brudil18

I would be very scared of any of these companies. These offers sound amazing and then after you sign you find out you have been had. After they explain how great this deal is ask them that you will not make sign up until you have a signed letter from them stating that all these claims they make will be honored. Not one of them will give you that letter. I was with United Payment Services and they scammed me, but if someone has responded saying stay away, I would take the advice. I find that most of these companies have teaser offers and leave details and other charges out of there pitch. These merchant account sales people are the new dirty used car salemans in my opinion.

Word of mouth has been what has fueled sales for me all along. I find my website is merely informational as it doesn't generate lots of sales. I think you'll find most of us started this way. I started simply because I liked making candles, then my sister took one in to her office and people wanted to buy and the rest is history.

Personally I have mine just say what they actually are. You can get as creative as you want though and I do think that is a lot fun and great way to distinguish yourself. Take a look at Paddywax candles. Look at their "library" collection where they name there candles after literary greats. Same kind of concept you're probably thinking of and I do think it really adds a fun twist. I may have to start doing something similar since it just seems fun to do.

I use Square and have never had a problem with it. I love it.

I stagger the pay scale based on quantities sold. 1-49 = 40% of sales, 50-99 = 45% of sales, 100+ = 50% of sales. I provide the brochure and order form for each participant. I don't do any sample packs as I find it time comsuming and not really worth it to do, I just provide "enticing" scent descriptions. To be quite honest, when it comes to fundraisers, people are buying more for the cause of whatever group is doing the fundraiser. You might squeak a few more sales with sample packs, but IMHO its not worth a few extra in sales when the majority are going to be buying to help the school, church, or whatever group raise money. I know that I don't really need 4 boxes of girl scout cookies every year (tough on the waist line LOL), but my neighbors two daugters are just too hard to say no to.

This is a completely unfinished website. It still has a lot of the Latin filler text found in templates. You have to get rid of all that garbage. There is no flow to the page either. Navigating around is terrible. I actually feel "lost" as I click through. You would be better of just setting up a single page for info only. This website is simply not ready for production or to be viewed by the public at large if you want to use this as a sales/advertising medium. Agreed with everyone else on the status pics, but sell different jars.

It looks like most of us do pretty much the same thing when testing a new FO. I always test every FO before it every sees the outside of my house. I do get lots of request for fragrances and of course they will be the biggest sellers in the the minds of the requestor.

What's the link to your website. Viewing it will help me discuss it. My experience with mine is that is mainly informational and not so much a place where people buy. I do have repeat local customers that will purchase thorugh it since I don't charge my local customers shipping. I get the feeling that when it comes to buying a candle people want to pick it up and smell it and hold it before they purchase. IMHO of course.

I get mine form Candles and Supplies in PA. Not sure where they are with IGI's new supplier though.

This is a great article. I do appreciate it. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future. I got burned by a merchant service before, so needles to say I am a little jilted when it comes to them. I'll have to keep my eye out for more on this. Wish there were more "squares" in the sense of no contracts, or hidden fees or like involved. It is hard as a small business to justify the expense of a full blown merchant service. That's what made Square so appealing.

It seems to me that all the red flags you see seem to be coming from Verifone, propay, etc. These are all competitors to Square. Are there any independent reviews from anybody that isn't pissed because Square is eating in to their bottom line? So far I haven't heard anyone who actually use it say they have had massive problems with it. Everyone seems to site "reports" by CEOs of other companies that struggle to compete. I've been happily using Square for a few months now. I have not had one issue nor has any customer given me the 3rd degree about how unsafe it is. I understand the skepticism and that it may not be for everyone. But I can't follow the logic of pissed off competitors as a "justified" reason. What I can't understand is why I should have to pay $10 a month to have a service, maybe pay a "customer service fee", be in a minimum of a 2 year contract, plus other BS fees that get tacked on every month. These all happen whether or not I charge anything or not. Then when that happens I still have a % and transaction fee? Not trying to sound harsh or anything, but when its not angry competitors fear of losing out on all the BS charges they extort from a small business like me, I may pay it more credibility. But so far, I have not had one problem with Square.

Candybee you are correct. Some people like Choclate ice cream others like Vanilla, its all still ice cream. Some people talk in terms of profit margin % and others markup %. It all still means the same to me, but people like what they like especially when it come to numbers. Craftedinthewoods is correct as well, Shop owners know there shops the best and they will know whether or not your candles make sense for them regardless of any % thrown at them. Just go for it and try. It really is a lot of fun. Crafted is right, your no less for having tried and there really only is an upside and thats a new customer.

Its been my experience that the 45% - 50% range is what a wholesale accounts really want to see on the gross profit % for them to bite. In any other business avenue a GP% of 35% would be spectacular, but for some reason when it comes to candles and small shops that we tend to deal with, a higher GP% is expected. I have an excel spreadsheet to show the Gross Margin Data for them and then they play with it and tweak it according to what they may want to sell them for. I do give them a suggested retail price, but I do have a few accounts that sell above that and have increased their margins accordingly. Everyone seems to be a little different - some look at the Gross Profit % and others only care about the Markup %. Either way its a simple way for potential accounts to see the numbers upfront and make a decision. Here is what I have on my spreadsheet (just showing my formulas as all these are actual numbers on the spreadsheet): Selling Price $suggested retail price Cost Price $your wholesale price Gross Profit $selling price - Cost price Gross Profit % $selling price - cost price / selling price = ??% Markup % $selling price - cost price / cost price = ??% Hope this helps a little Bruce

I just started using Square and so far no problems for me. Most people are more amazed with it and thinks its pretty cool. In the FAQ section on Square's website they discuss the security aspects of it. I have that printed out to show to people if they do ask. Also, heres a nice little trick if you don't want people mucking up your screen with fingerprints everywhere. I used a regular Bic pen, opened it and pushed out the ink and ball point, then I put in one of those large q-tips (like at the doctors office). Instead of the tip being ink, its the end of the q-tip sticking out. Gives a cleaner signature and cleaner screen.

Hello everyone, I've searched but have not specifics for this, but maybe some can help. Does anyone make palm break-away tarts? The kind that come in those plastic cases of 6. I've only been working with GG and I've had people ask me about them. I'm assuming I would need a palm pillar wax for these or will GG work. Any experience with palm in these break-away containers would be much appreciated. Thanks, Bruce