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Are you an ice cream enthusiast? Do you enjoy indulging in a variety of delectable flavors, savoring each creamy spoonful? If so, then ice cream club subscriptions might just be your ticket to frozen bliss. These delightful memberships have grown in popularity and offer a convenient and exciting way to sample a wide range of mouthwatering ice cream flavors, delivered right to your doorstep.
So why subscribe to an ice cream club when you can just go to the grocery store? Well, maybe you don't want that hassle every time you need a frosty treat. With a subscription, you don't need to worry about making frequent trips to the store or standing in long lines in the heat of the summer, waiting for your cone to be passed already-dripping through the counter window. Ice cream is delivered directly to your home - well-packaged, of course, to stay nice and cold until you can pop it in your freezer.
Saturday, February 15th
It's hard to find a subscription service that's more delightful - and reliable - than Amazing Clubs. Frequently at the top of our list for a variety of memberships ranging from candy to candles, this company also stands out among ice cream clubs.
You'll know exactly what you're getting every month
Compared with rival ice cream memberships, Amazing Clubs seems to be a little less adventurous with their curated flavor selections - and that could be a good thing if the thought of getting spicy ice cream or savory-type flavors is not appealing to you (believe us, you'll find plenty of other clubs that feature "weird” flavors like that, if it's what you're looking for). This subscription is super-transparent with previous selections if you want an idea of what to expect; previous ice cream flavors have included Blueberry Cheesecake, Coffee Toffee, Maple Blonde Brownie, Peanut Butter Perfection, and many more. Best of all, you'll never get a repeat flavor during any 12-month period.
Skip any month you wish
And, although you can't choose which four flavors are included in a given month, you can absolutely opt to skip any month with a selection you'd rather not receive - because you're notified several weeks in advance of each delivery of what flavors are scheduled to arrive. Amazing Clubs will just tack that month's delivery onto the end of your subscription.
Unbeatable satisfaction guarantee
What if you get a flavor you absolutely hate, or something goes awry with the delivery and you open your box only to sadly discover a puddle instead of perfectly-frozen ice cream? No problem. Amazing Clubs has the best satisfaction guarantee in the business: just reach out and let them know what happened, and they'll make it right. That could include a reshipment of the same order, a refund, or even a complimentary replacement with a delivery from one of their other clubs - but they won't stop until you're happy.
Lots of flexibility
This attention to customer satisfaction extends into every aspect of Amazing Clubs' ice cream subscription. You get unmatched flexibility with club length (3, 4, 6, or 12 months in total), delivery frequency (monthly or every other month), and even payments (pay in full or pay as you go, with no difference in price). You'll pay between $75.95 and $77.95 per month, based on the overall length of membership you choose, and your shipping fees are rolled into that per-shipment cost. That keeps Amazing Clubs right on par with other ice cream subscriptions offering four pints per delivery.
Always a discount on offer
You'll also find no shortage of ways to save money here too. While many ice cream shops offering subscriptions won't extend their coupons and deals to their membership purchases, Amazing Clubs is the exact opposite. As you browse the site: pop-ups with discounts. After they have your email address: frequent messages with offers (to be honest, the number of savings offers can get a little excessive). Needless to say, don't ever pay full price for your ice cream club or any other gift membership here, because Amazing Clubs is more than willing to give you a discount.
Best choice for gift-giving
Amazing Clubs truly excels with respect to gift-giving. If you decide to send this ice cream club as a one-of-a-kind present to someone special, you can choose a delivery start date up to 11 months in advance (making this kind of perfect if you know you're going to forget that birthday or anniversary). Your gift announcement can be sent via regular mail or email on the date you specify, or you can print one out and give it in person. Plus, every ice cream club shipment comes with a fun newsletter, The Scoop!, with detailed background info on the creameries behind the pints, entertaining facts about ice cream, serving suggestions, and much more.
Over 3 million customers served
Reputation? Amazing Clubs is a hands-down winner as a company and specifically with its ice cream club. The Better Business Bureau gives the store a perfect "A+” rating, and that's pretty impressive given that more than three million customers have used this service for subscriptions. The ice cream club itself gets an impressive 4.6-star average out of 5, with frequent compliments about the wonderful flavors, creamy textures, and yes, perfectly-frozen deliveries even in places like Florida and Texas.
