#How to Buy Avon

[avonmom]

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[melishatweedy]

Hi, What is your opinion of Melisha Tweedy’s new outfit and makeover from Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget (2023)?

I just love the obvious difference between both her looks!

In the first film we have the slick back bun, the muddy boots. You can see the constant tired look on her face, she’s burnt out and run down from the farm. She’s got no time for appearance as she’s too busy running a failing farm with her husband, no extra help or staff. Her outfit itself is very fitting for the time era (50s) in England, post war where most working class people are in poverty just trying to live. I love the colour too.

((Where she got the money for the pie machine beats me. Probably like a buy now pay later scheme through a catalogue as that’s how most items were bought back then. (1950s Klarna.. yer chicken sells avon) ))

Then we have the second film. She’s away from the farm, married to a rich man with lots of wealth. She’s got her hair done,makeup etc. the clothing again is very fitting for the time era (now we’re in the 60s). She’s got time for personal care and money for her clothing. She’s a successful business woman, you can clearly tell by her looks. She’s managed to let go of past ties (until ginger comes back) which is why she’s more smiley (and goofy) but still got her morals about her. The slight tone difference of her dress for me indicates that she’s still the same Mrs Tweedy.. but also different and I love that.

[askgildaseniors]

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DISCLAIMER: The following program contains material, situations, and/or themes that may disturb some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

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CHAPTERS: 00:00: How Latino Entrepreneurs Overcome Financial Obstacles 02:42: The Road to Financial Freedom 04:30: How I Became a Young Journalist 07:30: Defying Expectations 12:32: The Hidden Value of Education 15:40: How to Prioritize What Matters 18:49: Failure Isn't the End 22:11: Find Your Voice 24:56: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs 27:29: How I Rebooted My Life and Found True Success 34:21: A Message of Empowerment and Inspiration

[greencheekconure27]

I'm not very far into this show yet and this might be wrong but: I like the idea that a part of why Roj Blake likes having Avon around is precisely because he's the one crew member to consistently challenge his decisions.

Because Blake is a) by no means stupid b) probably very aware of how good he is at getting people to follow him c) also aware that he failed horrifically before.

He knows that Avon is both smart and not easily blinded by a cause/ideals. He's probably also not buying Avon's claims of not caring about the crew at all.And he knows Avon is likely to ruthlessly point out all the flaws in his plans.

I think Blake fears leading people to their deaths again-and that Avon is his failsafe.

[goatsludge]

Longtime lurker, hoping you can help me out.

I'd like to purchase a gas mask that is available for say...under $200-300...and compatible with aiming a rifle?

Can you suggest a couple of models that are affordable and easily obtainable?

I'm also (seperately) looking for a low cost self-contained (battery driven supllied air) full-face respirator for painting or spaying pesticides but the cost of the 3M system has kept me from taking the plunge. I find half masks or disposables really uncomfortable to breath through. Any suggestions?

That depends on a lot of things - let's start with the most important one, are you wanting to buy new or are you experienced enough to know what to look out for with surplus items?

Assuming you live in the U.S., imo the best option for most tactically-inclined individuals are ex-police Avon C50's; They sit smack dab in the middle of the pricepoint you described (going for $250+ on average) and they meet 80% of the criteria for what I personally believe a modern "tactical" mask (not just military) should encompass:

Panoramic eyelens with a wide ecosystem of lens outserts

Optical insert capability

Comms and/or Voice Amplifier-Capable

Mesh skullcap-type head harness with low-profile buckles for helmet integration

Butyl rubber and glass-filled nylon construction

Common, standardized drinking adapter

Threaded for Rd40x1/7" NATO Canisters for greater flexibility of protection (i.e.; using canisters intended for specific threats instead of just general purpose CBRN)

Left and right-hand capable side ports

Interchangeable inner nosecups for custom sizing based on individual facial ergonomics The only thing it really lags behind in is having poor passive voice communication (no voice diaphragm, just the outlet valve), as well as poor moisture drainage (you will have to lean forward to drain any sweat, spit, etc out the outlet valve rather than it draining naturally)

All gas masks are generally going to put you at a disadvantage as far as aiming a rifle, and even masks designed for improved rifle ergonomics like the Avon FM53/54 still give a massive amount of stand-off when attempting to look down your sights, so I'd definitely hop on the bandwagon of tall optic risers if gas mask usage is a legitimate consideration.

Other excellent surplus options include the older Avon FM12, Scott/Kemira M/95 (or more realistically, the Scott M110 if you can find them; the M/95's drinking system is hard to get adapters for), or even MSA Millennium or surplus M40A1 Protective Masks are all viable options with a fair amount of aftermarket support. As far as buying newly-manufactured masks, you're going to be cutting above the $300 mark - Avon sells their C50 (and FM50, which is the same but with proprietary cartridges) at an MSRP of $500

Mira Safety is a brand you've likely heard of, who are mostly known as a redistributor of gas masks manufactured for them by Czech firm Gumarny Zubri. Mira as a company is incredibly underhanded and shady - they make a lot of false claims about who they sell to and the capability of their products, and not to mention their ad campaigns are the most blatantly mudslinging/misinformed.

