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Avon.com review: becoming a sales rep is a big mistake 66

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Author of the review
8:58 am EDT
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I signed on to become a representative for avon. It was only $10.00 and seemed like a great deal because you order product first and pay on a billing system. (Other companies you pay lots of money upfront). You attend meetings with other reps and learn about sales. I found out where avon makes money. Selling to reps. They offer this really great deal, so much money off if you obligate yourself to a certain number of a product. For example I thought I could sell 50 perfumes. They tell you, " hey it's no big deal, if you don't sell them, just send them back before you get billed!" if I were to sell these perfumes, I would also win a christian lacroix designer purse. Long story short, I didn't sell the perfume but the purse cam in the mail. I boxed it all up and sent it back. Not only did they claim not to recieve the purse and perfume back, they charged me $400 for a cheap nylon purse. So I ask my district leader for help. Apparently I was supposed to send the purse to a different department (However no one bothered to tell me that ever). And she recommended I call the help line. The help line has been outsourced to india and nobody understood what I was talking about. Since the purse was a prize and not something I ordered, they couldn't help me. I went back to my district leader for help (When I was placing orders she was my best friend) now she brushes me off. She can't help me and doesn't know the name of the new person in charge of prizes. So here I sit with a huge bill for perfume and a purse that I don't have. I can't get an itemized bill or invoice to save my life. And i'm being made to look like a loser by my district leader who is telling the other reps that I was removed for non-payment. $10 bucks my butt, the district leaders con you into obligating yourself to these programs. I watched out esteemed leader con a woman who had been selling for a week to buy 80 face creams. She will never sell those. Plus they tell you if you don't sellsomething, just return it. If you do too many returns, they freeze your account and you can't make the returns for a month and meanwhile you've gotten the bill for those items. If you read this and still decide to sell, be very careful. Some women can do it, but for every rep that makes it, at least 10 don't. I was recruiting so I know this for a fact. Thanks for listening.

66 comments
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aaustin1982
Houston, US
May 27, 2012 1:46 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am in my 2nd campaign with Avon. They billed me for my first order of $184.30. How do I get paid from that? The put my next campaign order on hold because I paid them their part and not the whole amount of my order. So I called customer care they couldn't tell me all they said was Pay The Whole order amount. So how do you get paid? amanda_austin@yahoo.com

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Merry Widow
Charlotte, US
Jul 18, 2012 6:23 am EDT

I have been selling Avon for more than 2 years and have lost more money than I have made! I pay off the balances of my account and low and behold, I get hit with another balance owed - even though the day before it was zero! There are times when my balance is $200 or more and orders are still shipped to me, then all of a sudden they hold an order for $20! I have had no support from my district manager. the woman who recruited me dropped out because she delivered prematurely and I didn't even find that out until I attended my first sales meeting! I feel like Avon has left me hung out to dry! Seriously thinking of seeking legal advice to see if I can recupe any of my losses! Those outsourced calls are ridiculous! I have had team leaders tell me not to deal with them because they are idiots! With all the people here in our country without jobs, Avon should be ashamed of themselves by outsourcing.

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Anne Thomlinson
Manchester, GB
Sep 22, 2012 9:35 am EDT

I am writing to complain, about the above Avon representative. She uses all the products in the containers; and delivers, empty foundation cosmetics and empty eye shadow products. She should"nt be a representative of Avon at all. She is certain to give that very nice Company a really bad name, I found no fault with the products in themselves, but will stop buying from now on; as this woman representative is the only one on this street. Your"s Sincerely Anne Thomlinson

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TellItLikeISeeIt
US
Sep 24, 2012 5:39 pm EDT

I am a representative…don't be too quick to blame the rep… I signed up as a rep and AVON sent my order to another rep..they called it a drop location..but never told me and therefore my customers have still not received their stuff. Why? Because when I got my order it had been opened, cream half used complete with finger marks…it was gross and this other rep left it on her dirty front porch of a dirty country shack! I will be AVON because I asked that this order was resent to my house and I have waited almost a month and they keep saying they will and then don't. My up-line is lazy and refuses to assist me in any way and lie and say they do not have my phone number when I have included it in my emails asking for their assistance. I will never order AVON again either.

