• Punchbowl

2021 CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD

Punchbowl

Overview

Punchbowl has a rating of 3.58 stars from 870 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Punchbowl most frequently mention birthday party, guest list, and customer service. Punchbowl ranks 1st among Event Planning sites.

  • Service
    49
  • Value
    52
  • Shipping
    11
  • Returns
    19
  • Quality
    49

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company responds to reviews on average within 3 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 31.8%
Positive
7
Neutral
0
Negative
15
26
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • Beautiful invitations, easy management of the guest list and timely reminders all helped us plan a perfect party.
  • Planning my friend's surprise birthday party was a big undertaking - and this app came to save the day!
  • 2021 Customer Choice Winner

Critical highlights

No critical highlights yet

How would you rate Punchbowl?
Top Positive Review

“I love Punchbowl I”

Jasper M.
3/6/24

Great invitation choices; easy to customize, very user-friendly site. I was very pleased with how well the entire processed worked, from designing, to sending, to replies, and reminders. Recommend highly, will use again.

Top Critical Review

“Ripped off”

Alyssa C.
2/7/24

Punch bowl advertises as free, but they do not tell you that you need to pay a subscription. If you do the free trial, you can cancel, but you can't manage the invite that you just sent out. Which is the whole purpose of an Evite. So disappointed in the lack of transparency of the website and it taking advantage of users.

Reviews (870)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

guest list (43) birthday party (54) customer service (40)
Thumbnail of user alyssac373
1 review
3 helpful votes
February 7th, 2024

Punch bowl advertises as free, but they do not tell you that you need to pay a subscription. If you do the free trial, you can cancel, but you can't manage the invite that you just sent out. Which is the whole purpose of an Evite. So disappointed in the lack of transparency of the website and it taking advantage of users.

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi Alyssa! You can use Punchbowl for free through our apps or when you start a free trial. Canceling your free trial will not affect the events in your account and your guests will still be able to RSVP. However, you will no longer be able to access your event from the Punchbowl website. To continue to track RSVPs and manage your event, download the free Punchbowl app for iOS or Android. Please reach out to help@punchbowl.com if there is anything else we can do to help! -Nicole in Marketing

Thumbnail of user tammyl53
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
February 18th, 2024

Punchbowl advertises you can send free ecards with no membership but that is completely false. After you've gone through all of the steps of choosing and creating your card, entering the recipient and your contact info THEN a pop-up appears "your card can't be sent without signing up" (after they get your info of course). This is deceiving and misleading customers so they can just get your information. Their statement on their own site says "Personalize and send beautiful invitations and greeting cards for FREE with Punchbowl®." NOTHING at all about needing a trial or subscription. Be honest and let customers know up front where it can easily be seen that they must sign up before wasting our time. I get enough junk mail and spam texts already. I know customer's contact information are sold to marketing companies without the customer's permission. Your competitors display their subscription notice yet Punchbowl hides it. That is wrong.

Tip for consumers:
Punchbowl is NOT free. You MUST subscribe to send anything and they don't tell you until after you provide your contact info.

Products used:
I canceled my order before submitting it

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi Tammy, thanks for reaching out. Punchbowl does not sell or share the email addresses or phone numbers of you or your recipients with anyone.

You can use Punchbowl for free through our iOS and Android apps OR when you start a free trial (just cancel anytime during the free trial period and you will not be charged). We also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Please reach out to help@punchbowl.com if there is anything we can do to help.

Thumbnail of user jasperm107
6 reviews
3 helpful votes
March 6th, 2024

Great invitation choices; easy to customize, very user-friendly site. I was very pleased with how well the entire processed worked, from designing, to sending, to replies, and reminders. Recommend highly, will use again.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user kristineg195
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 21st, 2024

I thoroughly read the Help Q and As to find out how to block a sender. It says underneath the invitation it should say, "Don't want invitations from this host? Remove yourself." And that you can click on it. This does NOT exist so I can't remove myself!

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hello, thank you for reaching out! I'm sorry to hear that you ran into some trouble. To opt out of receiving digital invitations or cards that are sent by text message, reply "STOP" and you will be removed from any future messaging sent by text. To remove yourself from digital cards or invitations that are sent by email, simply click "Remove yourself" which will prevent you from receiving emails from any Punchbowl user moving forward. Please send an email to help@punchbowl.com if you have any additional questions. We're always here to help! -Nicole in Marketing

Thumbnail of user mebshaw
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 27th, 2023

I use this company every year for a large event. Their platform helps me make a nice e-invitation and manage the large guest list responses, communicate with guests etc. Their customer service is friendly and quick when asking questions, changing membership types and status etc. Punchbowl packs a punch in a GOOD way! Thank you!

