Here are a few FAQs posted here on Make Up Talk in regards to Birchbox.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. $10 a month. If you purchase a yearly subscription it's $110 which is like getting one month free.
Q. When does Birchbox ship?
A. Birchbox typically ships by the 10th of each month unless there is a delay.
Q. Where are packages shipped from?
A. New Jersey.
Q. How are packages shipped?
A. Typically via ground through Streamlite. As of February 2012, Birchbox also uses UPS Mail Innovations. Some boxes may still be shipped via Streamlite.
Q. How long does shipping take?
A. Depends on your location. Those on the East Coast typically see their boxes within one business week while those on the West Coast may find their boxes take up to 15 business days to arrive.
Q. What's a business day?
A. Monday through Friday. Streamlite and UPS do not work weekends or (major) holidays.
Q. If I don't like my box what can I do?
A. Tweak your profile or cancel your subscription.
Q. How does Birchbox determine what box to send me?
A. Birchbox supposedly uses your profile to pick products you'll like but unfortunately some people still get boxes they don't like. The best thing to do is not to select everything in your profile (Trendy, Classic, Adventurous, etc) select one and work from there. It might take a few months to work it to your benefit but remember if you don't like something in your box you can always cancel your subscription or use Make Up Talk's forums to swap items with other MUT members.
Q. What are Birchbox points?
A. Birchbox points is their way to reward members for providing them feed back on the products they send you. You can also earn points by referring people through a special referral found in your account profile. (Just remember you can't use MUT to post those referral links). For each 100 Birchbox points you earn you can trade it in for $10 credit to use on any full size product sold on Birchbox. You can even stack those points for further savings! 200 pts = $20 credit, 300 pts = $30 credit, etc, etc.
Q. How do I earn Birchbox points?
A. As I mentioned you earn Birchbox points through referring people with your referral link (you earn 50 pts), review the products sent (10 pts per item reviewed) and in some cases if something happens with a product or your box they'll issue you a credit ranging from 10 pts to a 100 pts.
Q. Do the points expire?
A. Yes. Point expire within 365 days from the time it's issued.
Q. Will they take the newer or older points when I redeem the points for merchandise?
A. They take the older points.
Q. If I want to buy something that's $35 and I have 400 points ($40) will they use all 400 points or 350?
A. All 400. In my case I bought my husband the Birchbox Man box ($45) in November (2011) and used 500 points on it not realizing that I'd be "wasting" 50 points. I could have either added on something to bring the total up to $49.95 (like the Lash Card which sells for $4.95) or make the total over and pay the difference out of pocket (like I did with my December order where I paid a little over $5 out of pocket).
Q. How many products are sent out?
A. Depends on the month and on the box. They typically send between four to six items each month ranging from perfume samples to full size cosmetic products.
Q. Do they always send out full size products?
A. No. They send samples ranging from one-time-use products to deluxe size samples.
Q. Do they send out only makeup?
A. No. In fact some boxes in some months contain no makeup products at all and may contain only skin and nail care samples.
Q. Why do they send out food and other junk like coffee coasters?
A. Unfortunately Birchbox doesn't exclusively send out cosmetic products. Their philosophy is to send out products that they like and think you may like. Sometimes it's a hit and sometimes it's a bust. If you want strictly cosmetic samples there are no other services out there that ships strictly makeup, least none I'd recommend.
If you have any questions you would like me to add to this (and of course answer) please ask. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
Q. How much does it cost?
A. $10 a month. If you purchase a yearly subscription it's $110 which is like getting one month free.
Q. When does Birchbox ship?
A. Birchbox typically ships by the 10th of each month unless there is a delay.
Q. Where are packages shipped from?
A. New Jersey.
Q. How are packages shipped?
A. Typically via ground through Streamlite. As of February 2012, Birchbox also uses UPS Mail Innovations. Some boxes may still be shipped via Streamlite.
Q. How long does shipping take?
A. Depends on your location. Those on the East Coast typically see their boxes within one business week while those on the West Coast may find their boxes take up to 15 business days to arrive.
Q. What's a business day?
A. Monday through Friday. Streamlite and UPS do not work weekends or (major) holidays.
Q. If I don't like my box what can I do?
A. Tweak your profile or cancel your subscription.
Q. How does Birchbox determine what box to send me?
A. Birchbox supposedly uses your profile to pick products you'll like but unfortunately some people still get boxes they don't like. The best thing to do is not to select everything in your profile (Trendy, Classic, Adventurous, etc) select one and work from there. It might take a few months to work it to your benefit but remember if you don't like something in your box you can always cancel your subscription or use Make Up Talk's forums to swap items with other MUT members.
Q. What are Birchbox points?
A. Birchbox points is their way to reward members for providing them feed back on the products they send you. You can also earn points by referring people through a special referral found in your account profile. (Just remember you can't use MUT to post those referral links). For each 100 Birchbox points you earn you can trade it in for $10 credit to use on any full size product sold on Birchbox. You can even stack those points for further savings! 200 pts = $20 credit, 300 pts = $30 credit, etc, etc.
Q. How do I earn Birchbox points?
A. As I mentioned you earn Birchbox points through referring people with your referral link (you earn 50 pts), review the products sent (10 pts per item reviewed) and in some cases if something happens with a product or your box they'll issue you a credit ranging from 10 pts to a 100 pts.
Q. Do the points expire?
A. Yes. Point expire within 365 days from the time it's issued.
Q. Will they take the newer or older points when I redeem the points for merchandise?
A. They take the older points.
Q. If I want to buy something that's $35 and I have 400 points ($40) will they use all 400 points or 350?
A. All 400. In my case I bought my husband the Birchbox Man box ($45) in November (2011) and used 500 points on it not realizing that I'd be "wasting" 50 points. I could have either added on something to bring the total up to $49.95 (like the Lash Card which sells for $4.95) or make the total over and pay the difference out of pocket (like I did with my December order where I paid a little over $5 out of pocket).
Q. How many products are sent out?
A. Depends on the month and on the box. They typically send between four to six items each month ranging from perfume samples to full size cosmetic products.
Q. Do they always send out full size products?
A. No. They send samples ranging from one-time-use products to deluxe size samples.
Q. Do they send out only makeup?
A. No. In fact some boxes in some months contain no makeup products at all and may contain only skin and nail care samples.
Q. Why do they send out food and other junk like coffee coasters?
A. Unfortunately Birchbox doesn't exclusively send out cosmetic products. Their philosophy is to send out products that they like and think you may like. Sometimes it's a hit and sometimes it's a bust. If you want strictly cosmetic samples there are no other services out there that ships strictly makeup, least none I'd recommend.
If you have any questions you would like me to add to this (and of course answer) please ask. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />