The Look Bag - October 2012

[yousoldtheworld]

Of course, it also depends how you use and store them. 

 

[prachisrk]

I got this email from them about the eye shadow:

Dear Look Bag Member,
[SIZE=10pt]It has come to our attention that the Stila eye shadows included in our October bags may have passed their expiration date. Although the batch may have expired, the product is still factory sealed.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]If you received a Stila eye shadow, we will include a great replacement product in your November bag.[/SIZE]
  [SIZE=10pt]We take a lot of pride in sending you high-quality products from both emerging and established great brands. This situation is unacceptable and not representative of The Look Bag standard for product quality or The Look Bag member experience. We are working to determine the root cause of the oversight, and we deeply apologize for this inconvenience.[/SIZE] Sincerely,
Alan Mruvka 
Founder, President & CEO
The Look Bag

 

[Dalylah]

Just got this too.

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Yeah...I already canceled my sub, so this does nothing for me.

 

[spmblueeyez]

I just came on to post the email I got but looks like I got beat! lol. I have tons of shadows that have expired, so for me its nbd. Normally, I wouldn't pay that much for a single shadow anyway so it gives me a chance to try something I normally wouldn't buy.  I got expired moisturizer from BB, and they didn't refund. They gave points, but didn't refund any money or replace the product. I might stick around for the replacement, until I have a bad experience I give places a try. Plus I might have $20 freeing up soon since my second BB STILL hasn't shipped, I've had a tracking number in the acct since the 10th which doesn't update at all "not in the system" and although when my email was finally answered they gave me 100 points AND comped my next box, my question of WILL I GET MY BB THIS MONTH still wasn't answered. I'm thinking I won't be getting it since they comped my next box, but dammit, that was the box I was looking forward to out of the two that I was getting. And I emailed back, still nothing. So I may be canceling both my BB subscriptions end of this month.

 

[juraseka]

I am not sure how to feel about TLB right now. I was very upset to learn about the expired products, but the bag itself does look promising. I mean the Pixi liner alone is still worth $10, and is still being produced. But, that being said, as others have pointed out, the Stila wasn't the only problem. The Freeman, Pop Crackle, AND York are not still being produced, which means 4/5 products in this bag are "expired". Plus they did not own up to the Stila problem for days after they knew, AND they have not made any response about the other problem products yet! I don't know if one "replacement" will make up for it, unless it is a really awesome full size product.... I am still going to see if they will refund me because honestly I don't feel comfortable using these products /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I did request a cancellation but who knows what will happen with that.... Ugh why are so many Sub companies so hard to work with??

 

[Scooby Dynamite]

No longer being manufactured does not = expired. 

I think it's funny how people are completely ripping BB over their teeny-tiny samples this month, and then also completely ripping TLB for sending Full Sized Products (excluding the shadow in this point) that they might not be able to repurchase. 

I totally get it to an extent. The crackle apparently can't be bought, OK. So when you manage to use your entire bottle of black crackle polish up, I'm sure you'll be able to find another black crackle that works pretty much the same. The lip balm is being sold on The Look Store site. The Pixi is at Target. The only thing that I might have purchased from this bag (since it WAS only a sample size) was the Freeman. 

Keep your Birchboxes if you want to try a 2 use sample, and then buy the FS off the site. I prefer the large items that I won't NEED to repurchase. If I ever use them up, I'll just find something else I like.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by spmblueeyez /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I just came on to post the email I got but looks like I got beat! lol. I have tons of shadows that have expired, so for me its nbd. Normally, I wouldn't pay that much for a single shadow anyway so it gives me a chance to try something I normally wouldn't buy.  I got expired moisturizer from BB, and they didn't refund. They gave points, but didn't refund any money or replace the product. I might stick around for the replacement, until I have a bad experience I give places a try. Plus I might have $20 freeing up soon since my second BB STILL hasn't shipped, I've had a tracking number in the acct since the 10th which doesn't update at all "not in the system" and although when my email was finally answered they gave me 100 points AND comped my next box, my question of WILL I GET MY BB THIS MONTH still wasn't answered. I'm thinking I won't be getting it since they comped my next box, but dammit, that was the box I was looking forward to out of the two that I was getting. And I emailed back, still nothing. So I may be canceling both my BB subscriptions end of this month.

Be careful with that shadow though. Mine reeks of black pepper and Stila's shadows do not smell at all so I know mine has gone bad. The Stila rep said to throw it away, don't use it. While I too have products that are expired (like my Revlon shadow in Coffee Bean) when I bought the items it was new and I allowed the item to expired before using it up so for me that's the difference - I don't want discontinued/expired products sent to me as new. When people sign up for these beauty box companies - be it Birchbox, The Look Bag, Sample Society, Ipsy - they're expecting NEW products not expired. When Birchbox had the Befine expired products back in April the fault was with Befine (which I came to find out who at Befine was responsible and had previously sent out expired product so that person was removed from his position at Befine). In TLB case they're not working with Stila directly and used a 3rd party vendor so they're the ones who will pay the price for the expired shadow unless they can get their vendor to refund them the money from this loss.

