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Tuesday, June 17th
Goldbelly says it plainly: they believe in the emotional power of food, to create memories, make connections, or just deliver good old-fashioned comfort. Joe Ariel, founder and CEO of the company, started Goldbelly on a mission to bring regional favorites from small shops, local restaurants, and passionate chefs right to your doorstep. That includes cookies.
Way too light on details
Sounds great in theory, right? Unfortunately, Goldbelly is annoyingly vague when it comes to spelling out what you can expect in your cookie subscription. They say that each box will "serve 6-8 people”, but come on: how many cookies can you eat in a sitting? We can eat a lot! It would be more helpful to know that if we're getting Minnesota's Humongous T-Rex Cookie Company's "GIANT” Cookies, that's just going to be 4 cookies for 8 people to share, or if we're lucky enough to receive NYC's famous Black & White Cookies from William Greenberg Bakery, we can count on getting at least a dozen. But, none of those details are provided, and those cookies we described are just examples of what you "may” receive. And when you're paying $49.95/month (with free shipping) for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, you're probably going to want a little more detail than that.
Get your order in before the 24th for next-month delivery
Another aspect of Goldbelly's cookie subscription that we found a bit frustrating was the length of time we had to wait for our first delivery: nearly two months. That will depend on when you place your order, but as an example, if you pay for a subscription at the end of March, your first cookie box probably won't ship until May 17th and will take 3-5 business days to arrive. You'll have to get your order in by noon on the 24th in order for your cookies to start coming the following month.
Pop-up discount not valid on subscriptions
You might be tempted to give Goldbelly your email address and mobile number when you see the pop-up offering you a $20 discount on your first order. Unfortunately, that savings doesn't apply to subscriptions like the cookie club (according to the terms when you click next to "restrictions apply”), so you may want to keep your privacy intact for now.
Are they actually paying attention?
We just can't get excited about Goldbelly's attention to detail or commitment to customer service (or lack thereof on both counts). In the "More Info” section on the cookie club page, we scratched our heads wondering why they felt the need to tell us that last year's holiday orders would start to be sent in January of the current year... when that was well in the past. (And in another food category where we evaluated Goldbelly's offerings, they even spelled their own company name wrong in the customer service email provided).
Forget about refunds
You can also forget about getting your money back, as Goldbelly says they won't offer a refund unless there's "an error in the making of your order”. So, if you get cookies that taste bad, or there's a carrier delay, too bad and so sad. The only exception seems to be if your order is affected by extreme temperatures, but they say those inquiries are resolved "on a case-by-case basis”, and even then you may only get a replacement or a store credit.
Disappointing choice for a cookie club
The idea of Goldbelly is great, but the actual delivery is a disappointment. This extends to all of the subscriptions we've looked at here, not just the cookie club. Fortunately, there are lots of options on our list with similar small-business sourcing, with cookies from around the nation, who seem to take customer satisfaction much more seriously than Goldbelly does. They are kept from a lower ranking only by the fact that they have an "A-” and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.
Imagine the sheer delight of receiving a package every month filled with an assortment of freshly baked, gourmet cookies delivered right to your doorstep. This is the magic of cookie clubs or subscriptions - the ideal treat for anyone with an insatiable love for cookies or for those eager to gift a delicious surprise to someone special.
Variety is the spice of life, they say, and what better way to experience it than through a plethora of cookie flavors? From classic chocolate chip and chewy oatmeal raisin to exotic flavors like salted caramel, peanut butter and jelly, or even lavender shortbread, the options are endless. Each month brings a new adventure as you eagerly anticipate the discovery of unique and tantalizing flavors crafted by skilled bakers.
Convenience is key in our fast-paced world, and cookie subscriptions offer just that. No more rushing to the store to satisfy your cookie cravings or spending hours in the kitchen baking batch after batch. With a subscription, simply sit back, relax, and let the cookies come to you. It's like having your own personal cookie concierge, ready to indulge your sweet tooth on the regular.
And let's not overlook the sheer brilliance of giving a cookie subscription as a gift. Picture the joy on your loved one's face as they unwrap their first box of cookies, a delectable surprise at their door after a long day at work or school. It's a gift that keeps on giving, spreading happiness and indulgence month after month. Whether it's for a birthday, anniversary, or just because, a cookie subscription is a thoughtful and memorable way to show someone you care.
Which cookie club is going to best satisfy your sweet tooth? As you consider the tempting variety of cookie clubs out there, here are five factors to help you compare your options:
To help you find the perfect cookie club to satisfy your cravings for delicious treats, the cookie fanatics at Top Consumer Reviews have happily evaluated and ranked today's most popular options. Anyone have a glass of milk?
Select any 2 Cookie Clubs to compare them head to head