Pros and Cons of Birchbox: A Personal Opinion

I just cancelled my Birchbox subscription in favor of a different month-to-month GLOSSYBOX [sic].

You can see from that statement where this is going. Sorry for the spoiler.

I do want to say that this is totally my opinion of the service and what for me is a con might be a pro for you.

I received Birchbox every month from March to September.

Pros:
SHIPPING CONSISTENCY: It shipped on time (around the 10th of the month). I received email confirmations for when it was shipped.
PACKAGING: It was in a box. So, goody for them. (I know this is a reach, but two things is not a list.)
RECEIVED FOUR THINGS I LIKED: I received two deluxe sample nail polishes from Color Club and Hollywood Fashion Tape (which I bought more of from Amazon) - and they threw in a pair of neon colored earbuds (note: not makeup).

Cons:
ONE TIME USE SAMPLES:  Some of the samples I received were in tear open packages or were in super small, one time use packages. I hate that! How can you really find out if you like something after a single use? I can't even tell if I'm allergic to something in one use.
PERFUME PERFUME PERFUME: Every Birchbox I received had at least one perfume sample in it. What the heck? Are people really into perfume that much? It doesn't even make sense to include a (let's say) $2.00 sample of perfume and expect a $60 pay off with a purchase of that perfume... in every box. Plus, when I contacted Birchbox and let them know I can't wear perfume, they just let me know that they can't do anything about allergies.
COST DOES NOT EQUAL PRODUCT: $2.00 samples of perfume aside, each box probably did include $10 of merchandise (retail price). But, the samples I received in the tear open packages could have easily been obtained at Macy's or Sephora - for free.
THROW AWAY ITEMS: Sometimes...  my Birchbox contained throw away items (like notecards and granola bars). I don't really understand that. I didn't sign up for a granola bar of the month club.

Here is a list of the items I received each month as well as the categories I'd put the samples in:


Perfume BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir
Tear-Open WEI™ to Go Sleep Over Kit: Real Clean and Ideal Skin
ACTUAL SAMPLE Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
ACTUAL SAMPLE Birchbox and Color Club® Custom Collection
Not Makeup twistband™ Lace up for Fall
Not Makeup The Brush Guard Variety


Not Makeup Schick Hydro Silk Razor
Tiny Tiny Sample Juice Beauty Oil-free Moisturizer
ACTUAL SAMPLE Eye Rock Designer Liner
ACTUAL SAMPLE C.O. BIGELOW Mentha Lip Shine
Perfume Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur
 
Tiny Tiny Sample Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
ACTUAL SAMPLE boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens
ACTUAL SAMPLE Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Perfume Oscar de la Renta live in love
Not Makeup LÄRABAR® über
Not Makeup Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds
 
Perfume Wonderstruck Taylor Swift 3.4 oz
ACTUAL SAMPLE stila one step bronze
Tear-Open Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive
ACTUAL SAMPLE theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac
Not Makeup LUNA Bar
 
Perfume Arquiste L'Etrog
Tiny Tiny Sample Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+
ACTUAL SAMPLE Color Club® Foil Collection
ACTUAL SAMPLE beautyblender® blendercleanser
Not Makeup twistband™ Skinny Headband
Not Makeup Birchbox Notecards

There you have it! And, that's why I cancelled. We'll see how GLOSSYBOX works out.