Subscription box services are extremely popular these days. They offer customers monthly shipments of items that are often random for varying rates. More often than not, they promise to deliver the goods for less than retail price. What would the point be if they didn’t?
While they tend to offer value to customers, these services aren’t unanimously adored. Some believe there are many downsides to paying for a subscription box. To name a few:
- The mystery of it.
While this factor may be what attracts some people to these services, it’s also a huge turnoff to others. Many people would rather just go out and purchase items they want rather than pay for a bundle of stuff they might hate. You are usually asked some questions so the company can gauge your interests, but it’s not a perfect system. You’ll never fully know if what you’re paying for will be worth it in your eyes until you actually receive the package—something that many consumers won’t be willing to sign up for.
- The profiling doesn’t always work.
Again, there’s never a perfect system for gauging customer interest, so many customers have complained about receiving items they dislike. It can be severely disappointing to fill out a fashion profile and then receive clothing or accessories that don’t fit your tastes. This has caused some customers to cancel subscriptions. Thankfully, some companies have return policies in the event that something like this happens. Still, one bad experience and the hassle of having to return the item might be enough to put a bad taste in the mouths of some customers.
- The value may not be evident.
Sometimes your package will include items that don’t seem worth the cost. It might have cost the company money to find, purchase, then ship you a rare handkerchief, but who uses handkerchiefs? You’ll feel short-changed if you receive a package with items you won’t use or don’t appreciate. Even if your package is filled with expensive goods and you’ve paid less than retail for them, you’ll be disappointed if they don’t hold value to you.
So, consider these common complaints if you’re on the fence about subscribing to a service like this. They can be fun, but not knowing exactly what you will receive can obviously lead to some disappointment. Just make sure to read customer reviews before subscribing. It might save you some trouble.