Objectively the only thing that Mira/GuZu masks really shine at is having slightly higher quality rubber and superior passive voice comms and downward moisture drainage over Avon designs. They fail at basically every other aspect. However, they do work and they are cheaper if buying brand-new masks is a requirement for you.

I sadly don't have many suggestions as far as commercial/industrial PAPR units - I know a lot of those are surplussed by the pharmaceutical/medical industry, so I'd browse options, get to know them and spend time obsessively browsing ebay for various models and knowing how to tell when they're complete and serviceable.

Oh and one last thing -

P3-rated Particulate Filters are your best friend if all you realistically expect to face off against is tear gas and nuisance dusts. Particulate filters don't really expire since there's basically no chemicals that break down and can be stored almost indefinitely provided there's no moisture to foul the filter element.

40mm threaded P3 cartridges made by 3M, Racal, MSA etc are super common on the industrial surplus market and can be had in bulk for reasonably cheap, especially as "expired" lots.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Something Holy This Way Comes

Ch.2 Secrets

Other Stories

Other Chapters

Progress on the restoration of the Glain route was progressing quickly with the extra engines. They had reached a small farming village named Tawel, high on the cliff overlooking the sea. Seagulls lined the cliff edge, crying angrily at Screech's presence. One started hopping towards her. Screech opened an eye to stare at the bird. The gull stopped for a moment, but then hopped forward again while looking the giant in the eye.

Thwack

The seagull's flock turned to watch it sail away towards the ocean.

"Screech!" Mali said admonishingly from the station platform

Screech closed her eye.

 "The skyrat should have known better." She said lazily.

The seagull returned and landed on Screech's snowplow, squawking in indignation.

Screech eyed the bird in irritation.

Mali giggled.

 Screech slowly scooped up a pile of snow with her tendrils. The seagull failed to notice the tendrils moving until it was too late.

ploof

 The seagull's head popped up from the snow angrily. 

Screech rumbled in satisfaction. Miss Morgan exited the old station, stopping to take in the sight.

"I see you're getting along with the locals." She said amused.

Screech flicked a tendril at the seagull who hopped over it with a squawk.

Screech glared.

"Any progress with getting a new engine?" Mali asked, hoping to distract Screech before she gave into the whisper's urging to unmake the bird.

Miss Morgan nodded, "Yes, finally. We're negotiating for an engine from the Western Region. They're supposed to arrive middle of next year."

"So long?" Screech asked without looking away from the gull.

"The engine is being sent for overhaul at Swindon," Morgan explained. "They will come here once overhauled and we'll have a chance to buy them if we're satisfied."

"You know they will try something to sabotage the trial."

Miss Morgan locked eyes with the eldritch giant, "which is why you will be watching over our new engine when they arrive."

A smirk slowly dawned on Mali's face, "They don't know about Screech."

The whisper cackled.

Miss Morgan's grin was predatory, "No they don't. I suspect the only reason they are sending the new engine is to find out what's changed on our railway. Before her arrival, we were struggling to keep the trains running."

"And when they find out about me?"

"That's the best part," Morgan smirked, "they'll never believe it. It doesn't matter if their spy sees you, according to their records you were scrapped."

"Because I was." 

Freda spoke up from the cab, "Normally that would mean you were dead. Not on a distant railway with reality-breaking abilities."

"Technically I am dead."

Gwyn snorted, "You're awfully solid for a ghost." He said, rapping his knuckles on the side of her tender.

Screech looked back, unimpressed. "I was cut into pieces by burning axes before those pieces were melted back into raw metal. The fact death failed to drag me beyond does not mean I am alive."

"I would think that's exactly what it means."

Screech locked gazes with Mali, "Little Thief, every second I must hold back my true form or risk reducing your mind and body to ash in an instant. I am no longer of this world, I am of the beyond. Your very being is unable to withstand the true weight of my presence. If I were to ever slip, you would not die, you would be unmade."

Mali swallowed nervously, "So no startling you then."

"It would be unwise."

The seagull squawked in apparent agreement.

Mali went to speak then hesitated.

"What is it, Little Thief?" Screech rumbled.

"You say you confine yourself to your physical shape..."

"Do you not believe me little one?"

Mali shuddered as her bones rattled from Screech's attention. "If that shape is confined...how large are you actually."

Screech rumbled a laugh, the sound's echoes triggering an avalanche on the nearest mountain. Her eyes burned blue as she ever so slightly relaxed her grip on her form.

"Avon is taking on water while Enid complains about her snowplow fitting awkwardly."

Miss Morgan blinked, nonplussed, "Avon should be at Din by now."

"She is."

The humans were silent for a long moment as they understood what she was saying.

Miss Morgan finally shook her head ruefully, "I suppose that keeping anything from you is a lost cause."

"Only if I know to look." Screech admitted as she shifted slightly, "It's why I didn't recognize Tyto's approach. I can only focus on so much at once, although saying my name will normally get my attention.”

Mali jumped, "Wait does that mean you know..."

"Yes," Screech said bluntly

"Oh." Mali sounded very small.

Screech rolled her eyes, "I am hardly in the habit of spilling others' secrets."

"...Thank you," Mali said quietly.

Miss Morgan raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

Gwyn looked at Screech thoughtfully, "How far can you reach if you try? say..."

"You had better not be asking one of my engines to spy on my meetings with the Other Railway." Miss Morgan said flatly.

