Birchbox October 2012

[Rach212]

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


Well the Essie polishes are fullsize samples... even if they're only half size, that's a decent number of manicures still. I feel like in some ways, people complaining on the forum makes it worse. I mean, I was genuinely not enthused about the welcome bag (scraps and leftovers for a welcome? yeah, I sure feel welcome), but there was a lot of complaining about bag 1 being the punishment bag until the last item was added, and then suddenly it became one of the more desirable bags. Some bags are genuinely bad and some are genuinely enviable, but I feel like maybe we all took a deep breath and stopped complaining and remember we can TRADE things we don't like, everyone would be a lot happier in general.

Maybe I shouldn't be sad about not getting a "welcome" bag ...

 

[jannie135]

I'm a box 3 girl too...

My tracking finally updated today... yay... and it says it's still in NY as of yesterday and the projected date is for the 19th...

Ugh.

 

[Melsy17]

Nice to see I'm not the only anxious box 3er. Apparently mine is in Logan twp, nj and I'll have it by the 18th. I usually get it about a day early bc I'm in Jersey.

 

[heatwebb000]

I started with BB in Aug and got what I consider a really good box loved it so in Sept i got another sub.  Then this month I obted in for the goop box for one of my accounts and not for the other.  The first one came in and honestly I feel like I only got three items.  One food is not beauty and I already own the Orofluido the miracle kin transformer is in freaking foil packets so really thats not counting it as an item as you can get it for free.  Then I got the lip gloss its to little to actually use and the DDF so really I feel like I got maybe two items it is sad.  So I write BB about how unhappy I am. So I reply

"Hi Heather,

Thank you for reaching out and I'm sorry to hear you were unhappy with the contents of your box this month.

While we always want everyone's Birchbox to be equal, it is hard for our subscribers to always perceive them as equal when everyone receives different items. We want to cater to everyone's Beauty Profile, while taking into consideration their preferences and sample history with us. This can cause quite a bit of differences in one Birchbox to another comparatively every month.

An item that you may have coveted from someone else's box may very well be yours next month (and vice versa). We hope you understand that we try to make this as fair, and as equal as possible every single month.

Please note that the product food item you received was your monthly extra! It fit perfectly with our GOOP theme this month and we thought it would be a nice addition to your beauty samples. Extras are in addition to the 4-5 samples you are promised each month and are by no means meant to replace them!

You also definitely should have gotten a 3 month 20% off code! If you would like to take advantage of this code on an order please give us a all at 877-487-7272 and we will place the order over the phone with the discount.

The only customers that receive welcome boxes are ones that were given a subscription as a gift, not our re-billable subscribers.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

xo

Anastasia
Birchbox Operations Associate"

So I reply I got a auto response 

Thank you for your reply. The photos on your site show deluxe samples in those boxes and what we get in no way equals those photos. I feel like I was mislead about the quality and size of the samples. Nowhere are pictures of foil packets that are free at sephora shown or free perfume samples. These are not deluxe samples. Food and plastic bags are not beauty samples. 

At this point unless something can done I will be canceling my sub. When I went to do so online it said to give u a chance to make it right including reshipping which is why I requested box 25. Please let me know what BB is willing to do for another chance.

I got a auto response and we will see where this goes honestly I think they are putting food and candles in the boxes to take up space.

 

[heatwebb000]

http://blog.birchbox.com/post/33572160969/skincare-expert-joanna-vargas-tips-for-finicky-fall

According to this we are sopose to get deluxe size samples when did foil become deluxe?

 

[heatwebb000]

Does anyone else feel like they are lying to us?

 

[Dena Fletcher]

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

LOVE this product, hope you find somebody willing to part with theirs. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I have almost used all mine up

i want to try it! i am on the wait list w/bb.. you made those twistbands?  with what? i LOVE them!

 

[soccerkidtlk]

Tomorrow it will be 1 week since i received my shipping email and it still has not updated. I just emailed birchbox telling them that this is unacceptable and I want it resolved.