#1 ice cream club
Once again, Amazing Clubs comes in with a first-place finish, this time for its exceptional ice cream subscription. Not only will you get sweet treats you'll love, but they're literally guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Amazing Clubs always knocks it out of the park with respect to customer service, and the ice cream club is no exception. Make this your first stop when deciding which ice cream membership is right for you.
For over seven decades, McConnell's of California has focused on providing top-quality ice cream, using many of the same farms and sources over all that time to focus on being sustainable, local, and organic where possible. All of the milk used in McConnell's ice cream comes from local dairy co-ops in California, which is grass-grazed and free of hormones and antibiotics. And, you'll never find stabilizers, fillers, or preservatives in "the creamiest, cleanest ice cream in the business”.
Fun flavor combos
Your Pint of the Month Club from McConnell's will come with a curated selection of four flavors, drawn from their everyday menu as well as their newest and limited edition releases. What are some of the flavors you could see in your monthly ice cream box? How about Matcha Coconut Crisp, Organic Golden State Vanilla, Eureka Lemon & Marionberries, Honey & Cornbread Cookies, or Garrison Brothers Whiskey & Pecan Pralines? You can also drop by the company's Instagram page if you want a peek into what flavors might be releasing soon.
Skip a month whenever needed
Like many ice cream clubs we evaluated, McConnell's doesn't let you swap out flavors if there's one scheduled that you don't like - but it's no problem to skip a delivery for any reason (like scheduling too).
Exceptional value
McConnell's ice cream club is much more affordable than you might expect, given the high quality (and often organic profile) of the product: you'll pay $195 for a three-month plan, $389 for a six-month membership, and $780 for a full year. All Pint of the Month Clubs here include shipping in the cost, making this one of the best values for the money among all of the subscriptions in our review.
Decent for gift-giving
If you want to send the Pint of the Month Club as a gift, add a gift note during checkout and be sure to put their email address in the recipient email field. Just be aware that the actual tracking information is only sent to the purchaser, so you'll need to forward that to your lucky friend or family member who'll be getting the ice cream. They'll still get a monthly reminder and flavor announcement, so they'll be able to skip any deliveries they choose.
Committed to customers
McConnell's doesn't spell out a specific satisfaction guarantee - but after 70+ years and being a third-generation company, do they really need to? They simply state that if there's a mistake on their end or if a transportation delay affects the quality of their ice cream, let them know and they'll be happy to make it right. Period. That commitment is clearly honored, if this company's perfect rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau are any indication.
You'll love the taste
Although there isn't a lot of buzz about McConnell's ice cream club specifically, it won't take you long to find lots of praise from loyal customers for the frozen novelties themselves. Whether your Pint of the Month flavors come from the day-to-day classics or the newest releases, you're sure to love the texture and expertly-crafted blending of the ice cream base itself with the corresponding elements (like berries or cookie pieces).
Fantastic all-around ice cream club
We love supporting locally-focused businesses with a long history of quality products, and McConnell's ice cream is the perfect match for that. Their Pint of the Month Club is an ideal representation of where value meets attention to detail, from the thoughtful sourcing of ingredients to an ever-changing menu that keeps foodies on their toes (in the best ways). This is one of our most recommended picks among ice cream clubs, and we invite you to give McConnell's a try.
Salt & Straw is an artisanal ice cream company founded in 2011 by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek in Portland, Oregon (and, fun fact: it's partially owned by Dwayne "The Rock” Johnson). The company offers small-batch ice cream, and they frequently change their menu to showcase new flavors inspired by chefs and local ingredients. Salt & Straw has scoop shops across the US and offers online orders for nationwide delivery, known for its ever-changing menu of flavors and commitment to community causes.
3 options - including non-dairy
You've got three flavor profiles to choose from with Salt & Straw - including a Dairy-Free option (for what it's worth, there aren't many ice cream clubs that have a strictly dairy-free plan. Go figure!) The other two choices are Monthly Flavors - the limited-time combinations that are typically seasonal - and Best Sellers from Salt & Straw's everyday favorites. Here are just some of the flavors you might see with each one:
More expensive but worth it
You'll pay a little more for this ice cream club - from $229 for three months to $801 for a year - but that's partly because you get more in each delivery, with five pints instead of the more industry-standard four. We were pleasantly surprised that while shipping fees aren't included in the monthly fee, we were only charged $19 total - whether we chose the 3- or the 12-month plan. Compared with ice cream clubs that charge $25 (or even double that) per delivery, that's a bargain.
You might get a discount
And, look around as you browse the Salt & Straw site for any discounts on offer. At the time of this review, there was a 20% savings pop-up with code PINTSCLUB20, valid on our first subscription order. Not a bad deal.
No substitutions but skipping is okay
Salt & Straw doesn't offer flavor requests or substitutions: as your mom might say, "You get what you get and you don't have a fit.” Their pint packs might include both dairy-based and vegan options unless you specifically order the dairy-free collection, and across all flavor profiles you may encounter nuts or soy. It's up to you to keep that in mind based on who'll be eating the ice cream in your order. You can always skip an upcoming delivery in your customer dashboard, for allergies or just preferences.
Guaranteed not to arrive melted
Your monthly ice cream shipments are covered by Salt & Straw's Melt-Free Guarantee. If your treats aren't 100% frozen and in perfect shape when you open the box, just reach out via email. The company will send you a fresh batch at no charge.
People love this ice cream
While we'd really love to see some on-site reviews specifically for the ice cream club here, we have no trouble recommending Salt & Straw overall. The company is "A+” rated by the Better Business Bureau, and people from coast to coast rave about the flavors - both the traditional favorites and the always-rotating seasonal selections. That's especially true for the vegan/dairy-free ice cream here: as one customer put it, "I'm definitely not vegan, but this month the vegan flavor is my favorite one”.
Great club, particularly for vegan ice cream fans
Salt & Straw almost takes a first-place finish among ice cream clubs. For customers who need vegan/dairy-free selections every month, this may in fact be the only option on the market. And, for everyone else, if you can afford to pay a little more (and get a little more), this is a subscription you won't want to miss.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is an American ice cream maker founded in 2002 by Jeni Britton Bauer. The company offers a wide variety of flavors, including several vegan options. They have scoop shops across the United States and also offer nationwide delivery through their website. Jeni's is known for their high-quality ingredients and inventive flavor combinations, as well as their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Truly unique flavors
What flavors could you expect in your Jeni's box? We wish they offered a preview of what's been included in past boxes, but alas, we're left to just browse the 40+ flavors in their online shop and presume that each shipment in the ice cream club would come from that list. Some flavors that caught our eye were Brambleberry Crisp, Butterscotch Popcorn, Everything Bagel (?!), Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Blackout Chocolate Cake, and Powdered Jelly Donut.
Subscribe to be the first to taste-test
If you're already a Jeni's fan - or if you just like being ahead of the curve - this ice cream club is the best way to get the chance to preview a flavor before it's even made available to the public. Your shipment will include four pints of not just ice cream but also possibly frozen yogurt and sorbet, earning this club points for variety compared with rival subscriptions we evaluated.
Skipping is allowed, substituting isn't
However, there's no way to change or substitute any flavors scheduled to come in your box, so keep that in mind as you get your email notification in advance of your delivery. You can reach out to customer service and have your ice cream postponed to the following month - and that applies whether you're avoiding a specific flavor or you just need to skip a shipment because you'll be away from home.
One of the most affordable clubs today
This is also one of the most affordable ice cream clubs on our list. You'll pay $199 for a three-month plan with four pints of ice cream, $389 for six months, or $759 for a full year - and better yet, your delivery fees are included in that price. That makes for a monthly cost of about $65 at Jeni's, at least $10 less per month than most rival ice cream subscriptions.
Give it as a gift
It's pretty easy to send Jeni's ice cream club as a gift. In fact, you'll have to enter an email address just to put the subscription in your cart, but they promise that they'll only send a message in advance of the first delivery: no surprises ruined here. You can also add a personalized note once you get to the checkout page.
Long track record of happy customers
There's no feedback specifically for Jeni's ice cream club, but honestly, do we really need it? The company itself is "A+” rated by the Better Business Bureau, and these pints are regularly featured at supermarkets: not exactly something that's new to the market or risky to purchase. Jeni's stands behind its ice cream, and if anything arrives less-than-perfectly-frozen, they'll reship it to you at no extra cost.
An ice cream club you can trust
Although we'd like to see just a little bit more info on what to expect in the average Jeni's ice cream club delivery, that's no reason not to trust Jeni's to deliver an excellent experience. If you've ever tried any of their flavors, you already know how delicious they are. On price and variety alone, Jeni's earns high marks from us.
