|
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.
Angie of Clarkston MI (07/14/08)
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 of Troy OH (07/14/08)
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 (06/04/08)
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 (05/12/08)
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 (03/06/08)
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.
Vicky of Modesto CA (02/06/08)
On 10/05/2007, I purchase PartyLite merchandise through a co-worker's hosted catalog party. The PartyLite consultant, Nancy Hubbard of Susanville, CA, cashed my check but failed to give a copy of the receipt to the hostess. I was not particularly concerned since I have made several PartyLite purchases from other consultants in CA without any problem. After several weeks had gone by without receiving the merchandise, I asked the co-worker what happened with the order. A PartyLite order was delivered to her home without any of the paperwork necessary to distribute the merchandise. The hostess called Nancy Hubbard and asked for assistance in getting the merchandise identified and delivered.
Nancy went to the hostess' home and took all of the order while the hostess was out of town. The hostess returned home, found everything gone and began trying to call Nancy. Nancy finally left her a message that she delivered the orders. This was not true. I did not receive anything. I began calling Nancy myself in November. She would not answer and would occasionally leave return messages on my home phone during hours she knew I was at work. She kept promising to deliver the order but somehow always just missed me. Finally in December she told me the order was put back because she thought it was extra. At that point I told her the items were supposed to have been Christmas gifts and I wanted a return. Nancy promised to make it right and said she would refund my money through the mail since I had recently moved back to Modesto. I have not received a refund and Nancy does not return any of my calls to her number. I have tried numerous times to contact the PartyLite customer service. Even after spending over 30 minutes on hold, no live person has ever answered.
I have lost $100.11 and have wasted uncounted hours trying to contact the PartyLite consultant and the company's customer service representatives.
Shelly of Midway Park NC (01/31/08)
My experience was a little different. Karla was a friend of mine that was a partylite consultant. I made an order of over $700. (book party). I feel that paying for shipping by 4 people was ridiculous because I know it only cost 1/4 of that for the whole order. Anyways, that was not the problem. We had a falling out after the order was placed and all the money had changed hands. She decided to hold my order hostage because she did not want to talk to me. she would not give the order to me. I had to get one of my friends to go to her house and pick it up for me. There were other peoples orders with it too! Not to mention that she decided to keep a $25 item that I paid for and had paid the shipping for! I guess that is a lesson about buying from "friends" who are supposed to be professionals.
No people were mad at me and they will never order any candles or avon again.
Kelly of Anchorage AK (01/17/08)
I have called the consultant to tell her that my tapers were all cracked and I have never heard back. Her cell phone messages are full (and have been). The order did not come in time for Christmas even though it was ordered in November and the consultant did not let me know that one of the items was not available (and I ordered 2) and something else was substituted for it.
I have one box of broken unusable candles. I have always had good products from PartyLite and will NEVER order from someone I don't know again.
Marie of Albuquerque NM (12/28/07)
I ordered three snow tree PartyLite candles at a party held by a friend/co-worker. This was my first experience with PartyLite candles, and it will also be my last. First, the price of the candles took my breath away -- and I generally buy good quality candles, not the cheapest kind. I was also taken aback by the shipping and handling charge, which I've never paid before at a hostess party. I also didn't like the pyramid scheme feeling of the party, with constant reminders of how I could make lots of money and receive free gifts if I held a party, too. The last straw, however, was when I actually used the candles over the holidays -- they were awful!
These candles had no discernible fragrance (although they were supposed to) and burned horribly -- wax dripping everywhere, like I'd gotten them at the dollar store on sale. Ironically, a (more attractive looking) tree-shaped candle I purchased at K-Mart performed MUCH better than the PartyLite tree candles -- and the price tag on the K-Mart candle was significantly less. Buyer Beware of PartyLite!
Fairly minor -- but my wallet is lighter because of this experience.
Debbie of Hermitage PA (12/27/07)
I had purchased a snow globe from Partylite in 2003/04. I used it for 2 Christmasses, and now the motor doesn't blow the snow anymore. How do I repair this or get new parts?
