Direct selling

Direct selling from catalogues (Avon and similar)

Sell products from a direct-selling company's brochure to friends, colleagues and neighbours, earning the difference between your discounted price and the brochure price.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Sociable people with a wide network who are happy to show a brochure and follow up on orders.

In South Africa: Works anywhere with a network.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • Approaching people yourself
  • At least 3 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

This is usually pocket money: helpful, but rarely enough to live on by itself.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

Avon pays a 15% to 35% discount on the brochure price depending on quarterly sales (20% for new reps' first three months). Sales volumes are not published.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R0 to R600
Every month
At Avon: R28 admin fee per order and a minimum order of R580 to stay active; brochures cost extra.
Payment fees
Collect payment from customers before you place your order.
Margin
15% to 35% at Avon depending on your quarterly sales, before your own costs.

How it is paid: Margin between your discounted price and the brochure price. Our viability score for it: 50 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Show the brochure to 20 people you know
    • Only place orders customers have paid for
    • Success signal: your first quarter covers the minimum order and admin fees with profit left over

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Read the company's earning terms, minimum order and fees in full
    • Check that the money comes from customer sales rather than recruiting
    • List 30 people you could show the brochure to

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Place your first pre-paid order
    • Deliver on time and ask each customer for one referral
    • Track your profit after admin fees and brochures

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Keep customers who reorder and stop chasing those who do not
    • Decide whether the profit per hour is worth it

First orders can come within a brochure cycle. First income usually takes 7 to 60 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Catalogue direct selling: from your first brochure to your first order

24 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Colleagues, friends, family and neighbours.

Convenient access to beauty and household products with personal service.

Is there demand?

Independent Avon leaders explain how reps earn: a 20% discount for the first three months, then 15% to 35% by quarterly sales (R1,900 or less a quarter earns 15%). Joining is free, but each order has a R28 admin fee and a R580 minimum. Earnings depend entirely on your sales.

AvonOther catalogue companies that sell to customers outside the company

Getting customers

Your own network: workplace, church, family groups and WhatsApp status.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesIn-person networking

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Buying stock nobody ordered to reach a minimum: only order what customers have paid for
  • Schemes that pay mainly for recruiting are pyramid schemes, which are illegal: check the company earns from sales to real customers
  • Chasing customers for payment

Competition: High: many reps and online beauty shops.

Room to grow: Low: earnings track your personal sales.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • You must be 18 or older.
  • Avon's application asks for your ID number and a copy of your ID (some online forms take a passport), and Avon may check your credit record before giving payment terms.
  • Pyramid schemes are illegal under the Consumer Protection Act.
  • Disclose that you are an independent representative.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start direct selling from catalogues in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R600. Recurring costs: At Avon: R28 admin fee per order and a minimum order of R580 to stay active; brochures cost extra.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 21 days, and between 7 and 60 days. First orders can come within a brochure cycle.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

You must be 18 or older. Avon's application asks for your ID number and a copy of your ID (some online forms take a passport), and Avon may check your credit record before giving payment terms. Pyramid schemes are illegal under the Consumer Protection Act. Disclose that you are an independent representative. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (6)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy