CSAS

Elements Bath & Body used to carry these tubes in natural, but only carries them in white now. Does anyone know where I can find the natural tubes? FILL CAPACITY: .50 oz OVERALL HEIGHT: 3.72" HEIGHT W/OUT CAP (for labeling purposes): 2.5" DIAMETER: .91" WIDTH AROUND BOTTLE: 2.875" Thank you Tracy

January and February are my slowest months at the store. December carries me through those two months. My words of encouragement are this, Ya can't make lemonade unless you buy the lemons. By this I mean, go out and get you some customers. If they are not coming in, advertise in anyway that you can and make them come in. Run a special, maybe a freebie with a purchase. Print up flyers and every person that even glances your way, give them one. It's hard to do, but it's what you have to do. Once you've done it enough, they will come on their own. Don't get down, I know it's hard not to, but take this opportunity of your store being slow, to restock, redecorate, reorganize, and even come up with new ideas or products. Heck, I'm still counting my inventory. Good Luck and go get you some new customers.

I forget if it's Michaels or JoAnns, but they have a hole punch that looks like a flame. It's really supposed to be a leaf, I think. But it looks like a flame. It has an orange plastic handle. If you cannot find one, PM me and I will look to see if I can find it for you at Michaels or JoAnns. I may even have an extra, have to look. Good Luck

You can say "Made with 100% soy". But if you call it a "100% soy candle", I think that may be lying. You can say "100% All Natural Wax Candle". I think people like Beeswax, so you may sell more if you add that into your description. Like, "SoyBee Candle" or "Soy Candle with added Beeswax". Just me throwing some things out and these are just my opinions, I'm not a lawyer.

My though is. . . If their first order isn't a good selection, then they won't sell, and they won't make any reorders. If you set a good minimum for first orders and then lower it for reorders, it insures that they have a good sampling of your products on the shelves and that the customers will have good choices and will make purchases. Think of it this way. If you were at a store and you saw 12 candles on a shelf. Would you pass them by or would they grab your attention? Now, if you saw maybe a couple dozen of the larger candles with more choices and some smaller candles, wouldn't you stop to take a look? It's all in the presentation, and you can't set up a good presentation with a small amount of candles. Create a minimum and stick with it, or it will be a pain to keep changing once you figure out what you need to do later for your wholesale customers. My mimimums are in case quanitities, they have to order full cases, but they also have a $250.00 1st time and then a $125.00 reorder. You can lower the opening to whatever you feel is right, but I would put a minimum in place. Are you going to want to fill reorders of 1 or 2 candles. Think ahead and you'll be fine.

Yeah, I meant Dun & Bradstreet. In no way related to Kirsten. They actually do a credit report for businesses, which has nothing to do with your personal credit report, so the "3" reporting agencies aren't for your business, just your personal. They actually called me. He gave me my D&B number, he just wants me to send in $299 to complete my report, so when "whoever" inquires, it will be complete. I thought it was something I didn't really need. Not a scam, but unnecessary. Thanks for all the replies. Sorry to get back in here after so many posts, I've been busy. You've all helped me decide. Thanks Tracy

They contacted me with a line that someone pulled my business credit report and that it is incomplete. For $299.00 (to cover the cost of paperwork) I can complete my report. This will then be what my creditors see when I apply for credit instead of my personal report. It's a way to keep business separate from personal as far as credit ratings. Has anyone paid the $299 and gone through with this. I was wondering if anyone else has been contacted and should I, or even, do I need to follow up with this? Thanks for any info, anyone can give me. Tracy

I purchased mine from OilsByNature.com Good Luck

I guess it would really depend on your area and how the craft mall is doing. I have a few craft malls in my area and one does very well and the one I actually work at one day a week doesn't do well at all. If the craft mall is doing well. Meaning they are keeping their vendors happy by keeping the customers coming in, the rent on a space that large would be around $250.00. Usually a space that is 4 ft wide and 2 ft deep is $75.00 If the craft mall is not trying and has a large turnover of vendors, you can probably pay around $100.00 The commissions may vary between 8-12% per month based on your sales. I know this doesn't help. I would call them and ask their rates before you go in. If they sound like something you can handle for 3-4 months to see if your product does well there, then go in and see what they have available. HTH

One of my customers told me that Clove soap works wonderfully. I have an order on it's way from one of my suppliers. I'll post and let ya know. She swears by it, so we'll see.