Jackie of Anaheim CA (12/14/07)
I recently hosted a PartyLite party for a friend of mine and when I went to submit my orders to her, she told me that I had to have a minimum of $150 in order for it to qualify as a party. Needless to say, my party amounted to about half of that and now in order to get my guests orders in time for Christmas, she gave me the option of paying an EXTRA $30 dollars for express shipping and handling or she claims that she'll have to place the order with her senior representative and lose her credit and my hostess credit. Those of us who ordered still have to pay for SHIPPING & HANDLING and I have to drive to Montebello, when I live in Anaheim, to pick up the order when it arrives. I spent about $80 out of pocket to throw this party and now I have to spend more in gas and time to go get the products because my party was not successful enough according to their standards. What is even more upsetting is the brochure that my friend provided us with apparently has some discontinued products that some of my guests ordered and now will not be able to receive. I am very upset about this and will not be buying or participating in Partylite again. I sell Avon and don't have to pay for extra for shipping, nor do I have to have a minimal order.
This has turned into a headache and an inconvenience. I was trying to help my friend out and do her a favor and now it has caused tension between my friend and I and some of the people that ordered discontinued products from the brochure.
Mel of Buckeye AZ (12/13/07)
I purchased $185 in products for Christmas gifts. The PartyLite rep took my order on a Thursday evening and I received an email confirmation on Friday. I received my order in nine days. The merchandise was in perfect condition and beautifully packaged. My experience was terrific and I have no complaints against the representative or the products. I am annoyed at the high cost of shipping & handling. I just think that it was excessive and could have been offset by the gift certificate I received to be used to purchase additional merchandise in the future.
Debra of Fullerton CA (11/06/07)
My husband bought several items from a client of his, and for the most part they were lovely, to be honest, but for one glaring flaw that no caring craftsman could excuse. The water in the tealight snowglobe he bought started turning yellow the year we received it. By year 5 or 6 of owning it, the water was so yellow I couldn't even stand to have it out, because honestly it's a nice piece of work, good sculptural adornments, well-painted, motorized snow and music box movement. And yet with all this they couldn't put in the one thing all snow globes must have. The thing looks like it's 80 years old from this filthy water.
Dorothy of San Diego CA (10/16/07)
In June '07 at San Diego County Fair, I was approached by a PartyLite Candles representative to buy her product. I bought tea lite candles. It is now Oct '07, and I still have not received them. I have had several conversations with the rep who has informed me that she has sent the product through the mail, but I have never received the candles.
Kristine of Monroe WI (09/17/07)
I had a party on July 15, 2007 hosted by Amanda (independent sales person for Partylite) I had a very large party, totaling around $700.00 in sales. I had a few outside orders as well. We kept my party open for about a week so a few of my guests could finish ordering and paying. It then took about three weeks for the merchindise to arrive. After it was sorted and ready to be delievered there were 4 orders missing.
Amanda states that she reordered the merchindise. However it is now September 17th and I or the people who placed the orders have recieved anything. These people are close family members and or coworkers. I feel like I have cheated them telling them, that it is on its way. I feel that they should be componsated for their wait as they now have a bad impression on this company.
Shannon of Portland OR (07/20/07)
I bought two boxes of the Q2329 3326 Mulberry in March, I did not receive anything until after May and at that I only got one of the two boxes that I ordered. To this day I still don’t have what I ordered. Needless to say, Partylite candles will never be something I do again.
Janet of Holt MI (06/12/07)
I purchased products at a new agents party, and the hostess cashed my check, my order was never placed. A senior hostess was also at the party and assured me that Partylite would take care of me. That was over two months ago, and to my knowledge, my order has still not been placed. I either want my money back or the products.
Andrea of Sandy UT (04/25/07)
I had a party back in Feb. totaling $700+, and am now just receiving my 2nd to last product. One of my guests never received anything because the consultant failed to tell her that she never put in the order and instead for the past several weeks she has been telling her that it was on back order. Then I get a charge to my account, so I call my consultant with my concern and she took it very personally and wrote me a nasty letter. Then she ended the letter by saying she wanted nothing to do with me.
I know my guests will eventually want more candles and they WILL NOT be going back to PartyLite. I would think in this industry you would thrive on repeat service, being after all you product does melt.
Evelyn of Kennett Square PA (04/06/07)
I hosted a party with another individual. She took over $200.00 worth of orders and we booked 2 more parties from my party. Customers gave cash and checks, to this date we have not received any orders for my people and yet the checks have been cashed. my friends and family have asked me numerous times what happened with their orders and I don't have an answer.
Karen of Spring Hill FL (03/14/07)
I am finished with Partylite. I have purchased so much in the last 4 years and I have nothing but trouble with the products! I have taken care of a couple problems in the past, but it doesn't ever end. I want my money back, including all of the shipping and handling I have paid over the years. Right now I want all Partylite products out of my house and will never use them again.
