• Birchbox

Birchbox

Overview

Birchbox has a rating of 1.66 stars from 261 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Birchbox most frequently mention customer service, month subscription, and credit card problems. Birchbox ranks 109th among Subscription Shopping sites.

  • Service
    30
  • Value
    30
  • Shipping
    31
  • Returns
    24
  • Quality
    28

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 25%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
3
12
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

No positive highlights yet

Critical highlights

  • No boxes received so far, no record in the accounts and zero customer service.
How would you rate Birchbox?
Top Positive Review

“Birchbox is Terrible”

nicole s.
8/26/23

I was a Birchbox customer for years. Then suddenly I was unable to choose samples and boxes weren't showing up. I wrote customer service to cancel my membership, with no reply. But because I wasn't receiving boxes, I thought I was out of it. Then, 8 months later, I get an email about how Birchbox was rebooting and they were sending out 2 past due boxes. I had no idea that they had gone thru bankruptcy. I wrote customer service again and told them to cancel my membership, and they wrote me back and said they could opt me out of auto renewal, but I was on the hook to continue to pay for the rest of my year subscription I had signed up for. Then, after receiving the 2 past due boxes, neither of which I was able to choose samples, they then sent out an email saying they are increasing the charge by $4 a month. I had to send another email, this one worded not so nicely, stating that any "contractual agreement" they felt I had w them was null and void due to disruption of service, inability to choose samples, and most importantly, an increase to monthly charges that I did not agree to. I was told that they would refund the latest charge, which was $18+, and my membership would be canceled. But it's definitely something I'm keeping my eye on. I've had a terrible experience w this company since their reboot and gotten definite scam-adjacent vibes ….

Top Critical Review

“Past subscriber Wish I didn't sign back up”

Molly C.
2/12/24

I loved Birchbox back in the day. Sadly, I didn't do my homework before signing back up. I assumed it would be just as amazing as before. Nope, not at all. Besides the fact you have to remember to customize your box, but what is worse you are customizing for a month behind. The box I'll receive some time at the end of February will be January's box. Do you get product information in your box? Nope, why would they want to tell you about the amazing products in the box. Go look them up yourself. How are they even still in business? I've tried to cancel my subscription but since I purchased a year, they won't let me. So if you are dissatisfied, tough luck. You are stuck with a year of continuous misery.

Reviews (261)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (74)
Thumbnail of user bungiegirl2012
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 12th, 2024

I loved Birchbox back in the day. Sadly, I didn't do my homework before signing back up. I assumed it would be just as amazing as before. Nope, not at all. Besides the fact you have to remember to customize your box, but what is worse you are customizing for a month behind. The box I'll receive some time at the end of February will be January's box.
Do you get product information in your box? Nope, why would they want to tell you about the amazing products in the box. Go look them up yourself. How are they even still in business?
I've tried to cancel my subscription but since I purchased a year, they won't let me. So if you are dissatisfied, tough luck. You are stuck with a year of continuous misery.

Tip for consumers:
RUN, don't sign up for this. There are other ones out there that won't lock you into a year.

Products used:
Out of the few boxes I've received. Just the lip gloss and eyelash curler

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user jodster613
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 6th, 2024

I signed up to do the free trial, it literally took them 2 months to send the first box so I canceled a week after signing up. I still received the first box, they sent me another box and charged me again 2 months later AFTER I had any canceled 2 months ago. Trying to deal with them is impossible and they're complete IDIOTS! Stupid useless products also

Thumbnail of user claires76
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
September 12th, 2017

When i subscribed over a year ago, this was a great service. But since then, the quality of the samples has dropped, damaged items come more often, customer service has gotten less helpful, etc. Sadly I don't think it's worth it anymore.

Thumbnail of user helenm1640
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 14th, 2023

Totally not worth it. Tiny samples and they charge you $15 bucks for it. Just got my Ipsy at the same time and it had thisworks cleanser, nice tweezers, Reina Rebelde finishing powder (no mirror), Tarte foundation sample, and 10 ml memoire archives perfume + a nice pouch. I'm stuck with a year sub from before they went down without giving people any news for months. I will not renew.

Thumbnail of user christinab1059
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 27th, 2022

I started getting my birchbox a little over 3 years ago and I LOVED IT! But lately not so much, they're sending me things that aren't even listed as something I would be interested in and shipping is super later. My last box for May had a drink mix in it and an oil they placed in there got all over it and the mix had a tear in it, so that was all a waste! I feel that the care and respect has greatly affected the service. I tried to cancel but it won't let me until my 6 months are up but I've tried 3 times in the last year to cancel so my next step is cutting my card and getting a new bank account

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user jeank556
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
February 8th, 2023
Verified purchase

I was cancelled after more than ten years of membership. No reason was given nor did they respond after I tried to connect with them. I have done gift subscriptions and was a good customer. Do not trust this service.

