September 14, 2015

Bath & Body Works Raises Candle Prices?

bath & body works candle price raise

Bath & Body Works always has excellent steals and deals on their candle range but I remember a time they were 2 for $20 (which seems, for some reason, ages ago). Two or three years ago that price went up to $12 each when they were on sale and now I’m seeing them on sale for $15 each.

I expected a price raise in all honesty but didn’t expect it until the new year. I think you’ll still see them on sale from time to time for $12 but they’ll likely slow phase that out. Of course, they always have coupons which helps that $15 price drop a little.

But I have to admit I’m sad to see the price raise!

Hopefully it isn’t around to stay but I know that’s likely not the case.

Thoughts on Bath & Body Works raising their candle prices?

Do share!

39 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Anna

    That’s a shame. I feel like the quality and variation hasn’t been as good, either.

  • Kate

    I saw that this weekend at Shops at Nanuet, we want to get the Pumpkin candles but $15 each on sale is a bit high.
    I will watch the sales and see if it goes lower.
    I can get good quality candles for less, I only want the Fall candles from BBW now anyway, the others are often not as nice

  • Courtney

    I have totally noticed that too. And while I love their candles to death , I’ll admit that the price hike has indeed deterred me from purchasing their candles for the most part. I now go to TJmaxx and indulge in the ‘Harry and David’ line of candles which are about 8.99 – $10 each for just as much product and I’m just as happy! I do love the variety I can find at B&BW tho, but will only splurge if it’s a scent I can’t live without, which is not terribly often unfortunately, bc of the price hike.

  • Heidi

    If that’s the case, they’ll lose a lot of my business. They haven’t had the greatest variety (OK, I like pumpkin, but do they need 10 or 12 pumpkin candle variations?) lately, and the quality isn’t what it was a few years ago. Even though I trim the wicks and follow the directions, sometimes there’s a weird burn smell with them these days. I got some lavender ones for spring and summer and they just smelled off to me.

  • Elle

    I have a family member who works at corporate BBW, just asked her over the weekend why they keep hiking up the prices. She pretty much said because the customers keep buying em!! She said until the people quit buying them, they’ll only go up!

    It’s getting a little ridiculous with these prices, I know I’ll be going elsewhere to find candles! The scents just aren’t pulling to me like they used to!

  • Courtney

    Elle, I figured that was the reason for the price hike, because customers are still willing to pay the increase in prices.

    • Heidi

      People will keep buying since they make good gifts. I tried to hit a good sale last fall and the store was picked clean by the end of the day!

  • Dania

    I used to buy a ton from there but with their increasing hikes in prices, (I hate to complain about the hand sanitizers, but they used to only a dollar? 1.75? Why)? And I also have had a problem with their candles as of late. I only go in there on occasion for the pocketbacs and scentportables. Shame on BBW. They don’t have my business anymore.

  • VWG

    I have to agree. I used to love purchasing these candles, but, when the prices started to change, I started to select the Yankee candles at Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s.

  • Dee

    I started getting these candles last year and really liked them….but no way will I pay $15 on sale! Really too high considering other candles can be had for less. Bummer!

  • Rebekah E

    The retail price is still $22.50, so they technically haven’t raised the price again. This just isn’t as good of a sale. Hopefully they’re have the fall candles on a better sale soon.

  • Rebekah E

    I have some candles from last fall and winter that were marked $22.50. The year before that they were $20.50.

    • Isabella Muse

      The price itself hasn’t yet be raised but as we head into the New Year I’m sure $12 sales will be phased out for $15 ones. This really wouldn’t surprise me as $12 is a sale that we’ve seen for at least two years now so I suspected a price raise was coming sooner or later. You’ll def still see those $12 sales but the closer we come to 2016 the less we’ll see them I think, just a prediction of course 🙂

      • Rebekah E

        I know what you mean… I wonder how the $15 sale worked out for them.

        They just started the 2 for $24 sale again, so yay. Time to get a new Leaves candle.

  • Carol G

    Perfect timing on this topic: So I go into BBW this past Saturday because I had gotten an email saying the candles were on sale for $12. I’ve been waiting for them to go on sale. I load up my bag with four candles, get to the checkout, she scans them and I notice they are ringing up full price. So I ask her, Aren’t those on sale for $12? She says, Oh, the $12 ones are the ombre glass only. Of course all the ones I had picked out were just in the regular glass jar. So now it would seem that even their “sale” prices are being limited to “select” candles only. I was not happy. Then today I get the $15 sale email. I thought the exact same thing you did, Muse, that I guess they are now jacking up the sale price to $15. $12 must be a thing of the past. I’m done with them if that’s the case. I swore off Yankee too because of their ridiculous price hikes. It’s a shame because I love good, quality candles but these companies are getting way too greedy!

    • Isabella Muse

      I noticed this too Carol. It happened to me in…July? End of July or something. Certain candles were $12 but the others were all regular price. I kinda felt stupid putting them back but def didn’t want to pay full price for candles at $22.50 (call me cheap). And now they are on sale for $15 but again, only select ones (the pumpkins). And they are totally testing the waters with $15 at this moment and I’m positive come 2016 the $15 price will be the norm!

