Birchbox September 2013

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by jannie135 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I work in retail. More specifically, at Godiva, and I totally respect your view. I don't know how many times people have gotten angry at me about store/company policies, about samples, about coupons, about the rewards cards, etc. Customer Service reps and sales associates are like the pawns you send to the frontline to get slaughtered. They're supposed to be the face of the brand and we're supposed to delight each customer with a unique experience yada yada yada... but there is only so much a person can do. You really have to consider being on the receiving end in these situations. 

In this situation I think the customer rep did what she could do. She states the closest option for the situation and that she would send the feedback to her team. What else could she do or say? 

this seriously. working in retail and the food industry and seeing my fiance do IT for a major cell phone company and how beat up and dejected we would each feel when we came home from our jobs gave me a lot of perspective on the realities of just being that pawn and how the people on the other side feel. i didn't realize how b****y i would treat others before then. working with people like that may not require a lot of "high level" skills, but it definitely requires a lot of patience and the ability to not let things get to you.

eta: i freaking LOVE godiva. i would always go to the charleston stores and the workers there were the epitome of top notch servicing.

 

[quene8106]

they made us watch this video at work about using empathy when dealing with patients/customers/etc. i work in healthcare and it made my eyes water up.  here's the link to it if anyone's interested:

 

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by quene8106 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  they made us watch this video at work about using empathy when dealing with patients/customers/etc. i work in healthcare and it made my eyes water up.  here's the link to it if anyone's interested:


uh oh. do i dare click. i'm a sucker for watching things that make me cry.

 

[jannie135]

Quote: Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
this seriously. working in retail and the food industry and seeing my fiance do IT for a major cell phone company and how beat up and dejected we would each feel when we came home from our jobs gave me a lot of perspective on the realities of just being that pawn and how the people on the other side feel. i didn't realize how b****y i would treat others before then. working with people like that may not require a lot of "high level" skills, but it definitely requires a lot of patience and the ability to not let things get to you.

eta: i freaking LOVE godiva. i would always go to the charleston stores and the workers there were the epitome of top notch servicing.

LoL~ Best expensive chocolate ever! If you're nearby a Godiva soon, I would definitely check out the chocolate case. They taken away some flavors, added new ones, gave the boxes a makeover, and they now have a pumpkin pie shake (if the store sells Godiva Shakes). There are a couple stores, like lucky lucky Tysons, that are now serving Godiva soft serve, which I haven't tried yet but people have told me it's amazing!

Anyhoo, it's also like a double edged sword/knife/sharp utensil? (is that the right phrase?? lol... this is how you know English wasn't my first language. I can't remember these phrases right). I can empathize what a customer service rep and sales associate go through and have the power to do (which is very little), but I get super upset when I'm on the receiving end of terrible service. If I can slap on a smile and peppy energy to sell chocolate, I can expect the same from another in a similar position. 

I hate it though when people think being loud, angry, and rude will get them there way. My current ideal job is to avoid customers like the plague. lol

Oh the horror stories of working in a chocolate store lolllll

 

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by jannie135 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
LoL~ Best expensive chocolate ever! If you're nearby a Godiva soon, I would definitely check out the chocolate case. They taken away some flavors, added new ones, gave the boxes a makeover, and they now have a pumpkin pie shake (if the store sells Godiva Shakes). There are a couple stores, like lucky lucky Tysons, that are now serving Godiva soft serve, which I haven't tried yet but people have told me it's amazing!

Anyhoo, it's also like a double edged sword/knife/sharp utensil? (is that the right phrase?? lol... this is how you know English wasn't my first language. I can't remember these phrases right). I can empathize what a customer service rep and sales associate go through and have the power to do (which is very little), but I get super upset when I'm on the receiving end of terrible service. If I can slap on a smile and peppy energy to sell chocolate, I can expect the same from another in a similar position. 

I hate it though when people think being loud, angry, and rude will get them there way. My current ideal job is to avoid customers like the plague. lol

Oh the horror stories of working in a chocolate store lolllll

I honestly had no idea working in a chocolate store could lead to the loud, angry, rude crap. I mean you're surrounded by CHOCOLATE, keep calm and take a bite!!

Also when I was looking for a Georgia location (and there are quite a few in the atlanta area, i need to get my butt there) on the website I caught a glimpse of the pecan caramel truffle and HOLY COW IT LOOKS AMAZING.

