Shoppers nowadays have numerous choices offered to them concerning how they would like to spend their money. Every store and company tries to make it as simple and convenient for the consumers to get their products. The same holds true for Avon. Whether you prefer to shop online, without ever seeing a real person, or you would rather spend an afternoon discussing your skin care regimen with your personal Avon representative, you can decide.
Online shopping has become increasingly more popular because it offers quick and easy service. There are usually free-shipping offers available, and sales announcements are sent via e-mail. You don't have to hassle with a paper brochure or set aside a time to schedule an appointment to meet with your representative. You can even learn about your rep and see a photograph of her (or him) on the personalized website, if you so choose. People who know exactly what they want, and have no qualms about using a credit card online may find this to be the absolute easiest way to shop for beauty products. And if a customer is dissatisfied with a product, a representative can still be called to come pick it up to make an exchange or give a refund.
While this may be a perfect choice for some people, there are others to whom this sort of shopping does not appeal in the least. As an Avon representative, I have met quite a few people who see their reps as more than just a way to have their orders delivered. It is not unusual for a first time visit to turn into a consultation about skin care and make-up colors. Some customers truly enjoy getting to know their representatives and discussing products they have used in the past, as well as items they may be thinking about purchasing in the future. Some conversations turn more personal, while others remain focused on business. It has definitely been interesting to me to become involved with these customers who always make the time for us to sit down together and chat. We share a connection that I honestly did not realize I would have with my customers when I first started selling Avon.
As with everything, there is also a happy medium between these two extremes. Some customers would like the ease and speed of ordering online with the personal touch of having an Avon representative doing their deliveries. I have arranged to leave orders on porches in exchange for a check in an envelope. I have brought order to customers at work, where I know they have little time to talk, but we can still have a brief interaction and it is easy to quickly discuss products, future orders, or returns. The relationship is not necessarily a personal one, but there is trust and familiarity, which gives these customers a feeling of comfort, continuity, and loyalty.
No matter how you prefer to shop, Avon offers a combination of choices to meet the needs of even the choosiest customers. There are also Licensed Avon Beauty Centers in some cities, where you can simply go into the shop, like at a department store, and make your purchases. It is amazing how shopping itself has changed in just the past few years. I remember a time when I did not really see an alternative to spending the day at the mall to shop. While that is still fun to do once in a while, it's nice to know that there are other options.
Sabine Westerweck
Source: www.isnare.com
