Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss

"Always comfy, never sticky."

My daughter has to be careful about which lip glosses she uses.  She has very sensitive skin and has an allergic reaction to a lot of them.  I had her try Avon Glazewear and she had no problems at all.  The price is right, too.  She had been spending $16 at Sephora!  These are $2.99 each in campaign 3 (now) and will be 2 for $5.99 in campaign 4.  Regular price is a bargain at $6.00.  

I have FREE SAMPLES for anyone who sends an email to jemordav@gmail.com on or before February 20, 2011.  You may specify a color preference but I reserve the right to substitute based on availability.  One per household, please.

Avon glazewear lip gloss is available in three fabulous finishes:  Shine, sparkle, and intense.  I'm giving away one of each.  One lucky winner will receive (pictured above) rave, darling pink, and crimson.

MANDATORY entry:  Leave a comment stating your favorite glazewear color.  They can be viewed here.

After the mandatory entry, earn one extra entry for each of the following.  Please leave one comment for each entry earned.   Links are in the sidebar.  Don't forget to include your email address if it is not listed in your public profile.

1)  Follow my blog via GFC.
2)  Follow me on Twitter.
3)  Tweet about this contest.  Please link directly to the giveaway. 
4)  Register at my online Avon store.

The winner will be chosen using random.org, will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond.  Contest open to U.S. residents only.  Last day to enter:  February 20, 2011. 

Surreptitious Sales

Apartment management didn't explicitly tell me not to put out flyers any more, they said, "Please go around and pick up the ones that are still out there.  We don't want to advertise which apartments are vacant."  Those clips they put next to all of our doors keep calling me.  They look so...empty...lonely...unfulfilled...

In addition to the big Avon brochures I buy every two weeks, I'm usually sent several smaller brochures full of discounted products.  Sometimes it's 10, sometimes 30, twice they sent me 100 of these for no additional charge.  The temptation is too much.  One building at a time, starting with mine, I'll put these out in the evening and remove the unclaimed ones that are still out in the morning.

Poaching

TIPs (turn in poachers) Sign, originally uploaded by yakkhapadma.

Image from flickr.


I think I just stole somebody's Avon customer for the second time. I swear, I'm not doing it on purpose. These people want to order Avon and their reps are not doing their jobs! If they'd follow up with their customers, they'd be getting the sales.

The first time was my neighbor. She had a rep who wouldn't respond to her emails, so she called me instead. I don't feel a bit guilty about that one.

The second was today. I left brochures on doors again but didn't knock because it's cold out there. I wanted to get them distributed as quickly as possible and get back home to snuggle under my blanket. A woman who received one of those brochures called, thinking I was the one she placed an order with before Christmas. I don't remember any large orders from that neighborhood and really don't think it was me. She is convinced I sold her $100 worth of Avon and kept saying things like, "Remember, you said I had beautiful furniture." Should I feel bad about taking her business?

If someone places $100 orders with me, I'm going to be dropping brochures on her door often. In fact, that's my plan for tomorrow. Anyone who's ordered from me in the past or shown significant interest in possibly purchasing is getting a new brochure. Then I'm following up with a phone call. I need to make sure no one steals my customers...

Ban Tarantula Eyes!!!

Have you ever seen someone whose eyelashes remind you of a tarantula?  Have you ever noticed your own looking this way?  It's time to throw out that old tube of mascara!  You want smooth, defined lashes not lumpy, bumpy, hairy, scary tarantula eyes.  Did you know you should replace your mascara every 6 to 8 weeks?  Nasty bacteria can grow in your old tube and cause eye infections.  Also, don't pump the wand.  It pumps air into the tube, allowing even more bacteria to grow and drying out your makeup, causing the dreaded tarantula effect.

My daughter and I are having fun trying out Avon products, now that I've become an Independent Avon Representative.  I've been using the wash-off waterproof mascara in black.  I exercise a lot, and this has yet to run down my face when I sweat.  The few nights I've been too lazy to remove my mascara before going to sleep (you know you've done it), I haven't woken up with raccoon eyes.  It does come off easily using makeup remover without having to scrub.

In campaign three, Avon's wash-off waterproof mascara is on sale for $2.  I'm stocking up and getting a year's supply for $12!  Don't let the price fool you.  Avon has quality products for affordable prices.       

I'm also giving away a tube to one lucky reader to try for free.  To enter, leave a comment stating if you prefer brown or black.  After you leave that mandatory entry, earn more by doing the following.  Please remember to leave your email address in each comment if it is not visible in your public profile.