"I don't trust them," Gwyn said seriously. "You know they want us gone. Removing you would accomplish that."

"They're not murderers Gwyn." Morgan frowned at him. 

"Screech existence says otherwise," Freda said quietly. There was an awkward silence.

"She has been in no danger." Screech finally said.

"...you were already watching." Miss Morgan sighed in resignation.

"I was."

"...thank you." 

It was quiet for a moment then Mali tentatively asked, "Any progress on the Argol line?"

"We hope to begin work on restoring the Argol Line in the spring. " Miss Morgan said, stretching, "By then Seren will be able to assist, and the first trains could be running by Autumn. They'll only go as far as the first station, but the sooner the lines open, the sooner it can help pay for its renovation.

"Will we have the engines to serve the line by then?" Freda asked.

Miss Morgan nodded, "I spoke with the North Western Region and the Chester and Holyhead board last night. The North Western is sending us another engine to help restore the old lines to Glain. Once the line is reconnected, the CH&R has promised to help run the trains until we're on our feet.

"Do they know about Screech?" Gwyn asked.

"No." Miss Morgan shook her head, "Tyto and Ceri promised to only tell Eagle. Screech will remain our ace in the hole for as long as we can manage."

[just-horrible-things]

‘Verse: BBU Story: A Girl Called Spider Timeline: early in Spider's time with Avon

Love [ First | Prev | Next ]

“I love you, Sir,” she breathes into the warmth of his collarbone. 

She sounds like pure devotion. She knows she does. They reprimanded her for not believing her words until she could say them with enough earnest desperation that they fooled themselves into thinking that she did. 

But Sir pushes her off him.

Wounded, guilty eyes come naturally, lips already parting ready to apologise – with words or with kisses pressed to still-flushed skin –

“Let’s get something straight,” her Owner says. “I didn’t buy you for love. Everyone knows Romantic is a lie. You’re a sex toy. You’re for sex, not for love.”

Pets love their owners. I will love my Owner.

The lies have been drilled into her over and over and over.

She is not a good Pet if she cannot make them believe she can love.

“I’m not trying to hurt you,” he adds, exasperated. She smooths her distress into a brief, nervous smile. If he doesn’t want her hurt, she shouldn’t be. “I know it’s part of the marketing. But this” – a sharp jerk of his hand encompasses the bed, their naked bodies, the stickiness on their skin – “this isn’t love. This is sex. That’s all. You’re not a girlfriend, you’re a Pet. You’re a good fuck, and you look good at parties. That’s what you’re for. Okay?”

That’s what you’re for. 

She can find certainty in that. He’s not ripping the carpet out from under her, he’s just … setting his own rules. She knew that home would be different from the facility.

“Yes, Sir,” she agrees, still soft and husky. A good fuck. She certainly knows how to be that. Another smile, this time sly and seductive. “Then, can I say… I love your body, Sir?” His laugh is sharp and humourless, but it’s a laugh. Better than the scowl he was wearing. “Is it true?” he asks. “Yes,” she lies without hesitation. It’s a body. She has no strong opinion. “You’re so fit. I love…” her hand seeks his skin, and trails downwards “... your stomach, and your thighs, and the colour of your hair. And I particularly love…”

He pushes her hand away, but without force this time. “I’m done,” he says. “I’m done for today. Don’t go working me up again, I need to shower.” “I could come with you?” she suggests. “We can be quick.” “No,” he says. “No. You’ve done well today, but we’re done.” “Yes Sir,” she agrees with a smile. “Whatever you say.”

[Next]

[die-rosastrasse]

Hello, I hope you are having a lovely day! I have just returned from an antique show where I purchased a lovely antique crystal perfume bottle and it made me think about you. Partially inspired by you and how you talk about romanticizing your life, I have been wanting to start wearing perfumes and I have been slowly acquiring personal items that bring me joy (such as the perfume bottle and a hand mirror I got at my last antique show). But now I have a bottle and no perfume and also undetermined contact dermatitis allergies.

I remember you once mentioning you quite like some but your mom really likes perfumes and I was wondering if you or your mom have advice on figuring out what scents one enjoys, how to navigate local/independent shops, and maybe ingredients that might cause allergic reactions I could avoid.

Also I have wanting to let you know that I purchased an assortment of stickers from you a few years back and I think about our exchange often. You are a delightful person and it was a very pleasant shopping experience. I hope to find excuses to buy from you again.

Hi! Thank you so much for your kindest message, your support and for thinking about me when you go antiquing 🤍 I'm so delighted to hear that you are starting a collection of things that are specially dear to your heart, unique, carrying a history behind them. I love that so much, and I'm impatiently awaiting the antique fair in my city this month 💖 Perfume bottles are also something I'm looking out for this year, especially old pastel Avon bottles for my collection. Mine still smells a little of the scents from the past, does yours too?