  • koolchicken

    I had been living on an island without BBW for several years so I stopped buying them. The shipping prices were out of this world, and I couldn’t be bothered to bring them back in my suitcase when I traveled (I was usually lugging food, so extras like heavy candles weren’t going to happen). When I moved back to the mainland last year I couldn’t have candles in my apartment. Only recently have I been able to purchase any. When I was in store I thought the prices seemed a lot higher, but it had been 7 years since I’d last bought one and I couldn’t remember what they used to go for. I want to say around $10 back then. But I’d smelled everything Yankee Candle had to offer and Diamond Candles seem to set off my migraines. I don’t know about the quality being different, but the one I have (Sweater Weather) has seemed to bun very, very nicely and has been going strong for weeks. I have a 3,000sf house and after an hour I can even smell that one candle upstairs! The whole house smells nice and there’s been no tunneling. I burn for about 4 hours at a time then blow it out and do it again in a few days.

  • Kit

    I agree with Heidi. The quality has been going downhill which makes the sale price hike quite a bummer. The past like four or five candles I have purchased from there have had the most horrible smoky smell. It doesn’t seem to matter how often I trim the wicks or tend to the candle. They all started out fine but after a few burns they just suddenly smelled off. Price hike aside, I’m hesitant to repurchase.

  • ANna

    I see this as a way to test the waters for 2/$30 and if that happens, I am done! That is just too high of a price point for me. I can get higher quality candles elsewhere for less! I love BBW, but these recent price hikes have really started to curb my buying. Coupons or not, this has to stop. But the casual shopper has no idea and still buys, so I don’t see this stopping any time soon.

  • Rosa

    Oh my gosh, I thought it was just me getting upset about this $15 price. I used to love these candles and I remember when I could get them for $8 on sale. I agree with all the comments I’ve read. It’s just greed and I for one will not continue to purchase BBW candles, I could understand going from $12 to $12.50 but a $3 price hike is ridiculous. I have already started looking around for a lower priced good smelling candle. Thanks Muse for bringing this up!

  • Tif

    You can get them for $8. That sell happens somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s one day only. That’s when I stock up.

  • Laura

    I always go crazy at the $8.00 sale! My husband hates that I stock up so much but for the prices you can’t beat it. The quality of their candles has gone down hill, so if the price continues to increase I will no longer purchase them.

  • Amber

    I think the quality of their candles has declined sharply in recent years. They used to be the best out there, but now I find only a few scents that still have that amazing throw. And with continually increasing prices, I’ve definitely bought less in the last two years. Couple that with crappy semi-annual sale offerings, and I’m about done with BBW.

  • Heather

    I still love their candles and the fall scents are my favorite so I stocked up last week during 2 for $24 + a $10 off $30 coupon. I am sad to see them keep increasing the price though. Muse…I have a question for you. Do you happen to know if the hand soaps have also increased in price? They are on sale this week 5 for $18 or 7 for $24. I’m trying to hold out for the best deal that I can combine with a coupon before I buy.

    • Isabella Muse

      Mm good question, I never pay attention much to the soap prices but they did have a slight price raise last year. At the moment I believe 5 for $18 and 7 for $24 is the best deal but don’t quote me!

  • heather

    Thanks for your input with the soaps! 7 for $24 seems to be the best deal that I’ve seen. Have you heard any complaints about the candles this year? Pumpkin Cupcake is my absolute favorite and I stock up every fall to last me through the winter. I went ahead and bought ten this year during the sale and the first two that I’ve burned haven’t smelled very strong at all. I’m going to try one more and if that one is a dud…I’m going to return the rest. I’m really bummed! I live for B&BW fall candles!

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure Heather. That’s def a good deal even though the soap prices have also risen. I haven’t….On the new fragrances I have heard complaints but on the older ones I didn’t hear much! So far all the Fall ones I hauled have been fairly strong but I didn’t purchase pumpkin cupcake as I had two from last year and didn’t want to repeat myself but there is a possibility the formula was changed! Good for you for returning it. if it doesn’t smell strong no sense keeping it!!!!! So far I’ve burned Buttercream, Radiant Maple, Pumpkin pecan Waffles, and Vanilla Bean from this year’s batch and all were strong. Hope this helps!?

      • heather

        Definitely helps! I appreciate your reply. I tried googling around to see if anyone had a similar experience but I know your blog is always the place for all things Bath & Body Works!

        • Isabella Muse

          my pleasure. Read through some comments on my past candle posts as a few people did mention weaker throw on some candles! 🙂 Aw thanks!!!!!!!!! I wish BBW was more forthcoming with information that I can relate to readers! Sometimes I feel lost what’s coming out and when!

  • Kyle

    The prices just went up again to $16 ea (for sale price). I wonder why?

  • Jane Sellers

    Yes
    I too was shocked when I went in today, for the sale $10off and still end up paying $15each
    When did they go to $25? They are too small for that price! I guess that’s the last time they sucker me into they’re store . I’ll start buying off brands again.

    • Isabella Muse

      they have been creeping up their prices for about two years now! It’s disappointing 🙁

  • Katy

    Oh man, looking at this post when candles are $26.50 full price and body care is $17.50 full price…crazy.
    And the quality has only depleted.