I wanted to join when I saw the first bag on youtube videos, but there was a waiting list or something and then I saw the next bag, and was no longer interested. Further bags didn't entice me either. Then starting about 5 months ago or so, their bags started getting good. Still held off in case it was a fluke, but finally joined last month for the December bag. Glad there was no waiting list.
I did just recently cancel, though, along with canceling Glossybox. I guess I'd just rather use that money for a Little Black Bag. I think I was more interested in a good bargain, than in testing out miscellaneous products and samples and/or being a *paying* participant in what seems to me to essentially be a focus group for consumer research. My December LBB haul makes me feel somewhat foolish were I to continue spending the money I've spent on sampling programs.
Not to say that I didn't get my money's worth from Glossybox or Ipsy (if we want to be technical about it) or that I won't sign up again for either in the future, but if I do it will be because spoilers or something enticed me into believing I'm getting a bargain on products I was already interested in, or if there's a good promo or something. But there was only one product I've enjoyed from my Glossyboxes that I would consider purchasing, and zero from the Ipsy bag I received (tried them all once, no desire to use any of them again). I also had Sample Society a while back, and zero products from them I enjoyed or would consider purchasing as well.
It just seems like a lot of money for these programs given the very little I've gotten out of it. I think most of my enjoyment came from the anticipation leading up to getting the packages in the mail and the interaction on MUT, and in that respect it doesn't feel like a complete waste, I guess. But I can get that same anticipation and interaction on MUT with my LBB sub, and get drastically more worthwhile things for my money from one bag with that sub than all of my sampling subs combined could provide.
I guess sampling and testing just wasn't what I was looking for, it does make sense if you're in a rural area (though, I'm also in a rural area) and enjoy trying before buying and whatnot. It does seem Ipsy gives the most bang for your buck and the most fun products as far as sampling programs go, though. I would probably recommend it over Glossybox if getting the most value and trying out fun products (one's you can actually play with, i.e. makeup) are what someone was most interested in getting out of a sampling sub.