Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to put this unsolicited Avon catalogue in the recycling bin?

229 replies

Rae36 · 21/05/2021 12:43

Came home to an Avon catalogue on the doormat. I didn't ask for it.

It has a note telling me to leave it our for collection on Sunday afternoon. The actual wording is "Leave this catalogue out on your doorstep for collection on Sunday afternoon EVEN IF YOU DONT WANT TO PLACE AN ORDER".
We're going away this weekend so I don't want to put it out tomorrow morning and have it lying there advertising the fact that we're not at home until Sunday afternoon.
The note says that if I can't put it out on Sunday afternoon I can call the person and arrange another time to collect it.

AIBU to just chuck it? I didn't ask for it, I don't want to phone a stranger up and arrange for her to collect it at a different time. Or will she come knocking on my door at some other random time looking for it? How long do I have to keep it lying around my house in case she comes back for it?

And who does she actually think she is to drop this off at my house then tell me in capital letters what to do with it?

And finally, why has this pissed me off out of all proportion

OP posts:
WhyMeLord · 21/05/2021 19:25

Binning it is the kind thing to do. If she goes round on sunday to find all catalogues have been binned and nobody ordered hopefully the alarm bells will ring and she'll stop throwing good money away on a scam. Doing anything else provides false hope that there might be a living to be made and more money should be "invested" to build up a client base.

SadieCow · 21/05/2021 19:29

@Streamside that's ridiculously over anxious!

I'd just leave it outside, any books, catalogues, charity bags get put straight back outside. I don't consider that on the off chance someone will be driving round the neighbourhood on the one weekend in away in the hope of seeing them and assuming the property is empty.

It would be very unlucky!

Messedupneedchocolatenow · 23/05/2021 00:56

@BusterGonad

Would it really kill you just to pop it in a bag outside your door? It's annoyed you so much because I expect you're quite a grumpy person.
Or a worried one? Which is understandable. If you're going away you don't want to make it obvious to burglars!
Moon22 · 23/05/2021 03:18

Its a little annoying if you didn't want it in the first place but I'd just leave it out for her but ask for no more to be left for you. No big deal.

Personlly I love ordering from Avon! It's old fashioned I know, but so am I!- I love having the actual book rather than ordering online. My avon lady is so nice so I'm happy to see her getting a few pound from it.- she doesn't re use her books though so doesn't ask for them back. We had avon growing up so i think it's all a bit nostalgic for me but I must say, the products are great now, I think they've upped their game massively since I was young!

subbysammiexoxo · 23/05/2021 04:04

My parents have a woman in their area who always leaves one , they always leave it out for her despite my mum telling her she doesn't wear makeup etc, now living in London I would love one I love avon makeup

MissBarbary · 23/05/2021 04:14

@Rae36

"Who does she think she is...?"I dunno, perhaps someone really desperate for a job/ money who knows?

Then she needs to lay off with the shouty capital letters.

Just a thought but capital letters are easier to read- especially if her handwriting isn't good. If you weren't used to my cursive handwriting and got a note from me you might have no clue what it said.
EwwwCoffee · 23/05/2021 04:25

Just put it on your doorstep (with the note saying you don’t want any more) out a week on Sunday after you’re back from your holiday - presumably that’s when she does a round of your area so she can collect it then.

londonscalling · 23/05/2021 04:42

Phone and leave a message saying that I won't be around Sunday but you can pick it up within the next 39 minutes.

Maggiesfarm · 23/05/2021 04:43

It wouldn't have advertised the fact you are not at home to leave the catalogue out on or next to the doorstep. Some people put them out as soon as they receive them if they know they won't order.

I haven't seen an Avon catalogue since I don't know when, they tend to sell online now rather than door knocking.

The Avon reps have to purchase the catalogues so of course they want them back. They do lose a few but there's no need for you to add to that number, it's mean.

BadLad · 23/05/2021 04:51

I recycle anything like that, as I presume that makes them less likely to deliver them to me in future.

Maggiesfarm · 24/05/2021 14:53

@BadLad

I recycle anything like that, as I presume that makes them less likely to deliver them to me in future.
I get that, BadLad, but presumably the Avon seller will knock for the return of their brochure (+ any order or none), not long after leaving it and I don't think it hurts to either put it outside or keep it safe until then. They have to pay for it!
Hawkins001 · 24/05/2021 15:19

@Rae36

"Who does she think she is...?"I dunno, perhaps someone really desperate for a job/ money who knows?

Then she needs to lay off with the shouty capital letters.

Not all people are either good at reading writing or can write neatly, there for to prevent misunderstandings, if it's hand written,
skirk64 · 24/05/2021 15:22

I'd have binned it. If they come round asking for it just say you put it out on Saturday night and it was gone by the time you woke up on Sunday. They've got no way of proving you are lying.

TheGoogleMum · 24/05/2021 15:37

I used to sell Avon. She wants to collect it because you have to pay for catalogues and she is hoping to re use it (reps can order from 2 books at a time). She's not going to get them all back, just recycle it and if she calls by just say you got rid of it.

Maggiesfarm · 24/05/2021 17:50

@skirk64

I'd have binned it. If they come round asking for it just say you put it out on Saturday night and it was gone by the time you woke up on Sunday. They've got no way of proving you are lying.
There's no need to lie when the booklet can easily be put out for collection. It is hardly going to kill anyone to put something outside for a very short space of time.
Janaih · 24/05/2021 18:04

Anyone that thinks a cataloge lying on the doorstep for a week doesn't advertise an empty house is either an idiot or has never been burgled.

SadieCow · 24/05/2021 19:07

I'm no idiot @Janaih and I always put out catalogues, collection bags immediately!

And no I've never been burgled!

So what's the connection, I've always done it, not an idiot and never been burgled.

Janaih · 24/05/2021 20:20

You might want to read my post again slowly.

SadieCow · 24/05/2021 20:24

@Janaih you might want to stop calling people idiots , think about that very very slowly....

TheMNChicken · 24/05/2021 20:33

Is a catalogue really worth all this angst and drama?

BadLad · 24/05/2021 21:57

They have to pay for it!

That's why recycling it makes them less likely to put catalogues through my door in future.

Avonismyjob · 02/06/2024 01:24

Please consider we are all just trying to make a living but if not interested in Avon just return book and politely decline not waste my money by throwing in recycling or rubbish if returned it will be used more times and be better use of resources to help save your kids future

Avonismyjob · 02/06/2024 01:29

Lazy people who cant be bothered to recycle or reuse or who buy more than necessary like food or fashion but worst offenders are motorists who have more money then eco sense as they leave engines running when stationary not in traffic like level crossing deliveries or waiting for kids at school or hospital which has a double damage as it is damaging kids health as well

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 02/06/2024 01:34

Come on, you can't really expect to take a big pile of brand new thick books from door to door every three weeks for each new campaign and then claim that you are the one who cares about the environment?!

Considering that you found and resurrected an old thread after three years, you must have had plenty of time to read this relatively short thread and the posters' many issues and objections to how a lot of Avon reps do their business that have been clearly outlined?

Avonismyjob · 02/06/2024 01:35

Again doesnt help Avon rep you must rely on somebody else for money then