Returns were received yet the credit wasn't applied. When I called their India call center they said that the items haven't been received. Now she is getting mail saying she needs to pay. The customer service is trained not to help the representative, but to deflect Reps complaints about the return policy and save Avon's money. The hidden charges wasn't disclosed when my wife was interviewed to become a Avon Rep nor is there a way to explain it when calling the Avon number - they just expect you to pay it and want you to get off the phone.

Second point is some Managers don't know how to manage. When my wife called their home number, which they gave to her, they yelled at her telling her not to call on the weekend. Owning my own business for 2 years I realize that you don't have weekends and if you delegate this process to another person then you better expect a phone call from your Reps especially if you give them the number. Instead of addressing the issue and trying to find a solution, which is one of the things managers do, they go on the defensive and user personal attacks on their characters. Reviewing the posts on this site you can see this happens when one blogger comments that if you don't know how to use the EZ Returns then you are stupid or have half a brain - this is poor management. I think Avon should make it mandatory to take customer phone calls before becoming a Manager and then give training on how to address complaints.

I'm sure the Managers in Avon had the same experience that they are now giving to their Reps - if they had a good experience with Avon then they will treat their Reps with respect, but if they were S#@$ upon then they treat their Reps the same.

This treatment is indicative to most MLM companies I've worked for and Avon is no exception.

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