Catlover

OK, shipping would cost them about $42 for this order. If I charge a flat $25 they're getting a pretty good deal.

Oh, I know...all the time involved is what I've been thinking of, although packaging, etc. is what I do all the time, whether to ship or to deliver, so I don't worry about that part. No offense taken about playing "delivery girl"--it actually makes me sound kind of perky. Seriously, though, the thing about me calling on them is the sticking point. If they had sought me out like my first wholesale account did, I wouldn't even think twice. As for insurance, I'm covered from both sides, so that's not a worry, thank God! I can come up with enough other things to worry about. The dollar amount is another thing: I have two wholesale accounts that order big; this is the first one for this store, but like you, I wanted it badly as well because it's in a super location for many reasons. The owner is very casual about it all and probably wouldn't even blink. If I charged the actual IRS mileage, she might! (I just got notified about jury duty and they're paying a whopping 10 cents per mile...think they need to update their forms.)

I have a policy through Acuity--$250/year for $2 million products & general liability, $1 million "personal & advertising injury" limit. They didn't require any inspection, just asked the usual questions.

How do you guys decide if/when to charge a customer for delivery? I have one wholesale account I don't charge, because even though it's about 30 minutes away, I always have other places to pop into along the way so it's no problem. But I just got a new account that's about 45 miles away, and not in a direction I ever need to go for anything else. I want to be fair...my Honda Civic doesn't use much gas , it's just the time involved. A delivery charge would naturally be cheaper for them than paying for shipping. I was thinking $25.00? It would be nice if we knew what stores' other vendors charged! Thoughts? (BTW, I called on the shop knowing the location...it's a great area...so I kinda feel I shouldn't charge them to deliver, know what I mean?) Thanks, Terri

It was a toss-up between CS and Bitter Creek, but I ended up getting 1,000 from Bitter Creek, since I needed some other stuff from them I couldn't get at CS. I've yet to find any one supplier who has everything I want, and of course none who are local! I found the glue gun a big mess too--I'm not coordinated enough for that option.

I'm about to the end of my dependable wick stickers I had originally bought from KY Candle Supply....since she's not there anymore, I'm skittish about possibly buying crappy wick stickers. How about the ones from CS? Good, bad opinions on any?

I agree. It's feast or famine! I've been going non-stop filling wholesale orders and getting ready for the "big" craft expo this weekend....then by January I'll probably actually have time to clean my house and wish for more business!

Yep. Sore shoulders big time from finally finishing a marathon of getting ready for a 3 day event coming up...then got a big wholesale order yesterday (THANKFUL!). I wish people would all love candles all year long like we do instead of just going bonkers from October-December! I'm going to try to find events in the spring at least. Just finished cleaning up from pouring my last one til my next jar shipment arrives and have now poured a nice, long cocktail. Ahhhhh!

These are the only jars I use, and I put instructions on how to burn them on as many places as I can--the packaging, the brochure, the website...if I could put a recording or video with each candle, I'd do it! It's frustrating when people light them up for 30 minutes, blow them out, over & over....and wonder why they get a tunnel. Oh well, I guess our job is to educate them, however s-l-o-w-l-y. Good luck!

Sounds good! I'll check that out too.

I'm looking for a lightweight, folding/collapsible shelving unit that I can use in my booth to hold my extra candles (I'm tired of crawling under the table to re-stock the display or get extras--oh so professional :smiley2:). I saw one for $59 on Walmart.com. ? I have access to a truck or a van, but love to use my car whenever possible, so something I can throw in the back seat would be great. Any recommendations before I buy?

Thanks! A crimper will be on my list. Heating the jars is something I only do for the ones that tend to frost a lot--vanilla or cinnamon-based ones especially. I also wonder if it really makes that much of a difference; they look good for a few days, but they still end up getting a little splotchy once they're cured. I had to go with clear labels so everyone can see every flaw! But, at least the wicks pulled out before I poured the wax (been there and don't want to revisit)!

Bummer. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a thingie to give them all a squeeze before using them. So maybe the heat wasn't completely the culprit after all?

I think I got a little overzealous pre-heating my jars...when I went to twist the wicks before pouring, a few of them slid right out of the tabs. Grrrr..... The lowest temp on my oven is 170, but I leave the door partially open and usually only have them in their for a few minutes...apparently a few minutes too long this time. Although I did just buy these wicks from a new supplier. Hm. Just wanted to share this little mishap. :smiley2:

That's the way some of my early testers burned, when I was using LX wicks--leaving a kind of shelf around the top and burning underneath. I use CD's now, which work much better, at least with the GB464.

I use a LOT of the biodegradable "peanuts" that can be dissolved in water (this is the brand I buy: http://puffystufftn.com ) - I try not to use anything plastic if I can help it, including bubble wrap. Of course, that means fewer candles per box because I have them all surrounded, but my shipping calculator usually gets the price correct, since it's based on weight...one huge, heavy box or two smaller boxes, same weight except for the weight of the box itself. (I only use USPS Priority Mail, so that keeps it simple.) I've shipped literally across the country several times, and so far (knock, knock), none have ever been broken. :smiley2:

I hated them the first year, but I'm starting to enjoy them a little now. I agree though--my poor little candles take a beating being packed, unpacked, repacked, hauled around...that part's a pain for sure. That's when I always wonder, "Why did I decide to make candles instead of stuff made out of fabric that I could just toss into bins??" Oh well. I'm doing my first multi-day show in Nov., so am trying to strike that perfect balance of how many, what fragrances, etc... So much easier to fill actual orders!

Awesome. Goodbye, cable ties~

I use these containers as well, and LOVE them! I decided on them a few years ago thinking they were kind of unique, and am seeing them everywhere now, LOL! I have very little hang (also use 464, but no dyes), just the milky residue on the sides--depending on how long they're burned, some people end up with a little in the corners (if they don't allow a full melt pool to form). I burn 'em for hours, so there's never any wax left behind for me. They are pretty warm toward the end, but still comfortable to the touch. As mentioned above, the second half of the burn will take care of most any wax hanging around in the corners.

I also think it's pretty entertaining to hear what questions people will come up with...it's good to be entertained at those long craft fairs anyway. I'm doing my first really BIG one very soon, multiple days, oodles of people--and have very recently discovered a co. with a very similar name, similar products, very geographically close...it seems they've actually been in business longer than I have, but they only put up a website this year. SO, I have a fear that it will seem as if I copied their name, etc., when actually I've noticed some verbage on their website that's very similar to mine (which has been up for over a year). Oh well, what can you do? I think we may both be at this huge event... oh boy!

Boiinnnggg! Hope nobody got whacked by your renegade bungee! Where did you find those things? I'm sure they're all over the place, but I haven't come across any yet.

That seems a lot easier & faster than fiddling with cable ties, etc.

Have discovered that actually purchasing a frame/stand for a 6' horizontal banner is next to impossible. So apparently, DH can have a new career making these things and selling them! He's planning to make a some kind of wooden one for me (I'm not asking questions). Guess I'll have to share booth space with him now.

When I was going through chemo a few years ago, the clean, pepperminty fragrances were what I found most soothing and refreshing. The heavy, sweet ones were really overwhelming. Of course, that was just me, but for what it's worth.

OK, I don't have a super-smart phone..I'm still a Blackberry person. I'm doing a fairly huge craft fair next month and want to be able to "swipe" credit cards. The options online are overwhelming, my bank is not much help....advice, anyone? I really only need to be able to do this during the fall/winter season, so don't want a long-term commitment. My website goes through PayPal, but even they want to sign me up for something that's more than I need. Any of you have a good solution?? Thanks in advance! :undecided Terri