HOME | WISH LIST | ORDER TRACKING | MY ACCOUNT 

Call Us! - 1-800-359-0944    Click HERE To View Shopping Cart. 
New | Sale | Surplus/Closeout | Newsletter | Videos
Soap Making Supplies | Lotion & Skincare Supplies | Fragrance & Essential Oils | Packaging & Containers | Candle Making Supplies
  Browse Our Catalogs  
 
Soap Making Supplies
Candle Making Supplies
Lotion & Skincare Supplies
Fragrance & Essential Oils
Packaging & Containers
 
     
  Product Search  
 

 
     
  Helpful Links  
 
Company Blog
Website Updates
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Friends & Forum
Live Chats
Order Information
Payment Information
Company Policies
Return Policy
 
     
  Recipes, Videos & More  
 
Soap Making
Candle Making
Lotion & Washes
Scrubs & Bath Soaks
Perfumes
Mineral Make Up & Lip Care
Nail & Hair Care
Candle & Home Fragrance
Business Resources
Video Library
 
     

 
 
Customer Service – Frequently Asked Questions

  Product & Business Questions  
  Do you have a printed catalog to mail?

We do not publish a printed catalog. Each product page does have a button toward the top right for “Print Catalog”. Pressing this will allow you to print the products on this page. We find that this system saves the company thousands of dollars and allows customers to print what they need, saving landfills of wasted paper.

Do you offer samples?

We do not offer samples. In the past we have tried different systems for sampling and found that it was not cost effective to continue to offer them. Most of our products offer a single piece or a small size for sampling.

In the case of fragrance, we strongly encourage you to test the fragrance in a product and not just sniff the scent out of the bottle. It is always amazing how an aroma will change when exposed to heat and base ingredients. Our fragrances are formulated to smell best when put into products. Often they will smell strong and pungent right out of the bottle because they have such a high concentrated ingredient level.

Are your products tested on animals?

We do not test on animals and we do not carry products that have been tested on animals.

Are your products vegan friendly?

Some products meet the vegan friendly definition and some do not. For example, our goats milk soap base and goats milk powder comes from a goat which automatically excludes them from the vegan friendly definition. Unless the formula is proprietary, all of our ingredients are listed on the website. It is fairly easy to identify products that are animal related.

Why do you not carry organic products?

We do not carry organic products because we have not applied to be approved by the USDA to become a certified organic handler. We feel that the application would be a waste of our time because the vast majority of our customers have not been inspected and approved by the USDA to be certified organic manufacturers and thus cannot legally make the claim that their product is organic.

Do you sell gift certificates?

We do offer gift certificates. Just call our office so that we can arrange payment and send out the certificate. If you want to have the certificate mailed to someone as a gift, we would be happy to assist you!

The Wholesale Supplies Plus Newsletter is garbled. Why and what can I do?

I am glad you receive our newsletter as it is the best way to get information on sales and specials! Our newsletters are emailed with html embedded code which provides the links to many sale announcements.

If your newsletter is garbled, check to see if your email program has a setting that allows you to view html emails. If it does not, Contact Us and we can send you the newsletter in a pdf format.

I want to learn how to make products where do I begin?

The best place to begin is our Learning Library I understand the material can be very overwhelming, please feel free to call us with any questions! Many new customers like to go to the WSP Forum and talk with others making products.

Is there a place where I can ask questions about how to make items?

You can always call us during our regular office hours. If you are at work or unable to call us while using your computer, try the “Live Help” link located on the left side of our website. This link instant messages our customer service staff and you can speak with them “live” in real time.

For questions after regular business hours, try the WSP Forum. Many people ask questions and get excellent answers from other customers and/or our very knowledgeable forum moderators. Don’t be surprised if Debbie May herself answers your question!

You can always email customer service your question and they will follow up with you on the next business day.

What is the WSP Forum all about?

The WSP Forum is a message board where people can post questions and get answers from other crafters. Most often you will get excellent, honest answers and productive tips because these are the people making products on a regular basis. The WSP Forum is moderated so when you make a post, it may not be visible immediately. We have found this system works best because it eliminates internet spammers.

The WSP Forum moderators are Ela, Leni and Sara. They are all excellent moderators with years and years of experience. Don’t be surprised to see Debbie May personally answer your question as she loves to spend evenings reading and helping customers succeed!!

I love my hobby. Is it easy to start a business?

Sometimes the hardest part of starting a business is gaining the courage to move forward. Have faith in yourself. Check out our Business Resource Library. Contact us with any of your specific questions. We are here to help you!

Do I need to register my business with the FDA?

