Midwest Candle Supply (Gelluminations) now Candlemakers Store???

[ScentGifts]

Something strange is going on!!! I got brave and placed another order with Midwest Candly Supply (formerly Gelluminations) on Sunday despite all the recent complaints about orders not being filled. I got a UPS notification yesterday, saying my order was to be shipped from The Candlemakers Store, and would be delivered today! Sure enough, I just got home for lunch and there was a package on my porch with the oils in it that I ordered from Gelluminations!! It has an Iowa return addy, but just says 'Distribution Center' in place of the company name. The bottles no longer say the company name either, just the scents and weight. Does anyone know if Candlemakers Store bought the company or what is going on??????!!!!

Edited August 20, 2010 by ScentGifts

[deisel]

right after i had ordered the new sample pack that included pumpkin hollow & weathered crow from the candle maker store, i saw that gelluminations(or whatever they were then), had those two in their line-up. have since noticed that they carry what seems to be the same fragrances and also have 2 grades of oils!!there is also that other place that has the same oils as candlemakers store, but in 8oz. bottles (i forget that name though). also-just checked my wax that i ordered from gelluminations, before they were midwest, and it too says distribution center - spirit lake IA. this was back in either april or may!!!

makes ya wonder!! kris

[laura9259]

I put a pound of fragrance in my cart just to see the shipping cost ( candlemakers store ) they are in Ohio and so am I - priority mail was $9.35 - thats about $4.00 more than what it would cost to ship

[ScentGifts]

The funny thing is, if they did buy Gelluminations, they need to get their sales to match or they are cutting themselves short!!! What I mean by that is the reason I ordered from "Gelluminations/Midwest" was because they had a 50% sale, and it was $10 less with shipping vs. Candlemakers Store for the exact same oils! LOL And I am in Ohio, so that doesnt make sense!! I should email Candlemakers Store and see what they say about it. I would have thought they would put something on one of the sites about new ownership or something!!

Edited August 21, 2010 by ScentGifts

[kleilac]

Has anyone figured this out for sure? I was just getting ready to update my RipOff report on Creative Illuminations when I discovered that they are now Midwest Candle Supple, and they've apparently also been Gelluminations... I ordered from Creative Illuminations in January and was shorted two 16oz fragrances. I have emailed them, tried calling them, tried filing a claim against them with paypal and sent them copies of my invoices and their letter stating my order was missing two bottles that would be sent when they were back in stock.. I have never received a reply, a refund or my product.. Personally, I betcha this is just the same people once again changing their business name because so many people have left negative comments about them all over the internet.. I'm surprised anyone takes the chance with them at all!

[CareBear]

Personally, I betcha this is just the same people once again changing their business name because so many people have left negative comments about them all over the internet..

bingo.

drop a note to the BBB as well, if you wish - as some of the names have bad ratings there.

[ScentGifts]

yes that is true about Gelluminations and Midwest, but I have never had any trouble with Candlemakers store, who apparently now owns Gelluminations!!

bingo.

drop a note to the BBB as well, if you wish - as some of the names have bad ratings there.

[Judy, USMC]

I agree that this needs to be verified before any reporting goes on. The Candlemakers' Store I went to was in Ohio. Here's their website home page addy: http://www.thecandlemakersstore.com/

If the Midwest/Gelluminations/Candle Illuminations people are trying to ride someone elses reputation they may have changed to Candle Makers, Candle Maker's or even Candlemaker's. Does any of their info contain the above addy?

ScentGifts were you able to contact them (The Candlemakers' Store) near you in Ohio? Wonder if they even know about this...

Edited August 30, 2010 by Judy, USMC

[CathyinME]

I just sent an email to them to see what they say. If they did take overCE/gel/midwest(whatever name they chose to use today:cheesy2:) we know the customer service will be better!

[kleilac]

I contacted Midwest Candle Supply yesterday to ask about my missing products from my order in January. I received a reply (shocking!). This is what they sent:

Sorry, but we are not the same company. We are under new ownership and management and are not a part of Gelluminations, Inc. We have none of their records so we are not able to see the previous orders so we can not help you. You will need to contact Gelluminations for any problems with orders prior to July 2010.

Renee

Midwest Candle Supply

HOWEVER, if you do a search for Gelluminations, the search engine sends you to the creative illuminations website, which has a header as Midwest Candle Supply.... It's in the same town as gelluminations, although, it does have a different physical address. It's all just too fishy!

If someone did purchase Gelluminations, then shouldn't they be responsible for orders that were never filled?

She told me to contact Gelluminations, yet, when you do a search for Gelluminations, you end up on the Midwest website, so exactly how does one contact Gelluminations now??

I have to ask myself, why would anyone buy Gelluminations with the reputation they have, and not totally change the website address so as not to be connected with them? Anyone doing a search for Gelluminations is going to end up on this Midwest Candle Supply Website, which is the exact website Gelluminations, Creative Illuminations and Brighter Scents has always had..

Has anyone been able to make a connection with the actual Candlemakers Store??