Leave one additional comment for each of the below:
1)  Follow my blog via GFC.
2)  Follow me on Twitter.
3)  Tweet about this contest.
4)  Register at my online Avon store.

The winner will be chosen using Random.org, will be notified via email, and will have 48 hours to respond.  Contest open to US residents only.  Last day to enter is February 13, 2011.  

Avon Update and Giveaway: Violet and Lychee

I opened a separate bank account for my Avon money.  My daughter asked why I couldn't use the account I already have.  I tried to explain I could but it's not very smart.  I'm not certain she understands.  I had about $100 worth of checks from customers and added another $500 of my own money.  That sounds like a lot until you start thinking about how many businesses you can open with a $500 investment.  It's a very short list.  Avon only requires a $10 investment to get started, but I'm trying to build mine up with a little extra.   

I now have a free debit card for my business account so if I'm shopping for business cards, rubber stamps, or paying postage it's coming out of my Avon account.  Since I was an existing Capital One customer, my first order of checks was free as well. 

There are a lot of new colors and fragrances coming up.  In the campaign 3 brochure there is a new Imari fragrance, 2 new Nailwear Pro colors (Gunmetal and Night Violet), and 4 new shades of Ultra Color Rich Lipstick (Perfect Red, Iced Cocoa, Burnished Gold, and Oxford Wine).  There is also a new Naturals scent - violet and lychee.  The new Naturals scent plus some old Naturals favorites, bubble bath, and a variety of Skin So Soft will be on sale buy 2 get 1 free or buy 3 get 2 free in campaign 3.  The current campaign brochures can always be viewed on my website.  To receive an email at the beginning of each new campaign, register at my store and subscribe to email alerts.  The link to my store is located up at the very top of my sidebar.   

I am giving away some of the new Naturals violet and lychee to one lucky winner.  Pictured above, the giveaway includes: 

One Naturals Canvas Bag

One lychee flower sponge

One hand and body lotion

One shower gel

One body spray

One REQUIRED entry:  Leave one comment advising if you've tried Avon Naturals in the past and what is your favorite scent.

Extra entries:  After completing the required entry, leave one comment for each additional entry earned.

Follow my blog using GFC.  (leave one additional comment)

Follow me on Twitter.  (Leave 1 additional comment.)

Tweet about this contest.  (Two extra entries.  Leave 2 additional comments.)

Register at my online store. No purchase required.  (Three additional entries.  Leave 3 comments.)

Links to Twitter and my online store are also in the sidebar.  Don't forget to include your email address in the comment(s) if it's not listed in your public profile.  Contest open to US residents only.  The winner will be chosen using Random.org, will be notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond.  Last day to enter is February 6, 2011.    

          

Avon Update and Giveaway: Door to Door is Working

I've been reading the Avon forums and the biggest complaint seems to be running all over town to get a few dollars here and a few dollars there.  I've decided to concentrate my efforts on going door to door in my neighborhood so my customers won't be scattered all over.  I usually spend 2 or 3 hours and gain one customer each time.  That doesn't seem like a lot, but once I find them most have been reordering.  On Saturday, I didn't even knock.  I just put old brochures on doors.  I've gotten two phone calls so far!  If I can gain an average of one customer a week maybe I can eventually build up a healthy customer base.  If I take advantage of the free expired brochures my upline sometimes provides, I can gain even more.

I'm trying to grow my online business, as well.  My previous giveaway of assorted products was so successful, I'm doing it again.  Maybe this will become a monthly event.  It's a fun way to introduce people to Avon and a good use for some of the items I bought to increase my earnings level.  (If my order is 120 dollars, I'll buy another 25 dollars worth so I can earn 30% instead of 20%.)  

This time I'm giving away the following items, pictured above, with a total value of $50.

1)  Naturals Hydrating Shampoo:  Banana and Coconut Milk

2)  Naturals Hydrating Conditioner:  Banana and Coconut Milk

3)  Skin So Soft Mini:  Soft and Sensual replenishing body lotion

4)Naturals Shower Gel:  glazed apple and walnut

5)  Astonishing Lengths Mascara:  black

6)  Ultra Color Rich Lipstick:  wineberry

7)  Glazewear Shine Lip Gloss:  darling pink

8)  Glimmersticks Diamonds eye liner:  black ice

9)  Precision Glimmer powder eyeshadow:  classic mocha

REQUIRED ENTRY:  Leave one comment telling me your favorite Avon product.  If you've never tried Avon, tell me which product would most likely be your first purchase.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:  After the required entry, earn additional entries by doing the following:

One additional entry (leave one additional comment):  Follow me on GFC.

One additional entry:  Follow me on Twitter.     http://twitter.com/Jnnfr271  

Two additional entries (leave two additional comments):  Tweet about this contest.  

Copy and paste:

Enter to win Avon swag: $50 value...http://jnnfr271.blogspot.com/2010/12/avon-update-and-giveaway-door-to-door.html

Three additional entries:  Register at my online store, no purchase required:    http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/

The winner will be chosen using Random.org, will be notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond.  Please remember to leave your email address if it is not listed in your public profile.

Sorry, contest is open to US residents only.   

Last day to enter:  January 30, 2011.         

         

Avon Giveaway and Update: Inventory

I took advantage of my 40% discount on my first four campaigns by stocking up on items that were on sale.  Some of the products were already on sale for 50% off or more and I got my rep discount on top of that.  For instance, a Skin So Soft hand cream that normally sells for $3 was on sale for $1 and  I paid 60 cents.   Eye liners that normally sell for $5 were on sale for $2 and I paid $1.20.  I've acquired quite an inventory.  I suspect I have close to $1000 worth of merchandise, but I spent less than $400.  I'll know for sure once I'm done documenting all of it. 

I spent a couple of hours putting together a spreadsheet of my inventory including products, color, regular price, current campaign price, etc.  I'm at 101 items and I'm still not done.  I was originally marking prices on the merchandise, but since that can change every two weeks it has become too time consuming.  The spreadsheet will make it much easier once it's complete.

I'm going to use my inventory to put together a prize package to carry when I'm going door to door.  Anyone who gives me their contact information will be entered into a monthly drawing.  I've put one together to give away on my blog as well.

The included items:

1) Skin So Soft mini - 1.7 fl. oz. - original creamy body wash - value $0.99
2) Skin So Soft mini - 1.7 fl. oz. - soft & sensual replenishing body lotion - value $0.99
3) Skin So Soft - 3.4 fl. oz. - soft & sensual replenishing hand cream - value $3.00
4) Healthy Makeup eyeshadow - platinum - value $8.00
5) Healthy Makeup lipstick - Fresh Berry - value $9.00
6) Big Color Eye Pencil - slate - value $6.00
7) Ultra Luxury Eye Liner - metallic turquoise - value $5.00
8) Glazewear Lip Gloss - iced pink - value $6.00
9) Speed Dry Nail Enamel - electric purple - value $4.50
10)  Avon naturals shower gel - pomegranate & mango - value $6.00

Total Value = $49.50.  Shall we round up to $50?  This is a better prize than my other giveaways, so you must follow my blog to be eligible to win.

To enter:

One REQUIRED entry:  Follow my blog with GFC and leave a comment.  After you have completed the required entry, you may earn additional entries by completing the below: 

3 additional entries:  Register on my Avon website (no purchase required). http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/.  Leave 3 separate comments.

2 additional entries:  Follow me on Twitter.  https://twitter.com/#!/Jnnfr271  Leave 2 separate comments.

1 additional entry:  Tweet about this contest.  Be sure to include a link to this post, not my blog main. Leave 1 additional comment.

The winner will be chosen using Random.com, will be notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond.  Please remember to leave a valid email address in your comment if it is not visible on your public profile.

Contest closed.  Congratulations to Shanee.
        

Avon Update and Giveaway: Writer's Cramp

When you order 100 brochures to pass out, you have to write your name, telephone number, and website 100 times.  I need to invest in a stamp. 

I've given up writing my email address because no one can read it.  I've also stopped writing an expiration date because it's too confusing.  You can only shop from the current brochure online, but I can sell out of 3 brochures at a time (very helpful to new reps).  I was trying to put both dates on the brochures, but I'm not sure customers really understood.  I've decided that in the interest of gaining new customers it's best to honor the prices listed in whatever brochure she's got in her hands.    

I've started my Christmas shopping!  Avon has stocking stuffers and Secret Santa gifts galore, some of which are pictured above.  I bought hand creams, lip balms, and bubble bath minis to put in little gift bags for my family and friends.  Money is tight this year, so I'm on a limited budget.  These were perfect.  The earrings were $6 for the set of 2 boxes, and the other items were less than a dollar each. 

If you have people in your life who might appreciate these in their stockings, you can buy them from my online store:   http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/.   