If the products you produce are regulated by the FDA, it is not required that you register your business with the FDA. They do have a voluntary registration program for businesses. You can read about this on their website Click Here.

Do I need to have the FDA test my products?

The FDA does not perform product testing.

What agency regulates candles and linen sprays?

Candles and consumer products are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can access their website by Clicking Here.

I make soaps and lotions for kids. Do I need to do the lead testing required in that new law the “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act”?

You do not need to have special lead testing performed on your soaps and lotions. Soaps and lotions are regulated by the FDA and not the CPSC. The FDA does not require lead testing because ingredients for your products have strict guidelines that must be met before you even receive them.

The FDA does require by law that you produce a safe cosmetic (this includes lotions and most soaps).

What is IFRA and why are they so important?

IFRA stands for the International Fragrance Association. They are an independent international association with the main purpose of ensuring the safety of fragrance materials. This includes essential oils, fragrance oils and the components of fragrance oils. This is a very important agency because fragrances are considered “proprietary” formulas and it is only through strict self regulation that the public can be assured that proprietary fragrance formulas are safe for consumer as well as the environment.

What are IFRA Maximum Use Levels and why should I follow them?

All IFRA Standards are based on the latest scientific findings and are implemented following the recommendations of an independent Expert Panel, who have assessed all available data. They are part of the IFRA Code of Practice that makes up the self-regulating system of the industry. All IFRA affiliated companies must comply with IFRA Standards. IFRA affiliated companies represent approximately 90% of the global fragrance compound market. However, as the Standards are available freely to all producers via the IFRA website non-members may access and abide by these Standards.

Wholesale Supplies Plus publishes directly on their website the “Maximum Use Level for Skin Contact” for each fragrance and essential oil. It is important that you follow the maximum use levels for skin contact because these levels have been set based on scientific data for the protection of the public and environment.

The IFRA Maximum Use Levels for my best selling fragrance oils just changed. What do I do now?

Each year IFRA makes recommendations based on the previous year’s research. They publish their findings and their recommendations to the public on their website. As more and more information becomes available, it is likely that you will see minor changes. Once a recommendation is published, a company has two years to comply with the change. This gives you time to use your inventory or alter your formula. It gives Wholesale Supplies Plus time to reformulate fragrance formulas so that we can keep the use levels in an ideal range.

Are the IFRA Standards recognized by any national or regional authorities?

Yes. The European Cosmetics Directive incorporates a number of IFRA Standards in Annex II & III, the Brazilian policy makers have adopted the IFRA Standards into Law. ABIFRA, the Brazilian Fragrance Association is currently proposing to the MERCOSUL group of countries – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela - the official adoption of IFRA Standards for fragrance ingredients across the region. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Cosmetic Directive (ACD) which took effect on January 1, 2008 explicitly refers to the IFRA Standards as far as fragrances in cosmetic products are concerned. Chinese authorities are also looking to include the IFRA Standards into their regulations at the end of 2009.

I sell my products in the USA. Do I need to follow IFRA recommendations?

We highly recommend that you do follow them. This will benefit you and your customers. Following standards and guidelines shows that you are serious about producing a safe product.

I am using a fragrance that has a maximum use level of 100% in lotions. I am confused as to how much fragrance to add.

I understand this can be confusing.

The Maximum Use Level is simply a guideline for the amount of fragrance that can come in contact with the skin. It is not a amount of fragrance that correlates with ideal product performance.
For example, some lotion formulas become thin with 2% fragrance while others thicken nicely at 6%. Basically, use what is safe for skin contact and smells good to you. Then test to make sure it performs as you desire.

 
     

  Order Questions  
  I live out of state but order products while in your showroom. Why do you charge me sales tax?

In the State of Ohio any sale occurring at our building must be charged tax at our county tax rate unless the appropriate resale certificate paperwork has been filed. We have appropriate papers available in our office for you to complete. We also require a photo copy of your state resale certificate. Some states call this a vendor certificate.

Do I have a minimum order amount to get free shipping on fragrance oils?

There is no minimum order amount for this special offer. You may order a single 2 oz bottle of fragrance oil. Free shipping only applies to orders shipping UPS Ground.

Do I have a minimum order amount to get free shipping on soap molds?

There is no minimum order amount for this special offer. You may order a single mold. Free shipping only applies to orders shipping UPS Ground.

Is the free shipping on fragrances and soap molds a temporary special?

We do not want to stop this program and do not see any reason to discontinue it. In business you never say never because you cannot see into the future but we would take many steps to avoid discontinuing it. I know it is valued by many of our customers.

