Ding, Dong (Avon)

Member Name: sandemp

Product:	Avon
Date:	13/08/09 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large range, personal service, free delivery to doorstep

Disadvantages: May not know a representative

Although I'm not really a girly girl, as such, I do like to pamper myself occasionally, but I don't like spending excessive amounts on everyday beauty products and toiletries. That's where Avon comes into play, although they do sell some more expensive goods, there seems to be offers in every brochure, which means there's normally something I don't feel too guilty about buying. I'm not going to go into the history behind Avon, simply because I neither know or care how long they've been operating. The fact that I remember them being around for all of my life tells me that they're not fly-by-night and if I need to return anything then chances are they'll still be in business next week.

Although they regularly advertise on television you won't find Avon products in any shops, they operate via a home representative or the internet. Never having used the website (www.Avonshop.co.uk) I'm simply going to focus on my experiences of buying products through a home rep.

You may be lucky enough to have a brochure posted through your letterbox, but this has never happened to me. Instead a receive a brochure from a friend, with a new brochure being delivered every three weeks or so. These brochures are normally well laid out with different categories of products grouped together. I find it easy to locate the different items, such as make-up, hair care, perfumes, jewellery and even lingerie. There are even occasional pages that are impregnated with one of the fragrances, which I can rub my wrist across and so decide if I like it or not.

Placing an order is extremely easy, I normally look through the book a couple of times and then write down the page, item number, colour and size (if relevant) of whatever I want to order on the form that's been placed in the book. The order form also has the representatives contact details on, (should I have any queries) along with the date they will be collecting the order and when the products will be delivered (with no delivery charge). My order form and brochure are normally collected about a week after I receive them and I don't need to pay for my goods until I receive them between one and two weeks later.

Avon sell a wide range of products, and I'm not going to go into detail about the ranges I've never bought from, but I will tell you about a few that I have. Among those I've never purchased are anti-aging treatments, of which they do have a comprehensive range, but these sorts of products are out of my price range (even though they do seem to be quite competitive). The make-up range is exhaustive, from cheap and cheerful to high-end. Even the cheaper products are quite good quality and certainly do the job for me, the occasional user. The more expensive products are also pretty good, especially when on special offer. There is also a large range of fragrances, some of which I like while others smell a little young for me. These are again good value for money, although it is often worth waiting for them to do a special deal. I regularly stock up on gift sets when they are on offer, as they make fantastic Christmas presents for very little money.

I find the jewellery range a little more hit and miss, the prices are normally reasonable, but the majority of the range is silver plated and I do find that with anything other occasional use this plating does rub off quite quickly leaving the pieces looking a bit tatty. The lingerie range is very limited, but they do sell bigger cup sizes at a lower price than most high street shops, and the quality is actually pretty good for the money. The kid's range is also pretty good, along with hair and body products, they sell a number of novelty items and toys that make good little extra presents or stocking fillers. Along with the ladies and children there are also products for the man (or men) in your life. Although this range is relatively small, there are some nice products here, I personally think the Black Suede range smells gorgeous and regularly buy sets for my other half. None of the scents are particularly sophisticated but if you want a designer fragrance then you wouldn't really being getting it from Avon.

My favourite range by far is the Senses range of shower gels, there's a large choice of different fragrances, most of which I like and they seem to last for ages. I also like the naturals range, especially the linen sprays which can be used as air-fresheners. The specialist shampoos and hair products are also good value for money, being cheaper than most premium brands and just as effective.

Whatever I order, it's normally delivered in person by my representative and if I have any problems with a product it's easy to return them as Avon offers a no-quibble money back guarantee. I have had to return items once or twice and it's never been a problem. One slight issue might be that most representatives will only accept payment by cash, but I really don't see this as a problem as I get plenty of notice of when my order will be delivered and I can actually save a little each week ready to pay.

So am I recommending Avon? Too right I am, where else could I buy such products with such a personalised service. My representative normally has samples of any new products for me to try before I decide to order. New products are always being added to the brochure, and while the prices may not always be the cheapest the quality normally more than makes up for this. Added to this is the fact that Avon regularly runs special deals, some of which offer free products when others are purchased (for example a free eye-liner with eye shadow), or a certain number of items for £5 (my favourite offer, that's when I stock up on shower gel). There are also sale booklets at regular intervals where products are reduced by what can be significant amounts. I find Avon a great way of spreading the cost of Christmas and birthdays as by spending £5-£10 every three weeks I always end up with boxes full of different toiletries and gifts. The only problem I can see is that not everybody knows a representative and without knowing one, you have to depend on the brochure coming through your letterbox, which can be a rare occurrence.

Summary: Great way to buy toiletries and small gifts