clonefan80

Ditto on everything Barncat and Misty said, markets are down and even if they go on the upswing most first time exhibitors do not write those type of orders. I will also add, if they are calling you because they have space....thats a red flag for me. Not that trade shows don't have space, most do, unless is WESA in Denver. But it means their exhibitors are down which trickles down to buyers are not attending. Best advice...have your P&Q's in order before you jump in...plan your booth display, get your brochures ready (www.megacolor.com) might help you out, i'm sure there are others. What type of samples will you be handing out if any, not necessary but it does get them to stop at your booth. You don't have to rent their carpet, you can buy an inexpensive piece at Home Depot, Wal-mart...ect. I also don't use dreyage because I don't ship, I bring my display with me. Hotels vary, I just booked mine for Dallas for $82/nite and I don't know what Barncat eatin'....lol, but I don't spend $500 in meals, but then I try and eat out my evening meal only to avoid high fat/calorie stuff and bring healthy food for breakfast/snacks, I actually find it hard to eat at the show...time wise. Plus don't forget...bring money so YOU can buy some great stuff at wholesale...thats the fun part.

Sherry, I would drop Vanmala an email and ask her about it again. I know in the past she has shipped USPS and she can still print her labels doing that. She is super nice....

Starting my 4 year doing trade shows and each show it seems I learn something different, tweak my booth display and so on. Like Barncat I have deleted a market from my venue that was dying a slow death but who knows maybe in a few years it will make a come back. I attend the Dallas and Denver shows plus advertise in 2 magazines and that seems to fill the gap. Shows are a lot of work and time...and I dread them until...i'm set up and ready to go then I fall right into the swing of things. I especially love Dallas.....everyday they serve free margaritas/appetizers at 3:00......that just seems to make the slow part of the day go by...and yes I take the shuttle to the hotel...lol

I understand you not wanting to look like a "newbie" to your retailers, been there done that. As for a Tax ID, I always get a hard copy of it from them before or when the order is placed. At the trade shows most retailers carry copies of their Tax ID's with them, some just give your their number. If they do that I put a self addressed envelope in their order so they can send me a copy. I have a file for Tax ID's copys. And like sockmonkey I have mininums which include how many scents per case, dollar amt minimums and prices which are on my brochure. I can usually ship within a few days except during trade shows, I just let them know approximately how long they can expect, they are fine with that. Most retailers expect at least a couple of weeks or more for shipments and plan for it when they order, they are pleasantly surprised if it arrives earlier. I have a 2 part order form I take to tradeshows otherwise most retailers prefer to call and place their order. Some will email or fax but I find most like to talk to you. I don't offer pricing discounts as I feel my prices are already the lowest for any dollar amount you purchase. Since I double box (candles) and ship in a large box I have a minimum purchase amt that also fills up that box so they also get the most for their shipping price (I hope I explained that good enough). As for payment, I get their CC (which is usually how all my accounts pay) at the time they order. I only have a few local accounts that pay with a check that they bring when they pick up the order. I have had retailers pay me with a check and questimate extra for shipping when i'm at the shows, thats not a problem either since I just deposit the check and it has plenty of time to clear before the order is ready to ship...actually I love that because then my merchant fee is lower. So really the money exchange is pretty seemless since most everything is upfront. I do have a couple of large accounts that pay Net 30, never had a problem with those either. If there are any extra terms not addressed in my brochure the retailer will usually ask. There are times when I come across something new and wonder how other wholesalers handle it and I just ask them when I'm at a tradeshow...in general most people are great, have I had a few people like karen b states "basically people who want something for nothing" oh yeah, but if you just state your policy and then be quiet they usually quit asking. I had a guy stop by my booth and tell me he could get those size candles for almost half what my wholesale price is, I said well then you better keep ordering from them...those are the people you don't want as customers anyway. You can make business as simple or complicated as you want. After some trial and error you will find the path that works best for you...but keep asking those questions. Good luck

Gotta tell ya i've been doing trade shows and wholesale now for 6 years and i've yet to see a contract signed. Now terms are different and they can be put on an order form. Terms such as return policies, breakage and so on. If your doing a special order you usually agree on those upfront. I am paid at the time the order is placed unless I have them set up on a Net 30. I do a have mininums but that is stated on my brochure. Here is probably what you are looking for, i have this on my invoices: $25 charge on returned checks All merchandise shipped UPS Damanged merchandise must be reported to us within 5 days and left in original carton. No returns without prior authorization No COD You can alter this to fit your needs.

No samples here either, I do just like momtohaley2004 does, I print out a small description of the scents and attach it to the fundraiser form...

