Birchbox October 2012

[Meshybelle]

Originally Posted by gemstone /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's pretty funny to me because birchbox did exactly what people suggested to them (evening out the boxes as far as value goes).

Exactly!! Be careful of what you wish for!

 

[kawaiimeows]

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

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?

here is one of the first results i found when i typed in "birchbox 2011" to google images, but there are plenty of reviews from 2011 out there. i have felt there is a noticeable difference in sample size.



not my photo (source beautydart.wordpress)

 

[classybroad]

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


here is one of the first results i found when i typed in "birchbox 2011" to google images, but there are plenty of reviews from 2011 out there. i have felt there is a noticeable difference in sample size.



not my photo (source beautydart.wordpress)

that box looks amazing!

 

[VegasLover75]

Just got an email with my birchbox points & checked my account.  They gave me 100 points for October box shipping late.  Woo hoo!! 
 

 

[classybroad]

"Just got an email with my birchbox points & checked my account.  They gave me 100 points for October box shipping late.  Woo hoo!! "

Nice thats $10 bucks to spend.
 

 

[drk51284]

http://blog.birchbox.com/post/33374441283/even-more-free-shipping-on-your-favorite-brands-in-the

More free shipping (though limited), which is nice...

 

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by VegasLover75 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Just got an email with my birchbox points & checked my account.  They gave me 100 points for October box shipping late.  Woo hoo!! 

After reading your comment I checked my acct because my BB has yet to ship and I also received 100 pts for the late shipping. Yay!!!

 

[randerso]

It does suck to buy a year's subscription and then see the quality change dramatically. It's tough to quantify lower quality in an objective way, but if there was language that promised "4-5 deluxe samples" and you are not receiving that, I think you are within your rights to bring that to BB's attention and ask for them to break the sub and issue you a refund for the remaining months. I wonder how that would go over.

Otherwise, if you are month to month, I don't really see the point in writing a vitriolic, outraged email to BB. It's not like it will get you anywhere. If you want to help BB out, write them a short email stating why you are cancelling, e.i., "FYI, I cancelled because of shipping issues/not enough makeup samples/small size of samples/didn't want food products," etc. If you don't want to help BB out, just vote with your dollars and leave.

 

[Loladevil]

I've been a subscriber for 3 months now and not terribly impressed, my crazy solution was to open a second subscription lol! Here's hoping I'll get something worthwhile!

 

[missionista]

Just got an email with my birchbox points & checked my account.  They gave me 100 points for October box shipping late.  Woo hoo!!

Thanks for posting.  I just checked my points and they gave me the same thing!  Woo hoo, this totally makes up for a blah Tili bag!

 

[yanelib27]

Originally Posted by drk51284 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

http://blog.birchbox.com/post/33374441283/even-more-free-shipping-on-your-favorite-brands-in-the

More free shipping (though limited), which is nice...

and it just so happens I have a product in my bag that is of a brand I am sampling this month, so this is perfect. Thanks for posting!

 

[ashleyanner]

100 points also.  Wonder why their shipping has been horrendous lately?  The same thing happened with the boyfriend's BBM.  I'm wondering if it'll show up on my second account...haven't gotten a shipping email on it yet and the tracking number barely came back yesterday.

 

[KatiebuglovesBB]

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


here is one of the first results i found when i typed in "birchbox 2011" to google images, but there are plenty of reviews from 2011 out there. i have felt there is a noticeable difference in sample size.



not my photo (source beautydart.wordpress)

Ok this depresses me. I want that box this month.

I REALLY think that since Birchbox decided to remove the "4-5 deluxe samples" description from their page, it would only be fair that they remove those BEAUTIFULLY misleading box examples from the front pages as well:

WHEN was the last time boxes looked like this? Every sample is a great size. Not a foil packet in sight.

*sigh*

 

[amidea]

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

Some posted a picture of it. though I couldn't begin to tell you where it's buried in the thread.  It looked like it was the size of the elf blushes though not with as large of a pan but the overall size of the sample 

  (which is like palm size)

unfortunately if i remember correctly the mary lou manizer is quite a bit smaller than this.  the box is smaller and then the pan is only a portion of the box.

 

[katie danielle]

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


Ok this depresses me. I want that box this month.

I REALLY think that since Birchbox decided to remove the "4-5 deluxe samples" description from their page, it would only be fair that they remove those BEAUTIFULLY misleading box examples from the front pages as well:

WHEN was the last time boxes looked like this? Every sample is a great size. Not a foil packet in sight.

*sigh*

LOL Reminds me of how at fast food restaurants the pictures of the cheeseburgers are so big and juicy and all of the toppings are placed perfectly on the bun, then you what you get is a flat greasy pancake burger with one pickle and a wimpy piece of lettuce.

 

[effigie]

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

unfortunately if i remember correctly the mary lou manizer is quite a bit smaller than this.  the box is smaller and then the pan is only a portion of the box.

It is a bit smaller. Here's a picture comparing it to the full size (not my image, courtesy of a quick GIS):

 

[Musegirl]

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


Ok this depresses me. I want that box this month.

I REALLY think that since Birchbox decided to remove the "4-5 deluxe samples" description from their page, it would only be fair that they remove those BEAUTIFULLY misleading box examples from the front pages as well:

WHEN was the last time boxes looked like this? Every sample is a great size. Not a foil packet in sight.

*sigh*

Ugg, yes! This is what I signed up for!  That is some serious false advertising.

 

[alphaloria]

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

LOL Reminds me of how at fast food restaurants the pictures of the cheeseburgers are so big and juicy and all of the toppings are placed perfectly on the bun, then you what you get is a flat greasy pancake burger with one pickle and a wimpy piece of lettuce.

Yeah, I figured those box pictures were like that, lol. If BB used to really be that good, then I guess I joined at the right time to not know any better!

I wonder if maybe companies stopped being so generous because they weren't seeing many sales from the samples? Or maybe there are so many subscribers and so many different boxes now that it's just more cost effective for a company to give a smaller sample in greater numbers.

 

[emmakey9]

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

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

YES! I have hated more than a couple boxes but the items I have loved coupled with the feedback credit is why I stick with it.

 

[keelyknowsbest]

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

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

Let's do it! I have a degree in computer networking and LOTS of free time! It appears BB gets samples from companies for free, so why can't we? I also know someone who works at Philosophy, so we have an IN! LOL