Well, just received my awesome box and well - less than excited. Based on the flavors and info on the first box (which I thought was their only box) I decided to pay the $45.99 to get the box (box plus shipping) to see what it's all about.
Contents of box:
- Various Candies (umm, okay)
- Recipe Card with Flavor card on back (at least they provide all flavors to make the recipe)
- Wizard Labs 10% coupon
- FA - Almond (10m)
- CAP - French Vanilla (10m)
- TPA Vanilla Custard (10m)
- FA- Marshmallow (10m)
- TPA - Papaya (10m)
- TPA - Banana Cream (10m)
- FA - Fresh Cream (10m)
- FW - Creme De Menthe (10m)
- FLV - Sweet Coconut (15m)
- FLV - Milk Chocolate (15m)
- LB - White Chocolate Peppermint (2oz)
Well - a little quick math, total for flavors from a vendor - 36.22 (not including shipping).
So, pro/con:
Pro:
- Included recipe flavors
- Various flavors that I would not normally pickup
- Wizard Labs 10% coupon (could find online, I'm sure)
- Supporting a website that I use
Cons:
- Overall Value
- Lower desired flavors that initial box
End of the day: Nope, would not get again :\
I know boxes are random as in what you receive, and the value to box cost fluctuates, but I have never received a box that is under the retail value of the contents.
edit list:
- edit for formatting and spellings. cause i suck at both...
- edit for price of box - looking at wrong charge line :\
- edit for proper naming of flavor manufactures
- Edit to reflect that LB re-released the Whit chocolate peppermint
Well, the first one was all positive reviews, and I lost money. The second one may be more lukewarm (mostly positive until I saw this one, but it's only been a day or two) and I made some money.
Looks like I may have to find a balance in between the two - the June box just went on sale today.
But, hey, stop calling me a they, all right? It's just me and the chickens over here. :)
No one thinks that you should lose money on this venture (I think) because you're definitely providing a service, but the thing is that we shouldn't lose money on it either. Receiving 10ml samples are something that any of us can purchase at Nicotine River or ecig express for the same cost or cheaper.
First box obviously had that huge value of the Alpine Strawberry while this one had nothing of that magnitude; arguably the LB discontinued flavor is probably the up there value but I don't follow LB flavors so I had no idea that it was a discontinued flavor until this thread.
I'm less miffed about the value in this box and more miffed at the general lack of selection in this one compared to the last one. 3 chocolates (2 minty) and a repeat (already?) flavor from last month. There seems to be a set flavor profile this month compared to last months flavor profile availability and it frankly sucks after having such a great first month.
I will probably be missing next month's box based purely off of not knowing whether we're getting another box #1 or box #2 and when the list gets posted I'll just buy the contents in the same ratio so that I don't feel like i missed it (like I said cost seems equal either way).
I've been an All the Flavors Pro member from the 2nd month (I think? Idk you should be able to check that) and have given you support for your work in the ways that you have made available. Just like /u/DIY405 posted I commend you for standing behind your box, but do not alienate us that aren't DIYorDIE guys because we feel we got less value for not being a part of that community.
EDIT: Also something something fill out the survey and get a bonus or something along those lines happened after the first box, did I miss something with that or did that just not happen.
Valid criticisms, all I can really say is this is a new thing and I'm trying to work it out.
I've been trying to say since the beginning that this isn't intended to be a discount box - you can always buy flavors cheaper per ml by working in bulk, doing group buys and shopping hard.
I'm trying to provide more than just flavors ... the added value is the package as a whole; the add ons, the theme, the other items in the box, the mix of flavors (introducing people to stuff most of them don't have and bolstering their staples), the community, accessibility of mixing to newer people, challenges to people with experience, the tie in to the website and the curation of the experience, which it sounds like I fell flat on with some people this month.
While I tried to include some super rare flavors in box 1, there's a reason those little vendors are little - they have proven exceptionally hard to work with. Hours of calls and negotiations, and three different deals fell through, sometimes because they could not provide the volume, and sometimes because they just couldn't answer emails and phone calls in time. To make up for that, I included extra flavors to ensure the value, and I went overboard... and lost cash on it.
This time around, I pulled back a bit, maybe too far... but most people (IE, those with 20 or 40 flavors, not you guys with 200-300) got value in flavors they might not have tried otherwise, that I thought worked well and provided a wide flavor space and direction for people to explore.
If you're a master mixer - even if you are in the 60th percentile, this box probably isn't for you, and I didn't try to make that a secret - I frequently tell "regulars" on Reddit and Discord and email and my site not to buy it. If you have all the flavors (tm), what stock-based benefit is a variety box likely to bring you?
Thank you for the feedback. Thank you for the support. Sorry if you feel let down.
If you'd like to school me, I'd be happy to include you in the curation of the next box. I really do want this to be a community-led project, and that means getting more voices involved than mine.