Thumbnail of user camilam23
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 12th, 2020
Verified purchase

I have a very good experience using this app! So helpful!

Thumbnail of user 2kandyland
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 15th, 2024

There's nothing special about this bar. They don't have a full bar as you would imagine. The food is basic and you pay the same amount if you were in a restaurant for the same money. Save your cash & go to the Northend

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hello, you seem to have us confused with a different company! Punchbowl is the gold standard in online invitations and digital greeting cards. Check us out at www.punchbowl.com and start your free trial today!

Thumbnail of user jacquettaw1
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 22nd, 2020
Verified purchase

I've been using Punchbowl for years for personal as well as professional purposes. Every time I send one I always get asked where, how did I do them. I explain that it is so easy to do.

Thumbnail of user neils160
1 review
4 helpful votes
January 27th, 2023

Went to the website, found a nice card for my daughter, was willing to accept an ad in it, and I couldn't send it without joining. Worse, even if I was willing to pay for one month $4.99 as advertised, they would charge me for an entire year. Read about others experiences here--even if I could contest any charges after canceling on my cc, I decided that deception up front often indicates later deception and problems. Not worth trusting this company.

Tip for consumers:
Misleading right up front...don't fall for it.

Products used:
None

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi. Thanks for reaching out. You can use Punchbowl for free through our apps or when you start a free trial (just cancel anytime during the free trial period and you will not be charged). We also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Reach out to help@punchbowl.com if you have any questions! We want you to be happy! -Danny in Marketing

Thumbnail of user patd168
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 27th, 2019
Verified purchase

Site was easy to navigate and I had a customized card up and running in minutes. Importing a list of contacts was easy

Thumbnail of user nonyab64
1 review
2 helpful votes
October 10th, 2023

Two years after I cancelled my subscription, they randomly charged me nearlt $60 and not in the month that would have been my renewal month. I emailed to get this corrected and they have said they will refund the money, but they also said in their response they have cancelled my subscription. Ya can't cancel something that doesn't exist. Wish I had never tried this company out. What a pain.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi - Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you may have had two active accounts on our site. We have a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee - no questions asked! Please send us a note at help@punchbowl.com with your account details and we would be more than happy to help. We want you to be happy! - Nicole in Marketing

Thumbnail of user dorothyt869
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 24th, 2024

(1) The ecards are boring and not very imaginative. (2) Compared to competitors, the cost of subscribing is high. (3) The subscription page deceptively displays the monthly breakdown of cost, but the only subscription term available is for a whole year. Cancelled online and going to try to get a refund within the 30-day trial period.

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience. When signing up for a subscription or free trial, you are given the option to choose between a monthly subscription OR a yearly subscription. Both prices are provided for you to choose what best suits your needs.

We have a massive collection of online invitations and digital greeting cards which we are constantly updating! If there is a specific design you would like to see, please send us an email at help@punchbowl.com and we would be more than happy to help! We're always looking for ways to improve our collections and would love to hear your thoughts. -Nicole in Marketing

Thumbnail of user amyh1833
1 review
6 helpful votes
April 13th, 2022

They say you can cancel your membership within 7 days and you won't be charged. So I went ahead with sending my daughter's birthday invite. When I tried to cancel, it said I would no longer be able to manage the rsvp's. So I'm forced to keep the subscription until her party, which means paying for an entire year's membership. What a scam. I will never use Punchbowl again and I hope this review is a warning to everyone else.

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hello, thanks for reaching out. If you cancel your membership before your event you can manage your RSVP's for free through our app! Additionally we have a 30-day money back guarantee, no questions asked. Please reach out to help@punchbowl.com if you have any questions. We want you to be happy.

Thumbnail of user victorp124
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 31st, 2020
Verified purchase

I love how punchbowl can remind invitees before the event so I don't have to remember to do so. I also like how they can separate children from adults and respond as a family. It makes the headcount so much easier to tally.

Thumbnail of user nancye178
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 2nd, 2020
Verified purchase

This was easy to use and the tracking RSVP list of people was nice and convenient. It made our Christmas Party easy and less stress

Thumbnail of user pallavir9
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 17th, 2020
Verified purchase

Punchbowl is great! We have been using it for events almost every year for over 10 years. It's user-friendly with ongoing updates on invitation themes. Its great for different age events so its a go-to for my family.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user susand1216
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 19th, 2020
Verified purchase

A really nice variety of e cards - lots to choose from, easy steps to put together an invitation for an event, even for a techno novice like me.

