BeckyW

I forgot earlier to put the one that gets me the most. "Are they good"? Well do you think I would be selling them if I thought otherwise?...lol

I do not melt the wax in my pyrex, I use a presto pot, then pour the wax into my pyrex, dye, scent and mix and pour from there.

My sniffies are the "air freshner paper" cut up into squares, I use a paper cutter. I buy the paper by the sheets like 8 1/2 x11, squirt some scent on them, put them in a small zip lock baggie with the scent on a sticker. It is cheaper than what I used to do (send a tart of each scent), and I always say-these smell better in wax...lol and it works.

Not to self promote, but I have a hosting co. You can come to me with an already purchased domain, and I only charge $10 a month for hosting which includes a DIY (do it yourself). I can upload a template without extra cost and if there is a certain web set look you would like I can see if I have anything that would suit you that I have put together. You can go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watkins-Glen-NY/Stone-Alley-Hosting/266200294919 And I hope I haven't violated anything as far as self promotion.

I put C&S (Candles & Supplies) and I did go in and check their site to verify I was correct and it is Lotion, Soap, B&B Safe.

I do both retail & wholesale. I have never had an issue with any of my wholesale account having a problem with me also retailing my items, as it is my business. I make more $$ on the wholesale side of things- I think last year I did 8x more in wholesale than retail. This is a full time job for me, and it pays enough to buy my supplies and pay some of the household bills. I do retail only because my original customer base was retail, and there are times I have thought of giving it up and just doing wholesale only, but then I know I would have those local customers that wouldn't have a place to buy what they want when they want. As my wholesale accounts are not able to supply all that I offer. I have shoppes in quite a few states, Italy & Australia that carry my items and I would much rather pour 50 candles than 1. I also offer lotions, room sprays, refresher oils & potpourri which compliment my candles & melts. I have had a web site for both sides for the past 3 years. I feel "for me" a web site is necessary and that is where most of my wholesale business has found me. I do not pay extra for placement but I have had my business altogether on the web (originally retail that pointed to wholesale) for almost 9 years. It does take time to build any business and just like other online sales everyone has to pay shipping whether it is to get their supplies or to purchase product. There are times I wish I had a store front as I feel local customers would like to just come in and shop, but that hasn't happened yet, maybe eventually it will. I guess I mainly wanted to say if you have had your business for a little while in the retail side, you can still be wholesale, but you have to make sure your wholesale pricing is in line with your retail, meaning if you charge $15.00 retail for a 12oz candle, your wholesale should be $7.50 otherwise it doesn't come across as being wholesale prices. I think everyone has their own way of doing things and what works for some might not work for others. But in any business it takes work and time. I am told I am successful by those around me, but in my eyes I haven't reached that by far...lol

I love it....and yes I see what everyone is seeing...could get some attention as the name of the thread did for me...lol

When my sister had her store front people would say "oh this store only smells strong because they have all of these candles" um no it is because we have a melt going or a candle going type of thing. I have been asked "How do you know it smells good from start to finish", because I burn my own candles, I have also been asked if they taste like they smell and I know for a fact they don't as I did something similar to someone above, I went to wipe the edge (like making a cake), licked my finger and yuck...also got Home Sweet Home on my lip before...and Sweet Pea... And I have had those that say...just make mine stronger...lol...again-like someone said I wanted to say oh ok, I will just give the normal to someone else...but no I say-if I go any stronger it won't burn correctly... People crack me up honestly... Or the ones that say-I would rather make my own, and my response-YES you should look into it...it is LOTS of fun (which it is BUT, it is also work)...

I agree with Ml...I have always used Pyrex or Anchor Glass measuring cups. I have 8oz, 16oz and 32oz...I spill some occasionally but not enough to matter in the big scheme of things. I have never used a metal pot, I think just at the time money wise it was easier to get a couple here and a couple there...lol

I got an EZ Wick system for my husband when he wicks my 20 cases of jars...lol or my Mother if she comes over. I myself might stick with my straw as that is how I have done it for almost 9 years...I am a creature of habit. But figured it might be easier for others that aren't used to wicking my way.

C&S is a great one, also soap safe, and Millcreek is a nice one-also body safe. I like C&S more, but they both smell like a MacApple.

I have had candle nose, but never permanently. I have poured candles for almost 9 years. I notice it more in the fall when I am pouring a large quantity everyday. Only 3 times in the 9 years have I gotten a cold so bad I couldn't smell anything-and then I have someone in my house smell it...lol I guess time will tell if I find it lasts longer than during my busiest time, but I wouldn't worry, if anything you just burn a scent in your home that you aren't pouring at the moment.