I only ordered 1 case of bottles that weigh 10 pounds. Why is the shipping so high?

UPS figures their prices based on zip codes, fuel costs, rural vs. urban addresses, box weight and box dimensions. A case of bottles is considered to be oversized and UPS applies dimensional box fees to the cost. Believe it or not, it is VERY expensive to ship a big box of air.

My surplus items only came to $5.00 so why is my shipping $20?

UPS does not look at the cost of the order when calculating shipping. They base their shipping on zip codes, fuel costs, rural vs. urban addresses, box weight and box dimensions. A case of bottles is considered to be oversized and UPS applies dimensional box fees to the cost. Believe it or not, it is VERY expensive to ship a big box of air.

I went to the UPS website and you charged me more for shipping. Why?

The UPS cost is just one part of the cost to shipping. There are also credit card processing fees applied to the UPS shipping cost and expenses such as packing peanuts, boxes, tape, labels, etc.

Why can’t WSP ship Priority Mail?

WSP ships hundreds of orders a day and works hard to keep costs as low as possible. In the warehouse, orders ship faster and more accurately with a partially automated and streamlined system. In designing this system we had to choose one shipping vendor. Based on cost, service and technology…we chose to go with UPS.

What can I do to lower my shipping cost?

Most often the more you purchase at one time, the lower your shipping. For orders over 210 pounds, our online shopping cart will give a special “UPS Preferred Rate”. We worked hard with UPS to come up with this special rate and feel good about passing the savings on to customers. This savings will also apply to phone orders.

We have two programs with Free Shipping. If you order fragrance oils, flavor oils or essential oil blends, we can ship those to you UPS Ground Free. The same offer applies to soap molds. Both of these have been built into our online shopping cart. Please note that Essential Oils do not have free shipping because they are a commodity and their prices fluctuate dramatically. We often absorb these increases making it impossible to offer free shipping on them.

We have another program called “Mix & Match”. This discounted shipping program allows you to order 210 pounds of heavy items at a flat shipping rate, then you receive free shipping on colors, fragrances and molds in the same order.

If you have a larger order, we are always happy to get a freight truck quote for you. For most orders over 500 pounds, this will save you considerable money. Just remember, you may have a 53 foot truck delivering your order. The driver does not take the order off of the truck…you need to handle this yourself.

I own a business and have my own UPS shipper number. Can I ship on my account number?

Yes, please phone us so that we can program your account with that number. By doing this, all of your online orders will offer you the option of shipping on your shipper number.

Can I ship on my Fed Ex Shipper number?

Yes, you would place your order as pick up. When the order is ready, we will call you so that YOU can arrange Fed Ex to come in and pick up your order. This process typically adds 1-2 days onto your processing time.

Can I add to an order?

Once an order is placed it goes through several systems and cannot be changed or altered. This means you cannot add to an order once is it placed.

Can I cancel an order?

Once an order is placed it goes through several systems and cannot be canceled. If you do not want the order, you must refuse delivery. It is then processed as a return.

I placed an order for a product last week and now it is on sale. Can I get the sale price?

Most often an item has gone on sale because the manufacturer has given us a temporary sale effective immediately. Therefore, we are unable to give the sale price to orders placed prior to the sale.

I make products as a hobby. Do you accept orders from the public?

Yes, the public can order from Wholesale Supplies Plus.

I am a business. How can I make money if you sell direct to the public?

Hobbyist purchase in the smallest size offered and do not sell their products therefore, they do not compete with businesses making products for profit. We encourage businesses to purchase in larger sizes for added savings thus increasing the profit margin on products they sell.

Do I need a license to purchase from Wholesale Supplies Plus (WSP)?

No, you do not need a special license. If you live in Ohio and wish to use a vendors license for tax exempt purposes, you will need to contact us before your order is placed.

I have a State of Ohio Resale Vendors License. Can I use it at WSP?

Yes, please contact us so that we may properly code your account and have you complete the appropriate paperwork. We will require a photo copy of the license. Once your account has been properly coded, you will not be charged sales tax for orders placed online or by phone.

Does WSP have distributors?

WSP does not have authorized distributors. We do have several businesses that purchase our products in bulk and resell them. Most often they resell the items under the name “Crafter’s Choice” or they private label them to a totally different name.

I purchase products from WSP. Can I use the WSP website images and descriptions?

If you are purchasing our supplies for the purpose of resale, we strongly encourage you to develop your own marketing materials. WSP is not interested in competing with any customers that are resellers. We have found that having the same internet content creates unneeded market confusion.

If you are making products for sale, we support your use of our descriptions in your marketing materials.

