Birchbox October 2012

[mjkdior713]

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

They still send some gems and full sized items on occasion. Naturally, they're a for profit business and need to make money, so they probably do rely on purchases from the shop. With so many subbers, they can't personally accommodate every person, but rather adjust to meet the majority of their customers. Since they pretty much removed the part about samples being deluxe, it lets them off the hook. Not saying it's right, but just putting it out there.

Lol, here's a question, are you gonna stay a sucker?

Are you a subber or have you cancelled?

Edit--I meant to include this post as well:

Originally Posted by yanelib27 

My thought on the samples being sent out by Birchbox: It seems like their emphasis now is on having people subscribed only to make sales in their shop. Think about it, they send out crap, but people stay subscribed for the points. So they continue to send crap and yet are making tons of sales in their shop. I am assuming that was their plan all along. The shop must be where they make their money (profits), and so they do not care about the sample sizes/quality and satisfaction of their customers. This is just the beginning, it will NOT get better. So we have a decision to make, is spending money to get points worth it? We spend money every month, to get points, to spend even more money with Birchbox. Can you say SUCKERS??

 

[zadidoll]

Well let's face it, vitamins are normally ingested so why would anyone think you'd rub it into your skin?

 

[mjkdior713]

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


I've spoken with Katia about it because I think that 25% of the boxes could be done without food and perfume samples. If there are 40 boxes in a month then why can't 10 boxes be food or fragrance free? It's 10 boxes or less per month, surely that's not impossible for them to plan.

The only problem I could see with that is then you'd have people who just don't like getting perfumes opting out and I can imagine there are a lot of people in that category (from what I read).  And then people would be mad and say "I hate getting nail polish.  There should be a way to opt out of that"...etc.  It sucks though cause it is a legitimate concern for people with allergies.

 

[MissLindaJean]

I've spoken with Katia about it because I think that 25% of the boxes could be done without food and perfume samples. If there are 40 boxes in a month then why can't 10 boxes be food or fragrance free? It's 10 boxes or less per month, surely that's not impossible for them to plan.

On that note, that'd be great! Best of both worlds. Maybe we'll eventually see that come to fruition. It'd be as simple as adding another q to the profile everyone takes and adding that factor into whatever algorithm or schematics used in box content creation. Maybe if more people commented with that suggestion and solution, that'd light a fire under BB and other companies' booties!

 

[dd62]

Does anyone yet have a delivery date for Box 1? I wonder why they are being so secretive about that box. Still no picture.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by mjkdior713 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Quote: Originally Posted by zadidoll /img/forum/go_quote.gif


I've spoken with Katia about it because I think that 25% of the boxes could be done without food and perfume samples. If there are 40 boxes in a month then why can't 10 boxes be food or fragrance free? It's 10 boxes or less per month, surely that's not impossible for them to plan.
The only problem I could see with that is then you'd have people who just don't like getting perfumes opting out and I can imagine there are a lot of people in that category (from what I read).  And then people would be mad and say "I hate getting nail polish.  There should be a way to opt out of that"...etc.  It sucks though cause it is a legitimate concern for people with allergies.


I can see that as well but to me the opt out for food/perfume allergies would be based on the member's profile. Since we're asked so many questions about things I don't think it would be hard to add a food/perfume allergy to it which would then allow people to get one of those boxes that's free of food and/or perfume.

 

[goldenmeans]

Originally Posted by MollyC2153 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Apparently the vitamins are NOT for eating. They are for opening up and putting on the skin. Someone posted on their page that she's scared to try them, and someone else posted that they're going to end up with a lot of people eating some skin care.... 

Honestly, if you're dumb enough to ingest something without reading the packaging, well... thin the herd.

 

[kawaiimeows]

Originally Posted by dd62 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Does anyone yet have a delivery date for Box 1? I wonder why they are being so secretive about that box. Still no picture.

i'm getting box #1, and my tracking hasn't updated for like a week.

