KristinesShower

Wait, I forgot - there is one that I pay $12.00 a month on. I just remembered lol

Your numbers are pretty low for a poll on this subject. I've never paid less than $25.00 a month for advertisement and paid up to $150.00 a month myself.

Yeah, I've actually heard the same thing. I ordered my candle on a Thursday morning about 3am and I didn't receive until 14 days after. I don't get it - if you are going to add the direct sales or reps to your business, you better DAMN well have the inventory to send out within 24 hours. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be adding that arm to your business. Call me crazy, but no order I've ever done (retail of course) has taken longer than 5 days to ship - and that is when we have a sale, special or there is a holiday. Said it before and I will say it again - if you can't handle what you have now, don't keep adding fuel to the fire!!! I really don't get some of those companies out there and I could list tons and tons that are doing the same damn thing. (this subject gets me all riled up - can ya tell?? lol)

Etsy is for people who make all their own products and put them up for auction. It is just like Ebay, but nothing on the site is mass produced or resell. Not a European site as far as I know, but they do have members all over the world. I used a couple people's services off Etsy and I can definitely say I was pleased. Ladies on there just like me with their own home businesses making things from scratch. I always go to Etsy before I look into anything else. (got some awesome promos from members there!)

No I didn't - not really worth my time, plus I would probably get the same response from them too. I really don't get how they think they(reps) are even on the same level as candlemakers/B&B makers. I mean, come on - blow all your rent money on supplies and wonder how you are going to eat this week, then come and talk to me LOL *statement circa 2002...not now!*

Instead of ebay, why not try etsy? www.etsy.com

I think it all depends on the printer. I have some laser labels here that work great with my epson, but smear all over with my HP.

You know, I just bought a MQ candle because I was very curious and I can definitely say that they took NO time into testing this particular fragrance I bought. I can say that with confidence because the candle I bought had a very strong fuel smell to it and not like the actual fragrance at all. It's a pity some people don't take more pride in their products and are out for the almighty dollar. Don't utter a word to a rep about anything though - because I'm sure they will attack you like this particular one did to me. Said I was a liar and the reason I said the candle was bad was because she was my direct competition & would NOT be offering any kind of refund regardless if I sent the candle back or not. PFFFTTT lol - the competition remark was the funniest thing I heard that day and I think I laughed so hard I peed a little.

My advice is to pass. If you just started making candles, you should really test and test and test until you are satisfied with your product. What would happen if you sold 100 candles and they all burned out after 2 hours (it happens, believe me!) Pass this time and do more testing until you have the perfect candle, then catch 'em next year.

Congrats Barncat! I wanted to step in here because I have been abscent from the boards and wanted to speak up on this issue. When Barncat says her overhead is $1.50 - you guys need to understand that is the whole shebang (payroll, costs, taxes, etc) - her actual profit is $1.00 to put in her pocket. All those other "bills" are paid - so if she is making 400 candles a day, she is putting 400.00 in her pocket directly...no taking out anything. I don't know what you guys think, but I think that is a pretty good day lol If she is happy with a buck per each candle - rock on! It is all about quantity! I get this because people ask me how I can charge so little for my bathbombs and still make money on them. The numbers work - believe me - wouldn't be in the business for years if it didn't

It matches your personality! I love it!

All of our graphics and letters are first printed white, then black over the white since they are clear labels. (so I guess black is my answer too lol)

Just a spin off from the other thread - I was curious to see what you all thought.

I am not satisfied unless I make 5X booth fee - I think I am going to make a poll on that note lol

Those of you that have stores now, do you feel that you make less money now at shows? Sorry for the sidebar, but since I opened up a storefront in 2004, I have watched my sales at shows go down the toilet - that is why we cut them out completely (except for one or two charity events we have been at for years)

Not a scam, but not something to deal with either unless... ...you have $10,000.00 worth of inventory that may or may not sell, $5,000.00 up front to even have your products with them, and it just gets worse from there.

I get mine from Ulrich Chemical - to see if they have a place in your area, check out this link: http://www.ulrichchem.com/locations.html I know the smallest amount they have is 50lbs, but you could always sell what you don't need on the classies. Seems like everyone is looking for citric acid these days (and it really makes me think I should be selling it since I can beat every price out there! lol)

If you haven't already got a source for your bottles, may I suggest: www.madinaonline.com They have great prices and their quality is very good as well. (and they have lots of smaller sizes to choose from)

I definitely think that if someone is doing something to harm others, it should be shouted from the rooftops. If that makes me a bad person with no integrity - so be it. I hate seeing people get ripped off!!

Boo on consignment here too. Absolutely!!

I use NG 100% soy and I don't sell any candle before they've cured for 2 straight weeks. Actually I like curing them longer - the throw is amazing the longer they sit.

First thing I would do is send him a wholesale agreement, find out what he wants and go from there. Lay your rules down FIRST - you would be surprised how many people can sway you when they wave a little money under your nose. Don't freak out - this could be a great opportunity for you

Here is a helpful link for light boxes: http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

I just recently started to use them and they are one of the few companies that will use my UPS account to ship my goods. Saves me an arm and a leg!

Are you kidding me?? She can't fill orders, but she can galavant around town and meet people who order from her? Good Lord