funkymonkey66

Most of us know a fake request from a real one, just thought I'd share what you should request from donation seekers. *Business address of the organization *Website * Letter from the IRS confirming they are a public charity *EIN *Copies of the last 3 years of 990 forms If they can't provide those, then they need to provide their credit card and pay for their stuff like everyone else on the planet. Also if you have extra time you can report them to the federal trade commission. I recently got an email via gmail from a woman claiming to run an organization that will provide 20 gift baskets for our US military soldiers and families. I'm not responding to it, but if it's a scam that's pretty disgusting.

Tip: Use your own shipping account whenever possible and you'll save. Just recently I placed an order with a well known supplier for 7 lbs of oil and shipping came to $23.00 from a mid-western state to NY. I plugged it into my account and it's $11. I know I'm not getting better rates then they are. And to top it off I was given an excuse of "UPS charges $10.00 for extra insurance of orders over 100.00 not them." Total BS. I just insured a $400.00 order Friday and it was $3.50 extra which included a signature. I doubt I will be using this supplier again, and if I do, I'll use my shipper account because that's grossly overcharging. I think ALL suppliers need to get their shipping calculations in check. It makes you wonder if they think we don't know how much stuff really costs to ship. They only hurt themselves because I consolidated big time, I had no choice. I spent 25,000 last year on supplies and only a hand full of the co's that kept their numbers honest and provided me with consistent quality product and customer service got my money. The rest got the boot.

It's sad, some people just don't have any integrity. It's not right to steal whole or in part anyone else's established and or trademarked business names under any circumstances.

With all the millions of names and combos you could create I'm always baffled that people choose to steal instead of just being original. Why copy? I am so sorry.

Why not try a 50/50 para soy tart wax and add a 40% container wax to the chunks to avoid losing them when you cut. Whip the overpour, the straight 50/50 maybe a smidge of container for smoothness/ fudge effect and cut the finished pan when it still on the soft side. I tried it and it's a cool look, it reminds me of those white candies with the jelly cut outs in them. Really pretty. I cut with a pizza cutter, never fails me no matter what tart wax I cut (at the soft stage that is) You can get really great waxes at Wellington to play with, it's the same parasoy stuff KY had. The have 1 container and 1 soy. That's what I did mine with and it was perfect.

I say Triple scented, whatever, and I'll continue to market it that way as long as I'm up against imported under-scented and candles. Sales pitches are sales pitches, same deal with soy propaganda and all natural essential oils like fruit loops and such. At the end of the day 99% of the customer base does not care in the least. Proof is in the finished product and they just want a strong authentic smelling candle product. They're never as passionate as we are about all that goes into it and most don't want the science or current standards thanks to microcrystaline waxes.

Fedex and UPS are going up too just like every year. It's just out of control anymore. When I look back at invoices from 10+years ago I think WHY didn't I just get a storage lockers and stock up. How much money I would have saved. I'm in the process of trying to get my jar manufacture to carry wax. Either that or I'm renting a truck and driving to PA twice a year and picking up everything. I just have to save somewhere.

Same as wellington, tenn candle supply, KY now aromahaven, NG pillar and JS for the 50/50 tart wax. CJ Robinson manufactures it. For the container wax you can get that anywhere, candlescience has the Golden Brands for the least amt. (last I saw) Her container blend was 415.

Taylored concepts used to have straight butter FO. I just got a sample from candlescience of their version of pb cookie and I swear it smells like melted butter and bread. Buttered popcorn from BC smells like straight butter too.

I believe it. Some people show no respect for themselves or others. Why test or do your own work when you can just copy someone else who's made it made it in this business. Send her a C&D letter, call a lawyer if this person continues to cut into your profits. One thing I've learned is sending a "nice" personal letter does nothing more than show weakness and give the impression you're not a serious business. An authentic C&D from a lawyer is the way to go. If all else fails wait for her outside the shop and mow her down with your car, solves the problem it's cheaper than court costs : ) (kidding lol)

Blackberry & Cream Coffee Cake sounds really good. I love coffee cake. Not sure what white chocolate and maple would smell like together but it's an interesting name that would get to pick it up.

Another vote here too. Cracklin Birch smells like peak winter wonderland to me when it burns. It's so beautiful. And Christmas Cabin OMG it's wonderful.

I do both, I create and tinker and rename some. Just out of curiosity did the person you bought from know you're in this business when you placed your order? I know some openly swap and share and I totally respect that. I don't sell to other Chandlers personally because comparing often results in copying which defeats the purpose of trying to be original and different than eachother.

Ahh thanks, that's nice of you. I'll keep you posted.

I know, it's just so frustrating with some people's superior and entitled attitude. Insults and threats of splattering negativity on about someones business annoys me but it's the go to approach for people trying to get something for nothing. I don't give in, I tell them to get lost. Makes me want to go to their job and give them a taste of their own medicine or slap them silly.

Payment upfront for new accounts or ones you're shipping to, and for local you can do upon delivery. It's up to you but steer clear of net terms, Silver's right, they can make cc payments like the rest of us.

No, I think restocking fees are suited exactly for that type of person.

Maybe she was banned by merchants overthere. I have no idea. People that behave like that rarely make much sense and talk out their rear trying to intimidate. You know she's angry LOL What can you do? She's pissed off because she didn't get something for nothing and shipped free across the globe and now I'm going to have to pay with public humiliation of some sort for not giving into extortion I guess. Whatever, maybe all the hits I'll potentially get will raise my google ranking. Meh, Silver lining LOL.

Oh it gets better.... I guess I'll debut on Youtube courtesy of this lovely lady. Just got an email: "I can't wait to put the video review up for website and their services : ) I will be sure to let all of my subscribers know just how unhelpful and RUDE you are to your customers. Its no wonder that candles by victoria receives so much more business then you. Goodbye. Oh and I am also reporting you and your site. So go ahead. Charge me the twenty percent. : )" She's referring to the 20%restocking fee LOL I told her go right ahead, and reassured her she was charged the restocking fee. Can I get in trouble for putting this nut's info on here, people may want to avoid her. If you want it, PM me. She's got an address in OR too for freight forwarding she sent me after she refused to pay and I refunded her order. Never know it could save you a headache down the road.

"Beer dinner" says it all. Gotta be intoxicated for crafty candle bottle caps actually it's recommended since we're just making bad decisions all around LOL

I'd be typing all day. Just over the years I've learned to follow my policy to the letter and you have less headache. That's not saying you may not want to maybe rethink what you offer. If you can do 3 scents per case then maybe do that if that's something you're thinking about. But do 3 and only 3 and don't allow someone to talk you into special accommodations. In my experience it just snowballs. Some may have a totally different outlook on it. I'm sure tons of people will tell you to do whatever to make the sale,keep the customer happy and money is money. Hey just to put it into perspective go to Peak or any candle supplier and tell them you're thinking about placing a large "wholesale" order (because we buy wholesale remember) but don't want a 10lb slab of wax that they offer for samples or a full case you want 6.5lbs of each one and .05 oz samples of fragrance. What are they going to tell you? The sell the way they sell for a reason. Just saying. And just so everyone knows Yan#me is $200.00 min per store per REORDER & 6 jars per scent (regardless of jar size)- 24 tarts (same scent) -votives 16 (same scent) and those prices and min qty's are to a multi million dollar chain store spending hundreds of thousands a year with them spanned over several hundred stores. Even they don't get breaks or maybe that's their break it could be more to the small store on the corner of the block. I can't recall what the opening order was but I remember you had to send pictures of your store for approval to sell Yank#me (if it's nice enough for them I guess lol) and you had to carry what they told you. You're talking thousands of dollars in investment to carry their candle line. But I guess potential wholesale accounts are not going to tell you that while they were making special requests from us small guys. Oh and Yankee doesn't give FREE SAMPLES to the wholesaler to test, try or whatever either, that's another one I read people always going on about. So there's my semi informative rant, keep in mind I'm medicated and cranky but what I said was factual.

Cool, where is it, because I have 2 St Bernards and an English mastiff that need grooming unless you charge by the pound. All 3 weigh almost 570 lbs together. No one is breaking in my house lol Yeah I don't let it bother me, it's just funny because people are ridiculous. I don't want that type of customer as a repeat anyway, who would. Just thought I'd share what passes as "Horrible customer service" now a days.

It could be, go with your gut. Maybe you bend a little and they're spending thousands a year for life. Maybe you stay with your set min. and they spend thousands for life. Maybe you bend over backwards and they are a nightmare with special requests and you're losing money and working yourself to death and wish you never offered special accommodations. Been there done that, can you tell LOL? Just remember you can sell your candles retail anywhere, but wholesale... they are getting a big discount for a reason. Resale. and with resale comes minimums. If you ask me any business that only wants 3 of each scent is not worth my time. Obviously they are not going to aggressively sell your product with only 3 on the self which should answer your question about lucrative longterm contracts.

My advice to you is stick to your minimums you set. Under no circumstances make special qty. accommodations for wholesale accounts EVER. It's not your job to worry what they may want to get suck with or not. It's a risk all business's take. They didn't even place the order yet and you're stressed, you came up with your figures and how you offer your products @ wholesale for a reason right? If they want to order less of something because they don't want 6 -they can buy it retail and see what moves. If you bend it's going to be special this special that, 1 of this 2 of that. It's just precautions you should take because they'll always want the wholesale price for everything including personal orders down the road. What's the incentive to pay full price if you can get as little as you want at a nice discount? Some may disagree because it may not be viewed as exceptional customer service but your policy is your policy.

A lady placed a small $22.00 international order. I boxed it, weighed it.. just shy of 2lbs. It's $36.00 to ship to Australia. I sent her the invoice and she demanded I send it for free because, well I really don't know, I guess she's special and doesn't feel she needs to pay postage. 22-36= negative 14 Oh, when I told her no, her reply was I have Horrible customer service.