Hillary Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 I'm hoping to get a website going eventually but I have a lot to learn yet. Here is a (probably really dumb) question~ How do you offer so many candle scents on a website? Do you actaully keep that much FO on hand for incoming orders? So much to learn........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Yup! Sickening isn't it! But I have a rule-- no more than 20 regular year round scents and then I TRY to keep my seasonal down to no more than 15.But if you are just starting you might just try a few to start and see how they sell then add from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary Posted August 31, 2006 Author Share Posted August 31, 2006 Candybee-thanks,Yeah, I think I could handle maybe 15 year round, maybe. I suppose you learn what sells and how much you need to keep on hand. What if you get an order that you can't cover? Do you just do some fast ordering and see if the customer can giver you a couple of days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggedy Dani Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Candybee-thanks,Yeah, I think I could handle maybe 15 year round, maybe. I suppose you learn what sells and how much you need to keep on hand. What if you get an order that you can't cover? Do you just do some fast ordering and see if the customer can giver you a couple of days?I thought i'd jump in here....Most of times, with orders, on my site, I always ask for up to 2 weeks to complete an order, that way it gives me time to make them if I have orders behind it that needs to be completed, also time to reorder supplies needed, etc. Expecially around holiday times. Hope that helps.HugsDani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Candybee-thanks,What if you get an order that you can't cover? Do you just do some fast ordering and see if the customer can giver you a couple of days?Usually if the order is large enough that you don't have enough ingredients to make it, the customer would have contacted you first to see if they can get a discount for their large order. While negotiating the price, you can also let them know approximately how long you'll need to get it ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 You guys are so helpful. Thanks. I guess I could pull this off, right? It still seems kind of overwhelming but I'll get there. I've had my domain name for months now! I need to get my a$$ in gear and do it. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northkountry Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Yeap, We have all of the scents on hand so that if we get the order for one of them we can make it and not have to order the fragrance and wait for it to come in and then make the candle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I keep poured-up stock on hand at all times. If I get down to only one or two candles of a particular scent, I go ahead and pour a fresh batch so they will have a little bit of cure time under their belts before they go out. This way I can fill website orders PDQ, most of the time. When I see I'm getting down to a few oz. of a particular fo that I keep in my line, I go ahead and place an order for more fo's with that supplier so that I never run out.This system works well for me; I seldom have to tell customers I'm out of stock on something. Which keeps them happy, and me less stressed out. LOLGood luck on your new website! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Yes Hillary, you can pull this off! I have never had a large order where they did not try to get a discount. As for small orders, it's good if you have a few of each scent made up ahead of time. It's a hassle to have to pour a new batch just so someone can have one votive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyinME Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I'm the same as Raggedy Dani, I have on my site that orders can take up to two weeks. Like my moose poops that are time consuming depending on what or how many they want, I don't always have it on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 Well, I won't have the Moose Poop (that cracks me up, great marketing though:smiley2: ) to worry about, but I can see that having stock already poured would speed up delivery time. Maybe having a notice posted about a potential wait time based on the size of the order would help cover any supply shortages. I'm starting to feel more comfortable with this. Taking lots of notes...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I keep poured-up stock on hand at all times. If I get down to only one or two candles of a particular scent, I go ahead and pour a fresh batch so they will have a little bit of cure time under their belts before they go out. This way I can fill website orders PDQ, most of the time. When I see I'm getting down to a few oz. of a particular fo that I keep in my line, I go ahead and place an order for more fo's with that supplier so that I never run out.This system works well for me; I seldom have to tell customers I'm out of stock on something. Which keeps them happy, and me less stressed out. LOLGood luck on your new website! I like your style. I try to keep stuff on hand at all times too but sometimes my pocketbooks says no!:undecided Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherl Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I carry now close to 70 scents and yes, I keep most of them made up 3 deep. I also do shows so that is my inventory. I let the spring scents get down to 0 or 1 in the fall, but have what is needed to make them up if an order comes in. Just getting my web site up so not sure how much business will come of it. This is for my container candles, votives and pillars I do not keep everything made up, just what I take to shows. I do have on my site that I may need a few extra days to get a candle poured.. will have to see if my customers are ok with it.www.sherolyn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephnms Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I have about 55 fragrances that I keep year round. Sometimes I order two or three more during the holiday season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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