WAHM Forums

Hi All,


I just got off the call with John MacFadden. The MSRP came up there for the jars. He said that we should not sell them for less than the suggested retail price. So what does everyone sell their jars for?


Many Blessings,


Natalie

I sell mine for $18 with specials for multiples. I know they say we shouldn't sell for below the SRP but we have to stay competitive especially where I live--especially since we don't have the $9-$10 sales like our main competitor.


BE BLESSED
Dinika

I'm thinking of doing the same thing Dinika does, although I'm a bit concerned about retailing them for $18. When I sold jars before (for another co.), I sold their 16 oz jars (which is the same size as ours) for $16, which was their suggested retail. However, when they upped the price a couple dollars the next year, sales slowed. smileys/smiley19.gif

Hi Ladies,


Thanks for you input. I have been selling mine as well for $18.00. I was just surprised that John suggested we not sell them for less than that!


Thanks again ladies!


Many Blessings,


Natalie

Hi Natalie, I had a big problem with this in my area when I first joined and we have several distributors within the same area of each other so we have to do SRP or we would all be undercutting each other. There are still one or two that like to come in cheaper but it is more fair if we all charge the same price and its easier on everyone to go by SRP. People do ask "why is so and so's $2 cheaper than yours?" I wish it was mandatory for all of us to charge the same just like other direct sales companies. They never give you a choice on what to charge for the products you sell. It makes it so much harder on everyone. Believe me we have competition here with other candle brands too but even though I am higher on price our quality is catching on more and more. It just takes time and we have to have patience and not be out for that quick sale every time. Quality means a lot.


Tammy

You bring up a good point, Tammy. In another candle company I know, it IS mandatory to charge the suggested retail price.


So if you do multiples, what do you charge? Two or three jars for how much, if you don't my asking?

I sell my jars for the 18.95 but I sell my votives for less than the $3 each because I sell them in multiples of 6/15 12/28.


I do plan on having a special sale for repeat customers only in Nov.

I've only been with MB for a little over a month. When I tried to sell the candles for $18.95 each, I made NO jar candle sales for the first couple of weeks! I was really bummed since I had purchased the Samplepackage & was "stuck" witha dozen candles. Igave a couple as gifts then I lowered the price to $18 for one, $34 for two, & $16 each (+tax)for three or more. I sell the votives for 4/$10 or $30/dozen +tax. Sales have picked up, but I still haven't made a profit since we have to purchase by the case.I do love the candles, but I'm in this to make $$, & I am getting frustrated. I'm going to hang in there at least'til after the "Fall Fling" & the holiday season to see what changes are in store. Hopefully, there will be some positive changes, like being able to fill individual orders w/o purchasing by the case, online ordering for customers, etc., not just announcements of new products (although that would be awesome, too!).

I have to admit that I'm in agreement with Auntiem that the inability to place single orders has been a deterrent for prospective customers of mine. If someone just wants a few candles, you'd have to order a case and keep inventory and hope someone buys the rest. As far as I know, ScentSations is the only company where you have to buy by the case. Am I wrong?

While I understand their suggestion..there is NO WAY someone in my area would pay $18.95. I have to sell mine as low as $13 sometimes, and many times that is considered too high!! I've checked with a few others in the surrounding states and they have found themselves in simliar situations. I agree with auntiem..while it is a nice suggestion to place a minimum SRP..we are suppose to be in it to make a profit and when we have to compete against others who are selling more for less, it doesn't make sense to lose money or buy product that is just going to sit in our homes collecting dust.

We to tried to sell ourjar candles for $18.95, then lowered them to $18.00 and finally have sold them at $16.95 nowfor over a year and have done well at this price. One of our competitors in the mall charge $17.99 for their 14.5oz jar, sowe feel this is a good range to compete with.


Have done the same with the votives. Tried $3.00 each and people thought we were nuts!!smileys/smiley29.gif Then lowered them to $2.00 each and have soldtons!And also try to sellthem on purchasing multiples by giving them a "special" price, they think they are getting a bargin.


We lived in a depressed area with loads of laid off people, moneyis tight.You have to price your product within what the customer can afford. This is what I tell all of our new recruits.


You can get very fustrated when you don't sell anything! If your customers can get a lower price (say at $16.95) and you can get thatcandle in their home for them to try and come back for more, we think the lower price is worth it! smileys/smiley1.gif


Yes, you will still get those that are looking for the rock bottom priced candles for $5.00. We still get those that are shocked by the $16.95 price. These are not the candle lovers you are looking for to purchase our candles.These are the ones looking for you to give your candle away.There people are out there wanting our candles, you just have to introduce them to the right peopleand you will find them! Trustus we have!!


