GlobeIn Review: April 2015

This month's GlobeIn theme was "Picnic," so the items were useful items for such a picnic! Although they seem to be moving away from artisans (which was originally the name of the box) to fair trade companies, I don't really mind. Although when I think artisan, I do tend to think handmade items. 

Included in the box was the basket, which has become a staple for me. I love them, because they're sturdy and pretty good-sized for organizing things. There was also a pack of dried mango and a set of napkins in a drawstring pouch. I love the pouch, because it would fit in a messenger bag or bigger purse and you could add other items beyond the napkins, saving space rather than relying on a full picnic basket. 

GlobeIn Artisan Box Review: March 2015 (with April Spoilers and Coupon!)

This month's GlobeIn Artisan Box was themed "Sustain" and included useful, fair trade, and artisan products. I really loved all the items in this box, but honestly felt little enthusiasm for it when it arrived since they had sent out the boxes to select bloggers nearly a month ago and it's been posted in full everywhere. I contacted them about this, because I admit I am not a big fan of that business model. I understand trying to garner interest, but I don't really know if I want to subscribe to something that is ruined for me a month in advance. I can just shop in their store if I want to know what I am getting, and that way I can choose the items that work best for me personally. I also think it's ethical to remember that paying customers are your priority, because lovely blog posts and reviews are useless when you alienate the customers.

I do love this box, though, and the items in it. In addition, the people at GlobeIn were super friendly and receptive when I contacted them. Although I admit that, by the time this arrived, I felt really meh about it because it had all been spoiled way too long ago, I still do look forward to getting this box in general.

The items come in the same handwoven basket; I adore these baskets. My favorite item was also this tote bag. I can't believe it was only valued at $5 since I've paid more than that for the ones at grocery stores and this is sturdy, large, and actually cute as a bag in general.

February 2015: Month in Review (Hits and Misses)

As we did last month, I wanted to do a review of the hits and misses for subscription boxes for February. There were utter disasters again, as well as lots of amazing arrivals and new subscriptions.

MISSES

As I did in January, I think it's better to start with the constructive so you can end on a positive note. Some of these are seriously bad and others were just not fits for me personally, although sadly I have to say I've seen less of just meh items than outright terrible business this month. I have noticed that you can get a fairly good sense of the quality of a subscription box by the service via email or on social media. The more active and engaged the company is, the more likely your box will really be what you expected and the more the products will be higher quality. Companies who seem to be interested in just jumping on a bandwagon of where they think they money is, or those who are far more interested in being huge, tend to place customers at the bottom of their priorities and it shows not only in their interactions but also in the way they put together the boxes and select products. Some are beginning to feel like a cardboard box full of nothing but ads.

GlobeIn Review: February 2015

Oh my goodness, I am in love with this new subscription I started! (Someone needs to stop me, because I clearly can't stop myself!)

GlobeIn is a monthly artisan box that sends you products from crafters around the world, generally in developing nations, and supports fair trade practices. This month's theme is perfect - World Kitchen. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the box, so I planned to cancel, but I love it. I'm not big on knick knacks (my house is cluttered enough) but every single thing in this box is not only usable, but amazing! To top it all off, when I contacted them to make sure my subscription was still active/could be reactivated, they replied SO fast! And they're friendly (there was an issue where an item was broken in several people's boxes and they sent out a message offering to replace anyone's who was broken; mine, however, was fine).

Plus look at this sticker on the outside! I'm sure this box was made for me. :)