Subscription Trade

The thing with subscription boxes is that they are great, and you get a monthly "gift" and surprise every month.  However, that is also the problem because you don't know what you are going to get.  There are bond to be items that you don't like or need.  For example, I received a super cute umbrella in my April Popsugar Must Have, while I normally like nice umbrellas, the problem is, I moved to California the last year, aka, the land of no rain.  Thus probably not an item I would use much. As such, I love the ability to be able to trade my subscription boxes.

Thanks to My Subscription Addition, she created a great online swap marketplace for subscription box items.  To be able to swap, you need to first register with an email, and then once you are approved and accepted, you can begin trading.

You can browse the listings or search for a item you are looking for in the search box.

Once you find an item you want, you can request a swap.

You also get to pick which swapper you want to swap from.  The site also provides you swapper ratings.

Once a request is made, you wait for the other swapper to pick items from your list that they think would make a fair trade.  You will have the ability to review the requested items and accept, make a counter or cancel the swap.  Once both sides agree, you will get a notice requesting shipment of the products.

After receiving the item, both parties can enter ratings for each other to help out the community. 

I used this site a few times and have received great trades.  Most recently I traded the entire March Popsugar Must Have box for Jacobsen Cocktail Salt (value $14) and two Carmona NY soup bowls (value $55?). 

The March Popsugar Must Have box has a total retail value around $134 which I traded for a total retail value of $69 for the follow items:

Popsugar Must Have $45 ($40 + tax) + $12.65 for shipping = $57.65.   The secret is, I actually got my Popsugar for $29.55/box for a sale they had... so my real cost = $42.20.  

Regardless, this was a good trade for me because while I could EVENTUALLY have use most of the items in the box (after some serious dust collection), it didn't have anything I really want, and I traded for something that I used immediately (1 day after I received it).  When you trade, you have to make the decision what is a good trade for you.  

So what do you think of trading? 

The other popular trading site are:

• MakeUpTalk, a traditional chat forum,
• BeautyBoxSwap, a trading facebook community, and
• Ipsy, a monthly make up subscription has its own trade forum

I haven't tried the three mentioned above, thus I can't tell you the experiences on there.

Bespoke May Box Semi-Spoiler

The next Bespoke Post is likely to include a pair of pants, shorts, swim trunks or boxers.  Although my vote would be swim trunks to get ready for the summer.  They kindly hinted about the need to know "waist size" to help with May box selection.

Box: Bespoke

Cost: $45/month, shipping is included

What is it: monthly themed lifestyle box for men

Best for: gentleman who enjoys craft cocktails, wears polished shoes and likes to shop at Nordstroms.

Could it be the San'O Swim Trunks they currently have on sale on their site? 

OrangeGlad April Box Review

Box: OrangeGlad

Cost: $21/month, includes shipping

What is it: a monthly discovery of 5 treats from around the country and Canada

Best for: everyone that wants a little dessert a few times a month.

How the box arrives! Cute box...and the back of the box is even better...

I love how they give you something fun right off the box - Life is sweet when "surrounded by chocolate"

Additional details on the side of the box to remind subscribers these items are perishable. I really do love it when subscriptions pay attention to details from the box to the items within - it really helps with the experience of the entire box.
 

First look upon opening the box.

Detailed pamphlets on the treats included in the box.  I love the map and how it gives you a nice quick glance of where all the treats come from. 

The back of the detail pamphlet - another cute attention to detail!

First look at the treats!  I love how there is a box inside the box - hey, who doesn't love opening multiple presents?  Now - what is inside the "sweet box"?

Three addition deliciousness! Yum! Lets look at each individual treats!

Yum - I haven't tried all of them yet, but can't wait to try it!

Free Black Box with Bespoke

From now until April 27, 2015, 11:59pm EST get a free mystery black box for subscribing to Bespoke.  The value of the box has secret goods worth over $45.

Box: Bespoke

Cost: $45/month, shipping is included

What is it: monthly themed lifestyle box for men

Best for: gentleman who enjoys craft cocktails, wears polished shoes and likes to shop at Nordstroms.

See my Bespoke Post reviews here.

T-Post Latest Issue - Big Boys Don't Cry

Box: T-Post

What is it: the world's only wearable magazine - in another word, an entire month of magazine published on a t-shirt.  A cool t-shirt on the outside, with the monthly print on the inside the t-shirt.  Comes in both male and female sizes.

Price: 33 Euro includes shipping.  The amount will be charged in Euro, thus the price may change from month to month depending on the exchange rate.  Your credit card may also change a foreign fee.

Best for: those who want something different, and a cool new t-shirt to wear every month.

When you order the subscription, you will receive a the wearable magazine subscription about a month before the release of the issue online.  Here is a short exert from the new issue "Big Boys Don't Cry":

T-SHIRT ISSUE 109

When you’re competing, showing weakness is never an option. Growing up as an avid sports enthusiast and participant (I played a lot of sports), I was always told, by both my parents and my coaches, to leave it all out on the field/court. Be tough, and don’t give up till that whistle blows. The older me and my friends got, the tougher we became and played. But our parents and coaches never prepared us for the emotions that come with this type of aggression. These ‘games’ made me, and guys a lot tougher than me, shed a tear from time to time.

To get rest of the issue, use this link. 

Here is a sample of what the t-shirt looks like.

I really like this subscription because it is different and really cool to have a wearable t-shirt that is also a monthly magazine.  The only thing I do wish is that it didn't come from Europe because this made the shipping super slow - up to 20 days.  Plus I missed 2 issues out of the (3) three that i ordered. (Not sure what happened in the mail). 

PetPack up to 34% off

Groupon has PetPack for up to 34% off.  PetPack is a monthly subscription of all natural treats, toys, grooming products and fun gadgets for your dogs or cats. The current offer on Groupon is:

• $29 $19 for 1 month = 34% off
• $72 $49 for 3 months subscription = 32% off 

The 3 month subscription, although it looks like you are getting less percentage off, comes to only $16.33/month!

Get $30 off Fabletics

Offer ends today 4/21/15 11:59pm PST to get $30 off your first order off Fabletics outfits and become a VIP.  VIP will give you a monthly subscription to an outfit a month, and you can skip any month.  Do be careful because skipping here means you will be charged the monthly membership amount and you will be given the credit for future use. (this is not my favorite feature for the company - but hey since I can cancel at anytime, I am willing to do it).  

Use this link: YOUR LINK. 

Here is some samples of this seasons Fabletics outfits that I am going to try myself. I really like some of the new T-shirts they have out.