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FinePrintReader
US
Mar 02, 2013 2:00 pm EST

I was an AVON Store owner. I put my whole savings on the line to own my Avon store. I was told I would get all this support. I never got any support. And I was told I could place returns and get refunded. This was a nightmare to do and I was constantly in a struggle with Avon to get refunds. I finally ended up closing the store because you can't make money with Avon. Again I was told that I would be able to return any unsold avon products. It has been a year and I have been fighting with AVON as they owe $5000 in returns. I know people will disagree with me but that is because they have been drinking the Avon koolaid. I have worked wtih some of the top sellers for Avon and they have admitted that they are not happy with the way Avon runs things. And I can't tell you how many reps that worked with me had the same or worse experiences. And to the comment above you do not get a person on the line whose first language is English. AVON is outsources everything. They are not American made, only in the origin of the company. The only people that actually do get to speek with someone living in the United States when calling Avon is Avon's top sellers or top leadership people. There are many resources that have studied Avon and the direct sales companies and the truth is only about 1% of the consultants in any given company can make a living at doing that alone. The average income for the rest is under $2000 per year. Don't get me wrong I am a strong supporter of most of the Direct Sales companies out there. But Avon as well as others is not truthful in what they tell their reps or potential reps

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kimsears
Newport, US
Jun 17, 2013 8:50 am EDT

I have given my Avon representative money for an order that I placed the week of June 4th. Today is June 17th and I have yet to receive that order. When I asked my R.E.P what the hold up was she replied she wasn't sure but she emailed headquarters and no one will email her back. What can I do about this?

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Roslyn Katiforis
GR
Aug 20, 2013 1:36 pm EDT

We now live in Greece and i recently purchased a dress from the local rep here in the village on the condition that if it was the wrong size I just wanted to exchange for a smaller size.
Paid for dress, tried it on, too big.
Returned to the Avon rep, she informs me that it can't be returned.
I gave her back the dress and told her not to be so lazy, either get me a smaller size or money back.

I tried to send an email to the head office complaining, but the website will not translate from Greek to English, no other country will help.
I have never had problems before when we lived in Australia but now I will never look at or purchase Avon again.
Now I can't seem to track down the rep.
I believe it's up to the Avon rep to do all and everything they can to keep their customers happy, not the customer chasing the Avon rep.
I have paid for a dress I don't have.

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Thought
US
Jan 16, 2014 8:06 pm EST

my sister has been selling Avon for 15 yrs. Loved it recruited over a hundred ladies. She has done well with it. Recently another manager or whatever they call them allowed a salesmen to order over 45, 000 worth of product. We have never heard of any one in Avon allowing that much product. Her manager quit and the district manager put this women in my sisters down line or under her. Then they allowed her to send back lots of her Avon products but started deducted her lost out of my sisters check each month. Now over a 1000.00 dollars. She probably makes 500 a month. I couldn't understand how they could do that they are independent contractors . If they did that on all her 100 salesmen when they didn't pay she would never have any money. Does this sound illegal to anyone. Also I think the other manager probably quit knowing that was going to happen. she has called her district manager and corporation nothing came of it. I hate it she is a widow, loved it, worked hard all her life what a shame to treat someone that loyal this way.

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Endthemadness
North Las Vegas, US
Jan 22, 2014 12:32 pm EST

Don't sign up for AVON! I signed up while my husband was deployed and then when he returned I canceled my account because I just wasn't making any money. Mostly I was buying and selling product to cover my own makeup costs. If you only have 10 customers how many trays of eye shadow and items do you think they can buy before enough is enough. So I quit this year and canceled my account with a balance of $0. Well about a month later my account was reinstated without my permission and products shipped and charged in my name to my house. I called customer service and they reversed the charges and canceled the account again. It has happened two more times since then and each time they apologize and cancel the account. Well this last time I asked them who opened my account and ordered under my name and my credit? The lady stuttered and couldn't get a full sentence out and wouldn't tell me what happened. I told her to type in the account information that I would sue them for fraud the next time this happened, she said I will pass that along and hung up. I think the customer service reps all read from a card and can't handle real complaints other than what is posted in the book. This is all the same as identity theft and anyone else would go to Jail for it. Watch your back!

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Michelle N.M
Santa Fe, US
Feb 24, 2014 9:24 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Don't use Avon. Its a scam. No one helps you when you need it. Closed my account as a Rep, and was told 8 WEEKS to get a refund. Total BS.. This was in Santa Fe N.M

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GeeGeeof6
Hephzibah, US
Apr 03, 2014 8:36 am EDT

I have read some of the complaints and all I can say is WOW!
I have been selling Avon for a little over a year and I have not had any of the crazy issues I'm reading about.