As for the perfumes themselves - I'm really not that much of an expert, but I have one rule for looking for fragrances: use them as you would normally, and if you can constantly feel them on yourself for the rest of the day, this is not it. They're supposed to blend with your body, dissapear for you but nobody else. My mom is very much into rare, niche perfumes, and that's how I know that "niche" often just means a fancy label or an ingredient, which is rare and hard to extract, but not particularly pleasant. But my mom also works writing descriptions of fragrances and they can be very peculiar and almost poetic. What to choose if you want to smell like a Greek goddess? A 1920's flapper in a jazz club? Like Alice in Wonderland? For me, my favorite scent lately called Cinnabar, smells exactly like the mystical beauty of Gustav Klimt's paintings, so gold and opulent. There are pages like fragrantica where you can read descriptions, see a whole list of ingredients (for allergies too), filter your searches with the notes or vibe. There are even blogs of people finding that aesthetical comparison and recommending scents based on their vibe. I think you could visit a few blogs, a few shops, learn what you like in each bottle - is it flowers, spices, fruits? And start looking from there. I think when you'll finally smell "the one", you'll know! Wishing you luck in your search! 🌹❤️

[avonmom]

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[dollsonmain]

Ok time to put everything away. That Guy gets home anywhere between 2:30 and 4.

While I decide whether I want to use this or not (I’m leaning no with a preference for foam board shelves wrapped in different pastel papers, this modular unit would make more sense in a more modern setting) and because if I wait until I’ve made a decision I will never complete the project

I’ve added a pink panel to the back of the bed covering the former shower. I already like the way that looks better, and I think I will do the majority of the book case/curio cabinet/hutch thing I’m building in pink with the counter top part (which will include that shower-shelf, each faux cabinet door (which will be the most boring rectangles ever), and if I add foam board shelves then each of those being a different pastel color of the matching paper.

That paper was something I got from the Amazon Warehouse to get “free” shipping.

Look at it, though. That’s just printer paper and I glued it to foam board. It did get a little wrinkly in a place or two because I didn’t wait long enough for the Tombow Mono Multi to set, but look how smooth that is. It would never be that smooth with white glue or a glue stick.

I’m almost out of that bottle of TMM, but I have another unopened one, so I’m not worried. It lasts a very long time.

I might go around only the outside edge of that curio thing with this wood-look contact paper so that when the bed is down (which will be never, but just in case) the platform frame will look like wood.

I’ll see how I feel about/ how it looks with the whole thing being pink first. Wood grain might look really weird with how low detail most of the rest of the house is, though the stickers are a little more detailed.

Either way, the rest of that is basically simple rectangles. As long as I don’t screw up my measurements too much, it shouldn’t be too headache inducing to complete.

Still thinking about making the battery port cover look like a fuse box, or maybe just sticking a little picture  in a frame on it or something. It’ll look bad regardless. All that matters is that I can get to the screw, really. It’s not like I’ll ever put batteries in it, but someone might some day.

I think I would like to make that weirdly shaped crib storage spot (thank you @dollsahoy​ for figuring that out for me) into, like... Maybe put some little cleaning supplies in there? like a bucket and some cleaning cloths and maybe a tiny broom or mop, or maybe pet supplies since there are sticker animals EVERYWHERE on this thing. There are like 3 dogs and 7 cats (that is an exaggeration but only slightly).

I stopped buying non-toy Mini Brands so I don’t have any of the kitty litter boxes or anything convenient like that.

I could also just whip up a “door” and cover over the space completely with yet another faux cabinet.

AND I was looking at the MGA MiniVerse balls I have. The smaller one is pretty much exactly the right size AND shape for the fountain cutout on the back of this door.

It would stick out a lot, though, so I might make something else to put there like a rack for garden tools or a narrow planter box or something, just to keep the profile of the house smaller which makes it easier to store.

That could also be a place to put a pet stuff station to hang leashes on or something like that.

-

I don’t intend to buy furniture for the house I don’t think. I do have a bunch of My Scene furniture sitting around though it’s not colors that would work with this space, and if I buy one of the Gloria sets (or the coveted Avon set....) they come with kitchen chairs and a table and I think I’ll most likely have this set to kitchen most of the time, if not fireplace.

Modern Barbie furniture isn’t the right colors or style.

-

So decisions I [still] need to make:

how to decorate the fireplace room wall, mantle, and the fireplace itself

what colors to apply to basically everything in the kitchen, especially the appliances, little bits of wall above the cabinets, and the backsplash

whether or not to do detail painting in the kitchen like adding color to the stovetop, faucet, and drawer pulls

which dishes to get and whether to buy dishes that are already done, get some cheap ones and paint them, try making my own again, or something else

whether to use the Mini Brands shelving brackets as modular shelving or make my own foam board shelves

-

..... The only thing I did today was make a pink rectangle. Ugh.

[softlysuited]

The Sunless Skies Log

I started up a new playthrough of Sunless Skies, which I've played for about an hour previously and know nothing about except it seems Extremely My Shit. And, given my april new years resolution, I thought it would be fun to start a little log of my adventures!

Here follows the tale of Comrade O'Conner, a former revolutionary and asylum inmate dreaming of immense wealth who has taken the helm of a ramshackle old locomotive named The Orphean, just returned from a disastrous voyage in the Blue Kingdom (I'm excited to find out what all this means!) --

Session 1

15 March 1905 - 28 April 1905

Upon arriving in New Winchester, we took on a few new supplies and learned of a quest: Verdant Seeds for a Florid Landscapist in Titania! Not knowing where Titania might be or how to acquire Verdant Seeds, we nevertheless took on the quest.