 

[MissLindaJean]

I started with BB in Aug and got what I consider a really good box loved it so in Sept i got another sub.  Then this month I obted in for the goop box for one of my accounts and not for the other.  The first one came in and honestly I feel like I only got three items.  One food is not beauty and I already own the Orofluido the miracle kin transformer is in freaking foil packets so really thats not counting it as an item as you can get it for free.  Then I got the lip gloss its to little to actually use and the DDF so really I feel like I got maybe two items it is sad.  So I write BB about how unhappy I am. So I reply "Hi Heather, Thank you for reaching out and I'm sorry to hear you were unhappy with the contents of your box this month.

While we always want everyone's Birchbox to be equal, it is hard for our subscribers to always perceive them as equal when everyone receives different items. We want to cater to everyone's Beauty Profile, while taking into consideration their preferences and sample history with us. This can cause quite a bit of differences in one Birchbox to another comparatively every month.

An item that you may have coveted from someone else's box may very well be yours next month (and vice versa). We hope you understand that we try to make this as fair, and as equal as possible every single month.

Please note that the product food item you received was your monthly extra! It fit perfectly with our GOOP theme this month and we thought it would be a nice addition to your beauty samples. Extras are in addition to the 4-5 samples you are promised each month and are by no means meant to replace them!

You also definitely should have gotten a 3 month 20% off code! If you would like to take advantage of this code on an order please give us a all at 877-487-7272 and we will place the order over the phone with the discount.

The only customers that receive welcome boxes are ones that were given a subscription as a gift, not our re-billable subscribers.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

xo

Anastasia Birchbox Operations Associate"

So I reply I got a auto response 

Thank you for your reply. The photos on your site show deluxe samples in those boxes and what we get in no way equals those photos. I feel like I was mislead about the quality and size of the samples. Nowhere are pictures of foil packets that are free at sephora shown or free perfume samples. These are not deluxe samples. Food and plastic bags are not beauty samples. 

At this point unless something can done I will be canceling my sub. When I went to do so online it said to give u a chance to make it right including reshipping which is why I requested box 25. Please let me know what BB is willing to do for another chance. I got a auto response and we will see where this goes honestly I think they are putting food and candles in the boxes to take up space.  

 

I truly understand dissatisfaction, but don't see why you're entitled to a new box. Unless, it's damaged. These are gambles, with yours and mine and everyone else's money. If you don't feel they're meeting your expectations, cut loose and try another sub. Repeating myself, but any sub company, minus beauty fix and beauty army that allow you to choose samples, is a crapshoot and you risk every month. People, if it's not working and you feel they're never going to do enough to satisfy you, treat it like any relationship that's gone sour and walk away.

 

[Snow24]

My page updated and show box 24, but I still haven't received my shipping notice. This happens every month to me. My card is always up to date and they charge it on the 1st or 2nd.

Is it just me or do others West Coast have delayed shipping problems?

 

[Missglammygirl]

Originally Posted by Snow24 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

My page updated and show box 24, but I still haven't received my shipping notice. This happens every month to me. My card is always up to date and they charge it on the 1st or 2nd.

Is it just me or do others West Coast have delayed shipping problems?

totally agree!

 

[MissLindaJean]

My page updated and show box 24, but I still haven't received my shipping notice. This happens every month to me. My card is always up to date and they charge it on the 1st or 2nd. Is it just me or do others West Coast have delayed shipping problems?

I usually get a box in the first wave, but I've been getting them later from BB. My Sample Society is always super slow, and when I did Glossybox, it was just a nightmare! Best part of Julep is I'm in the same state and so my box is in my hands within 48 hours usually. Lol.

