My wife and I entered into this business with a positive attitude and did everything that was spelled out in the distributors handbook. Once International candles got our money and the candles were shipped, we were on our own. None of our customer service representatives never contacted us to see how things were going or to offer any suggestions.
The first sign of trouble came in the form of the candles themselves.in the distributorship handbook, it clearly states that all the candles are individually wrapped. Not so. All the candles came in their respective boxes unwrapped.
The biggest disappointment came in the form of the scent the candles were suppose to have. The candles were lit at the locations that they were displayed and the shop owners all said the same thing. The candles are not scented. The scent is the main selling point in getting into the business. According to International candle, one lit, the candle would "sell themselves". No scent = no sales!!!
My wife and I contacted Mr. Nat Hillman (President), Mr. J Campbell (Operations manager) and Mr. Johnny Dejesus (Support representative) on several occasions.initially, Mr. Campbell told us there were two course of action that we can take. Replace the unscented candles with scented ones or a full refund. Due to the lack of support, my wife and I opted for a refund. Mr. Campbell then told us to send in a couple of candles so that they can test them and put our claim through for a refund.
Before I go any further, I think it is worth reiterating that Mr. Campbell is the operations manager. He (Mr. Campbell) got involved in our dispute because Mr. Dejesus was out of the office supposedly sick and he was handling Mr. Dejesus's accounts. The interesting fact is when Mr. Dejesus got back to the office and we finally got a hold of him, he was not aware of any contact between myself and Mr. Campbell.in fact, Mr. Dejesus response was I don't know what is going on and I need to talk to Mr. Campbell first and I will call you back the next day.
Well, neither Mr. Campbell or Mr. Dejesus called us.in fact, over two weeks elapsed before we called ICC and spoke to Mr. Dejesus. That last conversation ended in Mr. Dejesus promising to look into the test results of the candles that were sent in by us and he would get back to us the next day. Well, you guess it, Mr. Dejesus has yet to contact us. It has been over three weeks now.
I have sent countless email to Mr. Dejesus, Mr. Campbell and the President himself (Mr. Nat Hillman). All the emails have fallen on deaf ears and blind eyes.
I think it is also interesting to note that the only time anyone from the company responded to our complaint was when we emailed Mr. Nat Hillman himself. Of course, this practice has since ceased. I don't know if a International Candle exists. I called, emailed and did everything under the sun and I have yet to hear from International Candle.
In closing, my question to you as a prospective business owner is, Is this the type of company that you want to be associated with? I am sure if you start a McDonald's franchise, you will not be hung out to dry the way these characters left me out to dry with their unscented candles.
If you are not convinced and you still insists on being a distributor, a word to the wise. Ask them to send you a couple of candles. I am sure they will not send you any, but purchase a couple for yourselves and light them and see. You will soon discover what I discovered. The candles will unsell themselves. Better yet, I have a few candles that I will gladly send you free of charge and you be the judge.
Prospective distributors be aware!!!
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