Birchbox November 2012

[MissLindaJean]

My second (cancelled) account's box finally shipped. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I really don't mind waiting, but I'm just happy to be actually getting it. I was starting to get worried that they'd give out points instead of the box, and that is useless in a cancelled account.

Can't you still make purchases after canceling the account?

 

[Wida]

You can and you can still use your points even when the account is cancelled.  I just did it last week.

ETA: You still accumulate points on purchases too.

Originally Posted by MissLindaJean /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Can't you still make purchases after canceling the account?

 

[MissLindaJean]

You can and you can still use your points even when the account is cancelled.  I just did it last week. ETA: You still accumulate points on purchases too.

That's what I thought.. so while folks may cancel, you still get some benefits of checking the store and having that account. I like some of the BB exclusive sets/items offered, but don't see myself canceling either of my subs...so that was just a general q. Thanks Wida!

 

[LisaLeah]

Finally got my Birchbox today and it was the worst one yet by far.

It was what someone on here dubbed "the punishment box". I am not annoyed solely by the contents of the box (which are meh at best)

but by the way Birchbox is handling business.

I was supposed to get Box #11 (with the ModelCo mascara, the Oscar Blandi, the Marula oil etc). It's a fantastic box.

I received a shipping notification on Nov 9th  and the contents of this "killer box" have been posted on my account for the past two weeks.

I was a happy girl...

Then the other day someone on here posted that BB did a "bait and switch". She was supposed to be getting Box #11 and instead her account just re-posted a new box she was getting, the 'dreaded' Box #1...

So I checked my account immediately and saw the same thing as she did, I was now getting Box #1.

I understand you can't' always get the coveted box, it's usually the luck of the draw. That's what makes these subscriptions so fun actually...BUT....

to promise one thing and then take it back and give you something "lesser" is unacceptable.

When they send you a shipping notice and post the contents of your box in your account (it was up there for two weeks), it's like a promise. A binding one in my opinion. Yes, things happen, but to change a box completely and to one that is of SIGNIFICANTLY LESS VALUE, without any explanation...is just bad business. 

Would love your thoughts.

Have any of you ever experienced anything similar?

Also which is more effective to get a response from them...email or phone call or both?

 

[quene8106]

Originally Posted by LisaLeah /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Finally got my Birchbox today and it was the worst one yet by far.

It was what someone on here dubbed "the punishment box". I am not annoyed solely by the contents of the box (which are meh at best)

but by the way Birchbox is handling business.

I was supposed to get Box #11 (with the ModelCo mascara, the Oscar Blandi, the Marula oil etc). It's a fantastic box.

I received a shipping notification on Nov 9th  and the contents of this "killer box" have been posted on my account for the past two weeks.

I was a happy girl...

Then the other day someone on here posted that BB did a "bait and switch". She was supposed to be getting Box #11 and instead her account just re-posted a new box she was getting, the 'dreaded' Box #1...

So I checked my account immediately and saw the same thing as she did, I was now getting Box #1.

I understand you can't' always get the coveted box, it's usually the luck of the draw. That's what makes these subscriptions so fun actually...BUT....

to promise one thing and then take it back and give you something "lesser" is unacceptable.

When they send you a shipping notice and post the contents of your box in your account (it was up there for two weeks), it's like a promise. A binding one in my opinion. Yes, things happen, but to change a box completely and to one that is of SIGNIFICANTLY LESS VALUE, without any explanation...is just bad business. 

Would love your thoughts.

Have any of you ever experienced anything similar?

Also which is more effective to get a response from them...email or phone call or both?

I experienced this in February.  I had a kick-ass box showing up in my account and they said it got lost in the mail due to the President's day holiday or something like that.  I was supposed to get the Jouer tinted moisturizer, orofluido elixir, a lip tattoo, beauty blender and blender cleanser. It was box 13 and I got box 1 instead. I was furious.  I got this nasty smelling unisex fragrance, an eye rock, an exude lipstick and a nail polish remover wipe.  They just kept saying that they were "sorry", that the box was out of stock and gave me 100 points instead for my trouble.  I was so furious because they wouldn't let me send it back for a refund 

and I almost cancelled my box but I was glad that I stayed b/c I got awesome boxes after that and until October...

 

[LisaLeah]

Originally Posted by quene8106 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I experienced this in February.  I had a kick-ass box showing up in my account and they said it got lost in the mail due to the President's day holiday or something like that.  I was supposed to get the Jouer tinted moisturizer, orofluido elixir, a lip tattoo, beauty blender and blender cleanser. It was box 13 and I got box 1 instead. I was furious.  I got this nasty smelling unisex fragrance, an eye rock, an exude lipstick and a nail polish remover wipe.  They just kept saying that they were "sorry", that the box was out of stock and gave me 100 points instead for my trouble.  I was so furious because they wouldn't let me send it back for a refund 

and I almost cancelled my box but I was glad that I stayed b/c I got awesome boxes after that and until October...