I am just starting out making scented oils and I have mixed 5 scents so far and of these 5, Sandalwood does not mix with the DPG. Do you think that I will still be able to offer the Sandalwood if the instructions are to shake well before each use? Alot of people ask for Sandalwood. Also, not being very familiar with the refresher oils just yet. Is there a site that has alot of info on these? Like, what are some uses. - Light bulb rings - Oil Burners - Refresh Potpourri Anything else? Also, what's the point to adding water to oil for the oil burner? Thanks for all your help.

Here's a couple that come to mind Crystals & Scents The Crystal Flame Soaps, Scents & Gems Only The Essentials You may also want to think of separating the two. Have one as your main company and then a second for a subsidiary. That's what I do. My store name is Candles Soaps & Stuff and my candle company is Northern Candle Company You could have a name for your candle company as your main name and then a second for the jewelry. In Michigan, I just had to pay a fee for the Northern Candle Company. I don't have to get a separate tax id for it or anything along those lines. I am able to use both. Just a thought.

I would put something in the letter like you are offering them zone priveleges and they will be the only store carrying your products within a certain radius or a specific zip code, whichever you choose. Then I would put at the bottom of the letter that you will be contacting them within the next 10 days to go over any questions they may have. I would not wait 30 days. If they do not plan on ordering they will let you know when you contact them. If they do want to, they will tell you what they are going to do on the phone. If you are going to send it in the mail instead of go there personally, I would spend the extra on postage and send samples. If they have the product in front of them and are able to test your product first hand, you may be more successful. This is just my opinion on how I would do it. I hate making visits to stores that aren't prepared for me. I'm a chicken. I will send out wholesale packets and freebies, though. My product speaks for itself, thank god, cuz I'm the type of person that can talk up someone elses products, but when it comes to my own, I trip over my words like crazy. HTH

My opinion It is most definitely their fault. I am assuming it is a business. It was their mistake. It doesn't matter how fast they figured out their mistake and fixed it on their end, it is still their mistake and they need to fix the rest of the situation. I would get all of your paperwork together, send them a copy with all account numbers crossed out, let them know that they need to pay the fees or you will take it to a higher level. You can take it to the BBB. I had to do that with FedEx. The same chain of events happened. Your bank may help you, mine did. Also, the BBB will get involved and they may not want that on their record and pay what they caused. FedEx did end up sending me a check for the NSF fees I incurred. Don't give up. If you do, it will only cost you. Good Luck

I received the same email. I told her that if she could fax a copy of her tax id and email me a picture of her storefront with her company sign, I would be glad to send her samples. No response yet. She is definitely getting our email from this board. Apparently she thinks we're all stupid. Tracy

At my store, I sell alot of votives! Before I had a storefront, I really didn't sell too many. But alot of first time customers will purchase votives and then come back for the big jars. So, I would add them. If the store doesn't want them, then they won't order them, and you won't have to worry. I do have some wholesale accounts that just order the 24 oz candles and one store that orders pretty much every size from t-lites to 24 oz. I do know what you mean about the time in a votive. I have always felt the same way. They ar a PITA. HTH

I actually put labels on the jar with my company info and candle info. I put a label on the top with the scent. If they throw away the lid, they just can't remember the scent it is. Which happens. This is for my smaller jar. I would say it depends on what type of jar you are using. For example, my 24 oz jars are the elevation jars, which are your average looking 24 oz jar, similar to Yankee's. I looked at it with just a label on the side and nothing on the top, and it looked incomplete, because you could look down and see the wicks. It was like there was something missing. So, I put a label on the front and one on the top, with the same info. If you notice Yankee's, they have a label on the jar, but their lid is custom made with their name in the glass, so you don't see just the top of the candles with some wicks. You see their company name. HTH

Someone on this forum mentioned this place. http://www.frontierlabel.com/home.php Their prices seem excellent and I received some samples, and their product is outstanding. Unfortunately I make my labels right now, and I have such a huge stock of labels, that I need to go through those first, before I can order. I would request a sample from them. They offer several types of labels and they are all wonderful. I do not work for this company, I swear! I am just very impressed by them. Tracy

My first thought to tell the customer is. . . When you entered in the scents you did not enter in the product, so I am unsure of what you are trying to order. I went to your site and see that you offer only 1 product, but it's the size of the product that matters (singles, multiples, etc.). So, in turn you are unsure of exactly what she is ordering. How are you possibly expected to fill an order that has not totally been completed through the website. You catch my drift? I see that it is her that is trying to pull one over on you. She saw that the cart did not show prices, and that's why she ordered so much. I also see, that your site should not have that as an option. (Not that you wanted it as an option), but I would fix that situation, otherwise, she'll have two friends place an order, and they'll have two friends, and so on and so on. If it were me, I would have emailed her and asked what it was she was trying to purchase as when she did it, it wasn't completed. I would not have offered her a discount at first, because that right there placed the blame in your corner. As you see, you offered, and she wanted more. She was just looking for a free ride. Anyway, if she would have placed the ordered correctly, it would have probably been for $10.00, anyway. So, save your grace, and walk away. Also, I didn't know there was such a forum for customers to go and complain about our service or products. Can you share the forum addy? Thanks

I know you know your neighbor, but maybe you don't. You invited her to your open house, right? Try and giver her the benefit of the doubt. And, don't be afraid to ask for the money. You can be nice and ask for what is yours. She will be the one feeling awkward. Here's what I would do. Take a replacement warmer over there, along with one for her grandma. Have the totals on a piece of paper. 1 total Without any warmers at all. 1 total With a new warmer. 1 total with the chipped warmer with a 10% discount. 1 total with both warmers. Take them over and say to her that you have a replacement and the one for her Grandma and that you want to have her look at them and make sure they are perfect. Also, have her show you the damaged warmer. Once she does, let her know how much the total is with the 2 new warmers (and everything else) and if she could pay you now, that would be great. (Just stand there). You now have all 3 warmers in your hand. If she comes up with an excuse, put all 3 back in the bag, and say I'll be back on such and such a day, can you have the money then. If she says yes, your good until then, if she says no, say Ya know Barb (whatever her name is) if you don't have the money, you don't have to purchase something just because I had an open house. I didn't want you to feel like you had to buy something. See what she says and go from there. Something along these lines. You are asking for the money and not letting her have any new warmers until you get it, but you're being a sweetheart. Don't count her out yet, she may end up to be a customer that comes back time and time again. Next time she buys something, don't hand her the goods until she hands you the money. This way, if she says I forgot my money, you can say, I'll just set this to the side until you come back. Good Luck

I shrink wrap my bath bombs individually. I cannot make bath bombs, so I buy mine wholesale. I sell mine for $1.79 or 4/$7.00 I sell more 4/$7 than single. I do not label mine, they are displayed in their own bowls. If I could find a nice way to label & decorate, I would. I haven't had time to play with that yet. Good Luck HTH

I am not super familiar with Peaks samples, but just looking at the site, their samples are 1 oz samples. If you are dealing with a sample from Peaks, is it a one oz sample? If it is, then that 1/4 of a bottle is a bonus!! Just my 2 pennies.

I made Lavender Vanilla lotion about a month ago and it hasn't turned yet. I just had a PM saying that she has never had a problem with the Lavender Vanilla turning brown. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks

I made up a batch of Lavender Vanilla Body Lotion and thought about it after the fact that it may brown. Has anyone had any experience with Lavender Vanilla in lotion, also how about Lavender Vanilla in MP. Thanks for the help. Tracy

If I were going to order 100 candles for my wedding, I would definitely want to see one done before I signed something stating that I had to buy them. If I were you, I would discuss everything and then tell them that you will make a sample for them to see, if they like it and that's what they want for their order, that they would have to pay before the order is made. It's not unheard of, or too much to ask, to have customers pay before they receive your goods, especially if they have already received a sample to look at and sign your paperwork. Just my 2 cents.