Do you like the idea of an ice cream club that is "made in Maine yet inspired by travel”? That's the concept behind Rococo Ice Cream, created by Lauren Guptill in 2012 after she spent several years in Argentina and fell in love with the heladerias and energy of Buenos Aires. Her unique flavors are drawn from elements of spice markets in North Africa, villages in the French Alps, and anywhere else you can imagine your travels might take you. Now you understand why Rococo's tagline is "ice cream without borders”.
Quarterly deliveries of six pints
Rococo's ice cream club is called the Golden Spoon Collective. It's a quarterly subscription that comes in March, June, October, and December, with six pints of limited-time flavors all based around a flavor theme (and, by the way, if you're a fan of getting your ice cream in person at a Rococo scoop shop, you won't find the exclusive subscription flavors there).
Flavors surround a theme
Want a peek at what some of the Golden Spoon Collective ice cream themes have been in the past? Take a look:
Swapping is allowed (but not recommended)
If you see the flavors in an upcoming shipment and need to swap one out due to allergies or other dietary restrictions, you can reach out to Rococo and they'll gladly make a substitution. But, bear in mind that those kinds of swaps will change the flavor theme; Rococo doesn't recommend the Golden Spoon Collective if you anticipate needing to accommodate multiple allergies or intolerances.
Very expensive when you factor in shipping
It's probably a good thing that this ice cream club is quarterly and not monthly - because it's on the expensive side. When you sign up for a subscription (and not just a one-off delivery), you'll save 10% and just pay $76.95 for your six pints of gourmet ice cream. But, shipping costs aren't disclosed until check out, and at least in our area, we'd be paying an additional $45+ for delivery. $122+ for six pints of ice cream might be more than some people want to spend - but then again, the flavor profiles in this subscription are absolutely above-and-beyond most of its rivals, and hey, it's only every three months.
Loyal customers rave about the ice cream
You probably won't be surprised to learn that Rococo and its Golden Spoon Collective come highly recommended by loyal patrons. The company has been "A+” rated by the Better Business Bureau, and almost everyone that tries the ice cream would give it the same grade. For what it's worth, if you're lucky enough to get a subscription box with the Goat Cheese Blackberry Chambord flavor, that's the one that gets frequent mentions as a to-die-for selection.
Best choice for foodies who can spend a little more
Rococo's Golden Spoon Collective is the perfect ice cream club for foodies who want to try the world's most unique frozen treats (and who don't mind spending extra to get it). From Spicy Rocky Road to Sweet Avocado Cayenne and beyond, you'll never be bored with anything you receive here.
Small business with big flavor: that's what you'll find with Colorado-based High Point Creamery. Created in 2014 by a wife-and-husband team, this creamery has three brick-and-mortar ice cream shops - and an affordable monthly subscription delivering four pints per package.
3 club lengths to choose from
There are three ice cream club options with High Point:
No matter which High Point club you choose, your delivery fees are included in the price.
Just over a dozen everyday flavors
Curious what flavors of ice cream might come in your High Point Box? There are 15 signature flavors on their regular menu:
Seasonal flavors add variety
You'll have to poke around the site a bit if you want to know what might be included for seasonal flavors. For example, we found that one year's summer seasonals were Lavender Lemonade Sorbet, Rose Gold, Dreamsicle, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and Funfetti; fall special flavors included Blood Orange Sorbet, Chai Tea & Gingerbread, Dark Chocolate & Spicy Brownies, Horchata, Joan's Pumpkin Pie, and Peach Cobbler. Yummy!
Gets plenty of rave reviews
We're 100% confident that the ice cream from High Point is most excellent - it only takes a quick look at their reviews on social media or on Yelp to find a whole list of superlatives. "Best ice cream I've ever had”, "most original flavors”, "best customer service” are just a few examples.
More info, please
That's about where the details end, though, with respect to this ice cream club. Can you skip a month? Will you know in advance what you're getting if there's something you're pretty sure you won't like? Can you give this subscription as a gift, beyond writing something in the notes during the checkout process? High Top doesn't really pull back the curtain to tell you what to expect in terms of the nuts-and-bolts of their subscription: they seem to be mostly focused on their in-person service and don't go the extra step to flesh out their subscription information a little more.
Club leaves a little room for improvement
High Point Creamery's ice cream club is sure to come with luscious and innovative flavors, and their pricing makes this one of the most affordable subscriptions on our list. But, we'd need to see a little more spotlight on the features of the club itself in order to move this option higher on our list. It's a solid choice among ice cream clubs, but there are a few companies on our list that make it easier to know what you're getting (both in terms of the flavors and the structure of the club itself).