No person or business can use our images. Many of our images have been purchased and are authorized for use only on our website. Images produced on site, are the sole property of WSP and cannot be reproduced.

Are your prices really wholesale?

Yes, 99% of our products are purchased in bulk and offered to our customers at a wholesale savings. Over the years, customers have asked us to add a handful of items for order convenience…one example are Wilton Silicone Molds. We have added these items and they are sold at retail prices.

Why are your gallon jugs not filled to the top?

Our gallon jugs are actually larger than 1 gallon. Each gallon jug has a notch before the neck that indicates the fill line. We always fill to that line and in some instances overfill the jug, which is a bonus for you!!

Some of my fragrance bottles are filled to the top and others are not. Why?

Fragrances sold at Wholesale Supplies Plus are sold by volume. Our amber glass bottles allow for extra airspace which allows liquids to expand in warmer temperatures. This is very important because liquids often need more space in the warmer summer months. If the liquid was filled to the top and traveled to the south in the hot summer months, the glass bottle would shatter in shipment. A bottle meets the volume size when the liquid fill line is in the middle of the bottle shoulder (sometimes called the curve of the neck).

 
     

  Payment Questions  
  I am nervous about putting my credit card online, what other options do I have?

It is important to us that you are a 100% satisfied customer. If you would like to place your order by phone, any one of our experienced customer service representatives will be happy to assist you.

What credit cards do you accept?

We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. In addition we except Check by Phone and PayPal.

May I send in a personal check for payment?

We do not accept personal checks. We do accept check by phone.

Can I place my order COD?

We do not offer COD. All orders must be paid before shipping.

How do I pay with PayPal?

If you wish to pay with PayPal, you can shop online or by phone. At the check out indicate payment by PayPal and finalize your order. Write down your order number and order total. Then go to PayPal and authorize a payment to Wholesale Supplies Plus using the “Email Payment To” address of SoapOrder@aol.com

Do you allow orders for schools with a purchase order?

We do take orders from schools and organizations requiring a purchase order. We will not ship the order until it has been paid.

Do you offer discounts to non profit schools and churches?

We do not have additional discounts for special groups. Each one of our customers are important to us and we do not believe in having special pricing for different customers.

I would like to resell some of our supplies online. Can I get a special price sheet?

All of our prices are online. We do not have a special price sheets for Resellers, VIP Customers or Large Organizations. We feel strongly that all of our customers are special and they all should have the same advantage regardless of company size.

 
     

  Shipping Questions  
  How long does it take to process my order?

Most orders ship in 24 to 48 hours. During the months of Oct, Nov and early Dec. we may take up to 72 hours to ship an order.

How long does it take UPS to deliver my order?

Delivery times are based on where you live in relation to Broadview Heights, Ohio. If you log into your account, you can track your order and view an estimated delivery date.

UPS left my box at the door and it is crushed on one side. What do I do?

I apologize for this happening. We pack the boxes carefully but unfortunately sometimes there are things that happen to the box after it leaves our building. This is beyond our control.

You will want to take a picture and inventory all of the contents. Specifically look for anything that is damaged, broken or missing. If you ordered any items that contain glass, DO NOT reach blindly into the box as broken glass may cut your hand. Contact us immediately so that we can make a UPS claim and take care of your order. It is important to us that you are 100% satisfied with your order.

I ordered 4 cases of soap and UPS only delivered 3 cases today. What do I do?

Try not to worry. It is likely that one box got separated from the shipment and will be delivered later in the day or tomorrow. You can do one of two things, you can call us and we can track the order for you, or you can log into your online account and track your order yourself. Our online tracking will show the progress of EACH box shipped from our facility. If you see anything unusual such as one box is in a totally different state, please call us immediately.

In the unusual event that we made an error in your order, please contact us immediately.

It seems like UPS lost my order. Do I have to wait for the UPS tracer to be complete before you reship my order?

In most cases, it is best for the tracer to be completed before reshipment. During the tracer process, UPS often finds the box under a shelf in a truck or the driver will remember that it was delivered to the wrong address. In these events, UPS will expedite the box to your location which is often much faster than us reshipping the order.

UPS Delivered to my former address. What can I do?

You will want to contact us immediately. We will need to make sure your account is up to date (so this doesn’t happen again) and will want to facilitate getting your order to you as soon as possible.

Can I call UPS directly and update my address?

We would prefer that you call us directly. UPS will tell you that there is no charge but that is not 100% truthful. Anytime a box is routed to another address, UPS bills the shipper a significant fee (per box redirected). In this event, we will call you expecting payment for this address change.