You just literally made me "snort"...the nail polish wipe (singular) is hilarious! What were you supposed to do with that? Take off the polish from 3 fingers? And if it's a dark shade 2 fingers? Glitter polish half a finger?

Thank you for responding. I am glad they at least credited you with points. 

I will let you know what happens.

 

[queenofperil]

Originally Posted by LisaLeah /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Finally got my Birchbox today and it was the worst one yet by far.

It was what someone on here dubbed "the punishment box". I am not annoyed solely by the contents of the box (which are meh at best)

but by the way Birchbox is handling business.

I was supposed to get Box #11 (with the ModelCo mascara, the Oscar Blandi, the Marula oil etc). It's a fantastic box.

I received a shipping notification on Nov 9th  and the contents of this "killer box" have been posted on my account for the past two weeks.

I was a happy girl...

Then the other day someone on here posted that BB did a "bait and switch". She was supposed to be getting Box #11 and instead her account just re-posted a new box she was getting, the 'dreaded' Box #1...

So I checked my account immediately and saw the same thing as she did, I was now getting Box #1.

I understand you can't' always get the coveted box, it's usually the luck of the draw. That's what makes these subscriptions so fun actually...BUT....

to promise one thing and then take it back and give you something "lesser" is unacceptable.

When they send you a shipping notice and post the contents of your box in your account (it was up there for two weeks), it's like a promise. A binding one in my opinion. Yes, things happen, but to change a box completely and to one that is of SIGNIFICANTLY LESS VALUE, without any explanation...is just bad business. 

Would love your thoughts.

Have any of you ever experienced anything similar?

Also which is more effective to get a response from them...email or phone call or both?

What if the box they were originally supposed to send you had products you didn't really want, but then they switched it to a box with products that you did like? I'm not saying you have no room to complain, but if the situation was reversed, there's no chance you'd be swearing by their original "binding promise" and want your crappier box.

 

[CaliMel]

Originally Posted by LisaLeah /img/forum/go_quote.gif

You just literally made me "snort"...the nail polish wipe (singular) is hilarious! What were you supposed to do with that? Take off the polish from 3 fingers? And if it's a dark shade 2 fingers? Glitter polish half a finger?

Thank you for responding. I am glad they at least credited you with points. 

I will let you know what happens.

If it was the Deborah Lipman wipe, they actually work surprisingly well. I am actually really sad that I used all mine up. I had 4 of them from different sample boxes and Sephora orders.

The last one I used took off 5 layers of dark nail polish including a top, bottom coat and a really heavy glitter layer that was impossible to remove with a regular nail polish remover and cotton ball. I did have to scrub some, and you do have to sort of rewet the mitt with the remover that is in the little pouch, but it worked and got it all off of all 10 of my fingers. I totally was rolling my eyes when I got them and thought that they had to be really stupid, but I wish they sold the little mitts on the website so I could use those instead of cotton balls to remove my nail polish. It just really has a good texture to the fabric and it really gets off even stubborn glitter polishes.

I know that's not what your post was about. But I got some really terrible birchboxes, and the wipes were in one of them, and it turned out to be one of my favorite products. So sometimes they can surprise you! Hopefully you end up liking some of the products that they sent.

 

[Missglammygirl]

Originally Posted by CaliMel /img/forum/go_quote.gif


If it was the Deborah Lipman wipe, they actually work surprisingly well. I am actually really sad that I used all mine up. I had 4 of them from different sample boxes and Sephora orders.

The last one I used took off 5 layers of dark nail polish including a top, bottom coat and a really heavy glitter layer that was impossible to remove with a regular nail polish remover and cotton ball. I did have to scrub some, and you do have to sort of rewet the mitt with the remover that is in the little pouch, but it worked and got it all off of all 10 of my fingers. I totally was rolling my eyes when I got them and thought that they had to be really stupid, but I wish they sold the little mitts on the website so I could use those instead of cotton balls to remove my nail polish. It just really has a good texture to the fabric and it really gets off even stubborn glitter polishes.

I know that's not what your post was about. But I got some really terrible birchboxes, and the wipes were in one of them, and it turned out to be one of my favorite products. So sometimes they can surprise you! Hopefully you end up liking some of the products that they sent.

