Has ANYONE ever done this before?

@koalatbs (2229)
United States
January 18, 2009 8:37pm CST
Hi all - I've been looking for ways to make extra money, like everyone else here probably... right?! I took a BIG plunge and have begun my own business. Well, sort of anyway. I am now an independent sales representative for an extremely large company. Please check out my link on my profile page. I added it to the "my website" link. I would really like to know if anyone else has ever worked for this company before or not and what kind of advice you might have for me. Thanks in advance. I appeciate any feedback. Let me know what you think. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Jill (koalatbs)
8 people like this
20 responses
@ellie333 (21016)
19 Jan 09
Hi Koalatbs, Well done you for making the move. A worldwide company that gives you an opportunity to earn for yourself with their support. I live in the UK and love their bronzing products and purchase from my local representative who puts a book through the door every few weeks. I did do it myself for a little while when I was on maternity leave for some extra but only looked at is as extra but I could have developed it if I had wanted to. Good luck with it. Huggles. Ellie :D
4 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I'm glad you like their products ellie333. I have never tried their bronzing products before. If anyone ever asks me about them at least I will be able to tell them that I've heard good reports about them (from you)! If you ever need something that is not in the catalog you can always check my website as you can find items there that are not in the current ones. My hairdresser said she wants to buy their insect repellent. I guess it is not yet the season for it to be in the catalog but I did find it on my website. Campaign 3 is out right now and there are tons of great deals. Hope you have a wonderful week!
3 people like this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
21 Jan 09
Wow - that's a huge step to take, and I hope it works out well for you! I've never dared do anything like that - I wouldn't have the confidence - and I admire you greatly for doing it. Best of luck!
3 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Thx... hopefully I can manage to make a little extra money from it, if nothing else. I'm not the salesperson type but I will do my best. Take care! :)
2 people like this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I have sold for them before but spent more money on the stuff myself than I made. I wasn't a very good sales person then. That was some time ago. I have a friend that sells it now and seems to do well. Good luck with it.
3 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 Jan 09
LoL... I AM worried about that tammytwo... "spending more money on the stuff myself"! I am determined not to do that though. Easier said than done though right?! Thanks for wishing me luck. I'll need it, I am sure. I don't know how good of a salesperson I'll be.
5 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Good for you koalatbs. I hope it all works out for you too. I have never been involved in that type or work before. Good Luck.
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Thanks a bunch for checking it out maddysmommy! You are right... I checked out that dress you mentioned & it is beautiful! The price is great too. If nothing else, be sure to register so that I can send you e-mail newsletters so you'll be alerted to all the sales. I tell you what... if you register (free, of course) I will send you a coupon code for FREE shipping! :) Hope you sign up. Take care & hope the weather where you are is better than it is here! We're having rain, rain, rain... I wish we'd at least get a little of the white stuff... it's much prettier! :)
3 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
28 Jan 09
My typing is terrible today. I'll register if it's free and i'll think about the dress. I'm a 14-16 and they are only offering it from size 18 up.
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Thanks for registering maddysmommy. I will send you that e-mail now for free shipping. If they do not currently have it in your size be sure to check back often for availability. I will keep an eye out for you too! It is gorgeous. I might have to get myself one! :) I'll send along the coupon code now. Thx again!
2 people like this
19 Jan 09
Hi Koalatbs, Congratulations on your new job, I hope it will go well and you will enjoy it and thank you for the link. Tamara
3 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Thanks Tamara. I sure hope so. I am real excited. I just started the end of this past week so it is all still pretty new to me. I have lots of work to do this week to get this whole thing moving along. Thanks again. Hope all is going well with you too.
4 people like this
@Raven1 (577)
• Australia
19 Jan 09
I left a really high-paying banking job to start my own freelancing business 6 years ago. I'm glad I did. I'm not stressed, I'm happy and I'm earning more now than I was at the bank. Some people's personalities are just more suited to being self-employed than others. I wouldn't dream of doing anything else :)
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
20 Jan 09
That is wonderful Raven1! I am happy it worked out for you with your freelancing business. That is great!
3 people like this
@littleowl (7157)
19 Jan 09
Hi koalatabs...a long time ago yes I was an agent for this company but it wasn't really worth the hassle as the commission took a lot of hard work and it was normally a pittance, so gave up working for them. But I do like their products and they have got better so may look on your link and see what they do now...hugs littleowl
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I hope my efforts pay off in the long run. I know it will be a lot of hard work. I am new to the area I'm living in so it is going to be even more of a challenge. My mom is in town visiting me right now this week so I'm going to have to work even harder next week once she leaves. Wish me luck! I hope you had a chance to check out my site... there are a lot of great deals going on right now. Take care. Jill
3 people like this
@MNRFOLEY (435)
• Brisbane, Australia
20 Jan 09
I did join this company a while back as a hobby and it was indeed very rewarding good add on to your existing salary. It's fun and you get to have freebies and stuff but the one who made me joined was too pushy and expect too much of me so I quit. I still buy products from them once in a while though. Anyway goodluck to you all the best.happy selling :)
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
28 Jan 09
That is a shame MNRFOLEY. I've been lucky with the person who I signed up from. She is the district manager for my area and she is really nice and isn't pushy... thank goodness because that kind of person bugs the heck out of me. Thanks for your well wishes. I hope I can make a little extra money with it. So far, it has been really slow though. Hope you are having a great day. Take care.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Jan 09
I tried a sales job once. I am not a salesman. Didn't work out for me. Sigh. I hope things work out better for you.
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Thanks DaddyOfTheRose... I hope so too! I'm not the best salesperson in the world either, but I'm going to give it a good try anyway. Wish me luck... I think I'm going to need it with the economy the way it is right now. It's hard to sell anything!
