BURNING CANDLES THIS SUMMER?

Many people will order candles from E-bay this summer. Heat brings out odors in our homes and from our pets that may not be as noticeable in cooler weather. Some people even like to treat themselves by burning a Christmas candle or two as a pleasant reminder of holiday memories!

However, will that candle show up on your doorstop melted, ruined and dripping wax? It's possible. Here are some things to consider about ordering candles when it's hot out.

SUMMER SHIPPING

Many sellers will give you a choice of shipping Parcel Post, Priority mail or UPS. While you may save a few cents shipping Parcel Post, your candle will be sitting in a hot, metal mail truck for 2-9 days! And insurance will not cover the cost of your melted candle. To get your candle as quickly as possible, Priority Mail is the smartest, most economical choice.

It may also be a good idea to ask your seller in he/she will refrigerate (not freeze) your candle overnight and then ship it Priority, the next day.

Shipping Monday- Thursday may also make a difference. Remember, even if your candle is shipped Priority, if it ships on a Friday or Saturday, Sunday is a whole extra say for your package to sit in the heat.

TRACKING NUMBERS

Also, ask your shipper for a tracking number, or have the candle shipped to your place of business.  This way you can keep track of when your package is supposed to arrive, and it won't sit for hours, melting on your front porch.

I RECEIVED A MELTED CANDLE

Okay, it does happen. If it is a current Yankee Candle, you may actually return it to any Yankee Candle store for a refund or a replacement. We actually called Yankee Candle's customer service department to check. However, if the candle is NOT one that Yankee Candle currently has in stock, you may be out of luck. Yankee will refund half your money on a retired candle.

In most cases, you can try to salvage what's left of the candle and make the best of it. If the wax has melted to one side, you may be able to gently reheat the candle. Warning: Wax that has melted will re-solidify a few shades lighter than the original color.

Remember, in this instance, leaving a seller negative feedback is inappropriate. The seller can not be held responsible for the weather, or how and where your candle was kept when it was shipped.

ARE SOME CANDLES MORE PRONE TO MELTING?

This is an interesting question. It has been my experience that some red dyes lower the melting point of paraffin wax. This means that red, brown and pink candles may be more prone to melting in the heat!

***This guide was written by me, for fun, and to the best of my knowledge. If you have any comments, corrections, or questions, please e-mail me!