They do sell the strippers to go on the BB website. http://www.birchbox.com/shop/nails/deborah-lippman-stripper-to-go

 

[queenofperil]

Originally Posted by Missglammygirl /img/forum/go_quote.gif

They do sell the strippers

Hehe. *Snicker* 

 

[LisaLeah]

Originally Posted by queenofperil /img/forum/go_quote.gif


What if the box they were originally supposed to send you had products you didn't really want, but then they switched it to a box with products that you did like? I'm not saying you have no room to complain, but if the situation was reversed, there's no chance you'd be swearing by their original "binding promise" and want your crappier box.

That's what you would call an upgrade not a downgrade.

Big difference.

 

[heartsandwhimsy]

Finally got my Birchbox today and it was the worst one yet by far. It was what someone on here dubbed "the punishment box". I am not annoyed solely by the contents of the box (which are meh at best) but by the way Birchbox is handling business. I was supposed to get Box #11 (with the ModelCo mascara, the Oscar Blandi, the Marula oil etc). It's a fantastic box. I received a shipping notification on Nov 9th  and the contents of this "killer box" have been posted on my account for the past two weeks. I was a happy girl... Then the other day someone on here posted that BB did a "bait and switch". She was supposed to be getting Box #11 and instead her account just re-posted a new box she was getting, the 'dreaded' Box #1... So I checked my account immediately and saw the same thing as she did, I was now getting Box #1. I understand you can't' always get the coveted box, it's usually the luck of the draw. That's what makes these subscriptions so fun actually...BUT.... to promise one thing and then take it back and give you something "lesser" is unacceptable. When they send you a shipping notice and post the contents of your box in your account (it was up there for two weeks), it's like a promise. A binding one in my opinion. Yes, things happen, but to change a box completely and to one that is of SIGNIFICANTLY LESS VALUE, without any explanation...is just bad business.  Would love your thoughts. Have any of you ever experienced anything similar? Also which is more effective to get a response from them...email or phone call or both?

What is in the box that you are actually getting just out of curiousity? I would be really upset too. That's a let down. Yeah sure they will credit your account 100 point but you can't even purchase the mascara that you thought you were getting with that amount of points : (

 

[lovelywhim]

Originally Posted by queenofperil /img/forum/go_quote.gif


What if the box they were originally supposed to send you had products you didn't really want, but then they switched it to a box with products that you did like? I'm not saying you have no room to complain, but if the situation was reversed, there's no chance you'd be swearing by their original "binding promise" and want your crappier box.

Haha. Yup. I've seen that happen to quite a few people on the forums. Some would even hope that their box would get switched before it shipped.

 

[LisaLeah]

Originally Posted by heartsandwhimsy /img/forum/go_quote.gif

What is in the box that you are actually getting just out of curiousity? I would be really upset too. That's a let down. Yeah sure they will credit your account 100 point but you can't even purchase the mascara that you thought you were getting with that amount of points : (

Thanks for responding. I realize that this is a very privileged problem....I hope that getting an inferior Birchbox is the worst problem anyone of us ever have!!!!! Ever!!!

My issue is not really about content of the box (which is subjective as to whether it's good or not) but business protocol.

The first box I was told I was getting, which I thought was awesome, has a value  around $50. (don't quote me on the math, this is just a quick guess-timate). The box I actually received, which was meh...has a value probably closer to $18.  So even if I am off on the estimates, this is a downgrade.

It's just bad business to promise something more, than deliver something much less. Birchbox is a service business and this is bad service. 

They didn't manage expectations properly or offer an explanation. 

This is the box I was going to get....

And this is the box I got.....

Again, whether we like the contents or not is subjective. Photography make this box look WAY better than it is btw....

It's a matter of math. (huge discrepancy in value between the two boxes) and business protocol.

Thanks again!!!!!

 

[Kaylay]

If my box got switched like that I would definitely be upset and complain as well....I got the box you got in my first sub....it's not terrible but I agree, definitely not close to the same value as the first. I'm getting a killer box in my second sub, if the reissue ever comes to my correct address!

 

[jess4tip]

I gifted myself a subscription earlier this month. Well , the welcome box arrived yesterday. It's crazy and disappointing. The card says that the following should be included: *Color Club nail polish in Status Update (the label says Muse-iCal, but when I compared it to the SU that I have, it's the same color. So now I don't know what color it really is). *Harvey Prince fragrance (I like fragrance samples, so this is good). *Lulu Organics hair powder (same one in my November box). *One Love Organics body serum *twistband hair tie *chocolate (this is good, at least a different flavor from my Nov. box). Luckily I didn't get another set of hair ties, but did get the J.R. Watkins cuticle salve which I've been wanting to try. And, I didn't get the body serum either. So, they shorted me an item. :-( Is it worth calling to try and get it? On another note, am I now going to get two identical boxes each month?

