beesweet

I won't order from WSP unless I'm desperate and need something within a couple of days! Their shipping is ridiculous and their business practices are just not something I want to condone or support. Just recently, I needed wax and saw that my usual supplier (BCS) had gone up ALOT, and remembered that WSP had wax on sale. I checked the shipping on 1 case to finish off Christmas orders then decided I might as well order enough to get the preferred UPS. The shipping cost actually INCREASED a few dollars per case by ordering in quantity. It seems to me that they often make up for their surplace and sale items with extra shipping.

I've also had their customer service department argue with me regarding whether a scent was an actual duplicate when I had the original scent in my hand. I thought they'd sent the wrong thing, it was so different. And in another instance, I placed an order which they split into one large box and 1 smaller box, thereby requiring extra shipping which they billed separately. The kicker...the items in the smaller box would have fit inside the larger box easily! Everything was plastic or non-breakable so they could have left out a few peanuts, still had extra space, and avoided charging me extra!

They definitely make me strive to stay better organized and order from my regular suppliers in a timely manner so that I don't *need* them.

During some recent testing of new wax with various types and 2-3 sizes of each type of wick, I discovered that the smaller wicks were mushrooming worse than the larger sizes. I always thought it was the other way around? I noticed this with cd's and htp's. I also use a cd12 in the 8 oz jj with soy. Are you getting a full melt pool? Even if so, I'd try going up a size or two to compare. For initial testing, I like to use 2-3 sizes of each wick type to compare mushrooming, burn time, length of time it takes to get a full meltpool, etc. Then I continue testing with the best performer.

I've always heard using coconut and/or PKO above 20% can be drying. I see you have either a combination or just PKO at 29-30% so maybe that's it? Even 20% makes me itchy so I use only 15%.

I'm with everyone on more non-food scents. At the shows we've done recently, people were beginning to buy gifts...most of which were things like love spell, baby powder, etc. and lavender has been HUGE. Usually foody scents are the best-sellers, but not so this year.

Snag both if you are even thinking about it! Trust me...the day will come when you'll wish you had. I speak from experience on this. Not only do I wish we'd gotten the .net, I also wish we would have registered a couple of variations that other people snapped right up...and they knew about us when they did it...and one basically said, so what, it's spelled differently. Gotta cover all the bases these days.

ETD: My favorite saying is "Dream big and grow into it!" Saw it on a Ziggy cartoon a long time ago and have it taped to my desk for when I need a boost!

These are great:

http://www.atwixend.com/product_info.php?products_id=243&category_id=2

You can find them for less and in different sizes, but unfortunately, it has been such a long time since we purchased them, I can't find the link. Anyone else have it? They are cases used to store watch parts, among other things.

Excellent points, Andrea!

We retail the 8 oz. jj for $8 and apothecaries for $13. However, with numerous price increases this year, we should now be selling them for around $10 and $15, respectively. Something to think about...

I started this business with the intention of being less expensive than the big guys, but my mindset has changed dramatically. If your goal is to be "as good" as them, then sure, lower prices would likely suffice, but we want to be BETTER, and therefore, worth the higher price in the consumers' eyes. We are providing a high quality product, so why should we accept less?

ETA: This is just something for everyone to think about, not a rant at those who sell for less. It took a long time and ALOT of marketing study to get into that mindset.

You're very welcome.

I don't think I ever tried the Mold Max 30. I like softer molds so I went with the 20. But not too soft! The Mold Max 10 is extremely soft and squishy.

http://www.smooth-on.com/

I like the mold max 20.

I had to join just for this thread. Don't judge Daystar fragrances from the out of bottle smell. They really blossom in wax. I'm testing Amour de Cacao and Couer de Vahine right now and wow!

I'd love to hear suggestions for others to try after seeing (smelling) how great these are.