I agree on Lilac. I sell it mainly in the spring, some summer and a few in the winter. I have a few customers that like Rose, Gardenia Blossoms (mine is from Millcreek), I also mix Gardenia with Pinapple Paradise for a Pineapple Gardenia. Lavender & Herb I sell all year round or I should say it is purchased by my customers all year round. Rose is popular with a few, Sweet Pea & Me very popular. I offer them all year round for those that aren't big on the bakery.

I have had 2 scams-well I caught on before it went too far. 1st they didn't order through my website, it was in an email and vague like 30 8oz candle-any scent, 30 of something else, any scent. They wanted to pay with a cc from a different name (that one I ended up contacting the cc holder to find out their card number had been stolen here in the states)...BUT on the otherhand I have had some real orders from Italy, and Australia that were on the up and up. So I feel if it seems too good to be true-just investigate. Good luck!

I enjoyed reading about your wholesale business. I have done wholesale for over 3 years. It is bigger than my retail business by far. I agree with you on how much easier it is to do wholesale than retail although as you mention the cost involved is a lot heftier. I am the opposite of you when it comes to how many scents I offer mainly because I could never just have 5 scents. But I think it is great you are able to just have 5 (to 7) and be as successful as you are. I do know I need to downsize as I have many that are not popular or not ordered as often. I do have a website that I do myself (as I do hosting on the side), and do not do shows. Thank you for sharing your information as I think people need to be aware what wholesale can lead to. I hope to have the space you do one day-as that would be wonderful! Thanks again for sharing.

I have it set to accept them, but I am wondering if I have to have posted so many times before I can use it or be sent pms to...not sure what that number is yet...but if it is 25 I am getting close. houseonthehill06@aol.com is my email. Bec

I make my own. I get enhancer from C&S and use my own scent oils that I use for my candles. So far, so good. 50/50 mix.

I have a presto pot for container wax, and one for pillar, then one for dipping. BUT I have like 12 pyrex/anchor glass measuring cups. that are 32 oz, 3-16oz and 6 8oz sizes....That i have built up over time-I wash them with hot soap and water, dry them with a kitchen towel and start over. I also use thick plastic spoons (again have built up a collection over the years). I use papertowels to clean my tablespoons between uses...I also have over 150 scents-so this way works best for me. You can pick up pyrex measuring glass cups at Walmart or a store of that type just to get you started.

Very Nice.

Good luck in your new endeavor.

Oh those Crochet Scrubbies used to be very popular at a farmer's market not too far from here. When we first started buying them years ago they were like 75 cents, now they are up to almost $3. (or last I knew). I use them not only for food, but when I clean wax out of my wax dishes. Do you sell them in sets? or do you sell them separately? Can you pm me your etsy? Oh I see they are a set, duh. So I guess I should ask do you sell the scrubbies in sets?..lol

Millcreek, BCN, C&S, CS, Daystar, sometimes Lonestar

I do melts wholesale & retail. I do 6 per package at 2.75 wholesale (well they have to now buy 2 same scent packages at 5.50), or they can purchase them in bulk of 24 or 48 same scent, those are my basic melts. I have had stores order the 24 count like 6 bags at a time, I even had a retail sale of 6 bags of 24 count (6 diff scents). I definitely think it is worth it-as it, to me, seems a lot quicker to pour 24 melts than 24 candles and you pop them out, bag them and you are done. You can pm me if you have any other questions. I also sell muffin melts, muffin top melts, star & hearts, cinna-minnie, and now am carrying bigger melts that are cookies and such...just to give variety. (but mind you I got into wholesale over 3 years ago) and just build as I go. Guess more or less to me it is worth it. Also I offer scent sniffies for people to get to sample the scent first if they wish. I give 10 free per order and after that I sell them by the dozen.

I offer 3 of 1 scent either packaged in cello or loose. $5.00, and I don't offer price breaks

I personally wouldn't sue for under $100, but that is me. I had a bad situation with someone for just $13.00 (and although it isn't much-and it wasn't on here) I got mad at the principle of it all. I paid $ for some items and never received them-and more or less was told I wasn't going to. I finally decided that they obviously needed it more than myself, and moved on. I hope you find resolution in your decision-I think sadly we are always taking a chance when we purchase from a stranger. Bec