Thumbnail of user sinemyisselek
1 review
1 helpful vote
September 9th, 2023

I used free trial for 7 days then I forgot to cancel it. I also thought if I forget I would be charged with only one month fee. However 8th day I saw that one year membership fee was taken from my credit card then I sent an email explaining the situation and to get a refund. They got back to me in an hour and send my refund at that time. Their support team was very fast and helpful.

Thank you,
Sinemyis

Thumbnail of user anitav39
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 2nd, 2020
Verified purchase

It was extremely easy for me to create and send out my invites. I was inform everytime I sent them out and when people did or didn't respond.

Thumbnail of user heatherp912
1 review
2 helpful votes
May 18th, 2022
Verified purchase

I'm not really sure why anyone would love this. I did the free trial and got charged (because I forgot, so that's my fault) $60 annual fee. I decided it would be fine since it had invitations and I could use it for other things. I cannot send out invitations without upgrading for EVEN MORE MONEY. What a joke. It's already digital, meaning it has no real material cost. $60 should be more than enough for what they're offering. I can't stand it. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hi. Thanks for reaching out. We do offer two types of memberships, digital greetings cards and digital invitations. It sounds like you signed up for one of our digital greetings cards packages. If you upgrade to one of our digital invitations memberships you will get access to both invites AND cards. When upgrading you will only be charged the difference between the memberships not for an entirely new membership. Additionally, you can use Punchbowl for free through our apps. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to help@punchbowl.com and we would be more than happy to help. We want you to be happy! - Danny in Marketing

Thumbnail of user bill.edgette
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 11th, 2023

I found the product very easy to use compared to its competitors
The customer service team was very responsive to my questions and very helpful.
Also, the cost seemed fair.
Good work team!

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user wendym374
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 18th, 2020
Verified purchase

Punchbowl has immediate response for people so inclined. It is a fabulous tool for Business Mixers, Appreciation Events or a simple party!

Thumbnail of user faribas1
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
November 3rd, 2019

Easy, helpful, and great evite site. Punchbowl is the greatest, fantastic, and helpful evite site. I was happy with them, and I love their services. I recommend it to everyone.

Thumbnail of user kirbyw26
1 review
4 helpful votes
March 16th, 2023
Verified purchase

Pre-Covid I used Punchbowl many times and was pleased. But post-Covid my CC and PW got into the hands of scammers. I received 4 fraudulent charges on my credit card. The scammers even had my password which was unique to Punchbowl. Check your CC statement! I don't know if they were hacked or were involved in the fraud but I will NEVER trust Punchbowl again.

Products used:
Paperless Post

Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user ritah454
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 29th, 2024

Started with basic membership then had to upgrade to platinum since I exceeded # of guest invites to send out. With platinum membership it still did not allow me to remove ads, could not print a paper copy of guest list after invites were texted out, alot of guests did not receive 1st invite so I had to text and ask everyone and then resend again, set reminder to 7 days before event and no one received a text reminder including myself (added self as a guest to keep track), changed again to 6 days reminder and still nothing! Emailed punchbowl and they replied to me that I can send announcements to guests! Instead of just admitting their service is horrible and doesn't send out reminders as they have listed as an option!

Tip for consumers:
Was refunded for remaining unused membership fee.

Products used:
Online invitation service

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M. – Punchbowl Rep

Hello, we're sorry to hear you ran into some trouble! With the Platinum tier subscription, your invitations are advertisement-free. Ads are automatically turned off if you upgrade your subscription before sending your invitation. If you have already sent your invitation, the options can be adjusted from the Manage Invitation page. Once there, click on the Invitation Options button on the right side of the page. From there, click on the Member Features tab and the Remove Advertising option will be located at the bottom of the list. Please note, advertisements can only be removed from accounts with an active membership. If you were to cancel your Platinum membership, your invitations would no longer be ad-free.

To review invitation recipients, we suggest double checking the "Unsent" list on the Add Guests screen to make sure you finished sending to the contacts you added. Similarly, we encourage double checking the settings for the Automatic Event Reminder have been turned on. Please reach out to help@punchbow.com and we would be more than happy to walk you through these features to ensure you don't run into any trouble again! - Nicole in Marketing

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From the business

Punchbowl makes it easy to create and send beautiful, free online invitations and digital greeting cards from your phone, tablet or desktop.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user sarahw420
Punchbowl M.
Typically responds within 3 days

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