Subscription not a surprise?

TinyPomegranate

A few months ago I signed up to a subscription package for a hobby I'm interested in. I bought a 6 month plan in one package, as it was cheaper than paying by the month and had a definite end date so I wouldn't forget to cancel it if I got bored or changed my mind.

The subscription states it includes one main surprise project and one smaller surprise gift. It's a small sewing company and they sell ready to make projects with all materials and instructions included. So the idea is, I know I'm getting a substantial sewing project and a small addition (package of needles etc) but it states "surprise" all over the details. You're not supposed to know what you will receive. Call me tragic but I liked the idea of getting a surprise gift every month, even if I paid for it myself.

For the past 2 months, the company has been showing pictures of what projects are going out that month on their social media channels. This is a new thing, they've never "spoiled" the contents before, even before I joined up. They usually show pictures and tutorials after the packages have been sent out. This month they also showed the smaller gift, including a video tutorial on how to use it. Again, they have done this previously but only after the packages have been sent.

I sent them a message asking them to consider not spoiling the contents as some people like the surprise element and that's what I signed up for when I bought my 6 months in advance. They gave me a standard "thanks for the feedback" reply. I sent them another message asking them to confirm if they will be continuing this practice of showing the items before they're sent out, and they haven't replied. If I knew they're going to continue it I would unfollow all their channels, but then I'd miss out on the tutorials etc linked to what I'm receiving, and I like most of their content, I don't want to unfollow unless I really have to.

Given it clearly states "surprise project" on all their ordering info, do I have any recourse in terms of them not keeping up to their end of the bargain? If I'd bought a monthly sub I could just cancel it but I've prepaid til October.

powerful_Rogue

TinyPomegranate said:

A few months ago I signed up to a subscription package for a hobby I'm interested in. I bought a 6 month plan in one package, as it was cheaper than paying by the month and had a definite end date so I wouldn't forget to cancel it if I got bored or changed my mind.

The subscription states it includes one main surprise project and one smaller surprise gift. It's a small sewing company and they sell ready to make projects with all materials and instructions included. So the idea is, I know I'm getting a substantial sewing project and a small addition (package of needles etc) but it states "surprise" all over the details. You're not supposed to know what you will receive. Call me tragic but I liked the idea of getting a surprise gift every month, even if I paid for it myself.

For the past 2 months, the company has been showing pictures of what projects are going out that month on their social media channels. This is a new thing, they've never "spoiled" the contents before, even before I joined up. They usually show pictures and tutorials after the packages have been sent out. This month they also showed the smaller gift, including a video tutorial on how to use it. Again, they have done this previously but only after the packages have been sent.

I sent them a message asking them to consider not spoiling the contents as some people like the surprise element and that's what I signed up for when I bought my 6 months in advance. They gave me a standard "thanks for the feedback" reply. I sent them another message asking them to confirm if they will be continuing this practice of showing the items before they're sent out, and they haven't replied. If I knew they're going to continue it I would unfollow all their channels, but then I'd miss out on the tutorials etc linked to what I'm receiving, and I like most of their content, I don't want to unfollow unless I really have to.

Given it clearly states "surprise project" on all their ordering info, do I have any recourse in terms of them not keeping up to their end of the bargain? If I'd bought a monthly sub I could just cancel it but I've prepaid til October.

No, you don't have any recourse.

Aylesbury_Duck

No recourse l, so you'll have to weigh up whether the other social media content is important enough to remain following it, or not.

Surely it's still a surprise, it's just that the surprise happens when the tweet goes out, rather than when the package arrives?

TinyPomegranate

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Surely it's still a surprise, it's just that the surprise happens when the tweet goes out, rather than when the package arrives?

That's not the same as opening a parcel. Is it still a surprise if you tell someone what you got them for Christmas before they open it?

I just wish there was a way to cancel my remaining subscription as it's pointless and isn't what was advertised - I may as well just shop for myself without the sub.

powerful_Rogue

TinyPomegranate said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Surely it's still a surprise, it's just that the surprise happens when the tweet goes out, rather than when the package arrives?

That's not the same as opening a parcel. Is it still a surprise if you tell someone what you got them for Christmas before they open it?

I just wish there was a way to cancel my remaining subscription as it's pointless and isn't what was advertised - I may as well just shop for myself without the sub.

You are still getting what was advertised, it's just that they tell you what the surprise item is before you receive it. Would be different if it was advertised as:

Month One - You get ABC

Month Two  - You get DEF

Month Three - You get GHI

TinyPomegranate

powerful_Rogue said:

You are still getting what was advertised, it's just that they tell you what the surprise item is before you receive it. Would be different if it was advertised as:

Month One - You get ABC

Month Two  - You get DEF

Month Three - You get GHI

If it was advertised like that I would not have bought it. I bought it purely for the surprise element.

pinkshoes

Block them on social media?

I subscribe to BakedIn and love the surprise element. No one is allowed to post spoilers until a week after it is sent out!

theoretica

Have you asked them for a pro-rata refund and cancellation as their business model has changed and they are no longer providing what you bought? 

TinyPomegranate

theoretica said:

Have you asked them for a pro-rata refund and cancellation as their business model has changed and they are no longer providing what you bought? 

This is why I came here, wondering if I might be entitled to this or a similar arrangement, but other replies seem to suggest not. I do think I am getting something different from what I bought.

theoretica

TinyPomegranate said:

theoretica said:

Have you asked them for a pro-rata refund and cancellation as their business model has changed and they are no longer providing what you bought? 

This is why I came here, wondering if I might be entitled to this or a similar arrangement, but other replies seem to suggest not. I do think I am getting something different from what I bought.

Maybe you aren't entitled to demand - but that doesn't stop you asking nicely, and they might just say yes.

nannytone_2

Just don't look at their social media until AFTER you get your surprise?