Ann of Emmaus PA (02/26/07)
I had a party on November 18th. I had people I work with and family order candles from PartyLite and in total over $200.00 worth. It is now February 26th and I have not received anything. Everybody that ordered stuff is not very happy. I will never buy or recommend anyone else to ever buy anything from them.
Karen of St Paul MN (02/10/07)
I would like to talk to a rep from Partylite about a hostess. I ordered candles in November and still have not received them, or a response from her, or the cash - and the cash was my last request. These were Christmas gifts and I was counting on them.
Yolonde of Spokane WA (02/07/07)
My friend and I attended the Partylite function and made purchases with credit cards. We have yet to receive our products since October of 2006. We have tried numerous of times to reach her and was told that it would be mailed to us which still has not happened.
Cynthia of Spokane WA (02/06/07)
I ordered $60.57 worth of Partylite products on October 21 2006. I made several attempts to get my order and there is always some excuse. I even went as far as going to Amber’s home to pick up my order and of course no one was home. I would like my account refunded the total amount.
Debbie of Huntington Beach CA (01/22/07)
I received a Partylite Zen Lantern tealight holders last year as a gift and have burned many brands of tealights since with no problem. Last night I burned three Partylite tealights. Two burned and extinguished fine (as a tealight should) the third burned down, ignited the plastic which resulted in a small fire in my lamp holder.
I called Partylite this morning to report the problem in hopes of preventing this happening to someone else. Customer service did not ask any questions about the defective item (did not want to see the charred/melted tealight or ask for lot numbers, etc) but offered an apology and a $25.00 certificate to buy more of their products.
Christine of Cedar Rapids IA (11/29/06)
I went to a partylite party that my friend was having.That was back in August. I heard from Mikki once and she had said that they were still waiting for more orders. I waited some more and then called her again, I got her message box and I ask her to send my check back to me I didn't want the order anymore.I tried to call once more and I just get her message box.All I want is my check mailed back to me.
Sherri of Victorville CA (11/16/06)
Ordered a giraffe sconce with thin colored glass. Arrived with broken glass and the item was returned to Deanne. She stated she would return to company for replacement. We have not received the replacement or returned the money and she doesn’t return our calls.
Mary of Loveland CO (10/01/06)
I placed an order for a black candle holder that holds 6 candles. It is quite large and the sales gal said it was in two sections which it is not. I do not know her name and she took my receipt to use to return it and I haven't seen her since. I do not know where to locate her. I am very disappointed and I paid $70-80 dollars. This is not good advertisement for their products and I want to return the item and get my refund.
Alicia of Chicago IL (09/23/06)
I hosted a show 2 months ago and the woman who hosted my show was Jennifer. When I try calling her, she does not want to answer my calls. I have left several messages. My guest would like their money back and do not want the products (which they never received). She had told me and the guest it would take 2 weeks and it’s been 2 months.
Jennifer of Sault Sainte Marie MI (08/11/06)
I ordered a 3 wick candle from Mary, a coworker, who was hosting a book party from her friend Samantha Nagy. My credit card was charged and cleared the bank in June 2006. I never received a receipt from Sam. At the time I didn't think about it because Mary was someone I worked with and I trusted her. A month went by without any contact from Sam and no candle. I have asked her about my order several times, it is now August 11th. She said they had been ordered. I called and left a message on her answering machine today requesting my product or that she return my money. I will not hesitate to take legal action if necessary.
This is stealing and credit card fraud. I, in good faith, paid for a 3 wick candle, the purchase cleared my bank several weeks ago, and I have still not received my goods. Last time I checked you could order something on-line and have it shipped to you within a week just about anywhere in the United States. I work very hard for the money I earn. I am a single mother and I am putting myself through school. I can't afford to be ripped off.
Kristina of St. Louis MO (06/29/06)
I attended a candle party, hosted by my cousin, and purchased a candle holder in the amount of $39.95 plus shipping and handling. Per instructions, I made the check out to "Debbie", the Partylite rep and my check was cashed a few days after the party.
Two months go by and the shipment came in my holder was broken. My cousin called Debbie who said she would ship it back to the company and they would send me another one.
I have yet to receive the merchandise. I have called Debbie numerous of times and she has failed to answer my calls.
|
• 
