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.

Jennifer of Sault Sainte Marie, MI August 11, 2006

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.

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