Birchbox October 2012

[katie danielle]

Originally Posted by emmakey9 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Wars, hunger, religious genocide, TINY LIP GLOSS SAMPLES! Chaos!

Talk about first-world problems. I definitely don't make a lot of money and still I think when I read these posts, "It's 10 freakin' dollars." We all love getting fab samples, but with BB, it's a crapshoot, and we know that going in. Don't like the odds? Unsubscribe.

Furthermore, I work in customer service and I know what being put on blast feels like. Not that some of you don't have valid complaints, but just remember these are folks like you and me trying to handle of hundreds of angry women. There is a difference between constructive criticism and being a brat.

Listen, I enjoy ranting (as you can see) just as much as the next person. I find some of your stories hilarious! But this just isn't a big deal in the scheme of things. 

Cheers!

 

[starfighter82]

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

I think their photographer quit. They are hiring a photographer if you look on their careers page.

From the way they keep making more boxes each month it is a lot work they keep piling on. My husband used to run a children's boutiques website and I would end up having to help with the photoshop so I know how it feels to just have more and more pictures being asked of you within the same amount of time. He at least had me to help when things got crazy.

I didn't know this. I hope that means in the future we will get pictures of our boxes again! I won't complain if we do not because I understand how time consuming it must be to photograph all those boxes. My bil is a photographer and he used to do freelance for multiple companies. I remember going to visit my sister on the weekends and their living room  being a complete mess of products from the companies, and all this photography stuff. He would have to work through the night, and the weekend to get everything done. Thankfully now he works for a large company and it seems is schedule is a lot more 9-5 than before. 

 

[classybroad]

Does anyone know the size and $$ value of the vitamins? I will happily trade or pay someone in paypal for them.

 

[Ineri218]

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

BOOOOHOOO I just got my shipping updated and it's not getting here until the 16th! Poop!

Damn you...I wish they had a location here on the West Coast, I mean they are in France now, how hard is it to open up a shop here in San Diego 

 /sarcasm

That mens my review vid will be bottom of the barrel and I will die alone and crying. 

It would not make any difference, I am in NY and still no box.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by emmakey9 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Don't like the odds? Unsubscribe.

It's not that simple for those who have pre-paid three months, six months or a year in advance. I have seven months left on my own subscription otherwise I would unsubscribe from Birchbox for now.

 

[JessP]

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

BOOOOHOOO I just got my shipping updated and it's not getting here until the 16th! Poop!

Damn you...I wish they had a location here on the West Coast, I mean they are in France now, how hard is it to open up a shop here in San Diego 

 /sarcasm

That mens my review vid will be bottom of the barrel and I will die alone and crying. 

Totally agree with this! Let's just open one ourselves - there are enough San Diegans on here! 

 

[emilyyygloria]

I hope my box comes today. My ipsy and bb both arrived at MI facility in my state on the same day and my ipsy bag is already out for delivery. When I try to check tracking for my bb, it still shows at the facility. Its so weird. 

 

[gemstone]

It's pretty funny to me because birchbox did exactly what people suggested to them (evening out the boxes as far as value goes).

 

[gemstone]

It's not that simple for those who have pre-paid three months, six months or a year in advance. I have seven months left on my own subscription otherwise I would unsubscribe from Birchbox for now.

Birchbox will let you cash out your remaing boxes as points. While its not ideal it also isn't that different than a company giving you a gift card when you make a return.

 

[kawaiimeows]

Originally Posted by emmakey9 /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Wars, hunger, religious genocide, TINY LIP GLOSS SAMPLES! Chaos!

Talk about first-world problems. I definitely don't make a lot of money and still I think when I read these posts, "It's 10 freakin' dollars." We all love getting fab samples, but with BB, it's a crapshoot, and we know that going in. Don't like the odds? Unsubscribe.

Furthermore, I work in customer service and I know what being put on blast feels like. Not that some of you don't have valid complaints, but just remember these are folks like you and me trying to handle of hundreds of angry women. There is a difference between constructive criticism and being a brat.

Listen, I enjoy ranting (as you can see) just as much as the next person. I find some of your stories hilarious! But this just isn't a big deal in the scheme of things. 

i'm sorry but i just really don't find this a compelling argument for birchbox.

birchbox originally promised 4-5 deluxe samples, that's what people signed up to pay $10 a month for. yeah there are worse things happening in the world, but people ARE capable of having a cause for more than one thing, so it really doesn't matter. and they're here complaining on MUT and to birchbox customer service because that's what they're there for, not to solve world hunger.

the quality of birchbox samples over the last year or so HAS fallen over time, you can google pictures of past boxes and see that clearly. so just saying "oh it's only ten dollars" is basically telling birchbox it's ok to slack off on what they originally promised customers.

we hold new, start up at home companies accountable for what they send out, birchbox shouldn't get a free pass because "sometimes you get lucky and get something good"

 

[deactivateduser232015]

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

Birchbox will let you cash out your remaing boxes as points. While its not ideal it also isn't that different than a company giving you a gift card when you make a return.

This is true, but it's still much more worth your while to get both items AND points out of it. :

 

[mjkdior713]

My BB moved quick!  I forget if it was Monday or Tuesday that I got my shipping email, but it's already in my city and that hasn't happened in MONTHS!  It showed a brief stay at MI and then within a day it was sent/or picked up and brought to my Post office.  Here's hoping it's even further along than usps is showing and I get it today and not tomorrow (which is now the expected delivery date according to usps--on original through MI it was scheduled to be here next Monday). /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

I hope my other sub from ipsy gets here quickly, too.  Last month, the post office screwed up and it had to be rerouted which made it come later than it should've (but still by expectant date)

 

[classybroad]

This is how I feel about the situation- please don't take it the wrong way I am new and don't want to disrespect the readers.