Thumbnail of user katies517
1 review
19 helpful votes
February 1st, 2020

They scam you out of money, they don't delete your auto-renewal after they said they would. In fact at one point they told me to go online and cancel my subscription there, there wasn't an option at the time. I see they have since fixed this issue, probably too many people complaining. Their samples are so small, and some only half full. It's not worth the time or the money. Their customer service sucks! Do not order Birchbox. Unless you like headaches and regret.

Thumbnail of user julieh2012
1 review
2 helpful votes
November 21st, 2022
Verified purchase

I ordered my first birchbox in September 2022. Once it was ordered there was a note stating that they were behind and orders could take a bit longer than normal and that I would be notified when my box shipped. I waited a month before reaching out via the chat feature on the website. I received an automated email saying that my request had been received and someone would get back to me in 8-10 days. This was over a month ago and I have had no contact from anyone at birchbox. Don't waste your money here, it's either a scam or the worst customer service I have ever received.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user ayakaw
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 16th, 2022
Verified purchase

I subscripted 3 months subscription with them on mid of June. I supposed to receive my first box more or less 15 days but i waited a month and i tried to check on my order history and found nothing but my card was charged.
I contacted the customer service and the replied i received was they forgotten to send out due to system error so they did a refund on 1 box and will send on July and August.

As of to-date when i tried to reach them again to check the status of July and August but no respond anymore.

No boxes received so far, no record in the accounts and zero customer service.

Tip for consumers:
Do not fall into it

Products used:
Nothing

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user yrao
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
September 9th, 2021

I would have given it 0 star if I could. Ordered pain medication for my dog with a torn acl. 13 days and never arrived. Call customer service and explained. First call she said I would have to wait for the package to get to me, return it and then when they received it, they would refund me. I flipped out, she said hold on let me see what I can do for you, laughed and hung up. The 2nd call the woman refunded me immediately. I can't count on chewy to deliver my meds in a timely manner. Even if there was a shipping issue, the customer service compounded my troubles. I'll look for another supplier and tell chewy " let me see what I can do for you " laugh and hang up. I'm done with you! 1

Thumbnail of user stephanier224
3 reviews
4 helpful votes
September 25th, 2018

Ipsy is so much better than this for the money. This boxes are cute but water ruins them, unlike the awesome reusable Ipsy bags each month. The products are better to buy smaller sizes than to signup for their sample program.

Thumbnail of user dianat501
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 2nd, 2022
Verified purchase

This is a terrible company! I waited for over a week for them to respond to my email requesting to return a box of stuff that I had absolutely no use for, so I called them. I was told that they would send me a return label. That was a lie! All they did was send me an email saying that they don't accept returns. I responded and said I was told on the phone that they would email me a return label! Then they just send me the same exact email that they sent before! They won't respond to your actual questions. So I just list my money! Also be aware that they won't cancel a subscription either!

Tip for consumers:
That they don’t accept returns even though they say they do. You can’t cancel a subscription. And they don’t respond when you have questions. If you call them they just lie to you.

Products used:
None

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user heathert216
1 review
2 helpful votes
March 1st, 2020

If you do not unsubscribe exactly one year after signing up you will continue to be charged annually, as the automatic billing is automatically on. I subscribed for 2.5 years and wanted to stop, as I had samples of mascara and dry shampoo (their most popular box items) stacking up. I am not able to cancel until the 3 year mark. I'm mad!

Thumbnail of user sheried7
1 review
15 helpful votes
January 27th, 2020

First, like others mentioned, if you forget to cancel it automatically renews and you cannot get out of another year. My main complaint is they offer choices each month, EXCEPT you can never get them. I received an email this morning at 10 that this month is available to choose and at 12:15 when I tried to select one they are all sold out so you get what you get. Very unhappy with the company.

Thumbnail of user nikkim23
5 reviews
26 helpful votes
September 7th, 2016

Right away I'll tell you if you only email them once, and wait a few days, their customer service is stellar! But since they got rid of the points, so disappointed in how they handled it. By email with a 1 month warning and cut all points. I was an Ace member for a couple years and left because not only points, but the samples are so tiny it's not worth 10 bucks without points. They could've at least brought it down to half and it would have been ok. Because think if you ran this business, you would loose on so much money giving away that much and I understand but to do it so crap and unprofessional and take away ALL rewards? It's suicide to their business unless they give out at least 1 full suze. Look at the UK. Their birchbox's are amazing! They get at least 1 full size sometimes more. I canceled of course lol

Thumbnail of user lulajaneh
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 26th, 2022

I pre-paid for a 3 month subscription on August 25,2022, and as of November 26,2022, I have only received one box. I customized my second box on September 25,2022, but it still has not shipped. I wrote customer service on November 2 and still have not received a reply. Also, the product selection is pitiful, so the subscription is not even worth the money even if they sent the purchased boxes on time. What a rip off.