 

[heatwebb000]

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

I truly understand dissatisfaction, but don't see why you're entitled to a new box. Unless, it's damaged. These are gambles, with yours and mine and everyone else's money. If you don't feel they're meeting your expectations, cut loose and try another sub. Repeating myself, but any sub company, minus beauty fix and beauty army that allow you to choose samples, is a crapshoot and you risk every month. People, if it's not working and you feel they're never going to do enough to satisfy you, treat it like any relationship that's gone sour and walk away.

When I went to cancel it sent me a message asking me what I wanted to stay including a reship of boxes so I was only answering the question they asked.

 

[Rach212]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Love /img/forum/go_quote.gif


Box 30 here.  I'd trade my whole box of stuff for a Starbucks coffee coupon.  LOL

This is my first month with BB and I received Box 30 yesterday ... kinda underwhelming.  

I actually like the perfume, and I'll try the protein bar, but the other 3 ... meh

 

[MyriadVoices]

I understand being frustrated by one-time-use things and foil packets (although I don't personally find that to be as emotionally-charged as many seem to). What I don't understand is when people are basing their complaints on how they got it free somewhere else (Sephora, Ulta, product website, etc.). The product may have been free to you, but it still costs the company money to put out. The packaging is probably as expensive (if not more so) than the product inside. Just because it's free one place doesn't mean it doesn't have value. I still think $10/month is a very fair price for these boxes considering packaging, shipping, man hours of assembling boxes, man hours of contacting companies to provide samples, marketing, social media, those videos they post, all the time it takes to answer millions of emails every day, plus the products inside. I run a small business and can vouch for how many hours a day I spend simply responding to emails or updating our website/blog/facebook. Granted, we only have two employees, including myself, but we also only really do business with about 50 clients/year. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be disappointed when they don't get stuff they are excited about, but maybe changing the perspective will help some to be less disappointed.

Then again, I'm well aware that sometimes people just feel like complaining. My partner in a previous job complained about something every day, and I always tried to fix it. We both always ended up frustrated, until one day she interrupted my latest attempt to solve her problems with -- "I just want to b*tch."  The idea had never occurred to me haha! Our relationship was much improved afterward. I didn't have to worry about how to fix her problems anymore, and she didn't have to deal with my suggestions when she just wanted to vent. So.. if you're like my former partner, feel free to ignore my well-meaning suggestions on changing your perspective. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[heatwebb000]

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

I truly understand dissatisfaction, but don't see why you're entitled to a new box. Unless, it's damaged. These are gambles, with yours and mine and everyone else's money. If you don't feel they're meeting your expectations, cut loose and try another sub. Repeating myself, but any sub company, minus beauty fix and beauty army that allow you to choose samples, is a crapshoot and you risk every month. People, if it's not working and you feel they're never going to do enough to satisfy you, treat it like any relationship that's gone sour and walk away.

For one thing they promote deluxe size beauty samples and nothing I got this month is deluxe.  If they said I would be getting 4-5 foil packets, food and candles I could understand but that isn't what is being promoted it boils down to being upset about what is being sent and what we were told was going to be sent not being the same thing.  

 

[heatwebb000]

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

I understand being frustrated by one-time-use things and foil packets (although I don't personally find that to be as emotionally-charged as many seem to). What I don't understand is when people are basing their complaints on how they got it free somewhere else (Sephora, Ulta, product website, etc.). The product may have been free to you, but it still costs the company money to put out. The packaging is probably as expensive (if not more so) than the product inside. Just because it's free one place doesn't mean it doesn't have value. I still think $10/month is a very fair price for these boxes considering packaging, shipping, man hours of assembling boxes, man hours of contacting companies to provide samples, marketing, social media, those videos they post, all the time it takes to answer millions of emails every day, plus the products inside. I run a small business and can vouch for how many hours a day I spend simply responding to emails or updating our website/blog/facebook. Granted, we only have two employees, including myself, but we also only really do business with about 50 clients/year. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be disappointed when they don't get stuff they are excited about, but maybe changing the perspective will help some to be less disappointed.