Heading north-northeast, we sighted Titania before too long. But without any Verdant Seeds to give, we had to depart. Not without some new companions, however: the Rat Brigade, rodent mercenaries who signed on as our Chief Engineer. Fuel ran dangerously low on the journey back to New Winchester, but we survived. Unfortunately, buying some new fuel left us nearly empty of coin.

Next, we found the pretty greens of Port Avon, and Verdant Seeds! Our necessary refueling meant we could only purchase one sack, and the Florid Landscapist required five. But this is what beginnings are made of! We established a healthy little trade route between Port Avon and Titania, earning just enough to stay ahead of our supply and repair costs.

The Orphean in Titania

During these interminable runs, we joined the Tacketies in attacking one of the Queen's locomotives like any respectable revolutionary, and aided Titania against an attack by a swarm of Chorister Bees!

Alas, as we closed in on Port Avon for the third or thousandth time, we found there we no more Seeds to be sold! We would need a new source. We had hoped there would be a little surplus left over for another Jerusalem cannon or perhaps some more crew, but it seems we were to come up empty yet again.

Oh well. Surviving is better than the alternative.

Current Crew: Captain: Comrade O'Conner Chief Engineer: Rat Brigade

[softgaycontent]

Please share everything you know about MLMs I love learning things

Thank you for asking! I’ll start with a TL:DR for everyone: Never join an MLM. Over 99% of participants LOSE money (and time! And friends!). 

A Multi-Level Marketing Company (MLM), also sometimes called Direct Selling, is essentially a barely-legal pyramid scheme. Sales reps can either make money by selling a product or by recruitment of new sales reps.

MLMs make money off of people joining the MLM, even if those sales reps never sell anything, because the sales reps have to buy the product from the company before they can re-sell it. Therefore, they focus a LOT on recruitment (pyramid scheme). 

Some famous MLMs you may have heard of:  Amway, Mary Kay, Herbalife, Avon

We can prove the 99% Lose Money number pretty easily. If you are to only learn one fact to teach others, then look up Amway (the biggest MLM)’s Income Disclosure statement, which they publish themselves, on their own website. Screencap below:

This is PRE-business expenses that sales reps pay out of pocket, and still the average annual GROSS income made by the TOP 10% of the company is LESS than minimum wage. After expenses, you can see yourself how almost everybody loses money. (The money people lose goes to the ppl at the VERY top of the company; it’s not like when a normal small business fails.)

Below the cut is a lot more info, although not close to all I have collected.

Screencap summary of Amway's Income Disclosure:

Half of the TOP 1% made less than 55K pre-expense; studies show even they generally LOST money, or made very very little after expense (the top 0.5% actually makes any money, and the 0.05% make a LOT of money)

The TOP 10% earns, on average, LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE ($15K), with less than half of the TOP 10% making over $4.6K PRE-EXPENSES

Less than half of the TOP 50% makes more than $631 A YEAR. PRE-EXPENSE.

(Also, they cut the bottom 1/3 out entirely, so the 50% referenced is 50% OF the top 2/3. I’m actually OK with this, as long as it’s acknowledged, for better reporting. The bottom 1/3 were “inactive” and possibly not trying to participate in sales. The top 2/3 still sucks.)

I made a very sloppy visual to restate the data, in case it helps anyone:

-

Another example is the Mary Kay public income disclosure [for Canada] (another very popular MLM). 

Again, pre-expense, though also pre-retail sales (more in paragraph below)

The top 0.05%(!) makes average commissions of $124K

The level below that, Independent Sales Director, only 1.7% of the company, makes less than Canadian Minimum wage in commissions

98% of the company, very clearly, makes anywhere from $0 per year, to at most an average of $206 DOLLARS A YEAR (pre-expense, pre-sale)

Mary Kay works a little differently than Amway, where once you purchase a product, MK truly does not know or care what happens to it at all. If all of these people actually sold all the products they bought, it’s possible they made supplemental income, but data shows that most LOSE money on actual sales.

Let’s focus on Mary Kay for a moment, because their structure means the ONLY money the company ever receives was given to them BY their sales reps. So they’re easy to follow.

-

Why do sales reps lose money on sales?

The market is oversaturated. They have 3.5 MILLION reps trying to sell the same product* - meaning they either can’t sell, or they have to greatly discount the product

Many MLM products are more expensive than the same product elsewhere

They constantly refresh their line of products, so the inventory reps already have is now worth less and harder to sell

Sales reps must buy a minimum amount of new product each month to keep certain perks, even if they haven’t yet sold their old product (min $225, with much higher amounts sometimes necessary to keep status)

*What makes MLMs legal (thanks to lobbying, mostly) is that they HAVE a product, which sales reps buy from the company. I’m careful not to call these people employees, as they are technically independent consultants, and thus don’t receive employee benefits... like a guaranteed income, or healthcare, or anything. If you google “Mary Kay employees”, you will find data on their ACTUAL employees, who do actually make money. This is clearly not the case for their sales reps (table above). Mary Kay has about 5K ACTUAL employees, and 3.5 MILLION sales reps. 

-

So how do sales reps make ANY commissions?

If you convince people to join Mary Kay, MK will give you a cut (commission) of what they spend at the company on product

Since this is the main way to make money, reps are incentivized to recruit as much as possible

They are also incentivized to LIE about how much money they’re making, so people will stay with the company. I’ve read stories of reps renting a fancy car from time to time to convince the people below them that they’re making money

Clearly, thanks to the income disclosure, we can see that they aren't making much money on commissions, either

-

How are sales reps buying more product if they lose money being in an MLM?

