Birchbox

Why would you pay for samples?

I feel like there is a lot of misinformation out there about what the average Birchbox actually looks like. The most appealing photos you will find online were generally posted 3-4 years ago or, suspiciously, by paid bloggers. These days, the average Birchbox seems to be riding on brand recognition and making people pay for what would otherwise be free single use samples from department stores.

Not only that, but they don't actually use your preferences when they send you your selections. Not everything is for everyone and I expected a bit of hit and miss, but it's pretty ridiculous how off the products are. Expect to receive products that are targeted towards 12 year olds if you are in your 40's, and anti-aging creams for grannies if you are in your teens.

Lastly, most of the products are no-name crap. You'll generally get one name brand item and then a bunch of weird low quality filler.

What a disappointment. I would not recommend.

I would give them 4 stars if they hadn't discontinued the "points for reviews" part of their rewards program. There products are so overpriced that you need those reward points to make it worth buying products on there.

Yes, it's fun to get a box of samples in the mail every month, but I usually only like half the products so it's like paying $10 a month for 2 or 3 small sample products that I'll actually use. I have found some great products through them and I'm still a current customer but I may cancel soon if I don't start getting more samples that I really like.

Seriously, I filled out the profile. Short, baby fine hair, serious allergy to coconut oil, don't like dark lipsticks, very pale complexion, etc. What do I get in the first box? A dark brown lipstick (ewww) and stuff for my super curly thick hair, loaded with shea and coconut oil! I cancelled immediately. I'll find someone to give the stuff to. They're all little samples you'd get at a department store, only lower quality. Don't waste your time here.

I'm surprised to see the overall rating is less than 3 stars. I love this service and have gifted it several times. I cancelled it after a while just because I had purchased full size items of several of the samples I liked in my birchboxes. I still go to the site to re-purchase and for their videos. Some give tips on how to do your hair or the best eye creams, etc. I also love their point system. I actually got some things for free from using my points. I will probably jump on board again and will always keep in mind for gifts - for girls or guys.

I received a six-month subscription for Birchbox as a Christmas gift in 2014. It is now mid-April 2015 and I have only received 3 boxes although according to Birchbox's system they sent me five boxes. From January through April I have had to follow up with Birchbox to have my samples delivered. Each month I have to send an email to customer service since they don't have a phone number. Then I have to wait two days for a reply which is usually a question. After I answer the question I have to wait two more days for a reply, etc. I feel I am spending too much time and energy for a $10 box of samples. It is easier to go to a department store and ask for high quality samples. Birchbox is a great idea and I really wish their service worked better but at this point they don't have it together. Maybe more reviews like this one will encourage them to work on their service.

You fill out a profile and are supposed to get items based on that. I have straight hair and three of five items were for curly hair. The others were a small mask and a lipstain that faded in 30 minutes. Good concept; poor execution. I cancelled after first box. I will note the invoice in my box had someone else's name and address so they could have mixed up boxes but this also bothers me as now someone else has my information.

I have been a subscriber going on the third renewable yearly subscription, even purchased a gifted year for my daughter. Wish I had not! In July they changed their best redeeming feature and the reason I stayed with them so long after getting mediocre, duplicated products. They discontinued their rewards program, which made it worthwhile to remain a subscriber.

I contacted them to discontinue service and get a refund on any boxes NOT yet received... Yet another terrible policy was learned... They do not refund EVEN for boxes not shipped yet!

Bad policies, Bad products, Bad customer service. Don't get taken by Birchbox. As for me, I guess I will get 11 more monthly boxes, all the while hating the products and service.

Let me start by saying, I just came up on my one year anniversary with Birchbox and I am still in love with it! I was very surprised to read the negative reviews on here. The majority of them are people complaining about size or receiving products they would never buy. Birchbox is so amazing because of the fact that you are introduced to all of these great products that you would not necessarily buy for yourself! The beauty profile ensures that you receive the correct shade/formula for your skin or hair but beyond that, the point is to sample new products not receiving more of the ones you already know and love. I can't tell you how many times I thought I would absolutely hate something only to be amazed by how much I enjoyed it! If that didn't convince you then the points system will. Every month you review your box, you get $5 back to spend in the bb store and it adds up quickly! Use the link to start discovering new goodies for yourself!
https://www.birchbox.com/invite/jj3dz

They lost the first box in the mail. Second box was full of useless samples I can't even give away... Sephora gives away free samples bigger than what Birchbox sent. Totally rip-off, I want my money back!

Ive been with them almost two years... all i get are small samples, like foil packages (one makeup whipe)counts as sample. Then i get 3 hair care products i ask to not get, and they dont care. It keeps getting worse and worse. Look at their facebook reviews, everyone saying the same thing about getting small samples they dont want, cant use etc... i emailed them to complain, if it dont help, i will cancel next month. They want to sell you stuff through their online store, which is fine, but they need to give us samples we want, will use so we can see if we like them or not to purchase the full products. Birchbox just dont care

To appreciate birchbox, you have to look into their rewards system. For every 100 points you receive $10 off a purchase. Points are acquired through rating products in your box, usually 10 points per product. This could potentially be 70 points! Or $7 towards a future purchase! Products are all high quality, although small at times, some are full size. If you want to try birchbox, feel free to click on this link :) https://www.birchbox.com/invite/h2fvz