Who knew ice cream could be so... edgy? The Sisters of Anarchy, that's who. Starting with their "”WOManifesto” and going deep into their history as multi-generational lovers of the frozen treat, the family team behind this ice cream club is committed to being truly "farm-to-cone” - making all ice cream on site in Vermont and growing most of the flavor elements (like blueberries and raspberries) right on the farm.
Hands-off or choose-your-own adventure
As you might expect from an ice cream club with "anarchy” in the name, this subscription gives you a lot of freedom to choose: get four to six pints in your delivery, and you get to decide if you want to create-your-own flavor arrangement, go with a preset selection of flavors, or let the Sisters surprise you. You can also get your deliveries each month or every other month, for a club length of 3, 4 (quarterly), 6, or 12 months.
Creative flavors with fun names
So, what kinds of flavors are we talking about here? Take a look at some of the Sisters of Anarchy's hallmark concoctions:
Themed packs or be surprised
You'll want to look through the club's themed flavor packs (Soccer Mom Special with Anarchy, Peaches, Overtime, Nine to Five, Snap) and see if there's one that has your favorite picks. If not, you can choose the Make Your Own 6-Pack and get just your must-have ice cream flavors. Or, let the Sisters pick a 4-pack or 6-pack for you - and you can enter any allergies or flavor preferences in the notes on your order, in case there's something you need to avoid. The one wrinkle we found is that two flavors (Dirty Ann and Chaste Ann) were out of stock at the time of our review, and so many of the pre-arranged selections were actually unavailable.
One-off or subscribe
All of the options here let you buy it as a one-off order, but we're here to talk about ice cream subscriptions. If that's what you're looking for, make sure to click on the button for "subscribe and save up to 5%” You'll choose if you want ice cream every month for 3/6/12 months, every other month for three total deliveries, or every three months for 12 total deliveries.
Total cost not available until checkout
What do the subscriptions cost at Sisters of Anarchy? Here's where it gets a little tricky: you won't see the price until you choose which club you want and add it to your cart, and the only discount for subscribing is if you go for a 12-month plan (which saves you 5%). So, depending on how you configure your deliveries, you should expect to pay anywhere from $45.60 (a four-pack every month for 12 months) to $70 (a 6-pack) per ice cream shipment. That sounds pretty impressive - until you get further into the checkout and find that the $19 per delivery in shipping fees isn't included in the monthly price. Still, that's right on par with the other ice cream clubs we evaluated - and what else would you expect for gourmet flavors like these?
This ice cream has lots of fans
People seem to universally love the ice cream made by Sisters of Anarchy, whether they're buying and enjoying it locally or having it shipped across the country. We had fun looking through customer photos of different flavor combinations and all of the places where they sat and took a minute to just savor the moment. There's not a mountain of feedback out there, but what's there is enthusiastic (and satisfied).
Committed to social justice
The one area where this ice cream club might not be a good fit is if your views don't align with the company's. The Sisters are very passionate about specific social causes, and that hasn't always been received well by customers who just wanted some amazing ice cream. On the other hand, that could be your perfect ice cream club - one that not only tastes incredible but also goes to support causes you believe in.
Definitely worth a look
At the end of the day, Sisters of Anarchy comes in solidly above average as an ice cream club. It's an excellent choice for anyone who needs more say-so in the flavors they get, whether that's for allergies or just personal preference, and we love how most of the flavor features like fruit are grown right on site. You definitely won't get that with anything at your local supermarket. While we were a little disappointed that so many packages weren't available (because of the two out-of-stock flavors), that's no reason to completely skip over this otherwise-impressive ice cream subscription. Particularly if you like supporting women-owned businesses, you should give Sisters of Anarchy a look.
Based in the nation's capital, Nicecream is a family-owned business that specializes in seasonal, handcrafted ice cream made with fresh, local ingredients and frozen using liquid nitrogen. Originally launched in DC-area farmers' markets, Nicecream has been in business since 2013.
