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KristinesShower

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Posts posted by KristinesShower

    Webhosting opinions?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Here are some helpful links that I've found by using the "search" feature on the top of the board:

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27690&highlight=webhosting

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5172&highlight=webhosting

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=900&highlight=webhosting

    Here is a post on www.createashoppeplus.com via the search feature:

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29514&highlight=createashoppeplus

    Here are the first 5 posts(there are more if you want to search through) that come up for www.diyestores.com via the search feature:

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31485&highlight=diyestores

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33268&highlight=diyestores

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32772&highlight=diyestores

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17465&highlight=diyestores

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31349&highlight=diyestores

    Here are two that come up for www.prostores.com via the search feature:

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27317&highlight=prostores

    http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21611&highlight=prostores

    There is a wealth of information stored up there in that little search feature and it is very easy to use. (I saw that you were new and maybe didn't know that)

    I, myself use www.bizhosting.com because they were easy to work with when I first started and I've stayed with them because of the same ease.

    selling on classifieds

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    You're getting taxed on both ends ackkkk!

    When I buy ingredients, containers, etc for my products (those which go into the manufacture of the product), I do not pay taxes on these items. However, when I sell to customers - I add IL sales tax (but only if the customer is in Illinois). Buying from a different state? No tax and I don't have to pay it either.

    It must be different for each state? If so, I am a very lucky person to live in Illinois! lol

    I've been scoping out the competition...

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I'm sorry Lisa - did you ever get to even SEE what they were selling? Did they even send you any candles or b&b products?

    What totally baffles me is that these ladies on another board I am on keep getting more and more excited about all the underlings they have in their "network" yet NONE of them have any products! Haven't even SEEN them (except on the site of course) and if that's not bad enough, none of them even know if there will be labels on any of the merchandise.

    There has been a discussion going on for about 2 weeks now and none of them know what to say. I have been trying to do the best I can to educate them and warn them that if they sell products with no labels, they could be in big trouble, but that always gets looked over when another rep comes on to advertise her 30 new reps under her.

    My GOD one of them said she had 300 ladies UNDER her...all those reps and no product - how can you do that?? I mean, am I crazy or what? How can you go around advertising this stuff when you've never seen, tried, or received any of it.

    Oh, it's well up over 4,000 reps now the newest post says...so I know they were asking for a $10.00 start up fee, so maybe they are collecting the fees and going to skip outta town. $40,000.00 is a good take for a bunch of unsuspecting ladies doncha think?

    This whole thing makes me cringe.

    Opinion Needed

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I have first time customers at shows that get 3-6 candles for personal use. I am sure wholesalers want to be sure of the product and not overdo it.This way they get a idea what scents to re-order.

    Then they should be buying retail or you could put a wholesale sampler program in place just for these types of customers.

    I'm sorry I feel very strongly about this subject (can't ya tell lol) People who wholesale know there are minimums, this is nothing new and like I said before they try nickel and diming you because you let them.

    I know that if you state your policies, stick to your guns, you will end up with more customers that respect you and honor your minimums. I have had to turn away several wholesale orders because they just coudn't meet the minimums - did I feel bad? YES I sure did, because I have been there myself, but business is business and sympathy doesn't put food on your table.

    If you are really worried that your mins may be too high, put a sampler pack in place for them to purchase - that way they can see what they are getting before they commit (and it also appeals to the people who don't like to buy the products retail for some reason)

    I deal with a company right now that has a $500.00 minimum and I buy alot more from them than $500.00 worth and you think they let me get by? Nope - but they do have a sample program in place when I want to try something new - so I stay with 'em.

    Wholesale Packet

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Tracey - when I first put mine together I was so nervous it literally took me months! I got some help from another person and she practically held my hand the whole way through. As payment to her, she told me that I was to "pay it forward", so...if you would like to see mine to give you an idea, please email me at KristinesShower@aol.com and I will send it over to you.

    Then it will be your turn to "pay it forward" :)

    Price Increase

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Completely agree - I've had to raise my prices once (because they weren't figured out right when I first started) and what I did was notify all my wholesale customers that X item was going to be going up 10% or translation at the time - it was actually 5¢ per bathbomb or something like that.

    When you break it down to them like that, price increases don't seem so bad. Our suppliers give them to us (I think about the PET jars earlier this year going up), so that money has to be evened out somewhere.

    stamps.com

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Crappy customer service is my personal #1 reason for leaving ANY company. There is just NO excuse for it and every company should have a system in place (especially the big guys!)

    I would file with the BBB if I were you. The more people know about this, the better.

    Remember those bakery scents?

    in Fragrance Discussion

    Posted

    I did a poll in the beginning of the summer for bakery scents and got some great opinions! I started to sell the 8oz square masons in my shop and they all do good except for two:

    Snickerdoodle

    Amish Friendship Bread

    I am looking to replace them with one new candle scent, but don't know which one to go for.

    Right now I am doing:

    Apple Pie

    Pumpkin

    Cinnamon Bun

    Buttercream

    Strawberry Shortcake

    Pecan Pie

    With this selection, what would you put with them?

    Opinion Needed

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    And these companies are my biggest returning customers.

    I'm sorry, they should know better then. (I don't mean to sound snarky to you - it is more the snarkiness to the customer that should know better lol)

    Sometimes you just have to put your foot down - think about it...you are making a profit (more than likely 50% or so), but they are marking up to make 70, 80, even 200% more than you. Once you turn the tables, it is a little bit of a different story and I hate to be nickeled and dimed to death (and there are so many out there that do that ESPECIALLY the bigger orders!)

    Opinion Needed

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Oh, forgot to say that I also allow them to place orders for UNDER the minimum if they pay the $20.00 fee, but I rarely have anyone doing that anyway (but it's nice to have in place in case you have a customer that is strapped, but still needs product)

    That may be something you will want to look into Tara. Maybe by putting an extra fee in there by not meeting the minimums, it is showing you will meet them halfway.

    The Candlemaker's Store - reviews on some of these?

    in Fragrance Discussion

    Posted

    I have been looking at this estore lately because not only do they have alot of the scents I use right now, but they also carry them for cheaper and they have 2oz tins for cheap too :yay:

    I emailed them to ask them some things and they are very nice to deal with - prompt and genuinely want to do business with me so that is a big plus. BUT I am also having some trouble ordering on the website - it seems to stall alot & I hate that!

    I wanted to see if any of you have used the following scents and if you could tell me what you thought of them?

    Apple Berry

    Blackberry Sage

    Coconut Cream

    Country Apple

    Freesia

    Cucumber Melon

    Plumeria

    Juniper Breeze

    Strawberries & Champagne

    Lavender Vanilla (curious to see how this compares with Old Mill)

    Orange Vanilla OR Orange Dreamsicle (what is the difference?)

    Peach Jolly Rancher

    Pearberry

    Sweet Rain

    Cotton Blossom

    Sweet Pea

    Warm Vanilla Sugar

    I could save $3.00 per fragrance if I go with them, but I don't want to change to inferior oils either. I ordered samples (well, I am ordering samples now... trying to that is) so I will get to see how each one smells, but I am only getting 1ozers so I can't try them in everything.

    If you have used any of these, can you please tell me what product you used them in and how they behaved for you?

    I appreciate it! :D

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