i don't melt any of my hard oils, which are shea, palm, and coconut, as soon as i mix the lye water, i pour into my bucket of oils and whisk until all the solid oils are melted, once they are, i stick blend, color, fragrance, etc. pour into molds.
i have used constant contact in the past, but did away with them once my newsletter list grew. i am now with vertical response and love the idea that i can pay when i send oppose to paying a monthly fee....hth
i have soaped with both and have not noticed a difference in feel or speed of tracing, however, when i soap with pomace, it tends to turn my soap a different shade or two than desired...HTH