Kelly and Dan V.


www.BurningCleanCandles.com (http://www.BurningCleanCandles.com)

Connie,
yes I too feel that this topic is a good point and I have talked to the company on several occasions about our pricing and they said there are legal reasons that they are having to follow due to how they started this company that they are not able to make our pricing mandatory without having to go through a lot of legal hassles. This is only my opinion but I just feel if we all follow the companies SRP then all of us as distributors are in the same ballpark. I do feel we have a quality product here to offer our customers and believe me I have people that look at my like I'm crazy when I say $18.95 and walk away but you know what that is ok because the person thatwalks up after them knows what other quality candles cost and are willing to pay it when they hear the benefits their getting with our products. It took me a while to get return customers other than family but now people are hearing more and more about our candles and they will buy them. Once they try them they know their worth every penny. These are GOURMET candles not dollar store candles. I do give discounts on multiple of jars which I do a 2/ 34.00 and I only sell my votives in groups of 6/15.00 and 12/28.00 and really don't have a problem and believe me I have two other VERY popular brands going around my area. One of them have raised their prices 2 times in the last year and now are almost at the same price we started with. I won't have to raise my prices cause we will be able to stay the same and customers notice a "raise" in prices. I think they will appreciate me not having to keep raising prices when they see other companies keep doing this. Natalie mentioned John McFadden said we shouldn't be selling below SRP and I think he has been in marketing long enough that he knows how to advise us on pricing. They posted somewhere that if you start lowering your prices because some people think you're too expensive that doesn't give off a real good impression that you're real secure in your product. The bottom line is we have good products to offer people that we can be confident are of the highest quality they can use. Again this is just my opinion, I'm not trying to make anyone mad or anything. Good luck to everyone!

I have to agree with Tammy on this one.
We have a quality productthat outweighs the competition by a LONG shot!

The people who "cringe" at $18.95 (or even $18.00) are usually notgoing to be repeat customers anyway. Any TRUE candle lover willsee the benefits ofwhat we are offering and will gladly pay for it. Those are going to be your repeat customers. I'm not looking for the "dollar-store-candle-shopper" whomay purchase from me once and then return to the discount store. I'm looking for those who appreciate a good quality candle andwill seek me out when they need another one. I'm in this for the long haul, not just an immediate buck or two.

I keep hearing "no one in my area will pay that price".....thanit's up tous to change that.We have a quality product that is worth every penny of the SRP. Loweringour prices lowers the perceived valueof whatwe are offering. It is up to us to educate people on the benefits of our candles. We don't want to be just another candle company.

Another alternative to dropping prices would be to inform your customers of the COTM club. How many of themdo you think would gladly pay $9.00 for the same candle?? Thus, building your downline and creating residual income!


One of our biggest competitors has been charging $17.99 for a 14.5 oz "parrafin" jar candlefor years. Yet, they continue tosell millions of dollars worth per year.Our candles are 110% better, cleaner and safer andour prices should reflect that.

Another thing....I think it would be completely unfair to consultants in your area to offer prices lower than the SRP. This forces the consultant to lower his/her prices as well just to be competitive and/or tostay in business. This isn't a competition. We are all in this together. We should ALL be offering the same product for the same price and be PROUD of it.

This entire forum is full of consultants who say "I'll never burn another candle from anyone else again", or "I'm addicted to these candles".....so, are you saying you wouldn't pay $18.95 for our products? or they're not worth it? If you're willing to pay it, others will too. After being educated on our candles and burning them....I'd pay more! I firmly stand behind these candles and will not even consider lowering my prices.


Just my $.02Edited by: MiaBellaFreedom

I think everyone has a good point but I also think we need to stress the point of doing what is appropriate for the area and your market. I would have 3 dozen candles in my closet if I stuck with $18.95 and wouldn't even be able to sell to my family. I agree that we have an incredible product but I live in a depressed market area with a high cost of living. With that equation, the customers that I get are more than happy with a $6 candle from the market and while the health factors and the scent factors for our candles are a definate lure - the bottom line is the amount of money and these are definate candle lovers as you go in their house and they have more candles than I do and thats saying alot!smileys/smiley9.gif


As for undercutting on cost between distributors, it happens and its important that we remain aware of who is in our market, where they have penetrated, and how they do business.