Thumbnail of user nicole.marie.schultz
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 26th, 2023

I was a Birchbox customer for years. Then suddenly I was unable to choose samples and boxes weren't showing up. I wrote customer service to cancel my membership, with no reply. But because I wasn't receiving boxes, I thought I was out of it. Then, 8 months later, I get an email about how Birchbox was rebooting and they were sending out 2 past due boxes. I had no idea that they had gone thru bankruptcy. I wrote customer service again and told them to cancel my membership, and they wrote me back and said they could opt me out of auto renewal, but I was on the hook to continue to pay for the rest of my year subscription I had signed up for. Then, after receiving the 2 past due boxes, neither of which I was able to choose samples, they then sent out an email saying they are increasing the charge by $4 a month. I had to send another email, this one worded not so nicely, stating that any "contractual agreement" they felt I had w them was null and void due to disruption of service, inability to choose samples, and most importantly, an increase to monthly charges that I did not agree to. I was told that they would refund the latest charge, which was $18+, and my membership would be canceled. But it's definitely something I'm keeping my eye on. I've had a terrible experience w this company since their reboot and gotten definite scam-adjacent vibes ….

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user lindaj2025
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 6th, 2023

Must have gone out of business. Take new business and money but won't answer emails or continue to send your products. Horrible business. Would give. 0 but had to give a 1.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user drjosepht
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 25th, 2022
Verified purchase

I was trying to impress a friend by sending her a gift. I went to read several reviews, and made the mistake of buying from this company.

I was totally misled by this company thinking that by buying a subscription box, the actual box will be shipped as a gift to the recipient. Instead, they sent you a PDF coupon, that you have to print, buy a box, and send by yourself to the recipient.

Moreover, after two days of trying to reach out to them, they tell you that they don't take cancellations or refunds!.

Furthermore, the products seem very cheap and what is worst, they will keep bothering your gift recipient trying to make him/her pay for a subscription.

Stay away from this company!

Tip for consumers:
Stay away from this company!

Products used:
Nothing, products are very cheap!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user angieh50
1 review
2 helpful votes
September 10th, 2017

Never had a problem with bb till my September box 2017. I didnt recieve my Pixi Maxi lip gloss, and i cant get any customer assistance.

Thumbnail of user laurels143
1 review
4 helpful votes
December 1st, 2022

These people suck at life, business and communication. They owe me 2 boxes and a bunch of credits. Email is shut down and they don't reply on Instagram. What a disgrace!

Tip for consumers:
Run!

Thumbnail of user andreat213
1 review
18 helpful votes
June 8th, 2020

I purchased a 3 month subscription for my best friend's birthday (who has breast cancer) and she kindly emailed them asking if it was possible to receive skincare products instead of hair products because she is bald from cancer- and when they told her no, she did not receive a box. Instead, they sent her 2 mini mascaras and addressed her as "The Clever Lindsey". How rude can you be?! I regret purchasing this as a gift and want to share with everybody. The user experience on the site is also terrible. Why couldn't I just email her a code to redeem her box instead of pay a mass amount for shipping? So so so disappointed and sad my friend had to put up with this.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user johannahj4
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 14th, 2021

I signed up for a 6 month subscription. I'm 3 months in and have only gotten skin care products that I specified I didn't want. I literally haven't liked a single one. They all feel cheap and honestly I don't want to put them on my skin.
You can't cancel your subscription in the app, and the FAQ forms on their website don't help because the links don't work. The only option is to email the company and hope they get back to you.

I used Ipsy before and cancelled because I wanted to try a new subscription box. If you're in the same boat, I'd recommend staying far away from Birchbox.

If I have to say one positive, I do like one of the mesh bags I received with the samples one month.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user sherryla1
1 review
13 helpful votes
May 31st, 2017

I'm not sure what is going on with other reviewers boxes but the 4-5 I've received have been great. No issues billing and it always arrives when they say it will. Decent sizes for trials and only 1 item in 1 box that I really did not like. It's mostly hair face and fragrance items but that's what they advertise. It a great way to try out new products for a low price, and who doesn't like to have a gift waiting for you when you get home.

Thumbnail of user carlap331
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 18th, 2022

On 8/30/22, I bought 6 month subscription & as of 10/18/22 received NOTHING! Birchbox continues to show order is "in process." Emailed Birchbox on 10/4/22 after seeing a Birchbox email from 9/30/22 saying "Success! Your purchase went through" for a 2nd 6-month subscription with a different order confirmation # than 8/30/22 order. I emailed Birchbox on 10/4/22 about these 2 emails & that I have received no monthly box yet. I got a generic "email received" in response that said it would be 8-10 days for a reply. Ridiculous! As of 10/18/22, no reply to my email either. I will be contacting my credit card company to file a complaint & try to retrieve my money back. Don't get scammed- find another beauty product company!

Products used:
none- received nothing

Service
Value
Shipping

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From the business

Beauty and lifestyle product "discovery". Birchbox offers $10/month subscriptions to their beauty gift boxes.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user juanitab4
Juanita B.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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