Some truths: 1. Yes paying for returns suck however, I understood that going in and I don't blame Avon but sometimes I do get a little aggravated with the customers. But it's just like with anything that you order online; you don't know if you are going to like it or if it will fit right until you receive it. So you can't really get too upset with the customer. Besides to return the stuff is usually right around $6 which is cheaper than going to the post office.
2. Yes the customer service is based out of India however, these are people who are doing their best to try and assist us reps with issues. So yes sometimes I may have to repeat myself or ask them to repeat their selves but in the end they always get the job done to my satisfaction. Keep up the good work India :)
3. Not sure about this whole ordering 50 items and trying to sell them. The only orders I place are the ones my customers order from my books. No more, no less.
4. My only issue is that I have not made much money selling but that is partially my fault. I don't have enough customers. Most of the time people don't know I sell until I'm handing someone their order. I need to promote myself more and I'm sure I will make more.
5. Bottom line; unless you have a large and I do mean LARGE customer base you are not going to get rich selling Avon. So if you enjoy selling then continue to do so. If not, then just stop selling. There is no penalty should you wish to discontinue selling.

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avonsucks
US
Jun 20, 2014 9:11 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avon is a piece of work and just a plain piece of work of work i kept trying to contact someone about HELP and how to pay my bill someone named Kara Davis was no help I emailed her about a millions times then on top of that they had address wrong i tried calling customer service that was no help they don't speak English very well ### my 1 year old could answer phones better then that. if i knew avon was "international" i would of never became a rep i like to keep the people of the USA EMPOLYED

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Rtamayo1
McAllen, US
Jul 06, 2014 11:01 am EDT

Avon can allow you to make a living. If you do not believe this you must google Sylvia Tamayo as she is an Avon representative from South Texas who has figured Avon out and succeeds in it by supporting a family of five and being her own boss. Avon is a market where dreams can truly come true but you have to put effort into it and have an awesome representative to help you. Trust me Sylvia Tamayo is simply amazing when it comes to Avon and she will truly help you with any questions, concern or if you simply want advice about Avon. She has been committed to the company for over twenty years and earns roughly more then $100, 000 a year, check out her online website and give her a call, talking and advice is free.
http://stamayo.avonrepresentative.com
link to her website
My name is Rey Tamayo and I have personally witnessed her hard work gain her success and she is always glad to speak to individuals all over the United States in order to guide you through the steps necessary to succeed as an Avon representative. If you continue to be doubtful look up or call Sylvia Tamayo, she will guide you with constant contact and reassurance that will guarantee your success in this sector of business!

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Rejuvance
Halifax, CA
Jul 12, 2014 7:29 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Good morning, I was reading this comment to learn the downside of the Avon business opportunity since I didn't know how this was working and I am very surprised to see that you need to buy your inventory and sell it after and deal with returns, and plus dealing with the orders. I hope for you that this pay good because this is a lot of work. I am working with Rejuvance, partner with Sea Bella and Melalauca. I didn't had any experiences in sales but and it was a rough start because I needed to learn how to start building my business but at least I don't have to buy my product to build and inventory, and I not dealing with orders or returns, I just have to refer new customers or business partner to those companies and I get pay $25 per new enrolment plus up to 20% of commission on all the monthly orders that my customers are making for the lifetime that their account is active. For me that is great, like I said I have no sales skills but for some reason I did manage to enroll 23 customers since March 2014 and we are July 12, 2014 today and If I do nothing in my business because I am on vacation for a month or sick and can't work for a full month and all my 23 customers make there monthly order I will receive an income close to $350 in commission for this month without working. ok this is not millions but for me it is pretty good start for doing nothing. If you want to have some information about this contact me and I will be happy to provide you some information about our team.
email: career@rejuvinateyourlife.com

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lorena reaney
US
Jul 20, 2014 5:11 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have been a avon representative and i worked with managers and i said i would pay what money was owing two years ago and they couldnt tell me what campaign i owed so i forgot about it but it was i who contacted avon again the debt collectors had no file on me and had to reopen cause for two years i have no answers. so my mother was going to join avon for me who lives with me and the manager silvia accussed me off a horrible crime of trying to sign up under fraud and i wil be taking it further as also she said that after paying avon back which is what im doing she made sure i would never be with avon agian and my daughter and mother cant ever join ... so you know what avon can do i dont have to tell you all i wanted to know is what campaign i have mentioned it to different managers have statements saying i paid all campaigns and they still cant tell me what campaign i owe money i am the one who will pay it again no thanx to avon so i can get them out of my life and i wouldnt work with a manager who threatens people and says never to call again lorena reaney

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Angie Maria641
Saratoga Springs, US
Nov 10, 2014 7:39 am EST

