Understanding Avon: How it Works, Pay Structure, and Start-Up Costs

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores various aspects of selling Avon, including its pay structure, startup costs, and personal experiences compared to selling Pampered Chef (PC). Participants share their insights and experiences regarding the challenges and benefits of selling Avon.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions that Avon offers commissions ranging from 10% to 50%, with no sales quotas required.
  • Another participant shares their experience of minimal startup costs but notes challenges with customers not picking up orders, leading to unsold products.
  • Several users mention the frequent need to purchase new catalogs, which can add to ongoing costs.
  • One participant expresses that they made more money selling PC in one month than they did selling Avon in six months.
  • Another participant states that while they found Avon easier to manage, they prefer the financial benefits and incentives of PC.
  • One participant highlights that they primarily sell Avon for personal discounts rather than for profit.
  • Another participant notes that the average order size for Avon is significantly lower than for PC.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness and profitability of selling Avon compared to Pampered Chef, with some participants expressing a preference for PC due to better financial outcomes, while others appreciate Avon for its ease and personal discount opportunities.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and insights based on their time selling Avon and Pampered Chef, focusing on the differences in business models and personal motivations for selling.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the transition from Avon to Pampered Chef or those interested in understanding the Avon selling experience may find this discussion relevant.

AJPratt
Silver Member
Messages
6,674
I know how PC and Mary Kay works, but what about AVON? How do they get paid, place orders, etc? Also, are there any start up costs? I'm not thinking of selling it. I'm talking to someone who may be interested in joining PC and currently sells AVON and I'd just like to be familiar with the process.
 
Avon: Depending on how much you sell you can make 10%-50% Some things you make a 20% profit up front. There is not a quota you need to meet, so there is really no going inactive. They are not pushy about how much you should be selling or to get anybody to join. They do reward you for signing people up. You are given chances to buy demo products real cheap to make bigger profits. Sometimes it costs nothing to join if there having a promo. I think there might be a $20.00 fee other times. I know people who make a living selling Avon, some people "sell" for the personal discount. Products are wide ranges in prices. Hope this helps.
 
I've sold Avon twice before, but the last time was a year or so ago. The startup cost is very minimal, but you don't get any products. The biggest problem I had was that people would place orders and never pick them up and pay for them. They don't have to pay up front. Then you get stuck with products you have to sell to somebody else or pay to ship back. Also, the average order is so much less than TPC. Of course, you could require payment up front and that would eliminate that problem. But you just don't sell as much and there is the problem of the wrong color. $100+ orders of Avon are almost non-existent. You also have to constantly buy new catalogs because they change every few weeks. Yes, I've done so much better with TPC and the compensation has been much more. I'm in SS3 and looking forward to earning my monthly SS bonus and plus bonus this month. I will have to say I do like Avon products, but just not selling them.

Jeanie Gay
 
I have a friend that sells it and has tried to recruit me for years. they have a new "campaign" every 2 weeks (which means buying and giving out new books). you can use the internet to place your orders or mail, my friend uses the net. almost positive they get paid every 2 weeks. the start up fee is very low...around 10 bucks for most campaigns. when you join you get 50% commission on your first so many campaigns if you do it by internet cant remember all the details about that. i think thats about all i can remember. the last time she tried to recruit me was nov. of last year so it has probably changed alittle but not much. HTH
 
I used to sell Avon tooIt cost $5.80 for 10 books! But there was a discount on quantity. Buying 20 was a little cheaper than 10 and buying 30 was slightly cheaper than 20..
They also don't send commission checks. Basically after you order the products, Avon charges you the reduced amount and you keep the difference (your commission). So unless you keep records of your commission, it's easy to lose track. (Well, for me anyway). I made more selling PC in one month than I did selling Avon in 6 months!

AND I HATED making deliveries! Took up a lot of time and gas money!
 
cat said:
It cost $5.80 for 10 books! But there was a discount on quantity. Buying 20 was a little cheaper than 10 and buying 30 was slightly cheaper than 20..
They also don't send commission checks. Basically after you order the products, Avon charges you the reduced amount and you keep the difference (your commission). So unless you keep records of your commission, it's easy to lose track. (Well, for me anyway). I made more selling PC in one month than I did selling Avon in 6 months!

AND I HATED making deliveries! Took up a lot of time and gas money!


Me too! I hated Canvassing (throwing 100-200 books) every 2 weeks to try and build my client base then having to sort and deliver the orders was time consuming as well! I made 0 from selling Avon for 60 months. As compared to TPC I have made $2000 at least. And Avon did not have any incentive programs or free trips or free products to give away ever!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Sounds like TPC is much better!
 