You know.... I''m reading these responses and I agree with what everyone is saying. No I don't charge the $18.95 but I do charge $18 like I said earlier. I don't go below the $18 for a single candle purchase and I even use one of our biggest competitor's price of $17.99 for 14.5oz as a selling point. I say you're getting an ounce and a half MORE for only a penny. Folks respond so positively to that. I have the candle lovers in my area....one woman told me "Oh I'll buy your candles but I'm still going to purchase my cheap ones" smileys/smiley5.gifAnd you know what....she has!


As far as undercutting other Distributors in our area I can see how this can happen without us even knowing it. That's why I was one of the advocates for a company directory so that we'd know who the other Distributors in our area are. Yes John and Lise have their board with the "Where are you" forum but not everyone knows about that and not everyone posts.


Tracy, girl you are on point! What you've said about the COTM is what I've been telling my customers for the longest.Some of themget hung up on the "buying a case" thing though and don't want to do it that way UNLESS they decide they want to sell. Atleast that's what I've been running into here. So you know whatI don't bother with them because it all seems like excuses to me.


I too wish we didn't have to purchase by the case ALL the time...even if we were allowed to purchase half a dozen that would be better but to be honest I don't think that will happen. smileys/smiley5.gifWe'll see what comes of Fall Fling though. smileys/smiley4.gif


You all keep your heads up. Sales WILL pick up. It's the Holiday Season and we're distributing the #1 gift for gift giving! smileys/smiley32.gif


BE BLESSED
Dinika

Candle prices can be tricky!



You also can try this, I offer $15 a jar for *new* customers - and then they get the $18 price when they come back for more! By the time they burn one they know they love them and have no issues paying $18!


Remember 6 jars at $18 = half a case! So if you sell one jar, make it your goal to sell 6 more so you can buy a whole case!


Many people have in their heads that they can go to Wal*Mart and get a huge jar for $7.50 - but that jar will burn 'maybe' 40 hours with a huge sink hole down the middle and tons of black soot! SO in essense they'd need to buy 3 Wal*Mart jars for it to equal one of ours!


Sometimes people need people need a little insight! Also if they realized that if they bought 7 votives at $2.50 each it equal 16 oz and they are still nearly the price of a 16 oz jar!


Keep in mind if you have any doubt when selling the candles - people will sense this and heistate! People buy $22 Yankee jars and $1.50 small Yankee votivesALL the time! Find your target market!

You could stress the longer burning time to a customer who cringes at $18 a jar, also the fact that they burn cleaner and the wax melts more evenly.


Whatever we decide to charge, I don't think you should ever go below the wholesale cost of the jar (didn't someone mention selling theirs for $6?). I'm all for making it affordable, but don't practically give the candles away...smileys/smiley36.gif. You don't want to greatly shortchange yourself. You'd be surprised at how many of the same customers who bark at $18 for a candle will spend $20 for another candle because someone convinced them it was worth it for some corny reason.

I agree with Tracy - especially about the fact that if they want to get our candles at a discountthen they can be COTM club members or Associate members - this is such a great marketing tool. Why sign up for one of these if you are giving them a huge discount already?


Personally, I hope they come out witha nice small $10 jar. even if it is just 5 ounces because some people don't care about ounces just the bottom line price.


Make sure you charge enough tocover your expenses and your time - smileys/smiley2.gif I think our candles are worth it - I checked out the prices of other soy-veg candles and ours are MUCH cheaper! Mostwere $20 or more!

I understand that everyone hastheir ownpoint of view on the subject and it's not about being right or wrong. I respect youropinions and appreciate everyone's professionalism.

I would also like to add that I, too, would like to have the abilty to purchase in smaller quantities. I was not aware of the "case minimum" until after I signed up. Not that it would have made a difference, but then again, it may have.Edited by: MiaBellaFreedom

I'm with you Debra, our candles are worth it! I really think it boils down to value. Before Mia Bella, I bought soy candles from bath and body works in the mall and another place. Let me tell you about value.


Prices and burn times:


Bath & Body Works Soy Aromatherapy> $18.00, 10.5 oz and up to 70 hours burn time.


In addition I still got soot! I saved the jars and show them to my potential customers. They can see first hand the true value.


I also burned every candle from my sample pack and loan them to potential customers (that I personally know)for a night so they can see for themselves. Now they're hooked.

