Dilemma.............

Yet another reason to use credit cards instead of cash or a direct debit when making wedding related purchases (or any purchases). I have already initiated a dispute over this with American Express for a refund but need recommendations for vendors

I purchased personalized memorial candles and a unity candle set from an ebay vendor - Cheryl aka 1312george. Cheryl and I went back and forth with mock ups (sometimes until late into the night - say 2 a.m.). She ALWAYS responded to me within minutes and I learned that this is her only job so she is constantly checking e-mail.

I approved the layouts and she was to ship the candles shortly. They were to have the images 'burned' into the candles using 'state of the art technology' It's false advertising. She uses a paper technique - printing on the paper and then supposedly covering the paper completely with a thin layer of wax. I learned this through another candle vendor who told me how to check if the paper technique was used rather than burning the images into the candles.


I filed a dispute with PayPal

Fortunately, she did not get a chance to ship them since we forgot to add one candle. Cheryl created the second of two buy it now auctions for me and I purchased the additional candle with shipping insurance included (per the listing and my PayPal receipt).

The candles arrived yesterday and once I got them all unpacked, I saw that 4 of the 9 inch pillar candles were broken This includes the candle for FH mother. I promptly e-mail Cheryl and let her know about the damaged candles and I sent her photos. Her response was curt and totally not like the 3 - 6 paragraph long messages she sent me over the course of coming up with layouts. In a few messages we talked about my cry packs and I sent her pics. She suggested that I make them to sell on ebay But after the broken candles arrived she simply wrote 'Did you purchase insurance?'

I had not purchased insurance for package 1 but I did purchase insurance for package 2 and everything was shipped in 1 box ---- with NO insurance. It was clearly her mistake in not insuring the package.

I reminded her that I did purchase insurance and that I need replacements ASAP. She suggested that I PURCHASE replacements at a discount Now she is refusing to send replacements (free of charge although she failed to insure the package). She has stopped responding to my messages and it's been about 24 hours at this point And I know she got my messages since she has added a ton of new items to ebay today - so she has computer access.

ETA - She definitely got my messages and responded to my negative feedback on ebay with a lie. She wrote that I wanted to CHANGE the name on the broken candles. Why on earth would I need to change the names - they are DEAD And now she wrote that I did not buy insurance (lie) and that I would not send her back her broken candles - which she never asked me to do. And to say I left slanderous feedback Yeah, like I would do that after years in law school, interning for a judge (& doing some 1st Amendment work), clerking for the Court of Appeals (also doing some 1st Amendment work) and practicing law for YEARS with nothing to back up what I said. What a joke

She said I harassed her Since when is it harassment to ask a vendor by e-mail if they plan to resolve the problem

My message to Cheryl
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 4:40 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: PLEASE READ: Broken Candles

Cheryl,

I have not heard from you all day? Prior to this incident, you had been so responsive? I need to know if you refuse to send out replacements at no charge when insurance is noted as included for Timothy's candle - which was in the SAME box as all the rest.

The sooner I know your intentions, the sooner I can put in my request for a refund from American Express.

-------------------------------------------------

It's interesting that I had insurance included for the additional candle. I am not sure why she included insurance for that one but not the larger order It was optional and I did not think to add it - but luckily she did have insurance included for the second order (which fortunately was packed with all the rest) albeit all uninsured USPS Insurance is what A $1.25 per $50 I paid about $15 in shipping/handling and the actual postage was only $10.67. What was the point in not insuring the package - to save $2.50 which is already built in to the price of the candles And the box was not even marked FRAGILE -just a 'standard mail' stamp in red

So, I am left with a unity set with a BROKEN center unity candle (which has the text of our invitation) and 3 BROKEN memorial candles.

Anyone know of a place, locally, that make candles I would prefer to match the coloring of the unbroken pillar candles rather than have to buy all of them again.

Thanks in advance

Unity Set

Our invitation read “This Day I Marry My Friend…….” So I had Cheryl put that on our unity candle

My candle

FH’s candle

I had the ribbon and rhinestones added.




