KristinesShower

I haven't even started these yet!

I am wondering if it would be ok to pour the melts as a pour off to my container candles? Right now I am using NG 100% soy and 1.5 FO ppo. Is this strong enough for a melt or would I have to make a whole batch of different wax just for my melts? I plan on curing them like I do my candle tins - do you guys find that you get more scent if you cure longer? Would it be wise for me to add another wax to make them harder, or would the soy be fine?

One of these days I will get them done...seems like I have been asking questions about them for months LOL

..I guess this is more than one question isn't it? :undecided

So - if I order a pound of fragrance and they send a pound of sh*t,

ROFLMAO!!!

Here is a link to help you:

http://www.candletech.com/forums/search.php?searchid=372219

Thanks so much for the shout out

I have decided to pull the bubble bars for now because I was getting a few complaints here and there about their bubbling capacity. They were tested in both soft and hard water, but I am finding that the longer they sit, the less they bubble. Because I only had about a 3 month testing window, I think I am going to go back to the drawing board & make them even better the second time around.

I personally never had any problems with them, but I want to be safe just in case.

I think I am just going to pull that responsibility from her.

To tell you the truth, I laid off some of my responsibilities this year because I was having my first baby and I didn't want to add stress (I am overweight and was scared of all the things that could have happened)

Now that Jimmy is here, I can go back to what I was doing before like taking calls and handling all customer complaints (when I have them) & I am wanting to learn how I can improve on this.

I normally don't have any complaints with companies I use because I only use what I know. I don't try out new companies that often and when I do, I always come to the boards to find out their reputations.

I know it has been said about a million times on this thread alone, but sometimes CS is not just common knowledge. Sometimes it is hard to weed out the real complaints and the fake ones, but I am slowly learning you just have to take them all as real and hope you don't get taken to the cleaners for it. (I keep thinking of those emails you get sometimes about free products, Nigerian orders, scams, etc)

I didn't post last year, but mine for this year are:

1. Better CS - going back to my roots and remembering what it was like to have my first sale. How I would go out of my way for a customer even if they only spent $20.00. Just because I am bigger doesn't mean I am better.

2. Return slips with all orders - I am going to pack return slips with all orders so if someone has any problems, they can use the return slip and have it picked up and sent back to me. I am going back to a "no questions asked" return policy.

3. Opinion polls - I am going to offer customers a questionaire to fill out regarding products, CS, etc and offer them a coupon code off for their next order for doing so.

4. Friends referring friends - I'd like to come up with a referral program this year

5. More shows - Since my MIL and SIL are interested, I am going to let them do more shows this year.

6. Brochure, catalog & fundraiser sheets (professionally done) - I am finally going to make my brochure, catalog and fundraiser sheets this year - I may even do a home party program (maybe!)

7. Work in my shop more - Since I have employees it is easy not to put in face time at my own shop. I am wanting to work over there more now that I have someone to help with BB's.

8. Offer more "specials" during holidays - I never veer outside my 30 scents, but this year I may do some seasonal scents for fun.

As far as the shipping problem goes - it looks like she got the order today and the post man told her he was sorry, but things were not arriving on time for the holidays. (this wasn't a holiday order anyway - it was wholesale)

I emailed her telling her I was very sorry & I offered her free shipping on her next order. She was very happy with that, but told me don't worry about it as it wasn't my fault - it was USPS's Happy ending!!

As far as who I have running my CS, it is very hard to fire your MIL - long story, long history, can't do it - that is why I am taking over from now on. I know how to fire an employee, but when you have family working for you, it is alot harder than it seems.

Thank you very much Maddi for posting (and everyone else!) - it has given me a lot of pointers for the new year!

1. Always, if using USPS, pay the extra 50 cents for delivery confirmation.

It is free online and I always include the signature confirmation too (which is not free)

2. Did you promise delivery by xmas?

The customer was aware that they may not receive by Xmas. Customer asked if I could send package out that day which I did.

3. Clear policies on insuring shipping.

I think I may start doing this all the time with every package. Would it be out of line to ask the customer to absorb the cost of insurance with USPS? I know they offer it with UPS up to $100.00

4. Consider consequences and chose the one you can live with.

If I sent the boxes out again, they still wouldn't get there in time - so what would be a good resolution for this matter?

Please, can we not talk about the other post? I am speaking generally here and not talking about the last post that got out of hand.

Opinion on this instance (one of the problems I am having right now) -

USPS took the package last week and it still has not arrived to the destination. Customer has emailed asking why the package is not there.

What would you do in this instance? This is technically not my fault, but I have to admit guilt - yes?

The shipping always gets me and I never know what to do.

Just because you've been in business for years doesn't mean you know everything about good CS

I was just thinking about this sentence and you know if you are a mother for years and years and years and you suddenly have a problem with one of your children - does it make you a bad mother?? Most mothers get help to try to see what is wrong.

I have terrible cs skills, I am the first to admit it and I need help. Does that make me a bad business person? I don't think so at all!

Ok, so far we have fast shipping, good communication & responding to every little question. This is good stuff - keep 'em coming

Can we get a good customer service thread going? I would like to know what YOU think good customer service is - provide any orders you placed in the past or stand outs that just stuck in your mind.

First and foremost, I would have to say that Uline.com has good customer service.

Why? Whenever I call there, they know who I am and what I want lol I always get my products the next day or the day after, so fast service makes me happy as a consumer too.

How 'bout you?

**My new year's resolution is to provide excellent customer service and I need to learn how to do that properly.**

What does your return policy say?

Finger cots - great investment

Don't talk to me about the post office.

Their scale is off by 5oz almost every month. We (I mean my MIL) goes in there every month with her handy dandy 5lb metal thing and every time it is 5oz off.

So if YOU have any doubts, go in and have them calibrate their scale - buncha thieves.

I wouldn't make roll ons that have more than a 10% fragrance if I were you...unless of course you don't mind the roller ball melting and it leaking all over your purse. (been there, done that - it takes time, but it will happen)

What have you done so far to get your business in gear? It sounds very strange to me that you want to start your business in Jan/Feb, but you don't even have the names of the products yet??

Have you tested all of your products? Do you have insurance in place? Do you have a business plan?

I'm sorry, but I think naming your products are the least of your worries right now. My advice is to go to your local SBDC and talk to them before you dive into something that you may regret later. Make sure you have all those "ducks in a row", then you can do all the fun stuff

I've never had any luck using alcohol or witch hazel - water always worked for me best.

I received a couple melts from a company that participated in the LBB this month and she was using these 1oz black containers with lid. They are very sturdy - impossible to break (I tried lol) - they look really nice and the wax just popped right out of them. They are narro on the bottom and wide on the top, that is why I think they worked so well.

I am going to order them and hope for the best. If they don't pan out - oh well, not really out much money anyway

Thanks everyone for your honest input!!

Has anyone used these with good luck?

http://stores.ebay.com/LA-CONTAINER_ELLIPSO-portion-cups-1-6-oz_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I am thinking that I want to make melts now - we have a big jar we pour the run offs in, so why not make a little money if I have the leftovers?

What is the standard size for melts anyway? Is 1oz too small?

Thanks for the help!

I was just looking at your store and saw that you sell those jar mix type candles. How cool are those??? OMG - I have to know - do you wholesale them?? PM or email me ok? I may be very interested

Wow, thanks for the recipe!!

I throw in free samples all the time, but the bigger orders get the better samples. Maybe make a note that you give out free candles with $50.00 or more purchase? You could even go higher.

One day???!!?? I hope you charged him a rush charge!

Congratulations

Yep and a very good reason LOL

Fizzy bath salts come to my mind