Note: This is not a sponsored post. I’m just very impressed by this service.
The holidays are approaching fast. Hopefully, you’ve already followed my suggestions on getting ready for shopping. But if you’re still looking at a few names on your list, I’ve got just the thing: Loot Crate.
I think it’s a great, affordable option for the geek and/or gamer on your list (or in the mirror). Tim’s been getting the service for several months, and he loves it.
Loot Crate is a subscription service that sends a monthly mystery box, aka crate. There are five to seven items chosen to fit that month’s theme.
It’s difficult to describe what you get since it obviously changes from month to month. But I’ll give you an idea of what we’ve received.
Last month’s theme was time, so it included a Doc Brown figure and replica hoverboard. Not to mention a Dr. Who Sonic Spork and a Bill & Ted shirt.
Oh, and did I mention those were all exclusive? Most crates have at least one exclusive item in them, and they just went a little crazy in this last one.
Probably Tim’s favorite loot have been the shirts: James Bond, D&D, Voltron Transformers/Tron, the aforementioned Bill & Ted shirt and Green/White Power Ranger.
But other fun items have been:
- Pikachu laplander hat
- Two books, including The League of Regrettable Superheroes
November’s theme is combat, and they’ve promised items from The Hunger Games, Fallout 4 and Blizzard, among others.
According to Loot Crate, each box has items worth at least $45. Meanwhile, the most you’ll pay is $19.95 including shipping.
Of course, I’m talking to frugal people, and we all know that value is a relative subject. It’s all well and good to say that you get $45 worth of items, but the real question is whether you’ll like $45 worth of items. Otherwise, their retail value is moot.
And yep, that’s definitely the gamble with mystery subscription services like this one. But I feel pretty safe is saying that you’ll get your money’s worth. Out of eight crates, Tim has only been lukewarm about one. Later he wound up the funky bug toy he got and spent quite some time having it chase Patches around. That improved his outlook.
Plus, he’s gotten five shirts in eight boxes. Any shirt is worth the money you paid for the whole box. If you don’t believe me, check out the shirts in the links provided. You’ll see that they’re awesome.
And if you do get a crate you’re not impressed by? It’s easy to tell the company. In fact, Loot Crate contacts you.
You’ll get a monthly email that lets you rate each item received. You can also make suggestions for future product types or box themes. I love that the company is so proactive in monitoring customer satisfaction.
So have I intrigued you? Then you just have to decide what kind of plan you want.
If you’re buying for someone else, there’s a one-time box for $19.95. Although you can be a real hero — and make sure the recipient gets a crate they’re thrilled with — and get a three-month. They’ll be reminded two more times just how awesome you are. (Just make sure you remember to cancel)
Otherwise, you can choose from one-, three-, six- or 12 month recurring plans. The longer a subscription you choose, the lower the price. Besides, I really recommend that you get more than one box before deciding on the value.
If you’re reluctant to lock yourself in for three months, just get a one-month plan and let it roll over once or twice. You (or the geek in your life) will thank you!
Do you know a geek who’d be thrilled with monthly loot? Have you ever tried a mystery box subscription service?
Second note: While this isn’t a sponsored post, it does use my Loot Crate referral link. If you do decide to join through my link, please consider dropping me a line with your email address, so I can make sure the referral went through.
Cynthia says
My daughter got this for our son-in-law last year for Christmas. Like your husband, he has mostly loved it, and what he didn’t their teen and pre-teen boys often fought over. Well worth the money to them!
Abigail says
Haha, I bet the kids’ interest was piqued. I may not fight over Tim’s stuff, but I love watching him unbox the loot.
Holly@ClubThrifty says
My husband would probably like this idea!
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Abigail says
If nothing else, it’s nice to get something other than bills and credit card offers in the mail.
Emily @ JohnJaneDoe says
6 months ago, I would have loved this (and might have gotten it for myself). Now I’m in decluttering mode, but I definitely know some folks who this might be a good present for. Thanks!
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Abigail says
Hey, I hope it works out. If they’re into Fallout 4 or WoW, November should be great. And good for you for decluttering. Between Loot Crate goodies and Tim’s collectibles, we’re definitely in need of another display case.
Kalie says
Sounds like fun! So you get to keep everything? My husband must be a different brand of geek, as I don’t think he’d be into most of the items, but I can think of friends who would.
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Abigail says
Yep, it’s all just shipped to you. I think some people break it down to resell them. We have an annual White Elephant party that we go to, so any items we’re not thrilled with will be collected into two bags for that. Whoever gets the bags is going to get quite a haul!
Revanche says
I so love the idea of this, but I could not bring myself to subscribe since we’re always in dire need of more space, not more stuff. I’ll have to continue to enjoy it through you 😀
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Abigail says
Haha, I thought this might speak to you. We’re just going to get a new bookcase to better display some of this stuff. Tim’s various lantern replicas are causing some clutter.