- Q
P.S. Doubly disappointed about the "special" offer for filling out the survey. That was a cluster*#^$. The 14 of you that filled out forms with your names are going to get something special, but I couldn't tie them all together in time for the box, so there's a little something extra coming in the next week or two. (or three - I'm also moving in the middle of all of this, and you know, day job. :) )
I understand the curation aspect that you were going for, but like I had said in my original post it's about the profile availability. I mean let's look at the 2 boxes:
Box #1 (19 flavors)
Fruity (5 ~25% of box):
- FLV Alpine Strawberry
- JF Sweet Strawberry
- JF Fuji
- FA Forrest Mix aka Forest Fruit Mix aka Forest Fruit (I know this isn't your fault just vendor issues)
- FA Apricot
Creamy (6 ~30% of box):
- TFA/TPA Vanilla Swirl
- TFA/TPA Butter
- TFA/TPA Whipped Cream
- FW Bavarian Cream
- FA Cream Fresh aka Fresh Cream
- FA Vienna Cream
Bakery (4 ~20% of box):
- LB Waffle
- JF Biscuit
- CAP Sugar Cookie
- FA Meringue (maybe this should go to other?)
Other (4 ~20% of box):
- DS Clove
- JF RY4 Double
- FW Hazelnut
- FW Butterscotch Ripple
There are so many flavor combinations that could be made here. Like seriously I am still dipping into this box from 2 months ago because it has so many different ways it can go. Not only that, you gave us the most popular recipe available on your site, Sugar Cookies and Cream.
Box #2 (11 flavors)
Fruity (3 flavors ~25% of box):
- TFA/TPA Papaya
- TFA/TPA Banana Cream (I will argue that this isn't fruity but I would be wrong from some others)
- FLV Sweet Coconut (again would argue the "fruitiness" of this flavor)
Creamy (4 ~30% of box):
- CAP French Vanilla
- FA Marshmallow
- FA Cream Fresh
- TFA/TPA Vanilla Custard
Chocolate (3 ~25% of box):
- FLV Milk Chocolate
- LB White Chocolate Peppermint
- FW Creme de Menthe
Other (1 ~10% of box):
- FA Almond (Arguably a fruity flavor)
Your ratios look to be about even this time. What do we make with this? Something chocolatey? Of those 3 Chocolates though 2 contain mint properties that tend to overtake almost every other flavor and takes a lot to work around, really hard for a new mixer to handle. Make something creamy? Looking at the included card I definitely would argue that Mint Hot Chocolate, Hot Toddy, and Chocolate Bark pretty much all taste the same, well except for the Banana Cream in Mint Hot Chocolate...then it's basically just Arctic Banana Truffle.
> the theme, the other items in the box, the mix of flavors (introducing people to stuff most of them don't have and bolstering their staples), the community, accessibility of mixing to newer people, challenges to people with experience,
There was definitely a theme this month. Other items were appreciated like last time. Mix of flavors I feel was not very varied this month (but that's just like my opinion man). There's not a ton of community details included. This month is definitely challenging for the experienced mixer. But as far as new mixers are concerned, this month seems super intimidating and super flat.
I'm not sure what you're curation process was this time around but whenever I'm looking to make new flavors I try to look at it from the point of a bakery. What do I want to make and what are a good combination of profiles that exist. I extend this to the box and looking at it this time...I'm going creamy, chocolatey, or minty, papaya seems really out there in comparison to the rest of the box.
I'm not looking to school you, just like you (I assume) I'm a web developer by day and this is just another hobby. I'm merely giving you my feedback as a consumer that I feels like they got bait and switched from 1 month to the next. You have access to more data than any of us could even dream of with your site, maybe my feelings aren't what the data showed....maybe people really made chocolates and creams in the last 2 months and that's what happened.
If you would like any feedback on the next box I'm more than happy to help. Congrats on the move and I really do understand the day job aspect.
For reference did the 3-4 people who bought the lower tier get 10 flavors?
Only 14 of us filled that survey out? I actually thought the survey was well put together and a neat idea. Just yesterday in fact I wondered what happened to the "special bonus", but didn't want to bug you.
Either way, you have my support. I didn't order the second box, simply because the website was very hateful and would get stuck in an infinite load-loop for me. However, nobody in this industry (or any other) has provided the consumer with a great product while completely void of risks nor mistakes. Your website is first rate-the first box was impressive, right down to the quality of the packaging, and it left me with an overall feeling of a "quality product".
I have many 100's of flavors now, and chose to purchase simply to support ATF and DIY in general. I get off on seeing things done RIGHT, and so far my experience with Q/ATF has provided that. Just do as you seem to be-take feedback, innovate a solution, and if the cost/benefit/risk equation is within your standards, than don't let this little hiccup matter, as it happens to everyone. At this moment, I happen to know that one of the largest e-juice companies in the world is dealing with the effects of a MONUMENTAL fuck up, so put in perspective, this ain't shit nukka. Oh yeah, fuck that ordering website, but I'll buy the next box! Good luck!
Also, so you know, that discontinued flavor was more of a "seasonal release" and it one of the best flavors I've ever tried. Extremely impressed with that liquid barn flavor.
FA Fresh Cream again? That's odd. By FL, do you mean flavorah?
Edit: if this is correct it only has about half the amount of flavors as the last box... What gives?
If you indeed paid the Premium box price, you should have received two highly rated recipes' flavors in the box, along with some extras. I'll let you know if you just received a wrong order when I get my box. Also, I recommend checking your email for your order confirmation to make sure you paid for the higher echelon.
I only saw 1 level this last time (assumed maybe the lower level didn't sell) and accidentally ordered 2 (1 earlier in the month and one later in the month....because it's really hard to check whether or not you have one on order yet).
Both contained exactly what /u/sp0di is saying and only had a single card containing the "Here come the boys" recipe and then a number of "Suggested theoretical" recipes on the front. Overall I'm in the same boat that I felt a bit of value from the first one and am highly disappointed in this one, doubly so due to my own error.
Is there any association between DIYoDIE and the awesomebox?
None other than being friends with Scott. I still had to pay for mine, and was as surprised as everyone else when I opened it. I guess he catered to our audience the hardest, but that's understandable when the majority of ATF's users come from our audience.
I don't mean to be accusatory, DIYorDIE just has that very tightknit community, which I guess is a part of it's charm. It can come off as shady if you're not a part of it. You guys do a good job at what you do though.
I'm just trying to look out for the DIY ejuice community as a whole. I know there's a whole lotta new people out there who don't know any better and might be easily led into paying high prices for something not worth that much, but Awesome Box seems decent enough.
Well - I don't think so, but I picked up the box based on his review of the box he received. Being new to making my own, I thought it is a neat concept to try some solid mixes before attempting to create my own. Need some wins before I suffer from losses and lose interest in this aspect of the hobby.
Thanks for your review on this. I was considering something like this but I've had bad luck with them. I have been wanting to play with new flavorings and thought this might be a good way, but only getting 170 ml for 55$ is not quite what I would hope for.
Curious what the recipe is on the card and what they have you mixing the total at there. If it's at 15% (wouldn't be surprised) that is enough flavoring to make around 1133 ml.
https://alltheflavors.com/recipes/30486#here_come_the_boys_by_mlnikon
That is the recipe and the flavors are included to make it. Sounds gross, but what the hell. I'll try almost anything once.
So, it is a shake and vape. Not bad (definitely not gross). It's a little different that what I am use to, but that's part of the fun right? Made up 60ml, so we will see how it goes. I'll post back on the original alltheflavor recipe link when I get my thoughts together.
have em, have em, need em, need em, need em, need em, got em, need em, dunno, don't want, don't want
If you don't want white chocolate peppermint from LB, you're fuckin up. It's hands down the best single flavor juice I've ever made, and better than any chocolate/white chocolate peppermint recipe available.
I may be in the minority, but I liked it. I'm not going to argue it's somehow a massive savings or anything, but I think people who judge it based solely on how much it's saving them are missing the forest for the trees.
Things I liked;
- Got a selection of flavors I wouldn't have otherwise bought, like FA Creme de Menthe, and have already used. Pina Colada ahoy.
- Got everything for a surprise recipe.
- Got a handy 10% off coupon for those times WL doesn't have one or I don't want to dig around for one.
- Got candy that other people can pick at.
- Got pleasantly surprised by the things I got. Which is something I can't stress enough for me. So much of my day-to-day life is heavily curated by me, so I enjoy when I can let someone else competently pick. It's part of what I enjoy about checking into hotels; just flicking through television, instead of just having a list of everything available to me that I assembled.
Mind you, I also had 3 or 4 duplicates. I wish the bottles were 15ml instead of 10ml, but they looked like Bull City bottles and I know they jump from 10 to 30, so it's not like it's Scott's fault on that one. I do wish more of the recipe vendors had been off the beaten path, like Purlium, but I know this's only the second box and it's hard to balance boxes that people at any possible skill level can buy. If I wanted something curated solely for me, I can just order it myself.
It's not perfect, but I enjoy it for what it is; handing someone $40 bucks and letting them shop for me. Scott did a good job. I'll be letting him do it again.
Ok so I just opened mine and would like to say it's not as bad as the post makes it seem to be. I agree with a lot of the criticism about expectations from the last box, but hey at least I like FA Fresh Cream; although now I have about 50ml of it. One thing I will say that improved since the first one is the candy! Much better selection this time around. And these are flavors that, for the most part, I wouldn't have bought for myself. I'm still on the fence about getting the next one at this point. Good thing I have some time to decide. Oh and I filled out that survey too, was it really only 14 of us that did that?
Just got an email from Liquid Barn that White Chocolate Peppermint is back.