By now I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about the supply chain and prices. I hear about it on the TV and radio, I’m getting emails from companies about it, and I’m seeing first hand how hard it is to purchase ingredients/jars I need. And when I find the item, the cost is almost double.
My biz babe BFFs (I totally stole this phrase from Christine at Ba6 Marketing) and I have been talking about it, trying to figure out how we can help each other. “Who has the lowest lye prices?” “Where can I find jars for my lotion?” My personal favorite “OMG it costs more to ship my item than it costs to buy the item!”
Ingredients
I have a bunch of soap maker friends on Long Island and we place orders together. We can split the delivery fee that way, and if we order enough of the same item, we can get a discount. Even so, the same lye I bought last year for $60, is now $95. Coconut oil went from $52 to $74, palm oil from $33 to $49, and the shipping for the pallet went from $125 to $235 for exactly the same order. I don’t want to tell you how high the prices of essential oils are, it physically hurts to think about it.
Packaging
Let’s talk about packaging. There are some items you just can’t get. Everything else is on back order. I had to wait over 6 months to get bottles for Alegna Ambience, and the spray caps aren’t the right color. (They are pink and purple-ugh!) But I finally was able to get them, so I’m not complaining. I hope my customers understand.
Pricing
Some of my friends have had to raise their prices. I’m fighting that right now. I don’t want to. I really don’t want to. I’m hoping, if we give it a little more time, things will settle out.
The Future
Remember toilet paper hording? Well, I’m hording some other things. I have a stockpile of packaging (lip balm tubes, scented oil bottles and spray bottles) and I was able to get them for not too much of a mark up. I double ordered my base oils and scents. I’ve found soap makers who are closing their businesses and I’ve purchased their stock. Right now, I won’t be raising my prices. But I can’t make any promises. It depends on how things progress.
If you have any ideas for me, please post in the comments below. I’m all ears.
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
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