Dinika, I ran into a big surprise when I heard of another distributor in my area whom I haven't met yet that is charging $12 per jar candle so you can imagine what I get at shows when mine are priced at $18.95. People want to know why hers is 12 and mine 18.95, it is very difficult when distributors do that. That's why again I think it is so important for all of us to go by the SRP. I am in this for a business not just to enjoy candles(although I do enjoy also, don't get me wrong.lol)so its difficult when we have the option to charge whatever we want. I am not lowering my prices though so I can only hope everyone is out to buy quality which is what they will get with our candles.
Tammy

Hi Everyone,


Well, I am glad I asked the question.smileys/smiley5.gif I do value everyone opinion here. I think we all have very good valid points. I really thinking is boils down to your individual situation. For me, I am more comfortable charging $18 with a discount for larger orders.


Found what works for you and go with it. I would agree that smaller cases would be nice. I have several candles now that I really do not need but oh well. That just means time for a sale!smileys/smiley2.gif


Many Blessings,


Natalie

We have to agree thata distributor list would be nice so you can speak with other distributors in your area so you are not undercutting each other.


Weknow many are charging $18.95 and that's okay. Many just can't get that and charge less. That's the beauty of Mia Bella, it is YOUR business and run it the way it works for you. Home Office does give us some limitations in regards to using the name etc...


When starting we kept our price at $18.00 and $18.95 for quite some time. We didn't dropour prices overnight. But after no sales drop the price and began to sell. So if $18.95 works in your area great!! But most in our area(including ourselves if we didn't sell), would not be able to afford thatfor a candle all the time. We want happy and repeat customers and are now getting them.


We do know that our upline told us when starting she heard for the Home Office they do not like anyone to sell them less then $15.00. So if someone is selling them for $12.00 that isreally too low and totally disagree with this and feel that anything less then $16 is too low.


This is just our .02 cents too!


Kelly andDan V

Tracy, girl you are on point! What you've said about the COTM is what I've been telling my customers for the longest.Some of themget hung up on the "buying a case" thing though and don't want to do it that way UNLESS they decide they want to sell. Atleast that's what I've been running into here. So you know whatI don't bother with them because it all seems like excuses to me.





While being a COTM is a good way toget and try a new scent every month andget the jars at a much lower cost--and there's the residual income potential, some customers might be deterred by the fact that you don't get to pick what scent you get for the month. That would nice, you think? Perhaps the idea should be suggested to the powers-that-be at ScentSations.

I'm not in Mia Bella, so as a customer I would pay $18.95 as long as I did not have to pay shipping, but I don't know anyone here that is w/ Mia Bella. I did try the COTH but it was more than I could/can spend. smileys/smiley19.gif They are the best candles I haveburned so far.

I think everyone has a good point but I also think we need to stress the point of doing what is appropriate for the area and your market. I would have 3 dozen candles in my closet if I stuck with $18.95 and wouldn't even be able to sell to my family. I agree that we have an incredible product but I live in a depressed market area with a high cost of living. With that equation, the customers that I get are more than happy with a $6 candle from the market and while the health factors and the scent factors for our candles are a definate lure - the bottom line is the amount of money and these are definate candle lovers as you go in their house and they have more candles than I do and thats saying alot!smileys/smiley9.gif


As for undercutting on cost between distributors, it happens and its important that we remain aware of who is in our market, where they have penetrated, and how they do business.


I DO have 3 dozen jars in my closet that I have yet to sell; more if I count all the COTM ones. I did one craft fair in September that bombed (not just for me but for everyone who had displays - it was outdoors and the weather was terrible); I ordered 2 cases and sold three jars, 3 votives and one Bella Bar. I did have many, many people smelling the candles and gave out about 100 business cards, urging people to enter the online contest (only one person did LOL). I have given away 2 dozen votives to friends and my son spent almost a whole day grating votives and making scent samples for me. Since then I have sold three more to people that I visited with that day; one wanted a scent I didn't have and I ended up ordering another case just to get that one candle for him!


Oops - I got off topic, didn't I? Anyway, I charged $18 at the fair for the jar candles, after a lot of deliberation. The popular national brand sells at the gift shop here in town for $20 for their jars, and I have to undercut that a little <g>; I am doing two more fairs in the next month and am trying to decide if I should stick with $18 or drop to $17; I live in a rural area and people just don't seem to spend money on *luxury* items as much here as in cities (I quizzed the woman at the gift shop and she admitted that she doesn't actually sell many candles at $20 LOL). Now, if there was another distributor near me I would never undercut them, but as far as I can tell I am the only one within at least 100 miles (I would love to be able to find out for sure). To me, if it is a matter of charging less than SRP or sitting on my three cases of candles, I will have to charge a little less and sell them - I can't afford to have that much inventory sitting around, especially when I am basically just starting out.