Then again, I'm well aware that sometimes people just feel like complaining. My partner in a previous job complained about something every day, and I always tried to fix it. We both always ended up frustrated, until one day she interrupted my latest attempt to solve her problems with -- "I just want to b*tch."  The idea had never occurred to me haha! Our relationship was much improved afterward. I didn't have to worry about how to fix her problems anymore, and she didn't have to deal with my suggestions when she just wanted to vent. So.. if you're like my former partner, feel free to ignore my well-meaning suggestions on changing your perspective. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

I also run several small companies I think what people are saying is that BB is steadliy declining and promoting something they are not giving there customers.  I know if I get a compliant I try to correct the issue.  With BB we don't feel like they are trying to correct anything but more trying to justify the decline by saying "well you only pay $10 a month"  well we got this sub bc we were told we were getting 4-5 deluxe size samples and that's not what we are getting.  Instead of taking steps to correct this we are getting worse service, foil packet and bad customer service.  So while I somewhat agree about people complaining I also think they could take this change to correct the problems that seem to be getting worse.  In business if your service is bad and your actions are different than what you  state upon getting there business  you will lose those customers.  You have to listen to your customers concerns not make excuses.

 

[MyriadVoices]

Originally Posted by heatwebb000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

For one thing they promote deluxe size beauty samples and nothing I got this month is deluxe.  If they said I would be getting 4-5 foil packets, food and candles I could understand but that isn't what is being promoted it boils down to being upset about what is being sent and what we were told was going to be sent not being the same thing.  

All the food items is what prompted me to end my Eco-Emi sub. I LOVED the other products, and they always included so many items!! but I felt like I was wasting all the health/energy/nutrition items, since I never used them. It was almost like half beauty items and half food items. I think it's fun to get the food items as a lifestyle extra with Birchbox, but I agree with someone else who said earlier they would appreciate more variety in the lifestyle items. Even if it's limited to a food item, we could have...

gum

coffee

drink mix

bagged snacks (like cookies, chips, etc)

I do agree they shouldn't replace the regular 4-5 items, but I wouldn't be disappointed to get a food item as an extra. I loved the tea, loved the idea of the mints, and I was surprised to find I enjoyed the Luna bar. I wouldn't want to receive another Luna bar, but it was surprisingly fun to get it and discover that I liked it. Those of us who are stalking the MuT threads are probably bored by items that keep reappearing in boxes, even when we don't receive the repeated items ourselves. I am guilty of not being as excited about my box when I see stuff that's been in boxes for months, unless it's something I previously coveted. Maybe a little more variety would appease that boredom?

 

[MyriadVoices]

Originally Posted by heatwebb000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

You have to listen to your customers concerns not make excuses.

I agree, the inconsistency is annoying at best. I understand form letters might be necessary, but the completely all over the board responses would rub most anyone the wrong way.

 

[tulippop]

well I found pictures of box #3 on someone's site and the sample sizes are really disappointing. 

naked princess lipgloss..... 2 of these paper/foil samples



embryolisse



the hair powder....



There's also a luna bar and 1 face mask
My mom was really looking forward to this box but the samples are tiny!  I may switch boxes with her if mine is any better (since I'm getting 2 of the same one). 

I like the variety of samples (which hasn't really been true lately with BB reusing the same brands/items over and over again like tili, luna, jouer) and I love the point/rewards system but these sample sizes are kind of ridiculous.  It's not as bad as the flower/lipgloss I've been seeing but it's enough of a reason to cancel if this is going to be their M.O. 

Getting fullsized items is great but not expected.  I don't expect any particular item or brand but what I do expect are samples that are big enough to actually try and use a few times to get a feel for the product.  A lot of the sizes I've been seeing for this month are not it.  Nothing here feels deluxe.  Sorry for the rant but BB just didn't make it work this month for us.

Images from http://www.hellocotton.com/to/eWPc#http://someblissfulchaos.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-birchbox.html - Not my blog