Reps are encouraged to dip into their savings, with the promise of a greater payout later. If they don’t have any, they can open Mary Kay CHASE VISA card, and charge all the products they will never re-sell to it

Many people end up in heavy debt

Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t track what they’re spending vs earning until it’s far too late

-

What else do reps lose?

Time: Selling is actually a very small part of the business. A lot of time is spent FINDING people to sell to, organizing classes, restocking inventory, recruiting new members, traveling, going to conferences, and more. 

Mary Kay’s motto is, “God First, Family Second, Job Third”, to imply that this is something you can pick up part-time, but that’s simply not true

Relationships: Most people try to sell to and/or recruit their friends and family first, which can put a strain on relationships. Additionally, due to debt and/or need to borrow money to buy more products, many have damaged relationships with those close to them, including their spouses, who share the debt.

-

How else does Mary Kay make money?Don’t worry, it’s not all from sales reps buying their products! (Sarcasm. Please worry.)

Website + ability to process credit cards: This is essentially an annual membership fee - to access the MK website to buy their products (to re-sell), or to take credit cards as payment, you pay an annual amount to Mary Kay

Business Cards: More petty costs

Conferences: Sales reps are greatly encouraged to pay to attend sales conferences to learn more about how to be a great salesperson. (BONUS: you will encounter many cult-like tactics here, to keep you IN the MLM)

Jackets: Congrats! You’ve been promoted and you are now permitted to wear the Red Jacket! It costs $100. If you get promoted to NSD(?), you get to wear a fancy suit that changes every year and costs $1,000 each year!

-

How else does Amway make money? Bonus because they are egregious

Sales Reps replacing everything they own: Amway sells a LOT of different things. How can you sell anything if you haven’t tried it? If you really want to succeed at Amway, get rid of EVERYTHING you own that Amway also sells. Make sure everything you own is sold by Amway (people do actually follow these instructions! Cult-like tactics are used)

Training Materials: They make a lot of money off of selling training materials to their sales reps. Aren’t making money? It’s because you don’t WANT to succeed, clearly, if you aren’t buying all the training materials you can get your hands on

Haha maybe more than you've bargained for. I wrote this all at once late at night, but I'll look it over later to check for any potential errors and link more sources.

[godblessyoublackemperor]

stratford on avon travelogue aka benny's really good super nice day (part 1 of 2)

IIIIIII decided to go to stratford on avon today bc i've been meaning to go for a while and I've got this week off (birthday tomorrowwwww) - cham was gonna come too but had a bit too much work so it was just me, and I was slightly apprehensive about that but i actually had an incredible day and I'm going to tell you all about it RIGHT NOW

I left the house at noonish, its a roughly 45min drive from worcester and the drive was actually really nice, all relatively fast b roads/country lanes. I didn't really have a plan for the day other than just walk around, maybe see some shakespeare shit, otherwise just see my little lizard brain took me, so I just set the sat nav for "stratford on avon" and set off. When i got to the town outskirts i immediately saw signs for anne hathaway's cottage so i was like "yeah aight" and turned off, went down some cute semi-rural residential streets and arrived in a nice green leafy neighbourhood with a nearly deserted car park (no bank holiday today in the uk, we have it next monday). I noticed the minimum stay was 3 hrs so i was like hmmmmm and then when i got to the cottage it turns out you can buy a ticket that gets you into all three shakespeare places (anne's cottage, his birthplace, his new place) so I was like hmmmmmmmmmmm *a plan is forming*.

watch out 🐊

I wandered round the orchard/outsidey bits (a little sculpture/statue trail of shakepeare-y stuff) and did a very speedrun-y tour of the cottage itself - I wasn't super invested or bothered about Learning I just felt like being a tourist and it was honestly super fun to just be like no thanks i don't want any information :) i'll just walk around :)

falstaff's belley, also bees

it's nice she could afford such a cool place, she was good in interstellar

After maybe less than hour I emerged from ann hathaway's cottage and by that time the plan had cemented - I was going to go and see how many of shakespeare's three cribs I could see in a day. I didn't actually need to do this because the ticket is valid for a year but it felt like a fun little goal. I also noted there was a handy signposted route into the town centre so I opted to leave the car there and walk - I both did and didn't regret this decision later.

The walk into town was mostly along a long straight boring road but I did see a cool graveyard and a euphemistically named "SCULPTORS" workshop not far away. The walk in total was probably about 15-20 mins but it felt a bit longer, i eventually got bored and wandered off down a side road and finally got spat out of the sleepy residential streets just in front of Holy Trinity church:

(i didn't know that was what it was immediately, again fully did not plan or research anything beforehand, anyway it is apparently a Landmark so, great 👍)

From here it was a short walk along the river, and by that point i was falling slightly in love with the place already - the weather was just sunny enough, it wasn't too busy, people were boating on the river, there were swans and geese everywhere. After a few minutes I saw these and my original plan to visit some dead bloke's houses sort of got back burnered:

When I saw the boats for hire sign my little lizard brain immediately decided it wanted nothing more in the whole wide world than to go on a little boat on the river avon. I thought "yeah aight" and wondered off to find the actual hire point, these were just moored here and the wasn't anyone actually around to hire them out to me.

on the way i went past some big theatre place? i think it was something to with the dead bloke, idk i was thinking about boats.

a couple more minutes of boat focused wandering brought me to the boathouse (on the right^) which was deserted except for the staff who were all sitting on the veranda eating hula hoops. they seemed mildly surprised that i wanted to hire a boat, and explained that they only electric motorboats for hire that day. I had already seen the sign advertising the option between analogue and electric and i was like "yeah aight", so i paid the man and hopped aboard. I was given a brief how-to, and here i should maybe explain I have not been on any kind of boat in a very long time, my experience extends to heavily supervised rowing on a canal as a kid and one (1) time having a brief go at the wheel of a motorboat on a scottish loch when i was 13ish. None of this really swayed or discouraged me however, so consumed was i with the lizard brain instruction to Go on A Boat. I gamely took in the safety briefing which amounted to lever forward go faster, lever back go slower/reverse, turn to wheel to steer, dont fall in (I'll try not to, i responded cheerily, like a real adult), and I was on my way.

aboard the good ship "number 27"

it took me a couple of minutes to get the hang of the steering, but its top speed wasn't too fast and it actually handled really nicely and responsively so the learning curve wasn't too steep, and pretty soon I was whirring happly along

On the return leg I was just working out how to correct after my big u turn (i only had the boat for 30 mins and was only allowed on a short section of the river) when i spotted something odd and brown on the near side of the riverbank and i was like, is that a fucking otter, and lads IT WAS AN OTTER

i look really unexcited here bc i'm trying operate a phone camera at the same time as controlling an unfamiliar vehicle, and trying not to plough said vehicle into said otter. the otter looks really unexcited here bc im just a twat in a boat and it sees those all the time.

The rest of my journey was uneventful but very pleasant, once i got the hang it was a very relaxing and centering activity and i will definitely be back. I brought the boat back right side up and with me still dry and in it, which the dudes at the boat hire seemed pretty happy about, and they were even happier when i showed them the video of the otter.

From here I sort of just wandered around a bit more? By now it was approaching 4 o'clock and S on A is apparently one of those towns where everything shuts down from like 4 to 5, so it was pretty quiet. I wandered up the high street, wandered into a hi fi store, gawked at some turntables, wandered into a weird little "vintage store", took a picture of a tuba, left, wandered around a bit more, and then walked past a japanese restaurant and stopped and was like hmmmmmmmm.

bonus toilet selfie bc i was feeling myself this day.

It wasn't opening until 5 but i now had a plan formed (completely forgotten about the dead guy's digs by now). I wandered back towards the river, found a gelato place, got gelato (elderflower, battenberg and salted caramel, don't question me), and went and ate the gelato with my legs dangling off the steps by the river OH NO I HIT THE IMAGE LIMIT OK PART 1 OF 2 I GUESS

[tremendouskoalachild]

High Republic characters in Phase 3 according to the encyclopedia (who haven't appeared in phase 3 media or been officially confirmed for an upcoming project yet):

(potential spoilers of course)

Kara Xoo (newest Tempest Runner the last time we saw her. seems like she's out of a job tho?)

Kisma Uttersond (got the fuck outta there but not well enough i suppose)

Zadina Mkampa (evil scientist lady, presumably to cross Avon's path again?)

Yacek Sparkburn (the other two Dalna phase 1 Jedi have been at least mentioned in new media. also his probably-relative Jordanna is confirmed for an upcoming novel)

Yaddle (she canonically has to make it out be we don't know anything about what she might be up to. she talked to Vernestra that one time? also one of the few living Night of Sorrow survivors. not that she told anyone much)

Sylvestri Yarrow (presumably appearing alongside Jordanna as her gf)

Neeto Janajana (presumably appearing alongside Syl as her colleague)

Xylan Graf (presumably connected to Syl/Jordanna's plot)

Ghal Tarpfen (apparently dead according to Timelines? what's that about)

Vane Sarpo (idk i don't really know him much)

Viv'nia Nia'viv, Nima Allets, Zaret, Ru-ru (Lily and Arkoff were confirmed for Edge of Balance Vol. 3, so I assume these will also be there. hopefully the kids stay safe tho - this is the manga that killed a teen Jedi back in phase 1 when we didn't even expect it lol)

Lynela Kabe-Oyu (?? this seems random for such a minor character. let's go i guess)

Griswal (likewise - she's the tiny old Jedi Kantam rescued in the story they were telling younglings)

Krix Kamerat (big deal since the last time we saw him he was squaring off against Lula on a burning doomed space station. and Lula very pointedly doesn't have the little phase 3 symbol next to her lol)

Sian Holt (Emerick has been mentioned as working with Reath on research so maybe she's connected to that?)

Tia Toon (the tiny troublemaking but well-intentioned senator from TRS. hey dude how's it feel knowing that the tech you refused to buy for the Republic ended up with the Nihil instead. and directly led to the public execution of a Jedi Grandmaster lol)

Dal Azim (the teen Jedi from Lourna's backstory!! not a teen anymore but fingers crossed for a reunion)

[hazel-of-sodor]

Something Holy This Way Comes

Ch.21 Cassandra's Surprise

Other Stories

Other Chapter

The new engine raced onto Uman and Din metals with a joyful whistle, her long line of restored chocolate and cream coaches swaying with her speed as she thundered back onto home metals.

