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.

M of Daytona Beach, FL October 9, 2009

I purchased Party Lite merchandise from Mrs. R at the beginning of June, the product was promised to me by June 15th. It is now mid October and I have not been able to contact her and I still do not have my merchandise (she requested cash)...can I say scam artist.

Cynthia of Anaheim, CA September 11, 2009

I called Nodya July 3rd to ask for a cash refund of the deposit I made on an order from my daughter's party. She agreed to send it. On the 28th I still had not recieved it so I wrote and told her I needed a response within 7 days or I would take the matter to Partylite. I received a nasty note back from her saying she already sent it and she would not do more. I then emailed Partylite and they contacted me by email 2 weeks later. They finally passed me back and forth and then told me that if I wanted my cash I would have to take Nodya to small claims court. I can not cash a check without fees and do not feel I need to or should pay 5.00 to cash a 20.00 check.

lawrence of indian springs, NV July 30, 2009

purchased at a party lite partyover 140.00 worth of candles and have yet to receive it has been over 1 month. the hostess of the party has had the merchandise but because of personal problems has refused to give me what I have paid for. Then I also was charged 70 additional dollars so the total I paid was 210.00 cash and have not received my candles the hostess refuses to give me and the party giver has also refused to help resolve these problem. I have all signed receipts indicating payment.

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

Lela of Mamaroneck NY (04/01/09)
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

Suzy of Allison Pk PA (11/13/08)
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

Kelly of Ravenna OH (10/29/08)
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

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