2 people like this
• United States
29 Jan 09
Hello! I have my own business also!! I sell Avon and mark. Products!! My online store is www.youravon.com/tnoell Do you sell Avon also? Avon has changed alot in these past few years. You just got to get yourself out there....go to dentist offices, doctors offices, stores, go around your neighborhood, ect... Always have brochures on you and in your car... you never know who you are going to run into. Build a friendship with your customers -- get to know them, relate. I wish you alot of luck!! Happy mylotting!! I hope this helped you!
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Thanks squirt... how are you doing with your sales? How long have you been with them? I just started so it may take awhile to get some customers but I'm trying. Wish me luck & thanks for the good advice & tips!
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
22 Jan 09
I have never sold for them just bought stuff from a friend at work and that is it. I hope it all goes well, for you. You have a great day. Your friend onlydia
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Thanks onlydia... I used to buy it from a co-worker too and I love their products. I've received a few free samples of their newest skin care line and they are wonderful. What kind of things did you used to buy from their catalog... make-up, skin care? I used to buy their Odessey perfume. I ran out a month or two ago. I've been wanting to get a new bottle but now I'm torn between that and some of the others I've tested. They all smell so good! I can't choose. I just know I'm going to end up buying more stuff for myself than I end up selling to other people! lol! No, really... it is a great way to earn some extra money. I will just need some BIG time self control! Wish me luck. :)
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Hi onlydia - I think there is a good sale going on right now with that particular perfume. If you register for free for my e-mail newsletter, I will be sure to send you a coupon code for free shipping on any purchase. Just let me know if & when you do so I will know to look out for your registration. Thanks! Hope you had a wonderful day. :)
2 people like this
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I bought perfume night magic it is really nice. I like it. I have gotten stiens as well. They are a little pricy but you know back then I had the money. Now I don't. Plus I don't have the room. You have a great day and good luck with it.
1 person likes this
• Brazil
28 Jan 09
I have friends that work selling avon products. Here in Brazil they are very well known as some of the best products in this kind of industry. I hope you can be successfull with them.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I guess the company is in a lot of countries. They must be seperate though because I can only sell to people in the U.S., even with my website. I was told that I can only ship within the country. Bummer!
3 people like this
• United States
29 Jan 09
Actually there is a way you can buy avon from the US if you really wanted to.... I was told by my district avon lady... You would let the avon rep know what you want and she will tell you how much it would cost and you will send her money and she will order and ship your order to you. But since you have avon people there it would be cheaper to stick with them. I hope I helped you! Happy mylotting!!
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I have tried to sell for them before but my biggest problem was that is has been along for so long that the little bit of people I do know have already been buying with someone else for so long that they didn't want to switch. I am not a very good sales person and gave up vey easily. I don't know that many people to sell stuff.
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Yes, I agree with you messageme that many people around already buy their products from somebody else. That is a challenge but hopefully I will be successful. It will probably take me awhile to make a good profit though. I do not expect much initially.
3 people like this
@reichiru (748)
• Canada
19 Jan 09
Nope, I've never heard of the site before, but me and a couple of friends are opening our own clothing store soon, to make some extra money and have discounts off at the suppliers that we are planning on using. I wish you luck at your job!
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thanks reichiru... I appreciate the well wishes. That is great about your friends & their clothing store. I wish them much success! Take care.
3 people like this
12 Mar 09
I am an avon sales rep also. If you put the effort and groundwork in it really is easy money. And with the discount you get, you can treat yourself every campaign and still have cash in your pocket!
1 person likes this
@liquorice (3887)
13 Mar 09
Well done for taking the plunge! I haven't worked for them; I'm not really a cosmetics kind of woman - but you're right, they are a very large and very well-known company, and hopefully that should count for something. It's brave to do this kind of thing. I've been toying with the idea of getting involved with a book-selling franchise, for quite a while now. But I think I might be a bit too risk-averse to actually do it. I'm worried about not being good enough at selling things! Good luck with your venture!
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
10 Feb 09
I work/worked for Avon. I guess at the present time I am suspended because I did not put in any orders for the last two campaigns. I never really made much, because I found it hard to get customers. When I was working there were a few people on my job who bought, but after I lost my job, I was spending more money than I was making, if I did not have a big enough order to waive some of the expenses. When I was actively selling much of my orders were on sale items, which did not generate much of a commission. I wish you a lot of luck, and hope there are many people in your area who are interested in supporting your business.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
14 Feb 09
Hi sudalunts - It is hard to find customers and get orders, I agree with you there. I hope it works out but it's going to take a lot of work. I think the hardest part is the "getting started" because I do not have much money and, as you said, there are expenses involved with buying campaign books, etc. With the economy the way it is right now with so many people either out of work or having financial problems due to the whole situation, it is making it even that much more difficult to get orders. Thanks for getting back to me. I'm sorry to hear you had trouble getting orders too. I hope you are doing well otherwise. Take care.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
12 Mar 09
I have never sold Avon, but I have used a lot of its products, I love Avon and it was really easy for me to purchase when I was working because several representatives worked with the same company I worked and I was always given an Avon booklet. I made a lot of purchases then. I no longer work for that company and I didn't keep in contact with the representatives.
1 person likes this
@glords (2614)
• United States
12 Mar 09
I've never worked for the company, but I wanted to say congrats on the new job.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Mar 09
well good luck to you! i am not a salesperson and i have bought from others over the years but it is kind of a frivolous purchase to make right now as i don't have a job and i am watching where i spend money. if you are in contact with a lot of people i think that you will do well. are you the kind of person who is outgoing? if you are you should do well. good luck. i hear it is a good company.