Necessary Notes, Calendar, Links, Policies, and such (last update: 11/19/13)
The Summary
- I welcome everyone! If it takes you +2.5 weeks to get a package from the U.S. though, please let me know. That being said, I'm not overly comfortable shipping to Spain or Italy.
- Paypal fees will be included in your final total, as I can't afford to eat them. (This applies only to circles/GOs and sales under the stated minimum)
- CC, DC, and balance are fine. Discuss eChecks/other methods with me if necessary.
- Payment format goes as shown below. Please note that I supply all the information for you when I send the invoice:
Subject: [Name of Circle]- [username]
Comments: [what you ordered]
- Chocolates/tea/shinies are usually included, amount and type subject to how much I have/the size of the circle/what I received from the e-tailer. If you don’t want/are allergic to something, let me know. Frimps are included at my discretion, though those who add on bottles always get at least one.
- I reserve the right to drop bottles at my discretion, and will refund the cost of the decants. If your participation in a circle hinges on a particular scent or number of decants, let me know up front.
- I reserve the right to not allow you to participate in my circle.
Updates and Communication
Posted first into my journal (css_circles) as an entry and tagged. This happens pretty immediately. Given the time, updated in sinandsalvation and Sticky Post edited. Please, please read the updates. I detail everything. If I've stopped decanting for the day, I post it. When we get things, I post it. I also occasionally have important questions to ask, like 'We got these freebies, who wants what?' or '...I don't think I'm supposed to have this. Is this yours?' Also, it really slows me down when I have to respond to 20 'Any news yet?' comments ~_~ especially since it's RIGHT HERE, front page and tagged for you.
As I mentioned above, I do want to know if you're unhappy or if something went wrong. Alas, I am but human...and a middleman at that, subject to many things outside of my control on top of my own life. For example, if a package looks like it's stuck in postal limbo, let me know and we can both bug our respective POs together. If something broke, maybe I can replace it, or at least a tester of it. If I was stupid and forgot something, tell me so I can ship it.
That said, I do request that you do so in an appropriate and civil manner: Comment on the thread where you order was at or start a new thread in the circle post, e-mail me, send a PM. Tell me what I can do to help. Posting, "AM NOT HAPPY AND YOU SMELL FUNNY" isn't particularly productive, nor does it really indicate you want me do do anything about it. Some people prefer to shout and storm off rather than fix a problem, so when I see that, my first assumption is that you're just angry and don't want anything to do with me anymore.
Shipping
- Shipping is a standard $3.90 up to 3 oz, first-class domestic. Internationals start at 4.50, and do not come with tracking unless requested (because it's quite expensive)
- If you'd like to hitch-hike, that's fine! Cab fare varies per bottle (depends which e-tailer and how large I anticipate the circle to be) to help offset the additional shipping cost from the e-tailer.
- I usually allow people to combine their orders, especially sales, lunacies, and joint updates. If there is a hold-up on part, I always let people know and give them the option of separating their orders.
- I am not responsible if your package is damaged/lost by the post office. Unfortunately, I do not have the financial means to cover these--they're few and far between, but I've had somewhere between 3 and 7 lost/damaged by the post office since 2007. It is your responsibility to request insurance if you're concerned.
- Insurance in the U.S. starts at 1.95
- Tracking/insurance internationally starts at 12.00.
- If there is a problem, definitely let me know, as I'm always willing to help track down a package.
- I try to get circles and sales out within a week. That said, please give me two weekends to decant/package before poking me with a stick. I'm very thorough with updates on how far things are along. Sometimes life happens, particularly now that I've joined the thankless working world =-=.
Labels
Labels will have a frosted background. They hug the body of the imp, and the scent name name, Company/year, css_circles, and notes will be printed vertically along the imp’s body.
Oils that have way too many notes to fit in this format, oils that are very dark, or make-up labels (that is, those that are re-printed for one reason or another) have name, company, and year. These are usually on computer paper and taped.
Empties and sniffies
First empty goes to me for any extra oil. Empties only given out if requested due to the extra weight. While I don't limit them, priority is given to those who order half-bottles or more of a scent.
If you’d like a sniffie of something that's full, feel free to nudge me, and that will go in if I wind up with any. For these I charge only the cost of vial and label (0.25 as of 11/11/11).
Decants or partials in the original bottles
Same as empties--the first goes to me, and after that, it's fair game, with priority going to those who buy larger amounts. However, the reason I now keep empties is to house any leftover oil, so if there is not technically an empty available, I may give the requester the 'first' empty if they agree to purchase any leftover oil. Two ways this has been successfully done so far:
- I charge the full bottle and will refund the difference after decanting.
- After decanting and packaging, I notify the circle member of the remaining balance.
Refunds (Members' and decanter's)
If you've requested a spot in the circle and the order has been placed, you may not retract from the circle unless you find someone to fill your spots. I am not a bank and cannot afford to refund you once the order is placed. However, please e-mail me if something comes up and a suddenly financial situation comes up--I am always willing to help you work around them.
Likewise, late shipping due to delays on e-tailer's (usually the Post, sometimes the Lab) or my part is not cause for a refund. By joining a circle, you need to be aware that you are not at all guaranteed to get scents before they are pulled from the website.
As always, I reserve the right not to order items that don't fill. If you have an issue with x not being ordered or want a minimum of x items, let me know beforehand. You can tell what's being ordered by the header getting bolded. If I send out invoices and you pull out without having mentioned the above stipulations, It will be a mark against you. The second time this happens, I ban you. I know this sounds harsh, and I've ignored it for about four years now, but after re-evaluating the stress of someone pulling out and buckling scents, I've decided it's better to just not deal with those sorts of people, because then those who were okay with not having them were told they'd have it, then I'd have to go back, re-invoice, and refund. It's just not fun for anyone.