It just goes to show that businesses have to check their merchandise before sending it out. Do random quality control checks and pull things and do a Google check. It may add on time and a bit of money getting an employee to do that but isn't it better to have items randomly checked before shipping products out to consumers?

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Originally Posted by Scooby384 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

No longer being manufactured does not = expired. 

I think it's funny how people are completely ripping BB over their teeny-tiny samples this month, and then also completely ripping TLB for sending Full Sized Products (excluding the shadow in this point) that they might not be able to repurchase. 

I totally get it to an extent. The crackle apparently can't be bought, OK. So when you manage to use your entire bottle of black crackle polish up, I'm sure you'll be able to find another black crackle that works pretty much the same. The lip balm is being sold on The Look Store site. The Pixi is at Target. The only thing that I might have purchased from this bag (since it WAS only a sample size) was the Freeman. 

Keep your Birchboxes if you want to try a 2 use sample, and then buy the FS off the site. I prefer the large items that I won't NEED to repurchase. If I ever use them up, I'll just find something else I like.

You're right that no longer manufactured does not mean expired. But that stila shadow is, in fact, expired according to a stila representative, it stopped being manufactured 3 years ago.

It's not about repurchasing. It's about sending out an expired product. I use products like shadows after their expiration dates if there is no change in texture/color, smell...but sending out an expired product like that in a service like this is a problem, period. People have every right to be upset.

 

[Scooby Dynamite]

Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif


You're right that no longer manufactured does not mean expired. But that stila shadow is, in fact, expired according to a stila representative, it stopped being manufactured 3 years ago.

It's not about repurchasing. It's about sending out an expired product. I use products like shadows after their expiration dates if there is no change in texture/color, smell...but sending out an expired product like that in a service like this is a problem, period. People have every right to be upset.

I wasn't talking about the shadow, as I said in the post. I was referring to the others. 

 

[zadidoll]

If a company wants to send out discontinued items then they should make a disclaimer because people will otherwise think it's a newer products. The Look Bag is at fault for not doing quality control with the products they received from their vendor. It's the same with Birchbox during the Befine fiasco in April. I firmly believe ALL companies should do random quality control checks by pulling the products and checking to see if there are expiration dates or if the product was discontinued by the manufacturer. Better safe than sorry.

 

[javagirl87]

I ended up canceling as well. I was okay with this bag...but i've thought about it for a week and decided otherwise.

Not because I think it's a big deal about this bag, but because I just don't think their bags are that great. I didn't like the ones I got in the spring and this one didn't impress me either. The "value" was high but I can't actually use any of it. It does seem they took things that just aren't popular or being sold elsewhere (obviously, since they are discontinued) and threw them into a bag to make a profit. I'd rather have things I like that are still being sold I guess. It's not worth my $13, especialy when there are subs like Julep (since you decide what you get) and Pop Sugar that give you more things you can actually use and want

 

[RainbowClouds]

I got my october bag which was my first for this company.I was not impressed and cancelled shortly after I opening my package. I am happy I did this too because they just sent me the email about the Stila eye shadow.The York Lip Balm and Freeman Foot Scrub I got can be bought at my local dollar store.I liked the nail polish and the Pixi I am actually getting for free from target in a giveaway. So that pretty much helped me end my subscription from them.

 

[zatanna]

I may be in the minority, but I don't generally care either way whether a product is discontinued or not, and I don't feel that it's a 'failing' in a bag/company, although I can definitely see how this would lead some people to unsubscribe if it's a pattern. For me personally, I am just looking for a fun, random surprise additions to my stash, not long-term use products. I research and choose those pretty carefully so if it randomly showed as a sample in a box, rad, but I definitely not expect it.

To be honest, I would rather have a full/large size dc item than a sample of a $75 face cleanser that I would never buy in a million years. I can see how it could work either way depending on the reasons someone subscribes to a service.

 

[Scooby Dynamite]

Originally Posted by zatanna /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I may be in the minority, but I don't generally care either way whether a product is discontinued or not, and I don't feel that it's a 'failing' in a bag/company, although I can definitely see how this would lead some people to unsubscribe if it's a pattern. For me personally, I am just looking for a fun, random surprise additions to my stash, not long-term use products. I research and choose those pretty carefully so if it randomly showed as a sample in a box, rad, but I definitely not expect it.

To be honest, I would rather have a full/large size dc item than a sample of a $75 face cleanser that I would never buy in a million years. I can see how it could work either way depending on the reasons someone subscribes to a service.

This 

 

[zadidoll]

BTW - I had contacted the companies whose products were sent out in the October bag last Friday before TLB contacted me back. I've heard from Freeman today.

After further investigation it has come to our attention that the Look Bag was not sanctioned with our approval to use this item. We are in the process of contacting the Look Bag regarding the misuse of our products. Please do not use the item that you have received from the Look Bag.

My original email to them:

I received from The Look Bag (a monthly subscription service like MyGlam/Ipsy) the Freeman Beautiful Body cucumber, melon and ginseng lathering body wash. I've been wondering if it was discontinued, if so when? Does it expire or has it expired?