People turned to stare at the new engine as it shot past, her four 6’8 1/2” driving wheels a blur as she raced towards Uman, towards home. The rails sang beneath her wheels as she raced across the viaduct, the first rays of light reaching across the distant ocean to brush against her.

She charged the hill with a defiant whistle, her driver having to check her speed down the other side. She raced past Henaint, a blur of motion, speed, and steam in the morning light, the morning mist left swirling in her wake.

Finally she plunged down the descent to the coastal run, the station and town visible in the distance through the spray of the waves breaking over the wall. She called out with her whistle, and her fleetmates whistles replied, welcoming her back. She couldn't help the laughter as she pulled into the station. Her crew uncoupled the coaches and she quickly rolled towards the sheds whistling triumphantly, her wheels slipping in her excitement. She was home.

She rounded the points to the shed and immediately had to brake to keep Avon from slamming into her buffers, the little 2-4-0 whistling joyously for Miss Morgan with all her might. In the sheds Una and Blaidd had yet to build up enough steam to move, but were whistling for all they were worth. To the right of where Caomhnóir was laughing, Hegni sat on a flatbed, battered, but alive.

The controller rounded the corner of the sheds only to freeze at the sight of the atlantic crying happily with Avon, before dashing forward to scramble up on her footplate.

“Your early dear,” the controller laughed disbelievingly as happy tears rolled down her cheeks, “our new engine wasn’t supposed to be here for another hour.”

Saint David leaned into her controller's embrace, “I couldn't wait to get home.”

An engine she hadn’t seen before reached out her shadowed tendrils of midnight black and shoved Blaidd, Hegni, and Una alongside the Saint class, the original Uman and Din engines, all home at last.

***

Eventually Saint David was backed into her old berth with Avon, the 2-4-0 clearly unwilling to unbuffer from the Atlantic.

“How are you here?” Miss Morgan asked, “I saw what was left of your frames!”

The Saint class hummed happily, “my old frames. When the Other Railway sent me back to Swindon to be scrapped, I arrived to find the men at Swindon had no intention of letting my class go extinct. In order to buy time for Caomhnóir to arrive they disassembled me for an inspection…they found out my frames had cracks in them.”

Cassandra, who had been happily, if smugly, simmering took up the story. “Her frames would need to be replaced if she was to ever run again, so it was decided to cut up her old ones as proof of her scrapping. I arrived a few days later under the guise of our controller negotiating with the Western region for using our stationary plant at Crovan’s Gate for testing some of their engines. I left with a flatbed of ‘spares for our western built engines.’ When Swindon set the first engine for testing, they arrived with a new set of Atlantic frames for her.”

“Why Atlantic frames?” Blaidd asked curiously, “you were always a 4-6-0. Only the first batch of your siblings were built as 4-4-2s.”

Saint David blushed, “Yes, but I’d always been envious of them. They were eventually all rebuilt into 4-6-0s like the rest of us…but I’d always wished I could have been one of them. I had never felt quite right in my frames… so when I learned they were being replaced I asked if I could be an Atlantic.”

Cassandra chuckled, “Our controller was thrilled to have a Great Western Atlantic on our line, He was a Swindon man, and always loved Atlantics.”

“Is the frame replacement why you're no longer presenting male?” Hegni asked curiously. She sat on her flatbed, many parts had been removed for repair, leaving only her frames and boiler, which had been cleaned of their rust carefully.

The Saint class shrugged, “Personally I think it's because I'm finally in the right frames. I feel at home in a way I haven't before. The workmen were worried they screwed up my overhaul until they saw how relaxed I was.”

“Why didn't you let us know you were alive?” Avon asked quietly, soft hurt in her voice.

“I couldn’t,” Saint David answered sadly, “I was rebuilt in 55…”

“Right as they announced the modernization plan,” Abbey realized.

The Saint nodded, “you would be under the Other Railway’s control for another two years. The North Western was doing everything it could to keep from being taken over completely. They were already having to hide my existence from the inspectors.”

Miss Morgan slowly nodded grimly, “and it's only in the last year we’ve been able to gain stability.”

Cassandra nodded grimly, “we were more focused on what to do if you went under. Neither the NWR or C&HR had direct rail access to you, so getting your engines out would be difficult.”

“She would have been just one more engine that needed saving.” Beca said softly.

Saint David winced, “I couldn’t have taken coming home just to lose it again.”

Abbey smirked, “how did everyone react when we suddenly started doing better?”

Cassandra laughed, “the humans were all scratching their heads on how you’d managed to get an engine past the other railway without them noticing.”

Screech shrugged lazily, “I fell drawn here and emerged in front of the sheds.”

“Bypassing all the points we were watching,” Cassandra said with a chuckle.

Enid frowned as something occurred to her. “You are going home now that she's here, won't you?”

“In a week or two,” Cassandra confirmed, “as much as I enjoyed the break, I am needed at home.”

A/N: Hello Loves! Sorry, this was supposed to be out last night, but I got distracted and only remembered as I went to bed. Tonight, Traintober Starts, Love Y'all!