Quote: Originally Posted by MissJexie /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Quote: Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I guess to me, these subs should be fun. So if you get to the point that you're upset with your box each month, why not just cancel? The great thing about the popularity of subs right now is that there are a TON to choose from...if not FFF, Fancy could be a fun choice for lifestyle boxes, and since there are a lot of different ones and you can choose the categories you want, people might enjoy those more.
I always cancel a sub (at least temporarily) after it has disappointed me for 2-3 months in a row. Sometimes I come crawling back (I've gone back to Birchbox 3 times, haha).
haha same with me!! I signed up with Birchbox very shortly after they launched and cancelled when I started becoming consistently disappointed. Resigned up and cancelled 2 more times, then finally came back again in October. I just love their points system!
As for the bigger, slightly more tense discussion of this month's PopSugar box, I think that everyone just needs to take a deep breath! I personally know what it's like to be on both sides of this, as there is nothing more ridiculous than some of the Ipsy complaints on their facebook. I consistently read things like: "omg I hate lipstick and I hate mascara and stop sending us nail polish and HOW DARE YOU send me hair products when I have a health condition that makes me have to use special shampoo you're terrible Ipsy!" All I can think is, "if you hate 90% of all makeup...WHY are you paying for a makeup subscription???" I think that complaining constantly can wear people down and can also rub off of them and make them less excited for their box/bag/items to arrive.
However, to tell people that they should be "grateful" (which I've see that word thrown around Ipsy's facebook many times) for what we get is ridiculous. This isn't like Influenster. We don't just get free boxes of stuff. We're all paying for these boxes. I understand I'm not going to love everything in a box, but when you feel ripped off, or when you feel like you won't get use out of anything in the box, it compels people to speak up about it. It bothers me when people immediately say, "if you don't like something just give it as a gift or give it to a friend." Of course that is what I will end up doing, but I didn't buy my PopSugar box, or any of these boxes for gifts for my friends. I buy these boxes for myself as a gift every month because other than these boxes, every single penny of my money goes to bills. It's nice to get something for yourself in the mail, even more so when it's a complete surprise, which is the allure of these boxes in general. If you open it and see nothing that you like or will use, of course there's bound to be disappointment.
The main point here is that complaints are what companies are built on. If no one complained and they just cancelled when they were unhappy, then most of these companies would be out of business. Ipsy has implemented a LOT of what their subscribers have requested or complained about, and without the complainers, those things wouldn't exist! I do think however, that if you're getting terrible boxes month after month, it's time to think about finding another box so that your money is better spent.
In summation for those of you who don't feel like reading my wall of text? It's good for the companies when you constructively complain. Get out of the subscription if you're consistently unhappy. Understand that "just gift it" isn't an answer to someone being upset about a box. Sometimes we all don't have many friends or family, or maybe (as I said above) we buy these boxes for ourselves and gifting it all away defeats the purpose. Either way, telling people they can't be bummed about a box or that they can't complain is ridiculous.
Mmhmm, I hate the "be grateful" crap, too. I'm paying for a service, and if it stops meeting my needs, then I will reconsider that service! Yes, I know I can give something to a friend or trade it...but that's not why I like subs! Like you said, this is my one "for me" thing each month...I want it to make me happy!
I agree that feedback is great, and companies will never know what things are generally liked and disliked unless we tell them. But if you're continually dissatisfied, save yourself the monthly irritation and find something that suits you better! There's also a difference between feedback and just being an a-hole. I hate seeing people who are just downright hateful and insulting each other over some makeup products.
I'm lucky in that I am generally pretty easy to please, but I will never understand why people with very specific needs sign up for subs (which are basically random grab bags, lets be real) and then have a fit when that sub doesn't meet their very specific needs. People sometimes seem to forget that a sub is a sampling service, basically, and NOT a personal shopper.
/emoticons/