Edited August 30, 2010 by kleilac

[Darbla]

I don't know if this is any help at all or if they can just tell you it's not their problem, but at the bottom of their web site it says:

Copyright 2001-2010 © Midwest Candle Supply

Maybe if they can claim the web site all the way back then they can be held responsible for recent orders like yours? I don't know, just trying to throw out some kind of idea that might help you, or give you a different angle to approach this with, or give you some ammunition.

[CathyinME]

Wow something really strange is going on. I think they changed the business name & their names, wasn't it Lisa & Terry, to Renee so they don't have to give customer what they already charged them for:laugh2:Everyone RUN as fast as you can from this mess!!

Edited August 30, 2010 by CathyinME

[pleasureridgecandles]

They must have just recently changed their names. They send me their newsletters all the time and all have said Lisa and Terry except for the most recent one there was no name. After the name change to Midwest it still said Lisa and Terry so if they are no longer affliated with the company it just happened recently. I think any company that is going to buy out another should honor any and all orders placed with the company prior to them buying said company out and should take care of any and all problems customers have had with the previous company especially when money was rec'd and the product was not shipped out. I mean if this is truly under new ownership they are NOT starting out on a very good foot. First to be affliated with a company that has has so many complaints and to not completely change website, name etc. and then to seem to have the same type of customer service as the previous company.... won't be getting much business that way IMO. Anywho I've only ordered from them twice and I guess I was lucky b/c I didn't have any problems whatsoever and rec'd all my products ordered and it was shipped timely. I have pondered ordering when they have had their really good sales (which seems to be every week now) but have not due to reading all the other complaints on the board. I'd be mad as hell to order and get screwed out of my money. I'd be taking a road trip to whoop some ass:D

[CathyinME]

Got an answer from Candlemaker's Store-they are not in any way connected to midwest, etc.

[kleilac]

I received this 2nd letter from Midwest candle supply:

The company was sold and it takes a few months for the search engines to update all of the listings. We have no control over the search engine listings and the company has never been Creative Illuminations, that is a domain name. The corporation was Gelluminations, Inc. That corporation was dissolved.

We are in the process of moving everything to our location. Gelluminations was in Iowa and our office and warehouses are in Ohio and that is where all of our orders are shipping from now.

First, I don't understand as a customer if you purchased something back in January and did not receive it for 8 months why did you not contact your credit card company if you could not contact them? I don't know either side of the situation and am caught in the middle here with no answers for you.

I am not sure what you want from us, but this is ridiculous to have to try to explain something to someone that we have no idea if you ever even were a customer of theirs either.

The only thing I can suggest is to email them and have their lawyer fax you a copy of the bill of sale showing that they no longer own the business.

You know, I knew of another person who purchased a website from someone who had screwed over their customers left and right.. It was "Northern Minerals" (mineral makeup).. The new owner had no idea how many customers the first owners had screwed over, and after taking over the website, she started receiving all these letters demanding their products be shipped or refunds be made.. She ended up having to close down the website and dissolving her business because of the original owners dishonesty..

If this is on the up and up, I hope these new owners aren't faced with the same situation..

I don't know if these are the same people or new people, but I do know one thing.. I won't be ordering anything from them.. I've been ordering from http://www.candlesandsupplies.com and I've never been shorted, have always received my orders within 3 days and I love their scents and products, plus their customer service is awesome.. If I have a question about anything, I receive an answer within a day. I also really like Millcreek (http://www.mcsoywax.com) ... Just wanted to give them free publicity cause I've gotten such great service from them )

Edited August 31, 2010 by kleilac

[ScentGifts]

well that was a pretty rude email from Midwest, or whoever they are!!!! The thing that gets me is when I ordered from "Midwest", I got charged for shipping from Iowa, when actually it came from Ohio so I would think I should have been reimbursed for shipping or something!!! Guess I will just order from The Candlemakers Store from now on to be safe!!

It is still weird to me that I got a UPS shipping notice from "The Candlemakers Store".

[WillowBoo]

you could go into the company search on the OH state website and they should give you details, rather than relying on word of mouth.

I personally would just stay away from them. That email doesn't indicate to me they would be any different from the former owners.

[EricofAZ]

If it helps any, the gelluminations website is now owned by midwestcandlesupply. There is a gelluminations inc in Iowa with the same address. There is also a midwest candle supply inc in Iowa but no creative illuminations corporation. creativeilluminations website is also owned by midwest candle supply. Anyway, it looks like Terry Moeller is still the registered owner (or at least listed as such) for Gelluminations, Inc.

http://www.sos.state.ia.us/Search/corp/%28S%28a2s1b4z4viusmd45dsm2nyea%29%29/corp_search.aspx

============================================

Registrant:

Midwest Candle Supply

3209 center lake dr

spirit lake, IA 51360

US

1-712-336-1802

Domain Name: GELLUMINATIONS.COM

Administrative Contact: info@creativeilluminations.com

Supply, Midwest

3209 center lake dr

spirit lake, IA 51360

US

1-712-336-1802

--------------------------------------------

Registered Agent or Reserving Party

Gelluminations, Inc.

