• 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 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 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
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Quality
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 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 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 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 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 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
Thumbnail of user rosek354
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 16th, 2022

I was thrilled to know someone gifted me a 3-month subscription to the cosmetics at Birch Box on my birthday, little did I know that day I wouldn't be able to claim OR EVEN create an account... Its now been since JUNE and little to NO assistance or urgency OR communication from customer support (which by the way, who doesn't have a customer support line you can conveniently call? Why must you email to REQUEST a call?!) I have been told countless times that "... it'll be fixed end of this week". No. For everyone who is currently still experiencing issues and frustrations, we KNOW their website is not fixed. I have also been asked if I want a very small discount on a full priced item for my delays-- REALLY? That's all you're willing to do for a NEW CUSTOMER? Bs. Not to mention, they continuously claim that their team of engineers are "working around the clock" and have been daily... REALLY? HOW'S THAT SO? For someone who was ecstatic over a new subscription, this has caused me much anger, frustration and confusion as to why they're in a customer-forward business when they do NOT put customers first.

Thumbnail of user katheriney50
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 21st, 2021

The products are just horrible. Not happy with any of them! Tried to cancel and in stuck for a year even though I pay monthly!

Thumbnail of user valo20
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 26th, 2022

I am 8 months into a 12 month subscription that started nicely. I was happy with the samples that came in a nice reusable box. Always delivered in a timely manner. Then one day I had trouble logging into my account, so I emailed them for help. Got an automatic reply saying they're so busy it would take 8 to 10 days before they could help me. No help ever came, and I eventually did get into my account on my own.

In September, my order arrived just haphazardly shoved into a brown shipping box. This month, October, my credit card was charged on the 3rd, and now it's the 26th and my order hasn't been shipped yet. I emailed them asking where my order is and get the same automated reply as last time. While looking for a phone number, I come across a customer review site where women are essentially writing the same thing PLUS the company makes it nearly impossible to cancel subscriptions and will keep charging peoples' credit cards indefinitely. Some people ended up canceling their credit card number and getting a new one, which is what I did yesterday. So a word of warning…don't even bother with this company.

Tip for consumers:
I wish I had seen customer reviews before getting involved with this company

Products used:
Makeup items

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user cynthiam520
1 review
15 helpful votes
February 15th, 2020

Birch box is the worst. I signed up for a free box on Oct or Nov time frame and in doing so I unknowingly signed up for a year subscription to the worst subscription box out there! They will not let me out of the contract. They send boxes that are not worth the what $15.00 we have to pay for them? I pay $25.00 for IPSY and get 5 regular size products. Plus they actually do go by your reviews and your beauty profile when sending products. The Birchbox I received today was so disappointing. All I want is out. I want my subscription cancelled! It can be done! Until then I will continue to leave bad reviews and I will continue to file complaints with The Better Business Bureau which they do not belong to because they have so many complaints filed against them, most of them due to them not letting people cancel their accounts. In the picture is February's box. You would think since it was the month for Valentine's they would do something special.

Tip for consumers:
Do not subscribe! They give out samples you can get by going to the store or website to get. It has been my experience that Birchbox has not used my reviews or my profile when sending out samples. They are definitely not custom fit to my profile. The samples are so small you can't really tell anything. IPSY is a little higher $25.00, but you get 5 full-size products. They do go by your profile and do read your reviews.

Products used:
Samples are to small to do anything with.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user ja394
1 review
12 helpful votes
May 14th, 2020

Tried to get my own product sample choice and it wasn't available. Got the email that my box samples were available to look at online. Nothing in it matches my beauty profile. What's the point of filling that out if they are just going to ignore it and throw in samples I'll never use. First box has been in transit for 7 days and was supposed to arrive today and they changed the estimated arrival another week. I can get packages directly from China faster than that. Canceled the subscription.

Thumbnail of user marthad220
1 review
22 helpful votes
April 16th, 2020

I've been a subscriber to Birchbox since almost the beginning, most recently as an annual subscriber. I've even gifted subscriptions to others over the years. Early on, the samples were large travel sizes, with the ability to get 4 or 5 uses out of them and really try them. Most boxes had one great item (either a very large size or perhaps a beauty tool) and you received incentives for reviewing the products on their site.

The incentives were discontinued, then the great items started to diminish and now have stopped, and now all you get is a box with a handful of single use samples the likes of which the beauty stores give you for free to try an item.

Expressed my displeasure and got a tone deaf response that condescendingly explained that not everyone likes everything in every box. Guess they don't appreciate my years of support so I've canceled my subscription and signed up with a competitor.

Thumbnail of user jannellel2
1 review
2 helpful votes
November 19th, 2020

Dollar store has them beat as far as quality on 90%+ of the items they sell...$150 for a liter of the worst shampoo in the world? Conditioner stinks too... talking next to $300 for awful hair. My hair is in great condition, after using this product, my hair felt fried and the shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair stripped the color faster than anything I've ever used. Horrible overpriced literally trash. I couldn't wait to rewash my hair with my old Aussie

Thumbnail of user kushib1
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 9th, 2022

I'm not very pleased with Birchbox. When my bank and I tried to get funds back into my bank account, they got lost with my money and never found. Finetouch. Tech was nice enough to put the funds back into my account at a little expense. I really appreciate that.

Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user brooket117
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 1st, 2021

I mom bought me a year of birchbox for Christmas last year for $120 because of a deal they had. Come this December, I get charged $165 for another year of boxes. I go on my account so confused. I emailed them I was confused and then started doing some research online to find that other people have had the same issue because there is an auto renewal. When I made an account I never saw anything about an auto renewal. There is an on and off switch on my account that was set to on. I was never asked for this to be turned on and never got an email I was going to get renewed. I will never be using birch box again.

Tip for consumers:
Don't buy it

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

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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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