I am a middle class, educated, not skint person and would absolutely have taken the baby box if offered at the time mine were little. Better money in my pocket than in the retailer's. I am happy to buy second hand, reduced to clear, swap handmedowns with friends, charity shop. This is very much the norm in my fairly affluent area.
SIL had her children much younger than we had ours, she spent an enormous amount on some fancy pram (5 times what we spent) because she knew in her area, people would be judging her on it. She won't be seen DEAD even dropping stuff off at her local charity shop in case someone thinks she is buying. Everything is about proving that she can afford branded stuff and most definitely isn't struggling for money, even though she is. She would no sooner accept a baby box than fly to the moon.