I'm going to ask some of my friends and customers if they will host Avon parties for me.  I'd like to stock up on seasonal merchandise to have on hand.  Once again, I'm asking for help to decide what to buy.  I'm giving away the above earring set to one lucky winner.  To enter, click here then leave in a comment which jewelry giftset you'd be most likely to give to someone.  You guys can participate, too.  You know you've got Secret Santa gifts to buy as well as shopping for your sisters, daughters, girlfriends, wives...      

I'm experimenting with extra entries on this one.  In addition to the required entry mentioned above, for each of the following you can earn one additional entry.  Leave one comment for each:

1)  Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect.

2)  Register at my e store (no purchase required):    http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/register.html?cmd=register

The winner will be selected using Random.com.  Last day to enter:  November 24, 2010. 

            

Don't forget to leave your email address if it's not on your public profile.

CONTEST CLOSED.  Congratulations to Emily.

First Telephone Sale

Webcor ZIP Jumbo Button Telephone model 768SW, 1980s, originally uploaded by galessa's plastics.

Image from Flickr.

I got my first Avon sale via telephone! She found one of the brochures I left in an apartment complex laundry room, so guess what I'm doing tommorrow? I should probably avoid the ones with signs that say "No Soliciting", or that have access gates. I'll see how many apartment complexes I can find that have neither.

Ack! I already placed my order, which means I have to pay shipping on a second order placed in the same campaign. I also forgot to mention the 75 cent customer fee in my excitement, so I'm not charging her. Lesson learned: Start your orders ahead of time, but don't hit send until the last minute.

I Have a Full-Time Job

 

Avon!  Yep.  I keep reading in my research online and some of the comments you guys have made that the people who are able to earn significant money selling Avon are the ones who put in the work, just like any other new business.  So, for the next few weeks I'm going to put in some serious hours.  I went door-to-door  again.  I also decorated the bulletin boards in all three laundry rooms on the property with my brochures. (Above is one of the big ones we buy and three of the smaller ones that ship free with our orders.)  I'm ordering 100 brochures and the goal is to give them all out in less than two weeks.  It's a 20 dollar investment.  We'll see if it pays off.

Avon Giveaway and Update: My First e-Customer!

I logged into my Avon account to find I've acquired my first local e-Customer!  She placed an order for 92 dollars!  Hooray!  I Googled her address and saw that she does not live in one of the neighborhoods where I passed out the flyers or knocked on doors, though.  She must have seen an Avon commercial and done a search for her local representative. 

I only get my automatic 40% discount for new reps on one more campaign, so I'm going to start selling my inventory for current brochure prices.  I can buy on sale for half off, then sell at full price.  If it goes back on sale, I'll be able to honor the lower price and still make 20%.  Maybe since things are so much more expensive in Hawaii, I'll have more customers there.  Avon is very reasonably priced and good quality to boot.  The only thing I hated as a customer was waiting for delivery.  I probably would have bought more if my rep had the products on hand, so that's what I'm going to try to do as much as possible.

You guys always give me an idea of what colors to buy when you tell me your faves, so I'm hosting another giveaway.  Glimmersticks for eyes, brows and lips will be on sale soon and I want to stock up while they cost less.  They'll be 4 for $10 (regular price $6 each), so you can do the same on my website 10/27 thru 11/09.  http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/ .  If you want to shop today thru 10/26, you can stock up on  Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara for $1.99 (regular price $6.50).  Use Glimmersticks or Wash-off Waterproof Mascara as your search words.

I will give away one Glimmerstick.  To enter, click here and choose any of the options except the $25 collection and tell me your favorite color.  I'll know which one you chose by the color name.  I already checked and there aren't any duplicates. 

Please remember to leave an email address in the comment if it's not visible on your profile.

**Last day to enter is 11/09/2010.

CONTEST CLOSED.  Congratulations to KelseyA.  I'm a little late notifying...

Avon Calling

I actually put a little effort into my Avon business by going door to door in my neighborhood.  I chose one street and armed myself with brochures, perfume samples, and some of the product inventory I've acquired.

The first woman who answered the door said she loved Avon and welcomed me into her home.  She was so excited, I'm adding her to my email list and told her I'd call before I placed my order if she'd like.  She bought some lip gloss on the spot and said she'd look through the brochure. She probably would have bought some lip liner, but I left that at home.  The bag was heavy enough with the stuff I did take.  I'll drive next time so I can bring it all. 

She also asked if I had any plumping lipstick.  It never occurred to me to buy any of that because one thing I don't need is bigger lips.  Is that something that a lot of people like to use? 

