PartyLite/Blyth Industries

One East Weaver Street, Greenwich, CT

Partylite • No merchandise! • Defective products • Unhappy hostesses • Miffed consultants • Apologists --- • More abour Multi-Level Marketing

PartyLite, which is part of Blyth Industries, has made quite a big business out of selling candles. In fact, Blyth annually peddles over $1 billion worth of "scented candle products," as it calls them.

Many of the candles are sold at in-home parties run by PartyLite "hostesses," who in turn funnel the funds to "independent consultants." In other words, it's a multi-level-marketing scheme in which the money flows up and everything else flows downhill.

A key element in all this is that the consumer is dealing with self-employed independent contractors. This absolves PartyLite of any responsibility for correcting problems and often, as the complaints in this section indicate, leaves the consumer holding the bag ... or dripping candle, in this case.

A few recent examples ...

Val of Milford, CT (1/17/06)
I recently made my first and last purchase with Partylite. I purchased a $19.95 candle from a neighbor and was surprised when the total was $25.15. Why should I have to pay shipping and handling for a "party" item? I never have to pay shipping & handling for Mary Kay items.

I'm paying shipping and handling and the item is not even being shipped to my home. I think this is a rip off and I will not be buying from Partylite in the future.

Babe of Los Angeles, CA May 6, 2009

I've recently read on consumeraffairs.com a lot of negative comments about PartyLite. I've been purchasing PL products since 1999 and LOVE them! I was approached to become a Consultant also at that initial time. Being skeptical, I looked into the opportunity and signed up a 1-1/2 years later. Since then, I have become a Leader & Trainer. I would like to address some of the common complaints that I read. I also want to say that Consumer Affairs has not done their homework.

One comment from Consumer Affairs stated, "it's a multi-level-marketing scheme in which the money flows up and everything else flows downhill." They also defended customers against PartyLite when it was the Consultant who bore the responsibilities. PL Consultants OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. We just happen to sell PL products. When you hire a plumber, you don't blame the company that makes the pipes when something goes wrong, do you?

As far as some of the most common complaints, here goes. 1.) If a customer orders product that never gets delivered, PartyLite will guarantee it 100% as long as they have a receipt, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER COMPANY. Sometimes people get screwed over by their hosts (friends). Don't blame PL for your stupidity of not getting a receipt. 2.) All Direct Sales businesses charge shipping & tax. Some companies sell their products to their Consultants and they, in turn, re-sell the items with the shipping charge added to the price. 3.) You get what you pay for. NO candle on the market compares to PL quality and the tests prove it. That's a fact and not an opinion. In other words, you get what you pay for. PL candles are made in the USA, last longer, burn at a lower temperature than any other candle to prevent accidental burns, are all natural, have fragrance and color throughout, and are lead-free. If a consumer wishes to buy foreign made candles and breathe in harmful chemicals and lead from their wicks, so be it!

I just don't know why people can't take 100% responsibility for their actions. If you buy something, get a receipt. If your friend starts PartyLite and asks you to buy product or host a party, don't blame the company. Don't even blame your friend. Blame yourself for not having a spine to say no. Or just be happy that you helped a friend in need.

Lela of Mamaroneck, NY April 1, 2009

Several of my friends went into the PartyLite business to make some extra money. Well, of course that meant I was soon attending parties. Let me just say, some of their products are very nice....but VERY expensive! I could buy similar candles at Walmart for about 1/10 the price. However, I fnally bought a wrought iron and wood wall sconce thing to help a friend out. I was kind of surprised at the cost (over 60!) but figured it would be of nice quality.

Of course, the shipping charges on top made it even higher priced. It arrived and I was shocked to discover that the supposedly wooden part was actually PLASTIC. I was really upset. I don't put plastic things up on my walls. I didn't want my friend to lose out on her money so I donated it to Goodwill and considered it a charitable donation.

I ended up at more parties and of course you feel compelled to buy stuff, but that experience soured me. I bought some smaller candles and they smelled nice but burnt down to nothing in no time. Again, the prices are way to high for what you get. Some of the bowls and stands are nice but they are like 100! For what? A ceramic bowl? I can get that anywhere for less money. I had to finally stop going to these parties and two of my friends gave up on PartyLite, saying that they got no support and were having problems with defective merchandise. Overall, I think this is a bad company to deal with.

My summary; waste of money for poor products.

Suzy of Allison Pk, PA November 13, 2008

I was a consultant for 4yrs with partylite then the day before my big vendor show (70 tickets, guest purchased)I tried to log into my account to print specials, only to find , Iam not an authorized user. I called partylite the next morn. talked to 6 different people left 3 messages and still no return calls. I finally got a hold of the supervisor Jen whom was rude and not helpful at all. (supervisors are suppose to solve the problem not create. she new nothing!)

