Maven Apothecary — Local services in St. Louis

I placed a custom order of a scent they stopped carrying, Winter Timber, and on the order sheet, I wrote the scent down and paid in advance. They claimed the scent could still be made. The associate suggested some other candles that didn’t match exactly to the fragrance that I really like, but she found a jug of fragrance called Blue Spruce that she noted was in the Winter Timber candles. I thought it was similar and said “Okay, if that’s the scent, then we will go with it.” But, I was very clear that I wanted the Winter Timber, whatever that may be because they are the original makers of it. When I picked up my candle, the scent didn’t seem quite right. I brought it home and there is a pretty distinct difference between them.

So, I called and they offered to refund the money - obviously they should and would do that. The problem is I should’ve been notified that they were going to try and make a similar scented candle before I went up there to pick up my order. I was never told of this, and had to figure this out on my own. In both my email and call, I got passive aggressive responses and was left feeling like somehow this was my fault! I called and gently suggested they just discount the candle and I keep it, because I don’t have the time to return it (gas and time wasted when I am pressed for time because I’m moving out of state in a couple of days). That was out of the question, but Dan acknowledged it was their fault. Yet I’m left paying for their mistake.

Edit Apparently the owner thinks it’s a good business practice to attack the credibility and integrity of their clientele by calling them liars and telling them to never come back. I have never had this kind of treatment before. Let me be clear you guys, my review is not misleading or false. In fact, the owner has given misleading info on two occasions here. One critical correction is that I paid in advance and not when I picked up the candle. Another, Dan acknowledged that it was their fault on the call towards the very end of the conversation - perhaps during her (cowardly) listening in on the conversation she missed that. I just wanted to leave an honest review of my experience because people deserve to hear it, whether it’s negative or positive. I didn’t deserve that response. The owner must’ve also had her email response I posted for...

I've been a customer of Mavens for about 4 years, and loved the products. I do NOT like putting commercial products on my skin, so I have been using Mavens soaps, deodorant, lotion, and shampoo and conditioner exclusively for the past 2+ years. I have also purchased their products as xmas gifts each year. After spending hundreds of dollars in their old location and new, I do not think I can shop here any longer. There used be be a punch card for items purchased to reward frequent customers, this program has ended. Also, they used to offer a discount on soap for buying several bars at a time, (which I have taken advantage of several times) but this sale has ended. The deodorant is now in a cardboard tube (I'm all for reducing waste and eliminating one time uses plastics) which is supposed to be applied with my fingers? All the prices have increased drastically without incentive to remain a customer. Plus, rocks in the candles??? I want to support local business, but I miss the old Maven and simply cannot...

TLDR: I switched to Herbaria on the Hill because it's cheaper.

For several years Maven was my household's go-to for bath soap because of their buy three get one free deal. It made it some of the most affordable hand-crafted soap in the city at about $1.07 per ounce before tax. Unfortunately, they eliminated that deal recently. Without the deal, it's $1.43 per ounce. It's cheaper now to buy the hand-crafted soap at Herbaria at $1.13 per ounce before tax with their buy six get the seventh free deal.

Additionally, Maven declined to accept a 10% off coupon when I went to buy soap and a candle a month or two ago because I was getting the fourth-one-free soap deal. Fair enough, but it was a tad annoying because I was buying a $30 candle in addition to $27 worth of soap. I understood and they were apologetic, but combined with the recent elimination of the soap deal, it was motivation enough to switch...