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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.
Carrie of Southbridge, MA March 6, 2008
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 February 6, 2008
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 January 31, 2008
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 January 17, 2008
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 December 28, 2007
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.
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