They terminated me as a consultant for supposively selling on ebay which I never received a letter or notification prior to this. Not even a warning. I found out that another consultant whom does sell on ebay and was turned in twice for doing so had only a warning while they shut me out immed without anything.. She made them too much money as the customer service man stated..I was inactive for 4 months due to taking care of my 5 children and a new baby.

Partylite runs a very poor business. treats their consultants like dirt, and has their consultants do their dirty work for them when it comes to customer satisfaction. They claim they back their products 100%. Well they don't , I have customers still waiting for replacements after two years , and Iam the one who has to take the brunt of it all. Its a total pyramid, and have no sympathy nor respect for their consultants, consultants guest, etc. Money talks in this case.I will never purchase another thing from them and will always speak negative about their product and the way they run a business.

As a result of me not being contacted, warned or explained to. I lost money I put down for a table at a vendor show. Lost potential new hostess, Have to cancel two more up coming holiday vendor shows, Right at christmas which I use this money for my childrens xmas gifts. as it is rough with one income and five children >Iam a stay at home mom just looking to make a couple of extra to make ends meet.

Kelly of Ravenna, OH October 29, 2008

I had a party and if you look this up you see that I have called and complained and no one from the corporate office called me back in a couple days like they said. The consultant that did the party took our orders and money and we did not receive our products correctly. She shipped them to someone else no to me, I was the one who had the party. Not everyone that came to the party received what they got. So I called the corporate office and she complained and Trina owes me 30.00 for an order that I did pay by check an I have a copy of, and they discontinued the item, but never gave me the money back nor did I receive my gift certificate. Trina kept blowing me off and ignored my phone calls and finally called me back about a month later and gave me a receipt # to get my candles. I will never do another party again. You cannot hire people like this especially the way the economy is today. Please call me so I can finish this mess up with someone

Cheryl of Grinnell, IA August 9, 2008

I do not have any problems with the items. I just would like you to know that i am still waiting for my stuf i ordered about two to three months ago from the girl mentioned above. She keeps ignoring our phone calls and finally called back and says it should be here any day now. This has been goin on and i would like parylite to either send me my stuff or just return my money and i will not order from her again. Like i said i love partylite candles, I have alot of them.I would just like my stuff or the money. Could you please help me? Thank you so much

Angie of Clarkston, MI July 14, 2008

I was reading the negative comments on your website regarding some problems people have had with their PartyLite purchase/Consultants. I have been with PartyLite for almost 11 years and it is my full time job. I have committed myself to providing the utmost in customer satisfaction and PartyLite stands behind me 100% of the way.

I urge people to understand that if you had a bad experience with a purchase/Consultant that you please know that it is not PartyLite's policy for these things to have happened...it's unfortunately the Consultant you were made to deal with at the time. PartyLite is a company with 35+ years of proven customer service and always goes above and beyond when they are given the facts to work with to make it right for our customers.

I encourage anyone out there that had a specific problem to contact the company directly. Please also remember that ALL direct sales companies charge shipping and handling costs and at present, PartyLite's is the most reasonable being based on the amount of your purchase instead of a set/flat fee that other companies charge....the product has to get there somehow.

I also want to stress that PartyLite is NOT a multi-level marketing scheme. It is NOT a pyramid system. PartyLite's advancement opportunity and income earning opportunity is open to everyone that joins, and there is no stopping anyone from making the income that they strive for.

Michele R. Pax of Troy, OH July 14, 2008

I hosted a party a few months back which was supposed to be a starter show. Due to several circumstances, the show ended up being a catalog show (the consultant had a family emergency). I had enough sales to earn my starter kit I also had several persons who wanted to book a show. I didn't hear much from the consultant and she was also difficult to get in touch with. I sent my orders and thank goodness I knew enough to keep the hostess copies! I had a late order and called her to place it and gave my CC information and was told that she would get it in.

My CC was never charged, she has not responded to phone messages or emails (but she was able to send emails about hosting another party, yeah right!) It has been 2 months and I have heard nothing! To top it off, I was excited about becoming a consultant and being able to earn some extra income to help with expenses for my austic son. Well, I am not a consultant and I have a gift certificate for hostess credit which I can't even use!

I did contact Partylite about the circumstances, but have not yet heard back. Based on other reviews, I don't anticipate a response. I am not disappointed with the products or the quality thereof, I am just highly disappointed with the consultant. If you are conducting business and desiring to keep a customer base, there is absolutely no reason for not returning a phone call or responding to an email.

I have had to seek out other ways that I can work to bring an extra income into my home to help continue in paying for help for my autistic child. I have also had to tell those that were interested in hosting a show that I was not going to be a consultant and I was not shy about explaining why. Partylite lost 15 customers as a result of the actions of this consultant (Melody Dawson).