Why does UPS require a signature for some addresses and not others?

It is the UPS delivery person that requires the signature. Our experience has shown that if a driver has experienced fraud in an area or a number of circumstances where boxes are delivered but the recipient claims they didn’t receive the box, they will require a signature. We have found that areas such as apartment buildings (where theft is a bit easier) the UPS driver will require a signature.

Will UPS leave my box at a neighbor’s house if I leave a note?

This is up to the UPS driver. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. The driver may consider this an address change and then bill us a significant fee per box redirected. In this event, we will call you expecting payment for this address change.

How long will UPS hold my package if I am not available to sign?

Typically, UPS will try three times to deliver a box. At this point it is returned to the shipper.

Can UPS call me to arrange a delivery time?

UPS does not “call ahead” for box truck delivery. This is their company policy.

The UPS driver wants a signature. Can I call UPS and redirect a box to my office?

We would prefer that you call us directly. Anytime a box is routed to another address, UPS bills the shipper a significant fee per box redirected. In this event, we will call you expecting payment for this address change.

I just received my order and I have a concern. What do I do?

Please call us immediately. We want you to be a 100% satisfied customer. We will do everything within reason to make this happen.

Should I accept a box from UPS with outer damage?

This is always a difficult question. If the box is oozing and rattles, reject the entire box so it is returned to us. If it looks like minor damage, accept the box and inventory the contents. Perhaps the damage was limited to the box and not the contents. Call us immediately if you have any questions, product damage or concerns.

I can’t believe you packed my order a mess and in a green bag?

Please be assured that your order did not leave our warehouse in that condition. All orders leave our building clean, orderly and tightly packed.

If you have receive an order that appears to be a “box in a box” or a “green bag in a box” then UPS has damaged your order and repacked it prior to delivery. We find this very unacceptable and would like you to call us immediately.

Does UPS deliver on Saturdays?

Typically UPS does not deliver on Saturdays. If it is Friday and you are in a pinch for a product, call us and we can arrange a special Saturday Delivery. In this event, your shipping costs will have an additional UPS Saturday Delivery surcharge fee.

How late can I place an order with expedited delivery?

Orders being shipped Overnight, 2 Day or 3 Day UPS need to be received by 2pm (eastern time zone) for same day shipment.

My order must ship today. What are my options?

Your best bet is to call us so that we can hand process the order. You will need to upgrade your shipping to Overnight, 3 Day or 2 Day shipping for same day shipping.

How long will it take to prepare an order for pick up?

In general we need 2 hours to prepare an order for pick up.

I placed an order in the showroom. Why do I need to wait?

We need to have time to invoice and process your order. Depending on the time of day, the staff may be at lunch or break. Also, they may be in the process of filling other orders and need to complete that process before starting to fulfill your order. We have several restaurants in the area where you can have lunch or coffee. You are always welcome to wait in your car. We do not have a waiting area in the showroom. Depending on the showroom order, we try to minimize the wait to 15 – 30 minutes.

If you know what you want to order but want to sniff some fragrances before completing your order, we suggest placing an order online or by phone for the bulk of the items. Then when you are here place a second smaller order for the fragrances. This way the staff can fill the bulk of your order prior to your arrival. The second order of a few fragrances can be filled rather quickly, minimizing your wait time.

Can I phone in an order for pick up?

Yes, many of our customers phone in an order for pick up. We think this is a great idea. We will have your order waiting for you.

I placed an order for pick up. Where do I go for pick up?

You will first stop in the showroom and receive special paperwork from customer service. The staff will then direct you to the drive around pick up door. For your convenience, our warehouse staff will load your car or trailer.

Can I stay in the showroom and “hang out” talking to the staff?

We always welcome customers to the showroom. We do ask that you limit your time to shopping. The staff is very busy taking phone orders and handling customer questions via email/live help/phones.

Can I meet Debbie May while I am in the showroom?

Debbie loves to talk with customers. Just ask to see if she is in the office and not busy in a meeting. If you are traveling a distance, call ahead so that she clear time in her calendar to meet you.

Are you hiring staff? I would love to work for WSP.

Wholesale Supplies Plus has a very low staff turnover and most often additional full time staff are hired from part time workers. In the event that we do need to hire from the outside, we have a company policy to not hire customers. This policy was made because all staff is required to sign a “non compete” document and comply with the company handbook. WSP staff is strictly forbidden from purchasing supplies for the purpose of resale and/or producing products for the purpose of sale. This automatically eliminates most of our customers.

 
     
 
 
Policies | Contact Us | Order Info | Payment Info | Company Info | Return Policy | Privacy Pledge