An ever-changing seasonal menu
Your Nicecream subscription comes with six pints taken from the ice cream shop's seasonal flavors for that month. That could include flavors like Earl Grey, Spiced Vanilla, Butter Toffee Pecan, Dark Chocolate, Speculoos (aka Cookie Butter), Honey Lavender, Purely Pistachio, and Bananas Foster. While there's no easy way to know exactly which flavors will be coming in your Nicecream delivery, you can always check out the flavor calendar on the website to get a hint. For example, the in-shop flavors for the first week of January could feature Caramel Latte, Lemon Lavender, and Frosted Hot Chocolate, while July might include Coconut Toasted Sesame, Milk Chocolate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Sweet Corn (!),
Comparably-priced
How often would you like to get your ice cream treats? Nicecream lets you choose between an every-month plan, every-other-month, or every-three-months. You'll get a decent discount when you choose the month-to-month plan: $53.10 per delivery compared with the regular price of $59. Be aware that your shipping fees aren't included in that monthly cost: at least where we looked, delivery costs were a little over $25 per shipment, bringing the total charge to $78-$85 (depending on if we chose the every-month frequency or one of the other two plans). That's a pretty comparable total when compared with other ice cream clubs we evaluated. And, if you happen to live within the mid-Atlantic area, your fees might be lower ($13 per delivery instead of $25+).
Still some questions about the club
We'd like to see a little more detail from Nicecream about their club in particular. Will they let you know before the first Monday of the month - when all subscription boxes go out - which flavors to expect? Will they let you make a substitution if there's something you can't have due to allergies or simply don't like? Unlike many of the ice cream clubs we evaluated, Nicecream really doesn't get specific about things like that.
Ice cream club isn't the star of the show
We're not worried that the company is shady in any way: across nearly 600 reviews for their ice cream shop on Yelp, they average a respectable 4 out of 5 stars, and any less-than-perfect reviews usually mentioned price as the one negative factor. But, the ice cream subscription here definitely comes across as an afterthought and not the center of attention, especially compared with some clubs we evaluated.
Good but not quite great yet
Nicecream could be a good choice for your ice cream club if you're a fan of the liquid nitrogen-frozen style or you've tried their treats in-store and want to share it with someone across the country (but maybe not too far across the country, if you want to save on shipping fees). It doesn't quite measure up to our highest-ranked subscription options, but it's not a bad option either. Circle back to Nicecream if you don't find the ice cream club you have in mind among our higher-ranked options.
If you're looking for the most affordable ice cream club, put eCreamery at the top of your list. Prices range from $59.99 to $64.99 per month, depending on whether you choose a 3-, 6-, or 12-month plan - and that includes your shipping fees.
Over a quarter-million customers so far
So, what's the catch? Nothing. You'll get the same standard quantity of four pints of custom-churned, hand-packed gourmet ice cream as you'll see with other clubs, just for less cash. eCreamery was even featured on the TV show Shark Tank - and while the Sharks opted not to invest in the company, they still called this the best ice cream they've ever had. Since then, they've shipped ice cream nationwide to over 250,000 customers - and counting.
Solid flavor selections
What can you expect to see among the four flavors you get with each month's eCreamery delivery? You'll get a different variety each month, drawn from their menu of both classics/best-sellers and new seasonal flavors. eCreamery doesn't tell you what's been included in previous shipments, so it's a little bit of guesswork and hopefully-pleasant surprises. Still, if you take a look at their a la carte menu, you'll see flavors like Chocolate Malt Ball, Honey Caramel Cashew, Cookie Butter Pretzel, Triple Berry Oat Milk, and dairy-free Raspberry Sorbet. It's not the most varied palate we've spotted among ice cream clubs, but it's still a decent selection.
Fun flavors spotted in the Instagram account
And, if you peek at eCreamery's Instagram account, you'll probably see some of those not-really-secret seasonal options. For example, around Valentine's Day, we spotted fun varieties like "Me, Myself, & Ice Cream” (cream cheese frosting flavor with red velvet cake pieces) and "Love at First Bite” (vanilla bean ice cream with praline pecans and caramel swirls).
90-day refund and replacement policy
If anything goes wrong with your ice cream club deliveries, don't worry. eCreamery gives you 90 days to request a replacement or a refund. Just be aware that your refund might have a deduction for shipping and handling.
Some customer feedback is less than positive
However, we'd rather see that most customers never have the need to request a refund or replacement - and some of the feedback we found for this ice cream subscription was concerning. We found several reports of ice cream delivered to the wrong address or arriving in a melted mess, and it wasn't the easiest experience getting eCreamery to make it right. Reviews overall are a little hard to come by for this ice cream club, with many of the five-star reviews on the company's Facebook profile being spam from overseas investment scams and nothing to do with frozen treats. eCreamery still gets an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, but that's not quite enough to push this ice cream club higher in our rankings.