 

[mb214]

Originally Posted by LisaLeah /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Thanks for responding. I realize that this is a very privileged problem....I hope that getting an inferior Birchbox is the worst problem anyone of us ever have!!!!! Ever!!!

My issue is not really about content of the box (which is subjective as to whether it's good or not) but business protocol.

The first box I was told I was getting, which I thought was awesome, has a value  around $50. (don't quote me on the math, this is just a quick guess-timate). The box I actually received, which was meh...has a value probably closer to $18.  So even if I am off on the estimates, this is a downgrade.

It's just bad business to promise something more, than deliver something much less. Birchbox is a service business and this is bad service. 

They didn't manage expectations properly or offer an explanation. 

This is the box I was going to get....

And this is the box I got.....

Again, whether we like the contents or not is subjective. Photography make this box look WAY better than it is btw....

It's a matter of math. (huge discrepancy in value between the two boxes) and business protocol.

Thanks again!!!!!

While this is a disappointment, it really is not a legitimate complaint. Birchbox very rarely ever *promises* anything in our boxes (I think a few months ago they said everyone would get a color club). While they posted a tentative box on your page this is not "a binding promise" maybe you had committed to getting the box, but Birchbox never committed to sending it. I received a box missing one of the items listed on my account (the pixi eyeshadow liner/pen thing). I emailed them and they gave me 100 points as compensation. And the Pixi retails for $18---whatever, would I have liked the Pixi, yes, but did Birchbox owe me the pen-no. They compensated me for the entire cost of the box with credit, even though I received all the other items. Something could have happened in the warehouse or en route that destroyed some of the samples, it happens. But you did not purchase the box #1 you purchased a Birchbox and that is all  Birchbox promised. Birchbox is a grab bag, you get what you get and getting upset over not receiving the box worth $50 is kind of ridiculous. All this box envy is going to turn Birchbox into a crappy subscription service, because they will just start sending out the same boxes to everyone. And, companies will only give a limited number and Birchbox will never get something like the Fiber mascara again (probably just perfume vials and foil packets). 

I've had crappy boxes too, but its a gamble and I think Birchbox does try to make sure that members don't constantly receive the "worst boxes"

 

[mb214]

Originally Posted by jess4tip /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I gifted myself a subscription earlier this month. Well , the welcome box arrived yesterday. It's crazy and disappointing. The card says that the following should be included:

*Color Club nail polish in Status Update (the label says Muse-iCal, but when I compared it to the SU that I have, it's the same color. So now I don't know what color it really is).

*Harvey Prince fragrance (I like fragrance samples, so this is good).

*Lulu Organics hair powder (same one in my November box).

*One Love Organics body serum

*twistband hair tie

*chocolate (this is good, at least a different flavor from my Nov. box).

Luckily I didn't get another set of hair ties, but did get the J.R. Watkins cuticle salve which I've been wanting to try. And, I didn't get the body serum either. So, they shorted me an item. :-(

Is it worth calling to try and get it? On another note, am I now going to get two identical boxes each month?

I would definitely email them. This happened to me and they said if they had any samples left they would send me a replacement and if not they would credit me 100 points

Side note: let me know how Watkins is I've been considering getting it, but don't know if it just another hand cream

 

[Musegirl]

Originally Posted by jess4tip /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I gifted myself a subscription earlier this month. Well , the welcome box arrived yesterday. It's crazy and disappointing. The card says that the following should be included:

*Color Club nail polish in Status Update (the label says Muse-iCal, but when I compared it to the SU that I have, it's the same color. So now I don't know what color it really is).

*Harvey Prince fragrance (I like fragrance samples, so this is good).

*Lulu Organics hair powder (same one in my November box).

*One Love Organics body serum

*twistband hair tie

*chocolate (this is good, at least a different flavor from my Nov. box).

Luckily I didn't get another set of hair ties, but did get the J.R. Watkins cuticle salve which I've been wanting to try. And, I didn't get the body serum either. So, they shorted me an item. :-(

Is it worth calling to try and get it? On another note, am I now going to get two identical boxes each month?

I got the exact same box this month when I gifted myself a subscription. I also did not get the One Love Organics and got the J.R Watkin instead and the Muse-ical nail polish.  Weird box.  I was hoping for an Eyeko Skinny Liner since a lot of people got those in gift boxes recently.  I emailed them, but I haven't heard back yet.  I really wanted the One Love Organics and I already had Status Update (which, I think is the same color as Muse-ical with a name change for birchbox), so I am pretty disappointed. I would hate for this to happen if I had gifted the sub to someone else!

 

[MissLindaJean]

I thought there are always a few variations on gift boxes or welcome boxes? So the contents vary by an item or two? Did you ladies get cards and items listed weren't included or were you hoping for specific things based on pics seen?