 

[deactivateduser232015]

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

On that note, that'd be great! Best of both worlds. Maybe we'll eventually see that come to fruition. It'd be as simple as adding another q to the profile everyone takes and adding that factor into whatever algorithm or schematics used in box content creation. Maybe if more people commented with that suggestion and solution, that'd light a fire under BB and other companies' booties!

That, unfortunately, is a lot harder than you make it sound like it is. I don't know what databasing system the company uses, but you'd have to take into account the fact that out of those boxes, there are probably people who have received something in each box previously. I'm guessing what they do is generate the boxes FIRST and then match your profile to the boxes, first eliminating boxes with items you've received first and then randomizing it to make sure they have equal number of people receiving each box. When you add on a whole new level -- for people who can only get 10 boxes, they will very very soon be out of those boxes and then people will complain about being the ones who always end up getting food and everyone will change their profile to have allergies, etc. I guess the simple thing to do would be eliminate food (and stupid Tili bags please) completely, but it's a better business model for THEM if they don't.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by dd62 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Does anyone yet have a delivery date for Box 1? I wonder why they are being so secretive about that box. Still no picture.

Not yet. I'm still getting this which means my box hasn't left the warehouse yet.

Tracking information for this piece is unavailable at this time. Tracking may take 24-48 hours after your mail piece has shipped. Please check back at a later time for additional information.
If tracking is unavailable after 3 days, please contact your shipper.

 

[MissLindaJean]

Are you a subber or have you cancelled? Edit--I meant to include this post as well: Originally Posted by yanelib27  My thought on the samples being sent out by Birchbox: It seems like their emphasis now is on having people subscribed only to make sales in their shop. Think about it, they send out crap, but people stay subscribed for the points. So they continue to send crap and yet are making tons of sales in their shop. I am assuming that was their plan all along. The shop must be where they make their money (profits), and so they do not care about the sample sizes/quality and satisfaction of their customers. This is just the beginning, it will NOT get better. So we have a decision to make, is spending money to get points worth it? We spend money every month, to get points, to spend even more money with Birchbox. Can you say SUCKERS??

Do you mean me, the original comment maker or both? Myself, I sub.

 

[MissLindaJean]

That, unfortunately, is a lot harder than you make it sound like it is. I don't know what databasing system the company uses, but you'd have to take into account the fact that out of those boxes, there are probably people who have received something in each box previously. I'm guessing what they do is generate the boxes FIRST and then match your profile to the boxes, first eliminating boxes with items you've received first and then randomizing it to make sure they have equal number of people receiving each box. When you add on a whole new level -- for people who can only get 10 boxes, they will very very soon be out of those boxes and then people will complain about being the ones who always end up getting food and everyone will change their profile to have allergies, etc. I guess the simple thing to do would be eliminate food (and stupid Tili bags please) completely, but it's a better business model for THEM if they don't.

Yes, you're right on it being more complex than what I said. It could be an avenue to explore, though.

 

[quene8106]

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


That, unfortunately, is a lot harder than you make it sound like it is. I don't know what databasing system the company uses, but you'd have to take into account the fact that out of those boxes, there are probably people who have received something in each box previously. I'm guessing what they do is generate the boxes FIRST and then match your profile to the boxes, first eliminating boxes with items you've received first and then randomizing it to make sure they have equal number of people receiving each box. When you add on a whole new level -- for people who can only get 10 boxes, they will very very soon be out of those boxes and then people will complain about being the ones who always end up getting food and everyone will change their profile to have allergies, etc. I guess the simple thing to do would be eliminate food (and stupid Tili bags please) completely, but it's a better business model for THEM if they don't.

so much for it being "hand-picked". just like i don't believe that shoedazzle and justfab have real life "stylists" selecting shoes for you each month. it's all computers ladies and gentlemen...

