It's not just you. Birchbox has an 'F' rating from the Better Business Bureau for a reason. Seriously, their BBB page shows over 100 complaints filed in the last three years, and their Trustpilot score is a dismal 1.3 stars from more than 1,500 reviews. Most complaints are about the same things: unexpected charges after cancelling, boxes that never arrive, and customer service that goes completely silent. It feels like they make it easy to sign up but impossible to leave. If you've been charged for products you didn't want or can't get a response, you're in the right place. This guide is for anyone who's done trying to be nice.
Best ways to complain to Birchbox
Getting in touch with Birchbox can feel like sending a message in a bottle. They don't make it easy, which seems to be the point. Your primary method is through their official support channel, as they do not publicly list a direct phone number for customer service.
Contact Method | Details & Availability | Why use this instead... |
---|---|---|
Email / Support Ticket | support@birchbox.com or via their website's help center. Available 24/7, but responses are not immediate. |
This is their main channel and creates a written record of your complaint, which is crucial for escalation. |
Social Media | Direct Message on Instagram (@birchbox) or Facebook (@Birchbox). | Use this for public complaints. Companies sometimes respond faster when their brand image is on the line. |
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Birchbox After Complaining
Don't hold your breath. Based on user reports, getting a reply can take a while.
Method | Expected Wait Time |
---|---|
24-72 hours (or longer) | |
Social Media | 12-48 hours |
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
- Use a clear subject line: Start with "Urgent Complaint" and include your order or account number.
- Attach screenshots: If you have proof of cancellation or incorrect charges, include it in your first email.
- Keep it short: State the problem and what you want (e.g., a refund) in the first two sentences.
How to Escalate Your Complaint
If Birchbox ignores you or refuses to help, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
This is a non-profit organization that helps consumers and businesses resolve disputes. Filing a complaint here is free and often gets a company's attention because they don't want a public record of unresolved issues. Birchbox currently has an 'F' rating, so they are familiar with the process. Be prepared to wait, though. The BBB process can take a few weeks, but Birchbox is required to respond.
File a Chargeback
If your complaint is about an unauthorized charge, contact your credit card company or bank. Explain the situation and request a chargeback. This process reverses the payment from your end. You typically have 60-120 days from the transaction date to file. This is often the fastest way to get your money back when a merchant is unresponsive.
Email Template to Complain to Birchbox
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Billing Issue on Account [[Your Account Email]]
I am writing again to resolve an issue with my subscription.
Despite cancelling my account on [[Date of cancellation]], I was incorrectly charged [[$Amount]] on [[Date of charge]]. This is my second attempt to contact you about this, and frankly, it's become incredibly frustrating having to spend my time chasing down a refund for a service I already cancelled.
My order number is [[Order #, if applicable]] and my account is under this email address.
To resolve this, I need you to process a full refund of [[$Amount]] immediately and provide written confirmation that my account has been closed and no further charges will be made.
If I don't receive a satisfactory response within 48 hours, my next step will be to file a chargeback with my credit card company and submit a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
[[Your Name]]
Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved
- Mention the magic words. In your email, calmly state that if the issue isn't resolved, you'll be contacting the BBB and initiating a chargeback. This can sometimes move your ticket to a higher priority queue.
- Take screenshots of everything. Your cancellation confirmation page, your support tickets, your bank statement. Keep a folder. You'll need it if you have to escalate.
- Check Reddit. Seriously. Sometimes a user on a subreddit like r/BeautyBoxes will post about a specific manager's email they found that actually gets a response. It's a long shot, but it has worked for others.
Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to Birchbox
Tired of sending emails into the Birchbox void and getting nothing back? It's exhausting. You follow their rules, cancel on time, and still end up with a surprise charge on your credit card. Then you have to spend hours drafting emails they'll probably ignore. Sound familiar? Pine AI handles the persistent follow-ups and tedious communication for you. No more checking your inbox every five minutes or wondering if you're being scammed. Let our AI handle the annoying part so you can get your money back without losing your sanity. No joke.
Frequently Asked Questions about Birchbox Complaint Filing

Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.