I have been a rep for over two years and this next campaign is my last. Avon just doesn't allow Reps to make enough in earnings.
It used to be a 60/40 split. Meaning no matter how much you had in sales Avon gave you a 40% commission. Well they no longer do that. Now it is 20% from $49.99 to (I think) $250.00. After $250.00 it is 30%. I can't remember how much in sale is needed to earn 40%, but it is a lot and I only make it at Christmas time. With twenty percent sales, you earn nothing after shipping cost, brochure cost and sample cost. Believe me there are times when I don't break even. I dropped all of my contacts outside of where I work (a school district) due to the low commission. It Was not worth driving all over to delivery orders (big and small) when gas was almost $4.00 a gallon. The only way to make money are the following ways: a HUGE customer base that is located in your place of employment, becoming some type of district leader who makes earnings of the reps you suckered into signing up, or if Avon gets rid of all the unnecessary district leaders and give Reps the 40 percent they deserve. I am sad that I decided to stop selling. Avon is a great product, people love it and I had fun doing it. Also, I believe a Avon needs to allow Reps to sell the products on their own website designed buy the Rep (not the worthless one they give you to work with) and the let Reps sell on Amazon and Ebay. Why not? Let's face it, Avon isn't doing well. The time has come for Avon rethink things! Bye Bye Avon.

PS
Too many items often on back order. No one wants to wait a month for foundation. I never had problems when calling Avon regarding issues. I found them to be very pleasant and helpful.

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Cosimo Bressi
US
Jan 14, 2016 7:35 pm EST

I am not trying to take one side or another here but I do have to bring logic and reason into this. Many complaints here about Avon just like many people do about their regular jobs. You only get out what you put in. This, no matter what anyone says or tells you, is a Sales role and to make money in sales you need to be a certain type of person. I have been with Avon almost two years now and no I do not make millions or even thousands from them but I do maintain an additional income from this. The main reasons are web sales and I am always sharing and telling people what I do. On top of that I follow up frequently. A good sales person does not become successful by just saying something once or twice and hoping people beat their doors down for the latest product. If and when you become a rep you need to be good at two things Sales and entrepreneurship. There is no easy way about this. If you are good then yes it will be easier. This is a business and when you are new or returning it needs to be realized that you need to put a lot of effort to get anything back, With all the competitors today Avon is not as big and wanted as it used to be so you need to do a bit more work to get sales and be successful.

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sbonile
ZA
Jan 23, 2016 12:39 am EST

I also join Avon as a representative so what happened is I had to pay for my order to be released, then a month ago I made a payment so later on when I check my acc it reflected that I did not pay, so when I check the slip it was the wrong easypay no, so I want to know what must I do now or who should I call for this

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Donna Gari
US
Nov 11, 2016 8:39 am EST

I think the main issue was with your district leader. Some leaders and mentors don't want to help a representative and/or don't even care. And I think that if you don't have a sufficient customer base, don't order so many products. I have about 11 customers but I don't buy the specials. You are the boss! You take control of what you think you should/should not order. I've been in Avon for a little over a year and the only money I've spent was on myself--products I wanted! I'm not obliged to buy anything additional even though I may be told that buying 10 bottles of perfume is a deal. It is a deal but I just don't have that number of customers yet. So, I don't buy it--MY decision. You have to think for yourself and do for yourself. It's YOUR business so you do as you please (within guidelines, of course). AND, if I call and don't understand a customer service person on the phone, I ask for someone else! If I don't understand them, I don't understand and I speak up! I ALWAYS get someone whom I can understand. And IF I get conflicting messages, I'll ask to speak to a supervisor. I've never had a problem. I enjoy being an Avon representative very much and love that I can basically run MY business how I want.

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Chrissy930
US
Oct 26, 2017 12:50 pm EDT

Being a rep is the worst. I was stuck with a mentor who for 2 years since I joined never thought of contacting me. Avon refused to let me get a mentor who I know personally and is forcing me to stay with this mentor who gets bonuses for me being on her team, but doesn't do a thing to help. Then they banned me from their facebook for speaking the truth. I wish I had never signed up to sell in the first place had I known they didn't care about reps.

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mariemariemarie
US
Aug 03, 2018 10:12 am EDT

I had to heal skin contamination.
After opening the cosmetic did not notice anything special. after use, the skin began to bake, tears flew from the eyes, the whole skin was red. I went to the doctor, I got an antibiotic and I treated myself for a long time. After putting the cosmetic into the test, it turned out that there are dangerous to health and life of molds and bacteria. Most likely, at the instigation of my friends, I will go to court for compensation from Avon.
I warn everyone against using these cosmetics !