Since i'm a wholesaler I use what is called virtual terminal, meaning I log onto my merchant site and enter all info. Like Island Girl I have a lower fee if I have the complete address info and if you're gonna do business with me I require it. A couple of times at trade shows i've had a few buyers ask me about it, i explain it, no big deal. Like David Fields says, "there are a lot of experts out here" ....not!

Only if you want to make a profit.....lol

These are two different f/o manufactuers are they not?? IFT in GA and Agilex is in NJ and both have 25lb minumums

Taking the low road here.....how about Fresh Windy's .... will make people laugh and look and probably buy....

Look at the positive side here, your wholesale accts will be ordering more from you since your candles are selling so well.....

Oh ..... Debscent you are sooo bad. I got a good chuckle on your reaction to the lady and her coat. I have nothing against soy, each to their own, but there are times I would love to say "do you think soy comes from the ground ready made, uh there is a chemical process to get it to that form." Also if they are using f/o's for scent then isn't that a synthetic chemical. Now don't get me wrong, I would never bad mouth a soy candle maker because in the end its just a choice we both make in which wax we use. Actually its more the consumer who thinks they are getting a pure product when using soy.....but its all good.

Oh I hear ya, when I'm at a trade show and someone stops and says "are these soy" I reply no they are a parrafin blend. If they indicate they are wanting soy I point them in the direction of a friendly soy candlemaker. It makes their exit from my booth and ME feel better. There's plenty of buyers out there for both of us. But at least you picked up immediately on her cues and new when to cut your losses.

Nope and Nope......to both questions..

keep googling fragrance oil manufacturer or use other key words, they are out there because thats how I found mine

I have a 150 water jacketed melter for just over 4 years and have yet to change the element but...I only use distilled water to prevent mineral build up on the element which is what causes them to wear out fast. As for the heat, guess i must have gotten used to it cause I don't even notice it anymore. As for the leaks, i guess you must have gotten a melter with a flaw. I got mine from Candlewic but here is a site i've bookmarked that has melters http://www.pvcandlequip.com/pages/8valve.shtml?=4

I did that last year and the store should have some paperwork from the ABC for you to fill out in order to be listed on their website. When they panned the room my candles were right there big as daylight.

I have mine on my labels and if i'm asked (which is not often) most people do not order online if they can purchase the candles locally, they don't want to pay the shipping charges. Also I keep my prices online the same as most of the retailers. Some do have higher prices but its never been a problem once you factor in shipping. Wholesale is primarily all I do also.

Just an FYI...i would venture to say most suppliers get their oils from more than just one mfg. I use about 4-5 different ones...

Hum... i would wonder that as well because on the last day of all the trade shows i've done, everyone sells their samples. Candles is all i sell but there are booths for just about everything, this is the market where retailers/buyers come to buy for their stores. $1400 is a middle price range, i've paid over $2000 in Dallas and the larger markets not to mention hotel/food/gas for usually 4 days. Yup thats where I get most of my wholesale accts and wholesale is all i do in candles...haven't done a Market Square but you can read up on it on the Country Business Magazine site (google it). I only do Dallas, KC and Denver

Thats all i do is tradeshows, not cash and carry although I do shop there when i'm at the shows.....lol. Couldn't tell you how candle exhibitors do there and where i've been only seen one but thats not to say that other shows don't have many more. Is the cash and carry only one day??? Not sure what your booth space is but make sure you can sell enough to cover it and your time. It is still possible to write orders in C&C so make sure you bring order forms. Even though it says Cash, lots of people pay with credit cards so think about that as well. Not sure i've helped you much but if its a fall show that might actually be good for you.....

Hey there as well, Connie (Scentury Candles) is a friend of mine as well as a co-supplier. This is a great place to get your feet wet...

The 6oz price is lower than my wholesale price for a 5oz jar. If you want to sell more larger candles then increase the price on your smaller ones. People are afraid to price their candles higher for fear people won't buy them but if there's one thing i've learned in business is people WILL pay more. Don't you, when you find something you want and even if its more than you want to pay, you buy it, and feel good about it because you believe you are getting better because it does cost more, I know i've done it. Why do you think Yankee does so well, because they cost more and people feel like they are getting something special when they buy one, we may not think so but they ARE the biggies and they have set the bar for everyone else. I hear people say "people won't pay that in my town" and thats BS, they will. Bottom line, be proud of your work and price them accordingly, believe it or not sometimes people won't buy it if its too cheap.....

I have agree with Luci, KY's is a soft Lav/Van

Here's something i do at my trade shows. I set up by color groups....people are so color oriented and i found it was more appealing to the eye as well..