FAQ

Q: What is a glowstick?
A: A glowstick is a plastic tube filled with a chemical and containing also a smaller glass tube filled with a different chemical. When the plastic tube is bent, the glass tube is broken, allowing the two chemicals to mix. The resulting reaction causes the item to glow for a period of from 5 minutes to 12 hours or more, depending on the type of product. This reaction produces chemical luminescence; light without an outside power source and without any noticeable heat.

Q: What makes Glowparty products special?
A: Frequently, glow products are described as novelty grade. These are expected to glow only 6-12 hours. To get really long lasting glow, a lot of vendors charge more. At Glowparty.com, we would be mortified to hear that one of our products glowed for ONLY twelve hours. Conditions vary and heat will reduce glow time, but even so we expect our products to glow for 10-24 hours. Most of what we sell will still be glowing two days after activation. Your results will vary, but our products use the highest quality chemicals and are designed for brightness and longevity.

Q: Does ambient temperature affect this reaction? 
A: Yes. Cooler temperatures will cause the glowstick to glow longer but less brightly. Warmer temperatures will shorten the duration but give a brighter glow.

Q: Are glowsticks really non-toxic?
A: In comparison with cyanide, Draino and arsenic, yes. But we are not always satisfied with the "non-toxic" label. Certainly an intact glowstick is just a piece of plastic, although one with greater potential than the average. Remember, however, that it is filled with CHEMICALS and GLASS. The non-toxic label applied to these is somewhat misleading. Used properly, glowsticks are fun and safe. But NEVER drink the contents or chew on a glowstick. If it breaks, you will have a mouthful of mostly hydrogen peroxide and also broken glass.

Q: How do you calculate shipping?
A: The calculator in the shopping cart calculates it automatically. We use USPS Priority Mail for most domestic shipments. Overseas customers will probably prefer express service from the US postal Service.

Q: What if an item is out of stock?
A: We generally ship the in-stock portion of the order with a note that we are out of stock on the item(s) not shipped. We will ship you the rest when they are back in stock. If only out of stock item(s) are ordered, we will notify you of the situation and ask whether you want us to fill the order when stock is available or cancel it out.

Q: Do you have a catalog?
A: Our site is our best catalog. Wholesale price lists available upon e-mail request and wholesale prices are in many cases posted on the individual item pages.

Q: Is there ever breakage in shipping?
A: Yes. Occassionally a necklace or bracelet will fail to activate. This is usually due to rough handling by shippers. Sometimes batteries are dead. There is really nothing we can do. We cannot ship individual replacements-not possible. Accept rare but possible losses of 1-2% as the cost of doing business. We do.