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Donna Furrer-Wittmann
US
Aug 26, 2018 2:02 pm EDT

Wow that is terrible, I have eczema and never had a reaction form their products, only Mary Kay made my skin burn and turn red.. I was miserable, no less a week before my wedding... ugghhhh.. Avon and Clinique are the only 2 products I can use on my face and skin.

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Suzie Jones 34
US
Aug 22, 2018 11:38 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm reading your post in disbelief. I've been with Avon for over a year and it's like you had a foreign experience. You said "I would also win a christian lacroix designer purse" AVON didn't offer any kind of incentive with a designer purse. Not sure if that was an incentive from your leader that was from her to her team, but that's not from the company. I stay up to date on all incentives and just went to look in my back office and there is nothing like that.

You are not required to have any inventory. If your leader was giving you an incentive for 50 perfumes which is what it sounded like you DO have the option not to participate. There is no where in our Policies and Procedures that states you have to BUY anything.

I've had nothing but an amazing experience with Avon. I suggest you contact CorporateCareTeam@avonusa.com to get this whole thing straightened out. This just doesn't sound right at all. We don't even have district leaders anymore. They did away with that last year. So I'm not sure what you are talking about there.

Having women buy 80 face creams? What face creams were they told to buy? Why would anyone do that? It makes no sense ! I'm in so many Avon groups and I've never seen or heard of this. The $10 special only went on for a month and what perfume incentive where they told to buy?

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Donna Furrer-Wittmann
US
Aug 26, 2018 12:32 pm EDT

"Avon / becoming a sales rep is a big mistake"

I am sorry you have had this experience. The upline has really gave you some bad advice, and it appears that they were recruiting people to boost the sales for the team. But as a beginner, product they give you should really get you started. That is insane, I love Avon, and honestly brochures, samples, online facebook and your web page are awesome tools. I have wonderful upline, and we have monthly meetings and no one I have ever met has given me any advice like that, especially when you are just beginning. Yes you are right Avon is the only Direct Sales company that you can start of with little money. I sell Avon, and I working on another organization that is great too. You can always change your upline, and get involved with a team that is less intensive, and have had years of experience. I am sorry you had a bad experience. :(

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Katheleen Wilson
US
Aug 08, 2021 4:30 pm EDT

I am not surprised and I am sorry you had this experience. I am 70 years old and have sold AVON since I was 17 years old and my mother's Avon Lady came to our house every two weeks and she had samples. She would visit and we always knew she was coming because my mama made a homemade cake with fudge icing. When I graduated from high school, she took me on her route, yes, back then they had a route, she wore a suit, always had her makeup perfect and always made sure she had her new lipstick on. She retired and I was able to work at the Telephone Company full time and still do my Avon. It actually paid for my business school and also when I got married it helped pay for my wedding and then I had a baby and was on leave without pay at that time and was able to still sell AVON. Even though I have sold AVON on and off for over 50 years you do not get that time credit as you relocate and it is like starting over. I have made the President's club twice in my career with AVON. I just relocated back in 2013 from PA to LA because my mother passed and I had to move back home to help with her estate as she left me her property and now less than 3 months ago I had to move 2 hours away because Hurricane Laura and Delta destroyed my property and I found out on 11/11/2020 that it would cost over 60K to repair and upgrade my home and then two days later my 49 year-old son passed away and so my youngest child lived in Lafayette La and said Mom move here so I sold some property and moved here. I have been trying to re-establish my AVON and after 3 months I finally got an order. But AVoN no longer is a family it is made up of couples that know nothing AND I MEAN NOTHING ABOUT AVON, all they want is you to obligate yourself to buy these outragous products that you know you are not gonna sell. I don't know about any of you older Reps but all this new stuff AVON have are over priced and items to fix your hair etc are over a $100 dollars and don't know about y'all but my clients are on a limited budget and half or more that half dont even want catalogs anymore. Half the new reps dont even have a clue how Avon got started and dont even know the name of the lady and I have the porcelin doll of her. It is a shame also when my son died, the two people, (married) who were my leaders wanted me to make up for lost time and I referred them to the old days when one of our Avon Sisters lost a loved one, we all got together to help her out as well as be there for her to make sure that her Avon got delivered, packaged and got the credit. Well you can forget it today. I dont even then AVON will be around in 5 years, because even in the hair salon I have used for years don't even keep any brochures anymore. It is sad but that is the NEW AVON FOR YOU. Kathe Wilson Representative.

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