Oh, also, one big roadblock has been that it’s hard to find good, reliable box/material suppliers outside of Uline right now. Uline is a massive shipping product provider here in the US with really good deals on boxes and shipping supplies, but I refuse to buy from them because their owners are also A-list Trump supporters and I always try to vote with my wallet (in addition to actual voting, of course.)
They have beautiful, black shipping boxes and I love the vibe, but not enough to support them.
If it helps you feel validated at all, when I handled logistics for the radio station I used to work at we had the same problem with ULine. The catalog had so many things that could’ve made things so much easier and cheaper and simpler. To us it was also more important that we didn’t support them, though, more important that we supported local wherever possible. Yes, things were a pain in the butt, but they worked out.
So as someone who has been in that position, I applaud you for also going the tougher route that I believe is more worth it.
As a consumer, I would also happily spend more money if it meant not supporting absolutely awful people.
I adore that you cater every part of AGP to follow your beliefs and values, even if it means more work and more math on your part.
Well, now that you’re doing candles in series … have you considered subscriptions? I pretty much know I’m going to get the seasonal candles when they come out, so I’d gladly pay up front (which may defray some shipping in the interim).
So, for international (non US and CA) Mounties, I’ve worked out some scaling flat rates for buying additional candles and would love your thoughts:
International Flat Rate Shipping for Candles:
1 Candle:
Flat Rate = $19
2 Candles:
Flat rate = $30
3 or 4 Candles:
Flat Rate = $40
Once we’re up in the 3-4 candle range, UPS becomes much more reasonable than USPS and I can afford to switch over, cut into the candle profit a little, but still come out on top because I’m selling 3-4 candles, and you’re saving almost $40 in shipping when compared to buying 4 candles individually!
I’ll also create scaling tables for US/CA if this seems like a good arrangement. Let me know!
In today’s shop news, I have about 30 amber candle jars left, and they are out of stock absolutely everywhere, including my secret little company I was buying from for months, until the spring. So there may be an unexpected AG Alchemy redesign for the secret candles I have planned for spring.
Also, I mentioned that our usual candle boxes are also out of stock so I’m using the test stock we bought way back when we started selling the Magiq candles. And I just saw that although we bought them through a 3rd party, they’re Uline boxes.
I have these Uline boxes and some very environmentally-unfriendly poly mailers that I also want to phase out, but just throwing them away seems even worse… so know that I have conscientious products from progressively aligned companies as well, but I’m going to get through the other stuff I currently have first.
I think at this point it would be more wasteful to not use what you already have. You can always find something more ethical next time but if you have these items lying around anyway you might as well use them.
I agree with Sel, might as well use them since you already have them. There’s not much you can do if all the other options are MIA. I still appreciate that you make every effort possible to do the right thing.
So, I think what I’ll do is sell a four-candle “Wheel of the Year” gift set in December, where you can buy all four candles at once before the new year starts and save a ton on shipping? With a gift set I could also maybe knock a little more off shipping…
I just got my Imbolc melts, and the scent is really just incredible! I know they’re limited run, but I will definitely be buying again when they come in stock.
It’s clean and fresh, with just a hint of smokiness. I don’t detect anything powdery or floral. Maybe a touch of incense.
I think the bookmark is the most excited I’ve been for an AGP delivery, second to my TBS welcome package last year. And the fact that the TBS coin is with it makes it even better.
@Augustus_Octavian I’m glad you got it so quickly and enjoy it so much! @Sorrel, seeing all those candles makes me SO happy and humbled at the same time, and @BrokenVoid, knowing you’re legit excited to get something like the bookmark from AGP is just incredible. I LOVE creating these things for all of you.
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