So now I feel like a criminal...

[MissMori]

I went to a somewhat local chemical supplier to purchase 100 pounds of NaOH today. I had to produce my business license and seller's permit. That wasn't enough. The owner came out of his office, gave me that up down, sizing you up glance before saying, "eh, you look familiar," with that, "you don't look too honest and why are you buying 100 pounds of lye" look reserved for drug dealers/manufacturers/addicts.

A whispered conversation over my "papers" ensued. They then asked for a phone number and actually called it. So my purse started to ring.

I need a shower and a new supplier for my NaOH.

[Barbara AL]

Yeah that is what it has come down to can't even enjoy soaping anymore. Atleast you know you were honest when you told him what it was used for Soap making.

Barb

[deena]

Oh my goodness. So you had not obviously bought from that supplier before? Upshot, does that mean you left without your lye? Bet that left you fuming, how horrid for you.

[MissMori]

I purchased the lye. My cheap gene won out. They are creeps, but the cheapest lye for over 100 miles around.

[Kitn]

we have to sign a form with our name, address and phone # every time. They know I make soap, I have gifted them some, it is just the law.

[LuminousBoutique]

they dont need to be jerks about it though.

Before I started buying it in bulk I used to buy 10-20 bottles at a time at the hardware store and they always gave me creepy looks too.. hehe

[Cadennza]

maybe we should start a craftserver bail-you-out-of-jail money box

[asheebeans]

maybe we should start a craftserver bail-you-out-of-jail money box

Hahahahaha!!! That's a good one! We might have to!

[Jenny]

Don't drop the soap....

[anonymoususer.cleveland]

The local hardware store where I buy my 1# containers of lye is located in a less than outstanding neighborhood here in Cleveland. They always ask me if I'd be interested in a case. No name or number requested either, so I guess the law isn't the same everywhere. Now if only there was a local source for potassium hydroxide.

[jenn624]

I get my lye at the local hardware store, most of the guys who work there know who I am and what I need as soon as I walk in, but there's an older guy who waited on me last time who kept eyein' me like I was up to no good. It didn't help when I asked him if they carried potassium hydroxide, he was like "no, I don't even know what that is, what's that used for?" I told him liquid soap, and he said, "well, try the amish, they make their own soap" ...er yeah...ok... so do I... so I just nodded, said ok, and went on my merry way.

[annie123]

That's the world we live in now...I think that once you establish a business relationship with this company you'll be fine.