Birchbox is $10 with free shipping. You are going to get 5 to 8 products a month. Some will be pathetic (pill sized lip gloss, sunscreen in Oct, candle, allergic foods), some will be nice, some will be excitable. But every product is worth $1 of credit when you review. So you get back approx $5 to $8 credit on that $10 box you paid for. And you can use that on anything you like. So you are at most paying $5 including shipping on a box which might be crappy. That's not a terrible return. My Love with Food box gives you like 10 cents for a review, same number of goodies.

My only gripe just like most of you is to take out the food. My mother is allergic to soy, egg, and gluten and some fruits and tomatoes and it's a shame that at least one item every month she can't use on her sub.

and lastly....

looking to score a vitamin sample so if anyone wants a trade or will tell me the size and price for sale let me know. Thanks

 

[emily9763]

Originally Posted by katie danielle /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I think you were a little harsh, to be honest, threatening to ruin their reputation to everyone you meet based on one silly lip gloss sample. But I guess everyone has to pick their own battles. I'm one of the people they referenced who tried the sample and loved it. I hope you find peace with this extreme injustice that has been brought upon you.

I love this! btw... also love your gem koozie on your blog

 

[MarieS]

the quality of birchbox samples over the last year or so HAS fallen over time, you can google pictures of past boxes and see that clearly. so just saying "oh it's only ten dollars" is basically telling birchbox it's ok to slack off on what they originally promised customers.

This is my second BB so I don't have the insight of what they used to look like.  But I would not have subbed initially if I wasn't reading good reviews.  And I was  reading good reviews BUT I think they were reviews when the samples were larger and there were more items.  I admit to being not real excited about getting a baggie as a item.  I joined to get cost effective samples of new products.  I love trying new things.  I have to replace items that have been discontinued.  I like disposables. (I travel every week)  I want new lipstick/nail polish every month.  This box is ideal for me.  I could pay the cleaning person for the money I spent looking for a gentle but effective cleanser to replace AA Foaming Cleanser.

So in my first box I found three items that I have been specifically looking for.  I mentally gave BB 3 months.  And that is how I'll rate my box.  This month there is a possibility once I try the two face potions.  Both would be a good primer and that is something I need.  Meantime I got the little lipstick and unlike most folks - I don't want a full size.  I like to switch up my lipstick so this teeny one is fine.  Plus - I did read the actual product in mascara and lipgloss once and it's getting smaller every year.  In 2015 we will probably call the samples 'full size'.  So this month we have a possible 3+1 month of BB.

But I like that people with more history with BB are out there holding them to the original promise.  If I am still getting BB in a year and it is less than it is now ... I'll be on FB in full snark mode.

 

[karenX]

Originally Posted by katie danielle /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I think you were a little harsh, to be honest, threatening to ruin their reputation to everyone you meet based on one silly lip gloss sample. But I guess everyone has to pick their own battles. I'm one of the people they referenced who tried the sample and loved it. I hope you find peace with this extreme injustice that has been brought upon you.

 LOL. 

This.

This.

SO much this.

 

[kawaiimeows]

also i don't really understand the holier than thou attitudes of those who really liked their birchboxes, especially when i really haven't seen anyone personally attack those who are content.

 

[Musegirl]

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

i'm sorry but i just really don't find this a compelling argument for birchbox.

birchbox originally promised 4-5 deluxe samples, that's what people signed up to pay $10 a month for. yeah there are worse things happening in the world, but people ARE capable of having a cause for more than one thing, so it really doesn't matter. and they're here complaining on MUT and to birchbox customer service because that's what they're there for, not to solve world hunger.

the quality of birchbox samples over the last year or so HAS fallen over time, you can google pictures of past boxes and see that clearly. so just saying "oh it's only ten dollars" is basically telling birchbox it's ok to slack off on what they originally promised customers.

we hold new, start up at home companies accountable for what they send out, birchbox shouldn't get a free pass because "sometimes you get lucky and get something good"

I completely agree.  I am actually pretty happy with birchbox (I am lucky and get a lot of full sized stuff), but they are definitely not giving us 4-5 deluxe samples a month, as they were when I got a year long contract.  If they are not providing what they said they would and what we paid for, then we should complain, because that is the only way they are going to know we are unhappy and make a change.  

 

[katie danielle]

Originally Posted by emily9763 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I love this! btw... also love your gem koozie on your blog

Thank you! I like to incorporate rhinestones on anything and everything that my glue gun will adhere to.

 

[alphaloria]

I keep hearing talking about the quality of boxes from a year ago. I started my subscription last October, and I compared my first box to my least favorite box in June.

October '11:

Amika Obliphica hair treatment

Laura Gellar bronze tinted primer

Clark's Botanical mask

Teeny tiny Anastasia lip gloss

Foil packet of wool & cashmere detergent

June '12:

Beautyblender Cleanser

Number 4 Prep & Protect

The Balm Staniac

The tanning wipes

A Tili bag
I don't see much of a difference. Not hating on the (reasonable) criticism, and I would definitely agree that 1-2 use samples are usually pretty worthless, but I haven't felt that there has been a decline in quality in the past year. Am I missing something? Was it mind-blowing prior to Oct 11?