To want to take up Avon

[dancemom]

But only to make up working hours??
I currently work 30 hours but just recently dd has stopped doing overnights at her dads and trying to accommodate this is killing me!!
I'm taking her to breakfast club, leaving her there before the 8 start so incurring the wrath of the dinner ladies, running to the bus and still being late for work at least 3 out of 5 days so incurring the wrath of my boss!
If I went down to 25 hours I could do the school run and pick up myself without giving myself.a heart attack on a daily basis!
However I can't afford to sacrifice my 30 hour bonus from tax credits so Inland Revenue woman suggested I register as self employed and do Avon or something similar to make up my hours.

Is it really that simple? Please say it is cos I was late again today and therefore have to work late and then do another mad dash to do school pick up and incur wrath of teacher if I'm late

AIBU to be done with wrath!

[RuleBritannia]

I've no experience or real knowledge about Avon but ....

They are always advertising for more women to be Avon Ladies. Why? Because women give it up because it costs them too much.

Do they have to buy the first package of catalogues? They go round delivering them through letterboxes and don't get the catalogues back even though they've paid for them. People go to work so are not in when you go round to collect orders or get the catalogues back. I refuse to leave catalogues (eg Betterware or Kleenezee) out in my porch because it advertises the fact that I'm out.

I would not be an Avon Lady.

[dancemom]

But I wouldn't be trying to make money from it, I'd be happy just doing it for family and in work and friends - would have to look into set up costs though.

[Casserole]

Is there anything you could do at home for your boss for 5 hours a week? Any filing, spreadsheet editing, ANYTHING?

[WaitingForMe]

How would you demonstrate that you had been working if you were ever investigated by HMRC?

[FudgeyCookie]

I done it - I gave it up. You have to register as self employed, you have to spend a large amount of time on placing the orders before your deadline, getting the brochures out and getting them back again, plus sorting all the orders out as the items all come in the box and its up to you to bag them all up and price them. Then you have to try and deliver the orders, collect cash when you deliver or no products - more time running around if customers aren't in. Then you have to put all the cash in your bank to pay Avon. Then it all starts again! Just wasn't worth it to me I didn't make much money..

[FudgeyCookie]

Oh, and you have to pay for the bags (paper or plastic), order sheets, brochures and any other tools you want

[RuleBritannia]

So I was right FudgeyCookie? It was just one of those companies about which I was suspicious. Avon's deadlines if you are self-employed?

[jendot]

Have a look at Phoenix trading instead of Avon. Costs about £35 to get the starter kit (most of which is cards you can use yourself). Means you can get all your cards and wrap cheap and can sell to friends and family. I have done it in the past and would say it is difficult to make enough money to make a living from just as a top up it is IDEAL

[axure]

agree with Casserole have a chat with your boss to explain your predicament and see if you can come to an arrangement where you can do some work at home, or maybe come in at the weekend to make up a few hours?

[McPhee]

I wouldn't.

I did it for a few years, and it actually cost me money.

Infact, I'm pretty sure I never actually made a profit, plus the regional busybody was always pestering me.

[FudgeyCookie]

Rule yup they set you deadlines. You hae a deadline to put you orders in, so mine was I think Tuesday nights every couple of weeks at 10pm. If not in by then I think you had to pay a late order charge. My order would get placed in my safe place the following Monday then I had a certain amount of days to pay for the order. Hated it tbh!

[2madboys]

Hi All - I do Phoenix and it's great, but to clarify jendot's post, the cards in the starter pack are samples and have a big stamp in the middle of them with the word 'sample', so you can't use them yourself unless you want to cut them in half and use them as postcards! It is a good top up (especially in the run up to Christmas - start now and you'd be well on your way by next Christmas) and I really enjoy it.

[inchoccyheaven]

I have done Avon many years and tried Phoenix Trading for 4 years but gave that up as it was too hard to get regular customers.

If you want to do Avon then yes you have to register as self employed and do a tax return but that isn't that hard. You can just do family and friends or territory.

Yes you pay for books and bags. You pay £15 registration costs over 2 campaigns so £7.50 each time. You are given some books to get you started and then you buy them.

With all of these kind of things there are pros and cons and you won't know until you give it ago.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

also don't forget if you are self employed you are obliged to keep accounts and do tax returns. can you afford to pay someone for an hour before and after school to do pick up and drop off?

[dancemom]

The work I do I can't work from home and can't come in at weekends either.

Will need to give it some more thought - really not bothered about making any money, its just to show I'm "working" for five hours

[valiumredhead]

In that case go for it , as long as you don't expect to make much, if any profit.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I wouldn't do it. I've bought from Avon previously but there's no need for 'representatives' now as you can do it so easily online. I suppose it does depend if you have a 'client base' that's loyal to you, if you do, then great - but if you're not sure, I wouldn't want to make the outlay on spec.

[MrsKeithRichards]

Adult chat phone operator? Log on for 5 hours, make a wee bit of cash, no set up or faff with catalogues or selling.

[emsyj]

Can you type? There are companies that you can sign up with to type from home - you need a foot pedal I think (can get a decent one on the internet for about £30) but they supply the software etc and you pick up remote digital dictation, type it and email it back. My secretary at my last firm did this at home for extra income, you can choose what hours you work but obviously you would need to be able to type.

[TreadOnTheCracks]

I love Pheonix cards. It's one selling party I don't mind going to!

[HappyMummyOfOne]

WTC are getting very strict with pocket money businesses claiming from them, its not worth the risk as you could end up paying it all back. Can you not start later and finish later or have a reduced lunch with only working part time?

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

My next door neighbour does it, but she doesn't have any other paid employment. She enjoys it but says it just about covers the cost of her own cosmetics.
I did Virgin Vie when they were selling cosmetics, I know from my tax return that I broke even oh and I had to drive other people ( who didn't offer to pay petrol costs) to blinking sales events in my free time where I had to clap people who made more money than me. I only did it because I liked the cosmetics, i gave up because it was way too much hassle.

[MsVestibule]

I've been an Avon rep for about 14 months, and it is a real faff. How would you prove you've worked for 5 hours per month? Or would you even need to? There must be a lot of self employed people who claim this credit, so they may be better placed to advise you. Is there a 'self-employed' section on MN who can help?

[twinklesparkles]

I used to get around £200 a fortnight in orders but the amount I actually got was £20 or under if I needed more books/bags ect.

Also, you need to be out there in all weathers, so if its raining/snowing ect you will still have to go out for your books. And even then some aren't out so you'll have to go back the next day if noone answers the door, and also a lot of people throw the books away. Which means you have less books to give out to other potential customers

The hardest thing for me was the territory, when you join your rep will give you a list of streets to do (she may only give you one or two if there are other people working in your area) but you will still get other avon girls doing your territory.

I was once doing my rounds when a woman came out into the street screaming at me :( apparently her daughter also did the area... Screaming and swearing at me, physical threats ect.. I also had my yound ds in his pram :( :( :( her husband had to drag her inside as she was coming towards me :(

Also you need to be prepared for others who don't want avon and don't like things being left on their doorstep ect.

I loved talking about make up and stuff to the customers... But yeah, its just not worth it ..

I'd never do it again

[dancemom]

Thanks for the replies

Tax Credits said I just needed to register as self employed and send them my tax return details each year, I just needed to estimate the hours not prove them

And as I said previously, its not about making money, its just working the hours

Lots to think over!