Full NameTERRY MOELLER Address3209 CENTER LAKE DR Address 2

City, ST, ZipSPIRIT LAKE, IA, 51360

Midwest Candle Supply, Inc.

Registered Agent or Reserving Party Full NameJULIE KAY CATHCART Address116 S 21 ST Address 2

City, ST, ZipFORT DODGE, IA, 50501

Edited September 1, 2010 by EricofAZ
added corporation commission information

[EricofAZ]

Ohio does not have a corporation registration for either gelluminations or midwest, but does have creative illuminations, Inc.

Agent Contact Information

Agent Name Agent Address City State Zip Effective Date Contact Status Kimberly Bulger 1056 Pacific Ct

Worthington Ohio 43085 07-APR-10 Active

Midwest Candle Supply has been trademarked since 2000 in Iowa, so they seem to have been around for a while.

Interesting that the Iowa corp commission shows Midwest Candle Supply as "expired" in 2005.

Kleilac, so from what I can see, the basic information in the red letter seems to be right, however, gelluminations has not formally dissolved yet (at least the corporation commission is listing it as active and I think they updated their paperwork in April of 2010).

Here is another address for gelluminations if that helps:

Address of the principal office of the corporation:

11959 240TH AVE

SPIRIT LAKE

IA

51360

Edited September 1, 2010 by EricofAZ

[Faerywren]

I wouldn't care who they were. If I got a rude e mail like that, I would just accept I got screwed over by the other company and not order from the new one. Their customer service seems to be exactly the same.

[nmhoneybear]

I wouldn't care who they were. If I got a rude e mail like that, I would just accept I got screwed over by the other company and not order from the new one. Their customer service seems to be exactly the same.

I'm with you! If I EVER received a rude e-mail like that from any business, I would most definitely take mine elsewhere. There are far too many good suppliers out there to justify using shady ones. JMO :smiley2:

[kleilac]

I agree with what you guys are saying.. I thought that email was very rude, too.. My first thought was, wow... if I purchased a company and got customer complaints, I'd be bending over backwards to change their minds about me..

I've moved on to other suppliers that can be trusted. I'll never order from that company..

I wanted to give this "renee" the benefit of the doubt, but after thinking about it, I have very strong doubts that this is on the up and up... I think it's just them covering their butts with yet another company name..

I was wondering though, about the shipment received from the Candlemakers Store.. Could that have been a drop shipment???

I can see why that annoyed you that you paid shipping from Iowa but it actually came from Ohio..

I guess the bottom line is, when a company is so confusing and you aren't quite sure who the heck your actually ordering from, as CathyInMe said...Run away as fast as you can!

[EricofAZ]

When buying a company, there are only two reasons to really do it. One is that you just want the inventory and don't care a whit about the customer base. The other is you want the goodwill of the former company.

Well, if there was any goodwill, it doesn't seem to show in the letter, but they have a point, why wait 7 months to complain?

If it was just for inventory, then it would be good to buy and not show any kind of public transfer.

I have to agree with everyone, it doesn't seem like the new owners care much about keeping that goodwill going.

Edit: Oh, but I disagree about just taking it on the chin. I'd be calling and writing to Lisa and Terry and pushing for a refund or something. I don't like it when folks take my money and refuse to deliver.

I thought I saw a half off sale. Great way to liquidate inventory, but will they send the stuff? Seems pretty dicey at this point.

Edited September 2, 2010 by EricofAZ

[kleilac]

Hi EricOfAz... I agree, waiting that long to complain would be stupid. I've actually been complaining non stop since this happened. I tried to file a claim against them with paypal, but was told because I received part of my order, paypal could not refund any of my money without Gelluminations authorization to make a partial refund.. I've called Gelluminations (never reached a person and never got a return call), I've emailed them over and over and over again and I sent them a letter by mail with a copy of my invoice and the note stating they would be sending my two missing bottles as soon as possible.. I included my name, address, phone number, email address, everything I could think of in this letter.. I never got any sort of reply.. Paypal gave me the phone number they had on file (which was different than the one listed on the gelluminations site), but it was a bogus number.. These people very obviously not very ethical.. So basically, they stole my money (and a lot of other customers money) and nothing I've tried to do to get it back has worked..

I also included that information in my letter to Renee at Midwest Candle Supply, so there you go! Tells you a lot about their customer service right there!

I really got on this forum in the first place just to warn other candle makers, because I know when you get screwed like this from a company, it just means our profit gets that much smaller on our products.. I was shocked to find all the posts on here about this company! Wish I'd found it before I ordered from them.. I just hope no one else gets taken by them..

On the two reasons you pointed out that someone would buy a company...I agree with you... but have to wonder....why would you buy this company? If it was just for the inventory, why would you connect your name to the gellumination website? And if they bought it for the goodwill of former customers, I think they just made a big boo boo! lol...

[Noodle]

I am shocked by such a rude email! I cannot believe that they did not even say how sorry they were that his happened to you. That shows concern and decency right off the bat from a company. Calling the situation "ridiculous" is just outrageous to me.