Has some work to do
We really wanted to like eCreamery, especially with its history being featured on Shark Tank and its more-affordable-than-most price point. And who knows, maybe moving forward we'll see an uptick in customer sentiment that could give this ice cream club a ratings boost here. But, compared with other subscription options that clearly go the extra mile to keep customers happy, eCreamery just isn't our favorite.
Goldbelly is a curated online marketplace for gourmet food and food gifts that are delivered nationwide in the United States. The company was founded in 2013 by Joe Ariel and is based in New York City. The platform features a wide range of iconic and legendary foods and gifts from well-known restaurants, small businesses, and food makers across the country.
Ice cream sandwiches or pints in each box
So, what does the ice cream subscription at Goldbelly look like? Every delivery comes with a selection of treats from the nation's top creameries - which could include 5-6 pints of ice cream or 6-24 ice cream sandwiches (or a combination of the two). You won't necessarily know in advance what to expect, but Goldbelly offers the following list as examples of what you could get in any given month:
About $90/month
You can choose a club length of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, with deliveries coming every month. This ice cream club costs $89.95 per month, but at least that includes the shipping fees. Just don't get too excited when you see the pop-up offering you $15 off your Goldbelly order: feel free to use it on a one-off purchase, but it won't be valid for any subscription purchase (including ice cream).
Not the most customer-friendly club
Unfortunately, Goldbelly is one of the least-customizable ice cream clubs we've encountered - in fact, it's not possible to modify it at all. Allergies? Flavors you don't like? Too bad. You also might have to wait a good long while for your deliveries to start: we were looking to order around the middle of the month, and the soonest we could get our ice cream to start was a ship date of the 21st of the following month.
Customer feedback is hard to access
Do customers think that Goldbelly's ice cream subscription is worth it? That's hard to say: the site shows that all subscriptions have an impressive 4.9 out of 5 star average, but they don't actually let you look at the customer reviews. Plus, they're not separated by the subscription type: we don't care if people like their NYC or sandwich clubs when we're shopping for the best ice cream membership.
Lackluster performance
We were also irritated by the fact that Goldbelly was still proudly advertising its "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau - despite the fact that, at the time of our evaluation, the rating had been dropped down to a "B” for having over 200 complaints filed in the last three-year period. These complaints almost always rant about products that arrive with melted dry ice and in poor condition, and that doesn't bode well for ice cream! Plus, almost every complaint says that Goldbelly's customer service initially offered a store credit only, and it was only after filing with the BBB that the response included a refund option as well.
Skip this ice cream club
Overall, Goldbelly's ice cream club fails to impress us. It's more expensive than other subscription options, less flexible, and there's a real chance that your ice cream will be reduced to a puddle by the time it reaches your doorstep. No thank you. We strongly recommend that you look at the higher-ranked ice cream clubs on our list instead of giving Goldbelly your business.
And let's not forget about variety. Ice cream club subscriptions provide an unparalleled variety of flavors. These clubs often curate a diverse selection, ranging from classic favorites like vanilla and chocolate to innovative combinations such as salted caramel pretzel or strawberry cheesecake. You'll have the opportunity to sample flavors you may not find elsewhere. It's like having an ice cream expert as your personal guide, introducing you to hidden gems and unique concoctions you might have never tried otherwise.
Subscribing to an ice cream club can be a cost-effective option for ice cream enthusiasts. Many clubs offer subscription packages that provide better value for your money compared to buying individual pints or scoops from a grocery store or ice cream parlor. Additionally, some clubs offer discounts, free shipping, or special promotions to their members, allowing you to enjoy premium ice cream without breaking the bank.
And let's not forget about one of the best aspects of ice cream clubs - they're fun! Each delivery is like a mini celebration, as you eagerly await the arrival of new flavors or favorites that you've selected in advance. This anticipation adds a sense of excitement and joy to your ice cream consumption, turning it into a delightful ritual.
If you want to purchase an ice cream club subscription for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, here are a few things to keep in mind as you choose the perfect one to satisfy your sweet tooth:
Ice cream club subscriptions offer a delightful journey through a myriad of flavors, providing convenience, variety, discovery, and sweet surprises. From classic to gourmet creations, there's an ice cream club for everyone, and Top Consumer Reviews has done the not-so-hard work of ranking today's most popular options. With the perfect ice cream club, you'll be on your way to experiencing frozen joy-in-a-spoonful and savoring the sweetest treats with each delivery.
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