The List : My Favorite and Not So Favorite Wax Vendors

Since Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching, I was considering the need to update the forgotten "vendor news" tab on the blog's toolbar.

I reconsidered after taking into account my failing efforts to keep the information updated throughout the year. Instead, I thought I would compile a much more personal list. A list that would include my preferred vendors based on my experiences and categorized by difficulty in ordering.

First, I think it's important to note that I have received very little free wax outside of giveaways and contests. The one exception is Sniff My Tarts who sent me a a handful of chunks because I commented on a customers post inquiring about the spiciness of an eggnog blend. The owner graciously sent me and another group member several chunks of the blend to try. That's it.

I believe wholeheartedly that my opinions are unbiased and true. The entire point of this blog is to provide information to those new to scented wax, indie wax specifically. It was also important to me to try to connect with anyone reading and be genuine and kind.

Sometimes stating my opinion can seem genuine, yes, but not always kind. Please know that I have not one shred of maliciousness in my intent. I'm not trying to hurt anyones business by stating my lack of success with their company. I do, however, want to share all of my experiences - good and bad.

Although I believe I have a solid grasp on the pulse of the ins and outs of the wax world, I am no more an expert than anyone else who has been observing and/or participating. The tone of this list is not about being a 'know it all'.

Several things determine how much I like or dislike a vendor. The most important is how well the wax performs in my house. Then there's the scent list, customer service, TAT, ease of ordering and in rare cases, reputation to be taken into consideration. Sometimes it's hard to explain why a certain vendor excites me so much, just like it's not easy to pinpoint why some very popular vendors do nothing for me.

The first list is the most important. My overall favorite vendors that range from easy to order from to difficult. The list is in alphabetical order because I have a difficult time choosing the ranking among my top five. Mostly because it changes all the time.

FAVORITE WAX VENDORS

Front Porch

Rosegirls

Sniff My Tarts

Streetman Company Store

Sugar & Spice Gourmet Soy

What I love about my top five is if I need a quick fix, I can turn to Front Porch or Sugar & Spice and be perfectly happy until the others open. 

highly recommended = great wax performance overall, excellent customer service, good scent list

recommended = hit or miss wax performance, good customer service, good scent list

not recommended = wax did not perform for me at all and/or not so great customer service

EASY TO ORDER = almost always open, good TAT, no rush

EASY TO ORDER: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Can Do Candles

Front Porch

Lake Providence Lodge

Sugar & Spice Gourmet Soy

EASY TO ORDER: RECOMMENDED

Candles by Victoria

Haley's Heavenly Scents

Shayz Scents

Ten Digit Creations

Up the Creek Scents

EASY TO ORDER: NOT RECOMMENDED

Aunt Smellman's Super Scented Candles

Closet Full of Wax
Jack Be Nimble Candle Creations

K's Kreations

NeNe's Kitchen Melts

Pink T Candles

Sugar Scoops Wax Melts

Sweet Fixations

Wilma Handmade

MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO ORDER = open and close vendor, good TAT, sometimes openings are rushed

MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO ORDER : HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Beezy Tarts

Butterfly Lane

Streetman Company Store

MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO ORDER : RECOMMENDED

Enchanted Candle Company

I Heart Wax

The Bathing Garden

Thirty Street Wax

MODERATELY DIFFICULT TO ORDER : NOT RECOMMENDED

Rainbow Melts

Waxie Lady

DIFFICULT TO ORDER = rare openings or custom order list, long TAT, stressful openings if not on a custom list

DIFFICULT TO ORDER : HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Glitterati Candle Co.

Rosegirls

Sniff My Tarts

DIFFICULT TO ORDER : RECOMMENDED

Candles from the Keeping Room

Sassy Girl Aroma

DIFFICULT TO ORDER : NOT RECOMMENDED 

Ethereal Glow

Lasting Scent Candles

Scarlet Raine

UNDECIDED = I'm not sure where on the above lists to place the following vendors. 

Long Cane Primitives (easy to order) - I've had mixed luck with my first large order. I plan on ordering again from her RTS stock.

Makes Scents (moderately difficult to order) - first order started out strong then had several misses. Will order again to re-evaluate.

Tiffany Candles (easy to order) - I was not impressed with the loaves I ordered earlier this year. Very poor performance but I am incredibly anxious to try her new wax. I've heard phenomenal things and will be placing an order soon.

Super Tarts (difficult to order) - I've had pretty great performance but I don't like the ordering process at all. I've also read many, many complaints in non vendor groups about delays in shipping, excuses and lack of communication. My orders arrived when expected (long TAT). 

Vintage Chic Scent (moderately difficult to order) - I can't get VCS to work well in my house and it's such a bummer because I love her blends and customer service. My first order did not perform at all and I'm working through a more recent order. Gifted VCS has been all over the place too. Definitely need to order again, I don't want to write this vendor off.

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It takes quite a bit for me to boycott a vendor all together. Even if I hear a few negative things here or there, I will still give most vendors a shot. The exception to the rule is when their reputation can not be ignored. This isn't to say they don't have regular and happy customers. Just I have no desire to place an order based on what I've read. The two vendors that fall in this category are: Happy Hippy Scents and Victoria's Designer Creations

I have not tried any wax from their companies. This is solely based on the alarming amount of negative feedback I've read from multiple sources. 

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I'm sure there will be changes to these lists as I continue to purchase and melt vendor wax. My top five today were not my top five a year ago.  

If you're a seasoned melter, these lists are most likely mere entertainment. If you're new to scented wax, use the above as a piece of information to add to your research but certainly don't base your purchasing decisions solely on what you've read here. With the exception of the last two, I encourage you to try any vendor that excites you or has you curious.  

Now it's your turn. I would love to know your current top five. This is a question that is asked often in the wax groups and I love reading the answers. Because it's always subject to change makes it all the more fun!

* I will be adding hyperlinks to all the vendor's webpages in the next few days *