Candle Bay

Full review
I usually try to find alternatives to traditional candles because I fear the flame with crazy cats running around my house but I saw a great deal on large candles at Candle Bay and just had to take advantage of it.

I really like the candles! They are large, very fragrant, and soy based. Packaging was very good and, although shipping was somewhat slow, everything went well and I will return.

What the Site Sells

This site sells candles of all types, diffusers, jars, tins, accessories, themed gift sets, and more.

Navigation, Shipping, and returns

The site is very simple with categories to click on and then thumbnails of each item. The photos are good and you can enlarge them for detail. Descriptions are full and accurate. There are suggestions under the photo you are viewing of similar items or items that compliment the product you are viewing. Adding items to your cart is as simple as inputting quantity and clicking.

There is a keyword search box and a quick jump drop down box where you can go directly to the item you want. I had no trouble navigating the site and saw no broken links or any other problems on the site.

There is a section called "Candle Coins". This is a program for you to earn points toward free merchandise. Once you sign up, you receive 500 points for every dollar you spend on the site. You also get a bonus for signing up. I have over $10.00 in my account to use on my next order. They also have a referral program that anyone can join where they get a percentage of the money that people clicking on their referral link spend on the site.

As you shop, your total will be displayed along with shipping charges. I think the shipping is a bit high but it's less so as you spend more.

Once you have finished shopping, you will go to the checkout area. There, you will see your total and shipping costs. There is a shipping chart on the site that details shipping speeds and costs. Shipping starts at $4.95 and goes to $17.95 and up. It is dependent on how much your order total is.

Tax is only charged in California.

You can choose from three shipping speed options on the next page. Pay with a major credit card and you are all set. You will receive a confirmation email and a shipping one. Orders arrive in about a week or so after the shipping email arrives, possibly less for those on the west coast.

Returns are accepted within 30 days. You will be charged a 15% restocking fee on open or used products. Shipping is not refunded. You can also opt to make exchanges.

My Experience

I saw a special going on at Candle Bay where a number of 9 oz. candles were on sale for just $3.99 and there was a 15% off code as well. These candles are soy based and aromatic and I just had to have some. I bought several in different yummy scents. I did look through the rest of the site but, for my first order, I didn't want to buy too much. Now I know the quality is high and I will return to buy more.

I made sure to keep my shipping at $6.95 because the next level is $9.95 and I didn't want to spend 10 bucks on shipping even though the candles were heavy.

I signed up for the Candle Coins program and was credited $5.00 on my next order as well as 500 coins for each dollar I spent. 5000 coins equals $1.00 spendable cash. My 15% off promotional code went through just fine. I paid via Visa and received a confirmation email quickly.

I received a Fed Ex shipping notice three days later with a tracking number. My order arrived a week later. I think that is pretty slow shipping - the order was placed on July 22 and received on August 1. That's 10 days from order to my door from California so, really, it's acceptable.

The candles were bubble wrapped individually and inside cute mesh bags tied with ribbon, perfect for gift giving. I could smell the Lemongrass, mandarin, grapefruit, pomegranate, and other scents when I opened the box. The box was filled with those annoying Styrofoam peanuts but everything arrived in great shape and smelling amazing.

I have a candle lit now and my whole house smells delicious. These are high quality candles and they don't melt quickly at all. The fragrance they give off smells natural and clean. I am definitely loving having real candles around again but I am watching the one I have lit closely. I found a five week old kitten on the highway last week and he's stalking the flame. I love candles but, as I said, I worry about fire. Still, I will buy more from Candle Bay now that I have experienced the quality and good packaging as well as really good prices. They do have many flameless items for we fire-phobics too.

Conclusion

Looking for specialty or themed candles or other aromatic things? Candle Bay has a large variety of unique products at affordable prices. Look for coupon codes and sales. I see them all the time now that I know Candle Bay exists.

Shipping was slightly slower than I am accustomed to but by no means was it unacceptable. I give this site 4 stars. I will return for more!