Another woman was trying to find some Avon lipstick she was out of and wanted more.  She couldn't find it.  Too bad I didn't take lipstick samples with me - I could have said, "Here.  Try some of these."  I'm going to order every lipstick sample I can so I'll be ready next time.

Goodies

"Hi Jennifer.  This is P____ in the leasing office.  I'm calling to let you know there was a delivery for you yesterday.  You can pick it up any time before 6.  Also, I noticed you put out some flyers.  Would you mind collecting any that are still out.  We don't want to advertise which are the vacant apartments.  We don't usually allow soliciting."  Damn.  I guess I can't put out any more flyers here.  

But yay, my first Avon order has arrived!  I got a slow start because of my asthma, so I just picked a bunch of stuff that was on sale.  I have to take advantage of the 40% off I get for my first four campaigns.  I got everything in the box for around 60 dollars:  4 full size shower gels, 2 full size shampoos, 2 full size conditioners, 2 full size Skin So Soft hand creams, 10 mini bath and body items, 6 lip glosses, 4 lipsticks, 4 cream-to-powder eyeshadows, 1 mascara, 2 nail polishes, 4 lip balms...click to enlarge if you want to see it all.  Yes, I put little removable stickers so I can remember how much to charge.  I can resell for 100 dollars or my daughter and I can use it ourselves.  I'll probably carry it around for awhile and see if anyone is interested.  Every item is 5 dollars or less, so I think I've got a decent chance at unloading most of it.  I only ordered shades I can wear, just in case...    

Purple Haze: An Avon Giveaway and Update

Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad is available in Purple Haze (demoed above) and 9 other color palettes.  I'm giving one away.  To enter:

1)  Go to my online Avon store:        http://www.youravon.com/jenniferdavidson
2)  Click on the shop now tab.
3)  Cut and paste into the search box located on the top right:  True Color Eyeshadow Quad.
4)  Two choices come up.  Choose the one on the right and leave one comment telling me which of the 10 color palettes you'd like to win.  Remember to leave an email address if it's not visible on your profile so I can contact you if you win. 

Last day to enter is September 27, 2010.


The other choice is a selection of limited edition shades on sale for 59% off - $3.25.  Feel free to check those out, too.   



I've calculated that each half page flyer that I've been hanging on doors costs approximately 12 cents to print.  That's way too expensive.  Kinko's will do for 4 cents each and that includes cutting.  It will be black and white, but I don't think that matters.  I've already bought the ink, so I printed enough to hang one on every door in my apartment complex.  If I get at least $100 in orders I'll pick another apartment complex and do it again, but Kinko's will be doing the printing.     

CONTEST CLOSED.  Congratulations to the winner, Christiejolu.

There Goes the Neighborhood

Yep, I've blacked out my phone number and email but the URL to my AVON online store and a code for free shipping on your first order is still visible if you click to enlarge.  Or  I can just tell you it's http://www.youravon.com/jenniferdavidson and the code is REPFLYER.

If leaving flyers on doors didn't bring in new customers, I wouldn't find so many on mine.  I'll start with my apartment complex and then move on to the rest of the neighborhood.  I bought new ink just for printing these so I'll know exactly how much it's costing.  We'll see if it's worth the effort...      

My First Giveaway

Image from Flickr.

I've decided to try my hand at sales and have become an Avon Independent Sales Representative. To celebrate, I'm hosting my first giveaway.  No, not the dog.  I'm not allowed to reproduce images of Avon products to post here, so that image will have to suffice.

I've been reading the advertising and promotions guidelines and I'm confused. I'm not allowed to use my personal homepage to advertise Avon products or to promote my Avon business. I am allowed to " link your web site or your web page on a web site (including any social networking web sites such as MySpace, Friendster, FaceBook, etc.) to your approved eRepresentative Personalized Page, provided, you follow all Avon Trademark, Advertising/Promotion and eRepresentative Policies and Procedures."

Well, I'm not selling anything - I'm giving it away.  Here's the link I'm allowed to post:  http://jenniferdavidson.avonrepresentative.com/.  That is my personal Avon website.  Please feel free to browse.
I'm giving away  one Ultra Color Rich Lipstick.  To enter:  Click here,  choose a color, and leave one comment stating which color you'd like to win.  Don't forget to leave your email address if it's not linked to your profile so I can contact you if you win.  Men, don't be afraid to enter!  I'll be using the random.org site to choose a winner, who will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize.

Maybe I'll get fancy with extra entries on my next giveaway.  Let's see how this one goes first.

Last day to enter:  September 14, 2010.

CONTEST CLOSED.  Congratulations jhitomi.