 

[brandyk]

I actually wrote to complain about receiving hair products at all. I have fine hair and never receive a product I like. I think the idea of leave-in conditioner is laughable (seriously, I have short hair and i NEVER get so much as a tangle). I was told to share with a lucky friend. Ummmmmmm... yeah, I expressed my displeasure with that answer (I seriously don't have friends where I live, I just don't and besides, I just don't want the endless parade of hair products!) and suggested an option for "bald". There are many women who are actually bald , either by choice or due to a medical condition, and couldn't use a hair product.But would still like to sample!

I hated the polish color (fox hunt), it chipped off the top of my swatched nail already and is half off the tip, I was miffed about the tiny size of my supergoop sample. And the Jouer lipgloss is sooooo tiny. With SO MUCH wasted product! I guess they have their reasons for not putting it in a pot or packet or whatever but I would have preferred that.

But mostly I'm just unamused at Birchbox's insistence that I need leave-in conditioner. I think I've gotten 5 or 6 of them and have been subscribed since January. It's ridiculous. I tried last month's revlon one and it was gross. My hair was soooo greasy. I mean I have to try them. Because I get them. But they never work. At least I have children to apply my wayward samples on.

 

[LadyK]

Quote: Originally Posted by jannie135 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I work in retail. More specifically, at Godiva, and I totally respect your view. I don't know how many times people have gotten angry at me about store/company policies, about samples, about coupons, about the rewards cards, etc. Customer Service reps and sales associates are like the pawns you send to the frontline to get slaughtered. They're supposed to be the face of the brand and we're supposed to delight each customer with a unique experience yada yada yada... but there is only so much a person can do. You really have to consider being on the receiving end in these situations. 

In this situation I think the customer rep did what she could do. She states the closest option for the situation and that she would send the feedback to her team. What else could she do or say? 

Absolutely!  I worked retail and customer service jobs for over ten years.  The people who deal with complaints and provide front line service have no control over the policies and procedures the company sets out.  The fact that they sent a personalized e-mail is amazing considering the form letters so many companies send out.  I am glad people make their concerns known to BB and I think BB wants to improve if it means having a stronger customer base.  I guess I think people's expectations can be too high when it comes to making a complaint or suggestion.  Most CS employees can only pass on your suggestion.  These are the lowest people on the totem pole.  I don't think they can say anything more without misleading you and I know I would be mad if CS lied to me.  

 

[jannie135]

Quote: Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I honestly had no idea working in a chocolate store could lead to the loud, angry, rude crap. I mean you're surrounded by CHOCOLATE, keep calm and take a bite!!

Also when I was looking for a Georgia location (and there are quite a few in the atlanta area, i need to get my butt there) on the website I caught a glimpse of the pecan caramel and HOLY COW IT LOOKS AMAZING.
I know right? I don't think you can avoid it!! 

Mostly people get upset about the rewards card. It gets you a free piece of chocolate once a month, but there are obvious rules.

Such as:

1. You must be 18 or older. 

2. You must fully register your card to get the full benefits of being a member. 

3. The card holder must be present in order to redeem any rewards.

So I have people trying to sneak around the system and sign up multiple accounts and their babies just so that they can get one free piece of chocolate. And then they get mad at me when I say they can't redeem their spouse's chocolate, or their mom's or their brother's neighbor's sister-in-law's cousin's goat's. That goat needs to be in the store, no exceptions. Which then sparks, "THEY'VE NEVER DONE THIS TO ME AT TYSON'S!" Please go back there. I don't care.

And I really hate pushy people who think they're super cute and try to weasel a discount or extra freebies or something. No thank you. I don't even know you. Why should I get in trouble for you?

I've worked here for wayyyy tooo long. I'm bitter lol

 

[gypsiemagic]

Quote: Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by Playedinloops /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Same. I've already used up 2 of my samples this month, tried one, and was waiting for the weekend to try the remaining too. By giving up trading and trying to get everything I wanted, I enjoy bb much more, and discover great products, instead of hoarding make up samples only.

I have to say, trading is expensive! The only time I ended up trading was one month when Ipsy had Zoya because I already had the shade I received. But when I added up the cost of packaging and mailing for one item it was roughly $5! Half a birchbox right there hahah. I could see doing it for coveted items but otherwise the cost-benefit really isn't worth it (for me).


You can ship anything under 13oz for 1.69 using First Class Parcel Mail ($1.69 not including the cost of packaging, I get my bubble mailers at the dollar tree, 2 for $1) 

you can too if you have a paypal account, you can save the label and print it from anywhere (school printing is like 5 cents a b/w page at my school.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

 

[jesemiaud]

they made us watch this video at work about using empathy when dealing with patients/customers/etc. i work in healthcare and it made my eyes water up.  here's the link to it if anyone's interested:

Sniff...where's the tissue?

