Birchbox Has Won Me Over: How to Get Big Bang for Your Buck with Shop Points

I was not too sure about Birchbox when I heard people talking about it. In all honesty, I Google searched their previous subscription boxes and kept asking myself  "What am I missing? What do some know, that I don't know? This doesn't look like a good subscription service at all." I started doing my homework and I'm glad I did! I discovered a few great tricks to make the most of Birchbox and get rewarded handsomely for being a subscriber.


HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR FREE STUFF:




*Utilize special promos

Birchbox often offers added bonuses for signing up for a subscription. You can get a gift such as a makeup bag or earn bonus points. They have recently been running promos to earn 100 ($10 worth) bonus points when signing up for a subscription! That's $10 to spend on anything you want in the Birchbox shop.

NOTE: enter code SFBB100 at checkout for 100 bonus points (expires 4/15/2014)

*Review you monthly box contents

Did you know, you earn Birchbox shop points for every product you rate and review from your monthly boxes? For every review, you will earn 10 points. That's 50 points ($5 worth)  per month.


*Refer your friends

Positive Word of mouth from friends is the most common influence to getting people to try new things. For that reason, Birchbox rewards it. For every friend that subscribes to a monthly Birchbox using your unique referral link, you will be awarded 50 Birchbox points.

Please use my referral code and help me earn more fun goodies if you decide to join. :) https://www.birchbox.com/invite/MOMtoWOW

 

Now, how did I get all of this for $2.08?

Pictured: Birchbox Limited Edition Finds box ($18, retails $50+): Covergirl Bombshell Volume by LashBlast mascara, Nivea Touch of Care and Color, John Frieda Frizz Ease Nourishing Oil Elixir, Covergirl Bombshell Shineshadow, Biore Self-heating one-minute charcoal mask box of 4, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, Rimmel London Stay Glossy 3D Lipgloss, Coastal Scents Revealed eyeshadow palette and three eye brushes ($34), Yes To Lip butter 4-pack ($9.99), Color Club Wanderlust mini polish 4-pack ($10), LA Fresh Travel lite makeup remover wipes ($2.49)

Note: My total was $61.99 on one order and $20.49 on the other order before discounts or point redemption

What I used:

- 20% off $50 or more (WELCOMEOFFER20) took off $10.40
- FREE mystery sample pack with $35 shop purchase (rang up $10, $10 deducted at checkout)
- 100 Birchbox points received because of a leaky product
- 100 points for April subscription
- 100 points for March subscription
- 50 points for March reviews
- 50 points for February reviews
- (2) 50 points for referral
- Birchbox $10 Gift card (purchased with points)
- FREE shipping for spending $50 or free shipping for buying a featured item (marked "ships free" in the shop catalog)


More advanced tricks broken down:

I was able to save up points rather quickly, sort of by accident. Since I don't really think the monthly boxes, on their own, are worth $10 a month (at least not the ones I have received), I cancelled my subscription after my first month. Then, Birchbox sucked me back in because they offered another promotion to receive 100 bonus points when you join. Guess what!!!??? I was able to redeem the offer by joining again! Awesome! The second month wasn't good either so I cancelled AGAIN. Again, there was another 100 bonus point promo. and it got me to give it another go. I was really wanting to use my points for the Revealed palette and brushes ($34 in the Birchbox shop) so I signed my husband up for a box too so he could get 100 bonus points.

I then turned around and purchased a $10 BB gift card with his bonus points and gifted it to myself. ;) By doing this, I was able to use his points on my order. Using his credit on my order did two things, allowed me to purchase enough items to use coupons (one required $35 minimum and the other required $50 minimum) as well as lower my total out of pocket cost. I added my items (Color Club polishes, Revealed palette and brushes, Yes to lip butters, mystery sample pack)  to my cart and proceeded to the checkout screen. The mystery sample pack price came off right away. I entered my 20% off promo code and my gift card number. Once on the payment screen, I was given an option to use my Birchbox points as payment. My remaining balance after points redeemed was $1.59!!!

The second order (really the first) was a week prior where I ordered the Limited Edition Finds box ($18) and added the Featured LA Fresh travel lite wipes ($2.49). This brought my total to $20.49. After Birchbox points, just $.49!

*TIP: If you add an item to your order that is a featured product, it ships free when your total shop order is $10 or more. Otherwise, shipping is $8. Totally worth it to me to add a $2.49 item to keep from paying $8 shipping.