 

[camel11]

Idk, I have a lot of face/eye allergies, and I subscribe to BB knowing that some products I'd be unable to use. If a person is so allergic to perfume that a broken product would send them to the hospital, then I'm not sure it's prudent to subscribe to a "surprise" subscription beauty program. At some point, such a service is not right for everyone...

Not to mention, many people would also be allergic to fragrances in beauty products, so would the exemption apply to products that are scented? I think it gets too complicated.

BB is clear on what kind of service it offers, and we are free to decide whether it is for us or not. They could offer fragrance-free boxes, but then people would likely complain that they weren't as good as the other boxes.

That said, it would be easy to at LEAST get rid of the food. It seems weird to be that peanut-based products are in a beauty box, especially with the rise in nut allergies. It would be easy to have a no-food rule or no-nut rule... (I like the food usually, but I'd understand.)

 

[kawaiisquawks]

Originally Posted by MollyC2153 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Apparently the vitamins are NOT for eating. They are for opening up and putting on the skin. Someone posted on their page that she's scared to try them, and someone else posted that they're going to end up with a lot of people eating some skin care.... 

I'm not getting these vitamins but I could definitely see people thinking they're for eating. It would have been my assumption as well without reading this post or reading the instructions - you do generally eat vitamins, after all! The only reason I know of this second type is because there are a lot of stores in Chinatown that sell different coloured vitamins you break open and rub into your face. They were pretty popular about 10 years ago but I honestly don't trust 99% of stuff imported directly from China because of all the horror stories floating around.

 

[deactivateduser232015]

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


so much for it being "hand-picked". just like i don't believe that shoedazzle and justfab have real life "stylists" selecting shoes for you each month. it's all computers ladies and gentlemen...

Well, I don't know, but I'm guessing. XD; To be fair, they could be hand-picking the samples (i.e. the girls pick the stuff, and figure out the box and what goes into each box) and the using the computer to match you up. That still technically means they're hand-picked boxes.

 

[stellar136]

So i have 2 BB accounts. On one i opted in for the Goop box. On the second i didnt even check the email hoping i'd just get a transformation box. But nope, i checked BB and both boxes are Goop. But at least they are 2 separate boxes. 

 

[javagirl87]

Originally Posted by MollyC2153 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Apparently the vitamins are NOT for eating. They are for opening up and putting on the skin. Someone posted on their page that she's scared to try them, and someone else posted that they're going to end up with a lot of people eating some skin care.... 

WOW. okay, no longer excited for them. thanks for the heads up!

 

[quene8106]

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


Well, I don't know, but I'm guessing. XD; To be fair, they could be hand-picking the samples (i.e. the girls pick the stuff, and figure out the box and what goes into each box) and the using the computer to match you up. That still technically means they're hand-picked boxes.

oh yeah that's true. i still think that the box choosing is majorly based on whether you got an item in the past. (unless it's color club, a twistband or a health bar -_- /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />)

 

[Dena Fletcher]

Originally Posted by yanelib27 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

My thought on the samples being sent out by Birchbox: It seems like their emphasis now is on having people subscribed only to make sales in their shop. Think about it, they send out crap, but people stay subscribed for the points. So they continue to send crap and yet are making tons of sales in their shop. I am assuming that was their plan all along. The shop must be where they make their money (profits), and so they do not care about the sample sizes/quality and satisfaction of their customers. This is just the beginning, it will NOT get better. So we have a decision to make, is spending money to get points worth it? We spend money every month, to get points, to spend even more money with Birchbox. Can you say SUCKERS?? 

.....but its a business..  its how they make $$$$$..  its no different than stores having sales or sending coupons..  they get you in the store with hopes you buy other items... i dont think sending out $10 sample boxes would be enough to make a thriving business.. i personally dont see how we lose out, we spend 10 and get a box worth well over that amount, and then get points to review it.. i have maybe spent $30 of my own money but using points have got over $100 in product.. for me personally, its a win/win... i dont spend the $ to get the points, i spend it for the box, so for me the points are a bonus.. its all how you look at it i suppose....