Kay of Grants Pass, OR June 4, 2008

One of the guests at my party received the wrong product. I called my PartyLite representative (Pam) before Christmas and was told she would check with her upline. I called and emailed again in January and was told the same thing. I tried again in Febrary, March and April and only got her answering machine. My emails were not answered. It is now June and the problem has not been resolved.

The person who got the wrong order is not someone I know, she was a guest brought by the mother of one of my friends. The product that was sent by mistake was worth less than she paid. So not only does she not have the right product but she didn't get her money back for overpayment. I do not usually have in home parties because I have had wrong orders in the past and it is a hassle to try and fix them. However, in this case the problem has lasted 6 months and my guest lost money and got a product she did not want. I will never have a ParyLite party again and I will discourage others from using this company also.

Gl of Uniontown, OH May 12, 2008

My Contract was terminated with no reason given. I have read similar reports on this very website. I had problems with my upline for over a year, contacting the company NUMEROUS times, asking for help, or to be transfered to another Region. My leader refused to work with me- used a personal disagrement as the reason for not doing her job, and refused to supply even my paperwork. I was given permission finally after 4 months of calling the company, to order my own paperwork since, and I quote, she refuses to do her job, so you have to have someway to do yours.

I continued to do my business on my own, having to pay for the paperwork that the leaders were supposed to be giving us, all so I could work for this company. I did well being on my own than before I was forced to leave my unit.

In January, I had no sales, and was taking time off to concentrate on my other home business. In February, my sales increased and I had a new sales consultant that I was bringing into the company. I tried numerous times to aquire a kit for this person, they refused to do this for me because I was not a leader. Upon finding out that my sales had improved greatly, and I was now sponsoring people again, this stirred up controversy once again from my upline, who wrote me emails telling me I needed to quit selling PartyLite and hand over my customer base to them.

3 days Later, my account was closed without my knowledge. I was contacting the company again to find out how to get this womans kit, and was told I was no longer a consultant, and I was not to call that numer any more. I did not recieve an answer as to why, and when I finally recieved a return phone call, 4 hours later, I was told they have a No tolerance for negativity Policy and my contract had been terminated. They would not give me a reason, and when I asked them why they did not even call me to find out the other side of the story, they told me they did not get involved in personal problems and did not care what I had to say. I asked them why I was being terminated if they were not basing this on the personal problems between my upline and I, and they told me they were not required to answer me, and they would not do so. I was hung up on numerous times.

Within 2 days, my leader had my entire customer base's information, had already emailed AND mailed postcards to everyone, telling them that I had been removed from the company, that they should now contact her, and if there were any problems they needed to discuss, to contact her- there new consultant. I began receiving emails and phone calls from customers trying to find out what happened and how angry they were. I called the company to tell them my customers were not happy there info was given out, and was again told not to call that number, and that they were NOT my customers. They also told me to have the people call them directly.

I sent an email out telling everyone if they would like to voice there opion to please call the company directly, which MANY did do. They were told nothing, and some were treated very rudly. 2 costomers told me that they had responded to my leaders email, with anger from not knowing who she was, and she was very rude to them. She also took it upon herself to inform not only them, but all my customers, and former consultants, in a formal email, that I had been removed from the company for slander, that I had been causing her problems for many months, that she had heard of these horrible things about me, and I was not to be taken seriously if I was to say otherwise. I emailed partylite about this, sent a letter to customer service, AND the President of the company and have heard ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from the.

They canceled my account after a simple phone call from the people in my upline, and did nothing after a year of my constant phone calls asking for help or a better solution, and was ignored. I have since had to aquire a lawyer because my leader has now chosen to cause me legal problems outside of the company. She is doing all of this, using the gaurd of the company name, and they have continued to back her up by taking no action to stop her.

Luckily I had another job, so there has been no financial loss. I have had to put alot of time and money into the issues resulting from my leaders other legal issues, not to mention the stress that has come from this persons continued harrassement. I do feel as though I was wrongfully terminated, and the company did NOT hold up to there 10 day termination agreement that is in there contract they so strictly seem to point to.

Carrie of Southbridge, MA March 6, 2008

I had a Partylite party in my home. The order came in with 3 things missing; this was over a month ago. Tried to contact both consultants since Jennifer covered my party for Lynne, who didn't want to do my party because she didn't think I'd sell enough for her to get a good profit. I tried contacting customer service and haven't had any luck getting a hold of any one--but sit on hold. I have guests who haven't received their missing items and are out money from a company that has no respect for their customers. Since we have had POOR SERVICE, my guests that booked parties have canceled them.

It makes your guests feel that they don't want to attend a party since they feel cheated. I will not ever deal with this company ever again due to this. This company is out right cheating the customers and not giving the customer what they have ordered.

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