 

[queenofperil]

Oh man. I tried one of the cream blush samples today. It basically kind of just oozed out everywhere and was really messy. I get that foils are probably cheaper for companies to produce or that they just have their reasons for using them, but these itty bitty cream blush samples are kind of a disaster. I think a blister pack/little pot/squeezie tube would be a much better way to package these. 

 

[kawaiimeows]

Quote: Originally Posted by gypsiemagic /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
You can ship anything under 13oz for 1.69 using First Class Parcel Mail ($1.69 not including the cost of packaging, I get my bubble mailers at the dollar tree, 2 for $1) 

you can too if you have a paypal account, you can save the label and print it from anywhere (school printing is like 5 cents a b/w page at my school.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

I don't know why I never looked in to paypal shipping before today, somehow I totally missed that memo! But I'm definitely going to be taking advantage of that now.

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

Quote: Originally Posted by jannie135 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
LoL~ Best expensive chocolate ever! If you're nearby a Godiva soon, I would definitely check out the chocolate case. They taken away some flavors, added new ones, gave the boxes a makeover, and they now have a pumpkin pie shake (if the store sells Godiva Shakes). There are a couple stores, like lucky lucky Tysons, that are now serving Godiva soft serve, which I haven't tried yet but people have told me it's amazing!

Anyhoo, it's also like a double edged sword/knife/sharp utensil? (is that the right phrase?? lol... this is how you know English wasn't my first language. I can't remember these phrases right). I can empathize what a customer service rep and sales associate go through and have the power to do (which is very little), but I get super upset when I'm on the receiving end of terrible service. If I can slap on a smile and peppy energy to sell chocolate, I can expect the same from another in a similar position. 

I hate it though when people think being loud, angry, and rude will get them there way. My current ideal job is to avoid customers like the plague. lol

Oh the horror stories of working in a chocolate store lolllll

Quote: Originally Posted by kawaiimeows /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I honestly had no idea working in a chocolate store could lead to the loud, angry, rude crap. I mean you're surrounded by CHOCOLATE, keep calm and take a bite!!

Also when I was looking for a Georgia location (and there are quite a few in the atlanta area, i need to get my butt there) on the website I caught a glimpse of the pecan caramel truffle and HOLY COW IT LOOKS AMAZING.
Birchbox September 2013 - Page 65

First of all OMG. PUMPKIN PIE SHAKE AT GODIVA! Calories and weight loss goals be damned... (if you happen to be near a Kopps, they have the best pumpkin shakes in all the Fall lands).

 I worked at Starbucks for 6 years. (my boyfriend 5, my sister 9. my sister trained my boyfriend!) The worst is when people complain about things and you want to do something about it but simply cant per company policy. Its not like its making me really happy that the prices went up and now you don't have exact change... Or, when you do something that they DO ask for - like their drink steamed to 200 degrees then complain that its burnt (even though you already explained that it will burn well before 200).Or, like signing up for a box of random stuff to be delivered to you each month and then being upset when you don't like the random stuff (cough, bb's fb wall). I do get the short, short hair thing though - thats annoying but this may not be a large segment of bb's customer base and thus, we're running into the problem of not being able to make the profile to match every single person perfectly to the available samples.

BUT that being said, despite my experiences behind the counter and on the other end of the phone, its left me incredibly critical of the customer service I receive (and, of course, Starbucks stores' cleanliness lol). I'm sure that the BB customer service agents know that we are maybe expecting/at least even hoping for points, a new gamble at a replacement box, or even a "sure I'll make sure you never receive X products again" whenever we call in to complain - but they simply can't do that all of the time. However, I think there are tactful ways to at least make the customer feel heard and appreciated. Unfortunately, sometimes the most they can do is give a "canned' response. 

 

[LadyK]

Quote: Originally Posted by usofjessamerica /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Birchbox September 2013 - Page 65

First of all OMG. PUMPKIN PIE SHAKE AT GODIVA! Calories and weight loss goals be damned... (if you happen to be near a Kopps, they have the best pumpkin shakes in all the Fall lands).

 I worked at Starbucks for 6 years. (my boyfriend 5, my sister 9. my sister trained my boyfriend!) The worst is when people complain about things and you want to do something about it but simply cant per company policy. Its not like its making me really happy that the prices went up and now you don't have exact change... Or, when you do something that they DO ask for - like their drink steamed to 200 degrees then complain that its burnt (even though you already explained that it will burn well before 200).Or, like signing up for a box of random stuff to be delivered to you each month and then being upset when you don't like the random stuff (cough, bb's fb wall). I do get the short, short hair thing though - thats annoying but this may not be a large segment of bb's customer base and thus, we're running into the problem of not being able to make the profile to match every single person perfectly to the available samples.

BUT that being said, despite my experiences behind the counter and on the other end of the phone, its left me incredibly critical of the customer service I receive (and, of course, Starbucks stores' cleanliness lol). I'm sure that the BB customer service agents know that we are maybe expecting/at least even hoping for points, a new gamble at a replacement box, or even a "sure I'll make sure you never receive X products again" whenever we call in to complain - but they simply can't do that all of the time. However, I think there are tactful ways to at least make the customer feel heard and appreciated. Unfortunately, sometimes the most they can do is give a "canned' response. 

I was at Starbucks too!  3.5 years of waking up at 3:30 am so I could get yelled at through a drive through speaker.  The best part was customers not knowing that the drive through speaker has a camera.  They would make faces at the speaker and I would comment on how cute their dog/car/hair was.  LOL, those faces were priceless!  Smile, you're on camera.  

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

I worked at a drive through for a couple summers. I've seen a dude motorboat the lady ordering !!! Also, I don't think people know that you can hear everything they're saying?

I was at Starbucks too!  3.5 years of waking up at 3:30 am so I could get yelled at through a drive through speaker.  The best part was customers not knowing that the drive through speaker has a camera.  They would make faces at the speaker and I would comment on how cute their dog/car/hair was.  LOL, those faces were priceless!  Smile, you're on camera.   :icon_chee

 

[alpina0560]

I just had to comment about the ruffian polish. I read a couple pages back about it peeling on someone and someone else was saying it chipped terribly within a few hours.. I've had mine on since Tuesday and I don't have a single chip. It's holding up better than any nailpolish I've ever used. I did use a new basecoat with it (Nailtiques 2 I think it's called) and a Posche quick dry top coat -- and wow it has not budged. I would take a picture but I'm in bed. I just wanted to share!

 

[nikkimouse]

Quote: Originally Posted by alpina0560 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I just had to comment about the ruffian polish. I read a couple pages back about it peeling on someone and someone else was saying it chipped terribly within a few hours.. I've had mine on since Tuesday and I don't have a single chip. It's holding up better than any nailpolish I've ever used. I did use a new basecoat with it (Nailtiques 2 I think it's called) and a Posche quick dry top coat -- and wow it has not budged. I would take a picture but I'm in bed. I just wanted to share!
I've been using nailtiques 2 under my polish and I love it my nails are looking good when i take the polish off and the polish is lasting a long time for me. 

 

[Playedinloops]

Quote: Originally Posted by jannie135 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
LoL~ Best expensive chocolate ever! If you're nearby a Godiva soon, I would definitely check out the chocolate case. They taken away some flavors, added new ones, gave the boxes a makeover, and they now have a pumpkin pie shake (if the store sells Godiva Shakes). There are a couple stores, like lucky lucky Tysons, that are now serving Godiva soft serve, which I haven't tried yet but people have told me it's amazing!

Anyhoo, it's also like a double edged sword/knife/sharp utensil? (is that the right phrase?? lol... this is how you know English wasn't my first language. I can't remember these phrases right). I can empathize what a customer service rep and sales associate go through and have the power to do (which is very little), but I get super upset when I'm on the receiving end of terrible service. If I can slap on a smile and peppy energy to sell chocolate, I can expect the same from another in a similar position. 

I hate it though when people think being loud, angry, and rude will get them there way. My current ideal job is to avoid customers like the plague. lol

Oh the horror stories of working in a chocolate store lolllll

OH GOD THEY HAVE SOFTSERVE AT TYSONS?? I'm going there on my lunch on monday lol. 

 

[quene8106]

Getting box 23 on my second account with a weight of .73. Now this is a decent box and I didn't have to lie about my age or income on this profile for it. Needless to say i cancelled the hair box and let them have it in my feedback. I don't know what birchbox is smoking if try expect me to pay $116 for a moisturizer lol. I'm also getting my first perfume in months and I hope it smells fruity (bcbg) or I won't buy it. I hope that the sea salt doesn't break up in transit /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[kawaiimeows]

this is what i get for making a second account. every. single. item. dupe. beauty protector & ruffian this month, dr jart two months ago, and dr. nipps last year. i'm not crazy about any of these products (except for the nail polish, which i don't need the same color of). the beauty protector makes my hair look gross, but not as bad as the davines, so i've been tolerating it until i finish the samples. so yeah, y'all can find me on the trade forum. lmao.