Reviews
Fishwife
Experience
I love tinned fish. For years I maintained detailed tasting notes, tracked prices, probably ate a can a day! So I was extra excited to try Fishwife (thanks #thingdrop!). The packaging was lovely. The company mission is great. And I really liked the fish. It was my first time having tinned cod. I should have expected it but the fish itself was a little more toothsome than I'd expected. But since it's a low-fat fish that's just the way it works. Flavor was great, too. Not sure I'd pay full price but perhaps as part of a larger spread for a special occasion where folks would appreciate the unique nature.
Feedback
Would have loved this Thingdrop as a sample pack. It's too bad the actual can wasn't also decorated. Would look fly on a charcuterie board.
Smpl
Experience
These are tasty bars in small (50 calorie) sizes. If you're hungry, this is not a meal replacement - maybe a more convenient, less healthy alternative to an apple or a handful of grapes. Or a better alternative than a small piece of cheese or bag of chips. Having four flavors in my sample bag was fun and none of them were bad. Very much "peak functional bar" flavors, if you get my meaning. Unfortunately, I didn't experience any noticeable functional benefits and it really is hard to believe a small bar could have an effect that wasn't swamped by go-to classics like "a good night's sleep" or "getting some sunshine and exercise" or "coffee" but having the choice of bar means I get to choose what I want in the moment: Calm? Energy? Focus? Immunity?
Feedback
I just didn't feel the functional benefits. Which is maybe OK?
Character
Experience
This is just a review of the "starter" tool kit. It was...disappointing. First: I love the idea! High-quality tools in fun colors bundled in a convenient pouch. But the actual item delivered was sub-par. The tools look and feel cheap. There were numerous blemishes and imperfections in the metal tools, plastic parts felt brittle and thin. I have nice tools (Stanley, Snap-On, etc.) and these were not they. Everything works but I don't expect them to survive very long. But it is nice to keep a tool kit near the back door and not have to go out to the garage. This also shipped in a ton of packaging which...didn't help. Despite a box being packed with cardboard, the individual tools had come out of their "nests." Nothing was broken or damaged but too much packaging that just didn't do what it was supposed to.
Feedback
Overall quality. In a sense, this kit serves as an ad for your service. Every time I use it I'll be thinking: "Not pro." And, less packaging.
Stumptown Coffee
Experience
It's good coffee. I'm on the east coast so getting west coast coffee feels sorta weird. And I'm not picky enough that these beans seem to stand out.
The Sill
Experience
I bought a snake plant for my mom for her birthday. The online shopping experience was awesome but the delivered product was slightly underwhelming. One of the leaves was broken - not worth making a big deal about it but kind of a bummer.
Feedback
Shipping plants is hard.
Dollar Shave Club
Experience
The razors are fine and as someone who only shaves occasionally I'm happy with the twin blade (and I went to their manufacturer to order direct). But their other products are awesome. Their various hair creams and pomades are awesome. Shave butter is amazing. Aftershave moisturizer is the best. Good lipbalm. Great antiperspirant. Their soaps, face washes, shampoo and conditioner aren't for me but that's because I have oily hair and dry, acne prone skin.
Feedback
I'm trying to buy fewer things mailed to my house (sustainability) so maybe a way to combine with other online purchases?
Blue Apron
Experience
Lets give Blue Apron credit: the created a new class of how we eat. Before Blue Apron we had...groceries? restaurants? frozen meals? Now millions of people all around the world get measured ingredients with various levels of prep already done sent to their homes. People who would never cook have tried cooking. People have tried new dishes, techniques, and cuisines. There's a whole industry and while Blue Apron has fallen from the top spot, every one of those competitors (hello, Hello Fresh!) owes them thanks. That said, it was a bad fit for us. We were already cooks so the meals felt expensive, the dishes fussy, and the results lackluster. And our picky kids never got into them.
Four Sigmatic
Experience
I keep wanting mushrooms to change my life but, so far, mushrooms haven't changed my life. The world is stressful. Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping. Sometimes I have a hard time staying focused. I've tried Four Sigmatic's instant coffee and their bedtime hot chocolate. Let's get the coffee out of the way: it doesn't taste good. I'm someone who likes instant coffee (team Nescafe, and Starbucks Via is amazing) but this still tastes like what I'd find in the back of my grandmother's cabinets. The bedtime hot chocolate is pretty good, though! Relatively low in sugar and it tastes nice. Unfortunately, I don't notice the mushrooms doing anything for me beyond what the non-mushroom equivalents would do.
Feedback
More mushrooms? I dunno.
Oatly
Experience
It works pretty well for lattes and the nutty taste goes well with coffee and cereal. But I drink cow milk and it just doesn't compare.
Feedback
It just doesn't have the rich mouthfeel of even skim milk and the taste is noticeably oat-y. I guess it's not something to improve, just something to keep in mind.
The Bouqs
Experience
The prices seemed good and I liked the sustainability mission. But shipping flowers has been hit or miss and not everything I got looked good when it arrived.
Feedback
Could you work with local florists? Everything I get through the big online flower shops looks great - I just don't like the environmental impact!