Amen Kim!I'm in the same situation, I'm sitting on way too much inventory and will sell for what I need to to shift it out of my house.I do appreciate everyone's comments and understand where everyone is coming from. However, bottom line is this. Until the company decides to let us know who is in our distribution area (I've tried and got no answer other than an estimated number in my state) we have to do what we have to do to make ourselves some money. The company gets theirs from what we purchase. Either we have this stuff sitting in our closets, or we each understand our own markets and sell them accordingly.

Hi all, I will just add that when I first started selling these candles I thought $18.95 was a bit expensive and didn't expect to sell that many. I did have quite a few people turn their nose up and not buy but I thought to myself, just believe in your product, have that come across to people in conversation, get the candle under their nose like they say and give it some time and that whole "thought process" has worked. People are buying them, and are coming back for more, and refering more and more people to me. You can't build a business overnight it takes time, and again we have quality in our closets and they won't be their forever. It takes time to get your name out there to people and we just have to keep working at that. I'm in for the long haul. These candles are in my heart and they will sell I have no doubts about that.Sell QUALITY, people will come.


Tammy

Yep, I've got quality in my closet no doubt but I also have a ton of MONEY invested in the quality in my closet. No business is built overnight but it seems that bills that need the money are. Please no one shoot back that I'm not comfortable with our product - cause you are wrong. I'm a realist - I also live in an area where the cost of living is high, the jobs are scarce, and people are getting tired and candles are a guilty pleasure - yes our candles smell the best, but when things are tight and you are looking at ways to make the ends meet, a store bought candle does work and it does smell like pumpkin.


The bottom line is Mia Belle has the best, highest quality candles, that are cleaner than any on the market - no doubt. Sometimes thoughwe want a Mercedes,but wehave to settle with the Honda. As a distributor, we have to figure out how to make the Mercedes fit into our market and affordable to all.


For those of you who disagree with me, thank you in advance for being so cool about giving me ideas on how to get myself out there even further and not being cranky about what I've said.


How about this - can we brainstorm on what has worked for you, how you've gotten your name out, and different ideas for parties, getting parties, and holiday gift options that you've all used. I'm game to try anything and would love to get some input from our already successful sisters.

Hi Chris,


You got it! There is a new thread just for you. I hope it helps you become more successful within your own business.smileys/smiley2.gif


Many Blessings,


Natalie

This is in reference to the comment about people being able to choose their own scent for the COTM. That will not happen. When the company started out, the whole purpose of the COTM was to get the new scent out to the distributors to try and then get feedback from customers whether it was going to sell good or not. As far as I know, this is still the policy it is based on. That's why when someone new joins, they send them a tried and true scent, not the current new scent of the month. They don't want them to get something if the scent is going to bomb, they want them to get something good, that they know they can get right out there and sell. That's why for years it was the Hot Apple Pie, until we got the SOCP.


Nan

Hi Nan,


LOL.. could you please make you text a little bit bigger for those of use are a bit blind like mesmileys/smiley2.gif.


Many Blessings,


Natalie

My apologies fordragging up an old post, but I was in the dark thanks to Wilma when this was originally posted and am still catching up. smileys/smiley24.gif


I'm developing my own pricing lists and waswondering if y'all are adding tax onto the $18.95 or ifyou consider the taxto be figured intoyour price? I've not sold anything yet and just want to make sure I don't botch it when I do. smileys/smiley17.gif Thanks in advance!

Hey Mrs. Magnolia,


I add tax to my 18.95, so the price would be here in Al about 20.50. I have a craft show tomorrow and am going to straigt forward charge 20.00 tax included.


Now as far as everyone saying that they can't sell the jars 18.95, I have had customers love the candles, smells great, etc, but will not buy. I even try to get them to try votives, but they are like I have to get 4 of the same scent? YES YES YES, I do not sell mix and match votives except at shows where I have inventory available. I do now want to buy 4 dozen votives for 4 candles. You don't make any profit doing that. Yes likely to be repeat customers, but I haven't had a prob selling 4 of the same scent . I have just started really having biz pick up and they are buying at 18.95, I do 2 for 33.00 so they get a break buying 2. I have found to people are more willing to buy 2 for 33 than 1 at 18.95, cause they are getting a deal. They almost save 5.00 so thats just 2.50 off each candle. I know there will be people who say don't sell them that way, but once again they will likely be repeat customers. :)
Oh well I prob got off subject too but I did answer what I do at the beginning. :)