CC on Maui

So Robin -- do you have any more shows before the holiday?

When I first started out, I approached the top three retailers that I had targeted in my business plan. My plan was to place my products in front of my target market. God willing, I got all three. Thereafter, the rest of my wholesale accounts came to me. Most approached me at events or craft fairs, and for the last several years, through my store.

Not everything is available in larger quantities, and it's only available until their supply runs out. That said, because most of the Dollar stores are chains, they have the ability to pull merchandise from other stores in the chain, if the request for additional product is large enough. Their signage is simply an advertising opportunity to drive their sales.

Dollar stores operate by purchasing huge lots of liquidated merchandise from mainstream retailers that are either going out of business, or closing out an overbuy. They literally are picking up product for a dime on the dollar. That, my dears, is how they do it (and still stay in business).

I always thought the soaps on this site were great for prompting inspiration! http://www.theroyalsoap.com/aromatic/aromatic.html

After trying them all, I use the SFIC exclusively.

I tend to believe there are so many variables that go into how a show will perform, that any factor you try and use is probably just a grasp in thin air. Some of the variables you'll want to consider: Is the crafting portion of the event the focus of the event? or is it ancillary to another event (concert, carnival, fair, etc) How long has this venue been in existence, and how well is it advertised? Is this event seasonally driven (ie: holiday, mother's day, etc)? What is the weather forecast? is the venue indoors or outdoors? Are there other competing events occuring the same day/weekend? There are certainly more considerations, but you get my drift. In the end, I always recommend that you make as much product as you can afford to/have time to. The bottom line? you can't sell it if you don't have it. That said, if you have a slow show, here's a way to recover: Schedule an open house or an online party to move your leftover goods. Target your next potential sales period (like after Dec 24th, we would be targeting Valentine's Day). If you had product specific to Christmas, you can often just re-name fragrances and run with them.

LOL!

I found a variety of different diameter paper punches to use for cutting out my round labels (3 inch). What a time saver that turned out to be! You might want to give it a try.

I also print on full sheet, and then cut them with my paper cutter. If you set up your labels inline on the page, it goes really fast with the paper cutter.

I'd just give them a call tomorrow and ask. Lucky Duck you. LOL

Sorry you ran into such a problem. Unfortunately, alot of Insurance Brokers aren't sure where to look for this coverage. I went through three brokers before I found one who could help me (when I first started up). Often, for new companies, only higher risk insurance companies are willing to take them on. Of course, this coverage comes at higher premiums, too. After several years in business and no claims experience, you'll find that mainstream (standard) insurance carriers will be willing to take a look at you. That said, I switched my coverage to the Soap Guild policy when it became available. I am saving over $2000 annually in my operating budget as a result.

If pillars, use beer cases from your neighborhood grocery or liquor store. (The kind that have the cardboard inserts inside).

LOL. I'll add my 3 cents worth, which is a totally opposite experience than Tessie. I use USPS exclusively, unless my customer requests a different carrier. FedEx and UPS are abominable here, and not cost effective alternatives for me. USPS Priority Mail offers me the best, and most consistent service. As for their Delivery Confirmation, if you print your postage from the USPS site, you can check the box that requires that they scan the package at the time your carrier or post office accepts it, so you have proof that the package was actually mailed. It's a nice addition to the Delivery Confirmation program. You can also schedule pick up your packages for no additional fee. I've never experienced a problem or delay in getting reimbursed for postage that I printed in error (which would be my fault, not USPS's). If there was a printer problem and the label didn't print, you have the ability to cancel the transaction and you are not charged. As for insurance claims, I've only had to do these a couple of times. Both involved filling out a simple form, and I was reimbursed at the same time through my local Post Office. So -- now you're really confused. LOL.

Kelly -- I'm confused about what difference it should make to you whether others sold/sell candles without having insurance? The sense I'm picking up from your posts is that by knowing others have sold without insurance justifies you doing the same -- the old safety in numbers mentality. From what you've written, your understanding of liability insurance is a bit skewed. Insurance companies have a fudiciary responsibility to protect you whether you are at fault, or not at fault. IMHO, any business that sells any type of goods/services to the public should have appropriate insurance in place. That's just sound business practice(s). As for what suits have occurred? Just go back through the archives of the Consumer Product Safety Council on recalls (http://www.cpsc.gov/ ). You'll find plenty that involve candles. Recalls usually come about as a result of numerous complaints and/or lawsuits filed. As for lawsuits, the largest percentage are settled before they ever have their day in court -that's why you don't read about them. Insurance companies spend $$$ annually in both defense and in settlements. In the end, you are the one who has to weight the risks of whether you choose to sell with insurance -- or without. Only you know all the factors that come into play for your particular circumstances. It's that simple -- and that difficult, KWIM?

Great job Robin! You've just raised your own bar a little higher. LOL Yuppers, those kinda numbers will catch the DH's attention ever time. HA HA!

Good job, Trish! You have to question the intelligence of promoters who place same products lines directly next to each other. Sounds like it didn't cut your stride at all! I found that when I did events like yours (tree-lighting), it was difficult to have a good show. Seemed folks just weren't interested in shopping as it wasn't the motivator for bringing them out. Instead, I seemed to only capture the occcasional impusle sale. All in all, sounds like you had a good night. Glad you are in and getting toasty.

It would appear that Leah has no ethics, or conscience. If she did, she would shut her site down until she was cuaght up on orders. This has been going on for years now. Unfortunately, with the advent of the internet, there are thousands of unethical companies out there doing the same thing on many different levels. My mantra? BUYER BEWARE. As consumers, it is our responsibility to check out companies (unknown to us) before we spend our hard-earned dollars with them.

If I have lots to pour in the same color/fragrance, I use an electric turkey roaster to melt my wax, then I color and fragrance it right in the roaster. I simply fill my pour pot from that. My turkey roasters will hold about 30 lbs of melted wax.

Really not necessary. When someone gets bad service, is swindled, or scammed, they usually start a thread here, right? I always SEARCH all the boards I belong to before ordering from a new/unknown supplier.

My sentiments exactly.

Looks like it's in stock at BCS, and currently out of stock at BCN.

I know that BCN sells a nice one.

Now THAT's what I call customer service. Doneen...you rock.

You may find this helpful, too. http://www.bizstats.com/rulesofthumb.htm