And proof that I did purchase insurance for the additional candle....which she packed with all the rest in one box and failed to insure. What a LIAR And what is even more upsetting is that I was going to add an order for a candle for my cousin that died of cancer and is being buried 2/1/06 in VA that I posted about here
Third funeral since 12/27/2005

And since she is such a liar - my paypal invoice CLEARLY notes that shipping insurance was included for the additional candle - packaged with the others all in one box. None of it was insured I am so pissed that she would resort to making up lies over CANDLES

I wish people would just take responsibility for their mistakes She failed to insure the package and instead of just owning the blame for it and sending out replacements, she lies

*****************************************************
ETA - I was fully refunded by American Express for both candle shipments I received the notification (and saw the refund on my statement) once we returned from our honeymoon

As for the ebay seller, the ebay.com claims adjuster, Opal, told me that I would not get a refund since my items were considered lost/damaged in transit. How can the WRONG items be considered lost/damaged in transit.

In spite of ebay not being willing to make the seller pay me back my money for the candles, American Express did give me a refund. Love them My AMEX account notes a “Goodwill Credit” for the one candle and after the investigation was done the temporary credit was made permanent for the remaining candles I got the notice about the temp credit being made permanent in the stack of mail waiting once we came back from the honeymoon

I did send over a letter to ebay’s legal department after getting the contact info. from Opal via e-mail. That is just what I wanted to do in the last 2 weeks prior to my wedding, draft a letter to ebay noting their ridiculous policy for refunds when an item is not as described in a listing (with photos and documented proof). I have yet to receive a response And it's June - the wedding was at the end of March

Our parents totally forgot to light the unity candle at the ceremony so we just lit them at the reception. After all of that DRAMA over candles – this is the result


The ballroom looked gorgeous with all the candles - including our high candle tree centerpieces

OMG K, this is unnaceptable!! I am so sorry. If it was anything else I guess I wouldn't care...but it's a unity candle. And the one to honor your FH's mom!

I hope she responds and is able to ship you a replacement free of charge. How could she ship so that both pillars will brake?

I'm sorry!

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Posted by SomethingBlu

OMG K, this is unnaceptable!! I am so sorry. If it was anything else I guess I wouldn't care...but it's a unity candle. And the one to honor your FH's mom!

I hope she responds and is able to ship you a replacement free of charge. How could she ship so that both pillars will brake?

I'm sorry!

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Cecilia at D-Lightful Designs (they make candles too) says it was the
person who made those candles that did not package them correctly or was not
smart enough to get insurance for such a large order - 7 pillars and two federal tapers were all packed in one box.

1312george did not insure even the one extra candle that she packed in the same box as all the others I have no idea why they broke but they did

Thanks for all the FM's

But does anyone know of a local candle vendor (that will burn the images onto the candles)?

update: I found three places (one in NY) that can make the personalized candles

One woman, Darla, who has a shop that can redo all of the candles for me - not just the broken ones. She too said they were obviously packed incorrectly in a random box rather than a shipping box.

Teri - peacewithjesus Ebay ID - can also redo them for us

I am just waiting to hear back from Amex before I spend MORE $ on candles.
I considered making them on my own but I'm paranoid that they will not look as nice with my vellum idea and then I will end up buying them anyway.

FH's family is really thrilled about us including his mom on the invite. His aunt (her sister) actually called crying So I am going to avoid having the DIY candle for his mom that may not come out well.

I'm so sorry this happened....especially because it is such a beautiful gesture. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

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Posted by Katie&Chris2006

I'm so sorry this happened....especially because it is such a beautiful gesture. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

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I filed a complaint with PayPal since the images are NOT burned into the candles as noted. I also filed a dispute with Amex. I'm sure i will get my money back.

I have 3 vendors in mind who all said they can make the candles over for us and get them packed properly

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Posted by akaMrsT

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Posted by Katie&Chris2006

I'm so sorry this happened....especially because it is such a beautiful gesture. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

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I filed a complaint with PayPal since the images are NOT burned into the candles as noted. I also filed a dispute with Amex. I'm sure i will get my money back.

I have 3 vendors in mind who all said they can make the candles over for us and get them packed properly

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Oh that is great news!!! I hope you will get your money back. Best of luck!