I love PC and have made more money doing it............but Avon was easier (for me). But I feel it's like comparing Apples to Oranges. I sill have Avon on the go, I have a customer base still. It costs me $16.00 a month for books, I like to spend $4.00 on samples that's my only costs. But I don't really sell for the money but for my own discount. It works out that I get everything free and end up with a about 250.00 in the bank so no big deal!!!
 
Ps. If I were to do it again, it would only be for my own discounts and maybe some family who liked avon stuff. I bought $200 of Mary K stuff and have never used it because I found I liked Avon products much better!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
I met this lady at the 4-H event and she told me she just started to sell Avon. I was thinking about asking her about PC.
 
I would totally try to convert her if she hasn't had any success after 6 months! Or ASAP !
 
rennea said:
I love PC and have made more money doing it............but Avon was easier (for me). But I feel it's like comparing Apples to Oranges. I sill have Avon on the go, I have a customer base still. It costs me $16.00 a month for books, I like to spend $4.00 on samples that's my only costs. But I don't really sell for the money but for my own discount. It works out that I get everything free and end up with a about 250.00 in the bank so no big deal!!!


Well, I guess it all depends WHY the person is selling Avon. If she is trying to make money, I think PC provides a better opportunity. But if she is just looking for a discount because she loves the products, that is a different story.

I love PC because of the PRODUCTS, extra money and the incentives to earn prodcts for FREE!

I liked Avon for their products, but did not earn much in commission!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Cat: I feel the same way about PC. When I call the Avon rep I'll ask her about PC. She circled an 8 on my survey slip.

Hey,where in Central Jersey are you? I'm about 30 minutes from Atlantic City
 
Hi Anne,

I'm in Somerset, New Jersey. I think it's about 2 hours from Atlantic City!

Let us know how it goes with this potential recruit!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Cool! My brother-in-law lived in Somerset. He just moved to... gosh... I'm not sure.

I am excited about the recruit! I have my director coming with me, so I can't screw this up! I have one recruit who went inactive :( otherwise, I would be a Future! BUT its ok, I am excited about her because I am taking her to the BRU event in June, and she said she has a booking coming up, so it just may happen!! Thank you so much for your kind words!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Avon and how does it work?

Avon is a direct sales company that offers beauty, skincare, and personal care products through independent representatives. Representatives sell products directly to customers, often through catalogs or online platforms, and can also recruit others to join their sales team. The business model allows representatives to earn commissions on their sales and bonuses for building a team.

What is the pay structure for Avon representatives?

Avon representatives earn a commission based on their sales, which typically ranges from 20% to 50%, depending on their sales volume. Additionally, representatives can earn bonuses for recruiting new representatives and achieving certain sales milestones. The more products they sell and the larger their team grows, the higher their potential earnings.

What are the start-up costs to become an Avon representative?

The start-up costs for becoming an Avon representative are relatively low. Representatives can start with a basic kit that usually costs around $30 to $100, which includes samples, brochures, and marketing materials. There may also be additional costs for inventory if representatives choose to stock products for immediate sale.

Are there any ongoing fees for Avon representatives?

While there are no mandatory ongoing fees, representatives may incur costs for purchasing additional inventory, marketing materials, or maintaining a personal website. Additionally, representatives need to consider the cost of shipping for orders and any potential fees associated with payment processing.

How can I succeed as an Avon representative?

To succeed as an Avon representative, it's essential to build a strong customer base through effective marketing and networking. Utilizing social media, hosting events, and providing excellent customer service can help increase sales. Additionally, actively recruiting new representatives can enhance earnings through team-building bonuses.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

  • MaggieChef13
  • Pampered Chef Booths
Replies
9
Views
3K
MaggieChef13
  • pampchefsarah
  • General Pampered Chef Chat
Replies
15
Views
2K
pampchefsarah
  • pamperedcheermom
  • Pampered Chef Recruiting
Replies
4
Views
2K
wadesgirl
  • ted122781
  • General Pampered Chef Chat
Replies
5
Views
1K
chefsteph07
  • Denarella
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
10
Views
2K
chefjeanine
  • Kari L Ferrell
  • Pampered Chef Support Group
Replies
2
Views
2K
ShellBeach
  • Intrepid_Chef
  • General Pampered Chef Chat
Replies
19
Views
2K
Kitchen Diva
Replies
25
Views
3K
pamperedcheermom
  • monica_sweetconsultant
  • General Pampered Chef Chat
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
heat123
  • pamperedpnina
  • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
2
Views
2K
MC0604
Back
Top