 

[nelliebelle1197]

You know, I get why people are upset. This pretty much puts the Look Bag in the same boat as the Red Carpet Box.  The Look Bag is associated with the Look Store, which apparently boasts Jane freakin' Fonda's beauty picks. They have relationships with companies and sell products. The disconnect with the Look Bag is that there is no reflection of what is sold in the Look Store. It's basically RCB with a better website

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Originally Posted by nelliebelle1197 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

You know, I get why people are upset. This pretty much puts the Look Bag in the same boat as the Red Carpet Box.  The Look Bag is associated with the Look Store, which apparently boasts Jane freakin' Fonda's beauty picks. They have relationships with companies and sell products. The disconnect with the Look Bag is that there is no reflection of what is sold in the Look Store. It's basically RCB with a better website

Yep, they are, it seems, a legit company, they should be able to put out a legit bag.

 

[Leslie Wetzel]

Yea it's easier to write off someone from their basement as buying knock-off items and discontinued items. Look Bag had things discontinued before (I subscribed one month before they went out of business and they sent Korres eyeshadow) .. The expired product(s) definitely make me hesitant to subscribe again. While it's a good 'value', as in above what you pay and large sizes, the items you actually are receiving arent great quality, which is what would personally make me hesitant to subscribe in the future. I'm happy to pay more to get things I'll use, then to just get my money's worth, which is a lesson I've learned through many subscriptions , like I"m sure many of us have /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[zadidoll]

I just blogged this on my blog.

A follow up to The Look Bag October products   Last Friday I found out from Stila that the Stila eye shadow that The Look Bag sent out was indeed expired. The Look Bag is aware of the problem and is probably working with their vendor on the matter. Today I heard back from Pixi Beauty and Freeman Beauty twice. I have yet to hear from Lotta Luv or Pop Beauty (but again I'm not worried about the nail polish since nail polish typically does not go bad but it can).

My original email to Freeman Beauty.

Quote: I received from The Look Bag (a monthly subscription service like MyGlam/Ipsy) the Freeman Beautiful Body cucumber, melon and ginseng lathering body wash. I've been wondering if it was discontinued, if so when? Does it expire or has it expired?
Their first reply:

Thank you for contacting Freeman Beauty Labs. We love hearing from fans like you who have fallen in love with our products!

Freeman is constantly researching the latest and greatest ingredients for our formulas, and we’re always looking to grow our line of products to provide our customers with products they’ll love.

Unfortunately, the product you’re inquiring about has been discontinued, and we have depleted our inventory. But, we are positive you can find amazing Freeman products that will make you -- and your skin -- just as happy.

Please visit our website at www.freemanbeauty.com to view our entire range of products that care for you from head to toe (and that includes your hair!). And, for the most up-to-date details on our newest products, you can like our page at facebook.com/freemanbeauty.

The symbol, along with the amount of time, is indicated with an open jar image. This image can be located at the lower right side of Freeman products.

The useful lifetime of a product is indicated by a number, followed by an M to represent months. In the example, “24M†indicates that the product has a lifetime use of up to 24 months after opening for the first time.

Thank you for being a fan of Freeman!

Freeman Beauty Labs

My reply to their first reply:

Unfortunately the packet I received of your body wash does not have a = date stamp on it. There is an embossing of what I believe is a lot # - 100404.

Their second reply:

After further investigation it has come to our attention that the Look Bag was not sanctioned with our approval to use this item. We are in the process of contacting the Look Bag regarding the misuse of our products. Please do not use the item that you have received from the Look Bag.

Pixi Beauty replied to my inquiry and stated that the product was not expired but did not state if they're working TLB or not. So the Pixi Beauty Lip and Line Primer is fine to use.

So what does this all mean to The Look Bag and you?

First of all, my intent on contacting these other companies was not to destroy The Look Bag or to score free products. As a beauty blogger who specializes in beauty boxes my objective is to bring to you - my readers - information so YOU'RE informed. What you do with that information is up to you.

I don't believe that the people at The Look Bag were out to scam people. I know that a representative from TLB with whom I spoke to on Friday stated that they were unaware of the problems since they got it from a 3rd party vendor. Who that 3rd party vendor is I don't know. They should be working directly with the companies because buying from those companies ensures products won't necessarily be expired or discontinued. Yes, even companies make mistakes such as in the case of Birchbox and BeFine back in April but when something like expired products are sent out then by working with the manufacturer replacement items can be secured at the cost of the manufacturer versus out of their own pocket. In the case with TLB it's highly possible that they will be out the money depending on their 3rd party vendor.

The other problem with working with a 3rd party vendor is that there is the risk of counterfeit products being sent out such as in the case of Posh Pod which sent out counterfeit products because their 3rd party vendor was EBay sellers. Red Carpet Bag also has sent out discontinued products and possibly counterfeit items since they seem to have procured items from EBay as well.

Would I sign back up with The Look Bag down the road? Probably not. I did say on my Facebook last Friday if you got expired products to get a refund from TLB and that's up to you to pursue. Whether you want to cancel your subscription is also up to you. Personally I have cancelled my account because I said when I signed up that I would give them one last chance.