In the event that I've messed up (e.g. spillage so not enough oil for you, somehow oversold), I will inform you and give you various options: refund for the scents missing, pick something to replace it, or credit for the next circle. In the unlikely event *knock on wood* I somehow smashed your package or some such, I will give you full refund.
Things are slightly different for pick-ups/special events. Because stock is not guaranteed at places like Bat's Day and Will-Call, those who sign up for pick-ups or decants that have to be repaid in full (minus the 0.30 paypal fee that is kept by paypal).
Freebies
Chocolates/tea/shinies are usually included, amount and type subject to:
- My budget (many people don't realize this, but we decanters are actually paying for the candy, stickers, and toys we put in your packages :x)
- The size of the circle
- What I received from the e-tailer
- How much time I have (i.e. "I'd love to make everyone pendants and rings every time or go through your wishlist to pick frimps you'd like, but I don't always have that luxury, and mostof you would rather I just send the dang thing out with some candy.")
If you don’t want/are allergic to something, let me know. Frimps are included at my discretion, though those who add on bottles always get at least one.
A BIG note about frimps (and freebies in general)
BPAL
So this is a bit of a sticking point for some people (particularly BPALers), so I will let you know what camp I am in now: I do not think decanters owe frimps to every circle member. We are donating many hours already and I don't know a single decanter, myself included, who doesn't pay for freebies, floating spots, or both (myself included) as it is. And no, I do not think it's scandalous when we keep our favorites.
I do include freebies (and always flail-panic e-mail a member if I found I forgot theirs). However, freebies from any given e-tailer are distributed based on order size. I can tell you right now that the Lab will not send 100 frimps for my 100-person circle, or 40 frimps for my 40-person circle.
Blooddrop
Bloddrop freebies work a little differently, since they come in big pieces such as Merci 5mLs, lollipops, random samples...and Blooddrop circles are smaller.
Mercis I usually decant, and if there isn't enough, I'll pull from any leftover Merci I have to fill the gap. Things like the neat lollipops or cosmetic samples, I post and ask who wants it. Other items (like linen sprays), I ask who wants it because the cost of decanting it is considerably higher than a vial, so I request cost of the supplies.
Feedback
All of my feedback links:
BPAL-specific:
LJ database
bpal.org user 'yokaitenchi'
Multi-use:
Old feedback, before I realized databases would be better
Sales made from my now-defunct selling journal
Gothic/Lolita Database
Ebay user crystal_star_ss
Garagesalejapan
Single feedback:
Hunted down some dounjinshi for someone
(Some) Reviews I've done
Wishlist
Sales via journal The Google Doc of this is always the most updated, and can usually be found posted in sinandsalvation or bpalmarketplace
January 2008
Lupercalia and New Years
January Lunacy and Dark Del
Novel Ideas for Secret Amusement
February
The snake Pit
CD III
Salon III
Lunacy
March
CD I and II
Salon II
Tiki/Lunacy
April
Salon I
The Carousel
April Lunacy
May
Good Omens
Stardust
CD IV, Grindhouse, and V
Misc
MayLunacy GO
Arcana
June
Inquest
July
August
Sleepy hollow / Halloween
Villainess
VM/ Midsummer Muse
September
October
November
Anniversary
December
January 2009
Lupercalia
February
March
April
May
Bat’s Day
Summer Inquest
June
Smoky Moon
July
Violette Market GO
Sunbird GO
August
Changing of Seasons
September
October
November
Trunk Show pick-up
Trunk Show circle
Dark Del
December
January 2010
Dark Delicacies Valentines
The Miskatonic Valley is for Lovers
Lupercalia
Ode to Ares
Shunga
Candles Moon
February
March
April
Bat’s Day
May
June
Trunk Show pick-up
Trunk Show Circle
Villainess Smack! Circle
Blooddrop ScentAddict Exclusive
Clockwork Couture GO
Fledgling Raptor Moon update
July
PV flat split
BPTP GO
Vampires Don’t Sleep Alone
July Lunacy/GO
Blooddrop Summer Simplicities
Violette Market / Haunt Lost at Sea soaps
August
BPAL Halloween
13 and GO
Lunacy, Mabon, Wildfire
September
Virgos and BPTP Inquisition
TP shirt GO
Blooddrop Autumnals
PV split
October
Blooddrop Autumn Simplicities
BPAL Yules
Blooddrop Yules
November
Cold Moon, CD III, lone Yule
Clockwork Couture group order
Villainess Smack! GO
December
WC Champagnes
January 2011
Blooddrop simplicities
Lupercalia
Blooddrop Valentines
February
March
Blooddrop Spring Simplicities and Easter
Sweet Libertine greens
April
RPG and TP
Sweet Libertine Philosophers
Bat’s Day
May
Banshee Beat GO
June
Blooddrop summer simplicities
Tattered Lace
July
August
Blooddrop starry skies
September
Holy Hell Halloween
BPTP Halloween
Blooddrop Autumnals
Blooddrop at Scent Addict
October
Beaver Moon
November
Yules
Anniversaries
Blooddrop Winter
December
BPTP Yules
Blooddrop at Scent Addict
Old Moon
Blooddrop Winter simplicities
Waraizome
January 2012
GONE TO DENMARK
February
GONE TO DENMARK
March
GONE TO DENMARK
April
GONE TO DENMARK
May
GONE TO DENMARK
June
VM Lost at Sea, Chapter II
Blooddrop Fountain of Youth
July
VM birthday
Arcana Cocos
June’s SNs and Harvest Moon
August
Blooddrop Summer simplicities
PV group order
Dragon*Con
September
October
November
December
January 2013
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December