Ok, I just gotta pop in and say this. I mentioned an email I got from Armando in customer service and how, overall, I LOVED that he took the time to reply to me. I even wrote about some of what he said. MOST of what he said was good, but there was one thing he said which disturbed me a great deal. Here is a direct quote from him in the email: "
I am aware that the boxes are varied depending on how long the Sample Society membership has gone on, as well as the technical aspects." I think you are misunderstanding him... I think they mean that with longer subscribed customers they have to continually find new things we have not received before into the boxes. For newer subscribers they have a couple of items that they mix in with new items bc they still have those products in stock. I doubt they are going out of there way to create "bad boxes" for new subs. Someone has also mentioned that SS cant keep track of ppl who were former subscribers so repeats are bound to happen in those cases. Anyway #TeamArmando
Ok, what that says to me is that Sample Society purposely sends the more desirable boxes to customers who have been with them the longest and sends less desirable boxes to new customers. So I don't want to have anyone tell me there is no reason to complain. Even Birchbox, which can be hit or miss, realizes they need to send some good boxes out to new subscribers. They don't purposely send their less desirable boxes to those who have only been with them for a month or two. So...for those who have said "I got my first box and hated it. I will give them one more month to impress me..." I would not count on your next box being much better. I don't know how long it would take for you to move up the list to get a better box, but I would think it would at least take 3 or 4 months. If I am correct in how I am reading what was said by Sample Society's own customer service department, you can pretty much expect to be disappointed for the first few months in a row. Now, I have always praised SS for their customer service. When they first sent out boxes and I first signed up, I praised the contents of the boxes too. They sent the same stuff to everyone. I understand that as they grow, they might be forced to send out box variations. However, it is most decidedly NOT ok for them to only send good samples to their long time subscribers *without* first informing new subscribers that this is the case. I don't think it is a good idea in general, because I have never heard of any other sub services approaching box assignments this way. Many people will not want to pay $15 a month for what they *know* are going to be the worst boxes sent out for 3-4 months in a row just waiting and hoping their boxes will get better in month 5 or 6 or 7, whatever. Still, if they want to do it this way, they need to explain their business model to new customers so they can give their informed consent. Just put a disclaimer that says something like "Your samples will improve in value and desirability the longer you remain a member." However they want to phrase it, I don't care, but they do need to provide the information. If they had said this, I would have chosen to not subscribe at all as I thought July was going to be a great month. But that is just me. Perhaps someone with a different personality would say, "ok, I *like* the idea of a sub that rewards me for being loyal. I'll just stick with it for a while and trade things I don't like or just give them a try anyway." That's just not me. I like knowing there's a *chance* I will get the most desirable samples sent out, even if that is not what *happens* in actuality. Discussion is just that--a discussion. It is bound to include comments which are positive as well as those which are negative. And yes, as Katlyne said, complaining that you are sent something which is completely empty when you paid to receive that sample, among others, is very valid. As for me, I am hoping Sample Society listens to our complaints, suggestions, concerns, whatever you care to call them, so that they can improve their service. I see LOTS of potential in them, but right now, they just aren't pulling things off very well. I want them to step it up (with a better profile quiz to start with) so I can feel comfortable resubbing. Right now, I just don't feel comfortable giving them my $15 a month. I don't want to suffer through crap boxes for who knows how many months until they deem me worthy of something good. [SIZE=small] Ok, that's all. [/SIZE]
 over... (PS--Sorry about the wonky fonts. It was all due to cutting and pasting Armando's quote from my email.)
DD