Kristin says
I have to agree with Revanche. I like the idea, and I’m sure the items are really cool, but I don’t like the idea of having more *stuff.* I will keep it in mind, though, for a one-time gift suggestion.
Abigail says
Yeah, I guess maybe we have more space than most people in a house our size. That or we’re just willing to devote more to display. Because the current situation is getting a little cluttered. So I think I may need to suck it up and buy a bookcase retail. Not sure how we’d get a put-together one in the Civic and get it home safely.
Donna Freedman says
I just did a one-month subscription for my 14-year-old nephew. He said that the box was “everything.”
Seriously: He really loved it and if my finances improve I might surprise him again for Christmas. The stuff really was pretty awesome.
Donna Freedman recently posted…When screen time = lifetime.
Abigail says
I’m impressed that Back to the Future and Bill & Ted stuff transcend generations. But I’m glad he liked it.
TLC says
My BF might like that! For Christmas this year I bought him a replacement Nintendo NES on ebay – my Dad lost mine *tear*, and he’s been asking to play it. I also got a few games. And I got him a LEGO set (he has several already, lol.. I bought him the VW Van a few months back). He gave me one of my presents early (a Hogwarts robe). I’m a BIG HP fan! His birthday is in February & each year I have a themed cookie cake made for him. Last year was Guardians of the Galaxy. This year is Star Wars. And speaking of Star Wars, we’re actually spending my birthday (December 18th) seeing the movie! So yea, guess we’re kinda “nerdy” lol #yeswerealmost30
Abigail says
Hey, I just turned 37, and Tim’ll catch up next month. Nothing wrong with extending childhood in some areas… as long as we’re mature in the rest of the boring ones. I love the idea of the theme cakes!
Tim’s birthday is the 19th. Unfortunately, we’re not sure whether we’re going somewhere for his birthday, so we couldn’t buy advance tickets. 🙁
Lance @ Healthy Wealthy Income says
I like the idea, but not sure if I could pull the trigger to do it. I love creative stuff like this. So many good ideas still waiting to be discovered.
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Abigail says
Well, it’s not like the service is going anywhere, so you have time. (The company is actually expanding with some other offerings, but that’s another story.) And like I said, if you do decide to try it, just give it a couple months. Then judge.
DC @ Young Adult Money says
My Dad would really enjoy this. I’m not sure he’d be sold on the monthly aspect of it, but it sounds like he would really like the stuff they send out,
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Abigail says
Yeah, with the monthly thing you have to be careful. We marked the cancel date on the calendar — then I marked several reminders to cancel or renew for the couple of weeks preceding. That made sure that we rolled into another, affordable plan rather than going month to month. On the other hand, just a couple of months could yield you (or your dad, I guess) enough to stop and be happy with the haul.
Kat says
We actually get a few monthly subscription boxes (the joy of being hard to shop for- at least it isn’t the one where we got pears every month). While LootCrate can be great, some of they’re stuff is a little hit or miss for both of us. The ones that I, or my fiancé, prefer are:
My Geek Box- the themes seem to be a little more curated, and they tend to have slightly better quality goods than Loot Crate. I’ve noticed that none of the items have the insanely plastic/chemical smell that a lot of loot crate merchandise has. This is my fiancé’s favorite.
My personal favorite isn’t a monthly box, it’s a quarterly box called Book Riot. I received a year of this service as a gift, and I am actually planning on continuing when that runs out. Admittedly, each box is a little more expensive- $50, but that’s every 3 months and the value is there.
The household favorite is Game Box Monthly. When you don’t drink you tend to end up owning a lot of party games. Everyone loves them (we ended up getting most of our friends hooked on Cards Against Humanity), and it saves you from being bored at a get together. This service is how we discovered Gloom, and a a few other favorites.
Kat says
I should point out that My Geek Box is a UK service that we ended up getting as a gift from a friend who lives in London. He just ships us the boxes as they come.
Abigail says
Hmmm I’ve only noticed a smell from one item. That was a Simpson figure, so I chalked it up to that particular product. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out, but that’s the only one we’ve had like that in 8 months.
I did love party games, though I’d definitely want to pick them out myself, back when we were in Seattle. We’re more insular here so… oh well.
Kalen @ MoneyMiniBlog says
Such an interesting idea! I know more than a few people who would love this!
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Abigail says
Well, make sure they use my code! 😉
Cat@BudgetBlonde says
Interesting! I think some of the “geeks” in my life would love this. 🙂
Abigail says
It’s nice that we now mostly use “geek” and “nerd” as an endearing term.
Tre says
I’ve never tried a monthly subscription service, but that sounds like a pretty cool one.
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Abigail says
It’s a lot of fun for sure!