by Lynn Hunter

Created on: November 24, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

Which Brand is better: Mary Kay or Avon?

I feel that Avon has the better Brand. Consider the factors like availability, price, and quality. Avon is sold all over the world. Just a point a click away from a representative online, your order can be delivered to your door. Avon products are easy on the pocket book. Products are of better quality than you would find in stores and at a better price. I do not feel that the higher priced items mean that they are more effective or of a higher quality.

Mary Kay and Avon are more similar that you may think.

Both companies offer an entrepreneur experience with the help of experienced sales professionals and a well known product.

Both companies' main products are the skin care and make up lines. Avon also offers other products allowing the client to shop from home for all of their gift giving and personal needs.

Both companies offer the ability to climb the proverbial ladder, by offering mile stones the sales reps need to reach to attain higher commission. Mary Kay also offers pins and a pink car if you reach a certain goal. Avon also offers a blue Toyota if you reach a certain goal. There is the added commission from both companies when you are able to inspire others to sell the product. Did you know that you make more by helping others join the business than selling the product?

Both companies show the importance of giving back to communities and helping fundraise for important groups such as the breast cancer crusades and groups against domestic violence.

Representatives from both companies are expected to purchase their own products to be able to give customers a review of the products. The companies stand by the products as being made from the highest standards. A good sales person will know their products before they choose to sell it. I mean, would you decide to sell anything without knowing anything about it. I hope not. I was a long time user of both products before deciding to become a Sales Representative. To be successful, you need to know and believe in what you are selling.

You often hear of the Mary Kay parties going on around town. You do not hear about Avon parties. But they do happen. This is really a choice of the Avon representative. Avon has trial sizes of almost every item. The representative just has to make sure to purchase these items and have them in stock so that they may have a trial party.

Avon has been around since 1886 (under a different company name the California Perfume company), Mary Kay since 1963. Avon and Mary Kay have established similar sales tools and guides to help their representatives prosper and inspire others. They have been around for many years, surviving leadership changes, economic down turns, big box department stores and scepticism of the public.

I feel the biggest difference is the start up cost and the over all costs of each product. To become a representative with Mary Kay, there is a large upfront cost, as you have to buy the entire line of products to have on hand for your Mary Kay Parties. This will help you sell your products. Mary Kay products are relatively pricy compared to Avon. To join with Avon there is a small start up fee which pays for your licence.

I feel that both companies provide good quality product lines. Knowing that they follow the same description, I am going to choose Avon as the better Brand. The brand sells itself. I do not need to have "Parties", instead I leave a product book behind where ever I go and the book does the selling for me. Sure makes life easy as a sales person. I do not need to convince someone to purchase or try the product.

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