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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to never order from Birchbox again?

43 replies

MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 13:12

I ordered two November boxes to test out Birchbox. I was interested in buying my DD a subscription for Christmas. They were on special Black Friday offer. I ordered their November Nutcracker box plus an extra surprise box on November 20th. They took the money, I received an e mail saying it had been dispatched and would be received in 3-5 days. They included a tracking number which gives me no information when clicked on.
Then I received another e mail saying they'd been overwhelmed by orders so there could be a delay. Some people received their orders. Others didn't. Others have received boxes but not the type they ordered. I imagine they have sold out of the nutcracker box now.

It's now been 15 days. I have had nothing. The tracking details haven't been updated and my two e mails and one social media post have been ignored.
It's such bad customer service! I wonder why they continued to take orders they couldn't fulfill!

OP posts:
SmallYappyTypeDog · 05/12/2018 13:18

I ordered as well and finally due for delivery today. Be interesting to see if I get the nutcracker box and a previous box or a pile of tat they had hanging around!

Not responding to you is not a good sign. Yes these things happen but customers should be updated and responded to promptly.

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 13:31

@smallyappytypedog The website says that only orders placed before Nov 22nd will receive the Nutcracker box

OP posts:
AyoadesChinDimple · 05/12/2018 13:34

I did the same for my DD. Got two boxes yesterday. Both look tiny and crap. I was expecting a box in November and one for December. I've now been charged 12.95 for December's box. I've mailed them and asked for a refund. Had a holding reply. Cancelled subscription. Put off for life.

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 14:02

Was one of them the nutcracker box @AyoadesChinDimple?

OP posts:
AyoadesChinDimple · 05/12/2018 14:15

I've just opened them up and yes one is the nutcracker box and the other seems to be from June.

SmallYappyTypeDog · 05/12/2018 14:24

I ordered on the 20th too so shall let you know what I get, it should arrive between 1 and 5 today.

I already cancelled my sub as I can't afford to pay out each month as I am on SMP. This was my little treat to myself so I hope it's not too crap!

LongWalkShortPlank · 05/12/2018 14:29

I quite often sub and cancel depending on what's the new free extra with code that month. I received my nutcracker box a few days late, but it was still well within the month and was lovely. But I have mine delivered by royal mail due to previous issues with the courier they use. If you email them they can do that for you, sometimes that's probably the issue.

NightOwl101 · 05/12/2018 14:31

I could right your exact message! I picked mine up yesterday and if I were you I'd hope they have sold out of the bit cracker box and you either get a different one or your money back it was absolutely rubbish

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 05/12/2018 14:35

I'm in the same boat. I ordered the Black Friday deal and apparently my box (or boxes) were delivered yesterday (to work, I've not been there)
I'm normally really good at remembering to cancel subscriptions but as the Nov boxes were so late, I forgot so now I've been charged for Dec too.
I'm annoyed with myself about that but I am annoyed with Birchbox too - they pushed that Black Friday deal like mad on social media and then just couldn't keep up with the demand.

I've had a subscription with them before and generally been pleased with them but never again after this.

Sunshineandshowers81 · 05/12/2018 14:37

I used to order from them bit boxes constantly had stuff missing and the stuff that was in them often had free sample written on them.

Feb2018mumma · 05/12/2018 14:40

I had 2, one the nutcracker from black Friday. But one box is exactly the same as an old subscription box I had before I gave birth, so 9 months ago! Bit annoying as is obviously just old stock, but nevermind! Was only £5, annoying you haven't had yours at all, hopefully you might get something better as compensation!

AyoadesChinDimple · 05/12/2018 14:42

Agree they went too hard on the Black Friday promotion and couldn't fulfill.
I have to say the stuff in the two boxes seems ok. It's for my 12yo so its only to give her a taste of what she may or may not like.
But I wouldn't be happy if I'd paid 10 pound per box as there isn't much in either. I was considering keeping the subscription going for a year for her, but I'm not going to bother.

PhysaliaPhysalis · 05/12/2018 14:54

I used to get Birchbox and cancelled a couple of years ago.

I resubbed for the Black Friday promotion: I received the Nutcracker box and the xEtsy (August) box today. Neither were as good as I remember Birchbox being. In the old days the xEtsy one would have had some kind of actual link to Etsy, like a crocheted brooch or a hairclip or something. There was no tie in that made sense at all in this one.

hollyjollychristmas · 05/12/2018 14:59

Oh no, I received mine yesterday and was planning on using them as Christmas gifts. Are they really rubbish? Would you be annoyed if you got one as part of a gift?

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 15:05

I have e mailed Birchbox for the third time. My link to the Hermes tracking number says 'Details not found' so god knows when my boxes will turn up - if ever.

OP posts:
AyoadesChinDimple · 05/12/2018 15:08

Facebook them if you follow them. They respond quicker.

I'd be ok with them as part of a gift. One of mine is in quite a nice tin. But probably not on their own.

purplerainpitcher · 05/12/2018 15:49

I ordered a few days before black Friday and received my order today. I got the nutcraker box and October's box

GloGirl · 05/12/2018 15:54

Ooh didn't realize there was this struggle, I messaged them only recently wondering where mine were.

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 16:24

I have just had a reply saying questions can be answered via their help section on their website. But the help section says to e mail them if your tracking info doesn't update. Aaarrgghhh!

OP posts:
CrazySheepLady · 05/12/2018 16:29

I've placed the same order and got the same emails. Still awaiting delivery and I'm so fed up that I'm going to cancel the subscription as soon as they arrive. Surely they must've known demand would be high.

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 16:35

I have already cancelled mine. They shouldn't have taken money for orders they couldn't fulfill.

OP posts:
AyoadesChinDimple · 05/12/2018 16:48

I've had an email response saying that due to delays as they are so busy, that most issues will be resolved by now, and if they aren't you need to respond to that email otherwise the enquiry will now be deleted.

Wow.

Original poster
MaiaRindell · 05/12/2018 17:20

Sam as mine! I have replied to it - but I honestly feel like contacting trading Standards since my e mail a few days ago asked to cancel my order if they couldn't provide details about when it would arrive. They have ignored that.

OP posts:
Palegreenstars · 05/12/2018 17:50

Eep I was almost sucked back in by the adverts for this - so glad I didn’t. I stopped subscribing to these boxes when glossybox gave HD brows to all the bloggers and everyone else got shit 80s make up. Just treat myself to onenice product every few months instead

SmallYappyTypeDog · 05/12/2018 20:07

Mine arrived and I found it very meh. Certainly not worth £12.95 per box but OK for £7.95. Would I have got them if I knew the contents first? Probably not, as while I will use some bits, there is nothing I was desperate to try. I got the Nutcracker box and an Etsy box. There were a few items of makeup but they are all wrong for me, too glittery and warm. I shall pass them on to my niece who is starting to get into make up. Overall I think I am going to give up on subscription beauty boxes now and stick to occasional Latest in Beauty and Tili boxes where I can view the contents first.