NattyCat Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Right. I'm sick and tired of paying massive amounts of shipping costs to the UK - I just worked out how much I've spent and I coulda bought a plane ticket for the amount of money I've spent.. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm gonna take a trip out to the USA with an empty suitcase and fill up on oils, wicks, moulds, additives and just about anything else I can cram in my pockets.So where's the best place to visit to get soy wax compatible fragrances at a good price? I have no idea which suppliers allow personal visits?I'll tell hubby we need a holiday, and that he's no allowed to pack too much stuff and I can use HIS suitcase too!Any ideas on where to get my supplies, especially candle warmers, oils, wicks, dyes etc (not wax, it's too heavy) would be appreciated!Nat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcroome2005 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Nat,I wish there were some suppliers in VA because I will let you come stay here for free, but unfortnetly, there are NONE! :-( I have no clue where to help you on that. I know TX, Brenda at GL has soy products and she is open for people :-)Christina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amieelynne Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 just thinking out loud...but wouldn't this be expensive too? I seem to recall getting charged an "overweight" fee for my luggage when I took the family to disney a few years ago and all we had extra were some suveniers (ok, more than a few..lol) one of the suitcases was over 70lbs and they bi^&*ed about checking it..suggested that we ship it ahead of us. should really call ahead and ask about limits etc. I know it sounds like shipping to the UK is a pain, wish I had some other suggestions for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcroome2005 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Can you move to the US ?? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 It shouldn't be overweight if she is getting things like FOs and wicks i.e. no wax. Maybe think about where you would like to go for your holiday, and then look for suppliers nearby. (instead of the other way round) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NattyCat Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 well, I'd only come over for a couple of days and take the biggest suitcase I could with a couple of changes of clothes in a backpack - we always fly business class so we get tons more baggage allowance. As long as I don't get any wax and it's just oils and wicks, we should get away with it!We're not particularly looking for a holiday in the USA, we've been talking about where to go and I may casually suggest a state in the USA where I know a supplier is based and just "happen" to say "hey, I just realised, so and so are around here somewhere..."That should work !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NattyCat Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 Can you move to the US ?? LOLwhy would I want to move to the US...it seems like there's WAY too much competition over there!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriaj Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hi, the only thing with doing this is that customs limit the value of goods brought in to the u.k when visiting the USA to £145, anything over this they charge you VAT and import duty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegirl Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 My vote is for Peaks... your hubby would enjoy beautiful Colorado and you could get everything you need while you are there. I would bring what I had on my back and one or two spare sets and fill the rest with oils!! This is what I do when I go to Alaska for vacation... I take the minimum amount of clothing I need, in a carry on bag and then I fill all my "luggage- ice chests" with all the salmon and halibut that I caught while there!!! Much cheaper than shipping home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashlie K Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 NattyYou need to check with Virgin or BA on what the weight limit is. Im trying to remember if BA had fees but then again when I worked with them, I was allowed to bring anything.I know that US carriers have a weight limit and then begin to charge fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 My vote is for Peaks... your hubby would enjoy beautiful Colorado and you could get everything you need while you are there. That's a great idea! I've heard of people going there so I know they allow personal visits. You would also be able to smell the FOs before buying which would be very helpful.P.S. Wherever you decide to go be sure to let them know of your arrival beforehand so that they can arrange to show you around the facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NattyCat Posted May 29, 2006 Author Share Posted May 29, 2006 NattyYou need to check with Virgin or BA on what the weight limit is. Im trying to remember if BA had fees but then again when I worked with them, I was allowed to bring anything.I know that US carriers have a weight limit and then begin to charge fees.Should be alright - each person gets 2 pieces of luggage, and no piece can weigh over 70lbs and then in business class you can take another bag weiging no more than 20lbs. that's 90lb per person. The likelyhood of me being able to afford 90 bottles of FO is quite slim so I think I'll be well within my weight limits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Night Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 I live close to WSP. If they have something you need, I could pick it up for you and send it to your hotel when you arrive. Heck, any of the companys would do that! Just alert the hotel to expect a package or two. Something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NattyCat Posted May 29, 2006 Author Share Posted May 29, 2006 hey - good idea! I'll probably visit a few just to get a look around, but for those in other states that I can't visit, it'll be cool to send to my hotel, that postage won't be much!nat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Natty, you might want to check the baggage restrictions about transporting dangerous materials as/in baggage before you have any concrete plans. The flash points of the fo's may be a concern with the airline, or airlines (if you have a code share). If you do decide to fly the stuff back with you, you may also want to get an agreement in writing from the airline(s). You might not be able to pack the stuff in a suitcase, but have to pkg it up into a box with applicable labels (whatever the airline's policy is). Advance notice to them will enable a smooth shipping of those fo's.You may be able to breeze through undetected with fo's in suitcases. Esp. flying biz class. There is more leniency with biz, more with first, frequent fliers, etc.... of course in proportion with how much dough you shell out! I can't stress the in writing part enough. A lot of customers claim a lot of things! Yeah, a previous incarnation was a stint with the airlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsaycb Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 There aren't any candle supply companies in the UK? Bummer, maybe you should just start your own candle supply company! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NattyCat Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 There aren't any candle supply companies in the UK? Bummer, maybe you should just start your own candle supply company!there are a few, but all of them just import their stuff from the USA - so I won't pay their prices - I buy it in myself and avoid the middle man. I'd love to start up a supply company, but I'd be the same as them - I'd have to import all my stuff from the USA and then add MY mark-up. I am in talks with a large manufacturer of FO, an american company who also have facilities over here, so I'm hoping I can do a deal with them if they bring down their minimum quantities - you have to buy 5kg of each FO and I just can't do that!With regard to flash point, I can't order any oils that have a low flash point anyway as they won't be shipped to me, so I'd always make sure the flash was over 190. But good advice on the "in writing" thing tho.nat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassy-girl Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 FOr Fragrance Oils, Make sure they get put in PLastic bottles, Those Boys down in Baggage sure do handle bags kinda roughly and it would suck to get soggy luggage back at baggage claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Sandie* Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Almost all airlines limit to 40 lbs per bag even carry on. I have seen some try it. I would break my back. But it cost me $25 for every lb. I went to the trash. We went and bought another bag and put the extra in that. But the bag cost me but it was still less then the over weight. We flew right after they changed that rule and would not budge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 some day I'll get a job where I can sneak into the mail room and have THEM pay for shipping to you! (I used to have one of those jobs....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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