We’re on a mission to try every dog subscription box available. We recently got to review Pet Giftbox.
Launched in November 2014, Pet Giftbox is one of the newest boxes on the market. In addition to ordering your own dog goody box, you can gift either a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription to a friend. There is also an option to gift a one-time box.
About Pet Giftbox
It all began when a group of friends found themselves talking about their pets over a long leisurely summer day. Everyone agreed that it was very expensive to try out new pet products, new foods, and new toys – and not always easy to get access to premium products in their local stores. The friends came up with the idea of an affordable pet subscription box made up of only the highest quality products, new and unique toys, and healthy pet treats.
The dog boxes come in three sizes – petite pup, mid-sized pup, and hefty hound. Subscriptions range from $17.99 per month without long term commitments, to one time gifts at $24.99. The subscription does auto-renew but you can cancel anytime. Shipping is free and they ship the boxes in the first week of each month. When you sign up you’ll be notified when your box is expected to ship.
A portion of all proceeds are given to America’s VetDogs,® an organization serving the needs of veterans with disabilities.
Inside the Box
Update: We filmed an unboxing video for a box more recent than the one in this review – July 2015. Check it out to see my first impression of what was inside.
Pet Giftbox sent us box to check out in exchange for sharing the experience with you. Unfortunately, I am a schlep and I am just now reviewing the box…and they sent it to me in November!
Our box contained 5 toys and 1 treat. All of the items were the SPOT brand by Ethical Products Inc. In my opinion, these were lower to mid-grade toys.
One toy was a rope-ball toy called the Knotty Tug. It looked to be the most durable toy of the bunch. It is a tennis ball with a rope threaded through it. I have seen toys with this type of rope promoted as “teeth floss” because they might scrape tartar off of your dog’s teeth when they chew on the bound threads. Note: this toy did not claim that. I mention it to describe the toy better.
One toy was made of fleece material and contained a squeaker. One was a Christmas elf toy with a box inside and sang when it was squeezed. I expected it to squeak so I was pleasantly shocked when it sang instead. Chester didn’t seem so impressed.
The elf toy and the penguin are made of a soft fabric. The 4th toy was made of a light Nylon canvas and the 5th toy was made of a thinner latex rubber.
The treat was Pup-RRR-Mint Dental Chews. The package states they were made in the USA and are easy to digest. The chews are not touted as all natural but I didn’t see anything offensive on the list.
For a more detailed description of each of the toys, please visit the Paw Print Pet Blog (her toys vary a bit in looks – like she got a rubber chicken instead of a pig – but they are the same toys as was in this box)
What Did I Think?
I think the amount of items that came in this box was good for the price. I wasn’t very impressed with the quality of the items though. I think they would work for dogs that are light chewers or don’t chew at all but they wouldn’t last very long at our house. I think the fleece starfish would probably last the longest. Well, the rope-ball toy would, technically, last longer because Chester and Gretel weren’t interested in it (but I’ve seen that kind of toy be very popular with larger dogs that like to tug).
I enjoy a mix of edible things and toys in my subscription boxes. Chester and Gretel only need so many toys but go through treats like nobodies business.Based on my experience with subscription boxes, what they contain varies a lot from month-to-month. I assume that the boxes may contain more treats than toys in some months so it probably all balances out.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in this box. I would of rather received fewer, higher quality items. I would definitely give this box a second chance though. The price on this box is great.
Also, this service is new and they are still learning their way. I have tried several new-to-market boxes and they are always a little different 6 months later than they were in the beginning. I am sure that PetBox is keeping track of feedback and reviews to improve their boxes in the future. Since the box I am reviewing was sent to me in November, they are already 3 months into the process.
You can check out the January box here. It contained 5 items and I was pleased to see the improvement in quality. Chester and Gretel would have loved those treats (we have actually tried the Barksters beofore – read our review)
I would rate the box as lower than average to average (the higher average rating due to the number of items in the box).
Pet Giftbox is a fun brand with great photos and context on their Facebook Page. You can keep track of what is going on with them there.
UPDATE: While our experience with Pet Giftbox was positive, I’ve received several comments on this post from people that had negative experiences (SEE the comments section below). After several attempts to contact PetGiftbox myself, I recieved a notice that there has been a staff change and this message: “I would like to offer my sincerest apologizes for any issues [your readers] have faced with PetGiftBox…. I would like to try to make things right. Please [tell them to] feel free to reach out to me personally, as I would love to change [their] mind about PetGiftBox. We offer an awesome service with fun monthly themes that pets and their parents love! Please let me show you that PetGiftBox can be a wonderful experience for both you and your pets. My email address is alexandra@petgiftbox.com.”
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pet Giftbox. I received a box in exchange for my honest review. Here at YouDidWhatWithYourweiner, free does not equal good so everything we say is really how we feel about the product. Pet Giftbox is not responsible for the content of this article.
Rebecca says
I appreciate such an honest review. You recognized that not all dogs are like your dogs but you also conveyed that you kind of know dogs in general and I agree with all your comments.
My Goldendoodle can be a real chewer at 38 pounds and can take something out if she sits down and concentrates on it. A higher quality of the toys would also be my preference. I think I will wait a few months and I will try them myself because no doubt you are probably correct that they will just keep on improving what they offer.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks Rebecca. I do take into account what I know about all dogs in my review. It’s hard to compare a new box directly with one that has been around for a year or more because it’s not a level playing field. The more seasoned brand has had a lot more time to fine-tune things.
Taylor Cribbs says
I was super unsatisfied with pet gift box I ordered a box and signed up for a subscription three months ago got charged for all three months but never received a box for my dog I’ve never moved always had money in my account there was no reason I shouldn’t have received them..so I called customer service and I spoke to a man named Matt very rude and implying that I was trying to commit fraud..I was very upset with these accusations I finally got a full refund after sitting on the phone forever! I would not recommend you order from this pet service I have had better lick with barkbox llc
Ana says
I too am very mad I never received any of my boxes I got charged for 2 months and nothing this is a rip off
Jessica Rhae says
Oh, no. That’s disappointing to hear. I’ve never had anything but a good experience with them. I assume you contacted customer service as Taylor did, Anna? Hopefully you had a better customer experience than he did. I will pass this feedback along to the owner.
Mary Jerrell says
How did you find a customer service phone number? I have been unable to find one.
Jessica Rhae says
I just looked and I can’t find one either. Seems strange. There is an email listed though: hello@petgiftbox.com
jim ham (@tweetin42) says
I love it!
^$5 off pet gift box!!!!
I recently saw the link for $5 off and figured why not, my pup deserves it!!! haha and it was awesome, Benjamin the black lab gets it every month and loves it! He gets so excited to get the mail every month and when he sees the box he knows what it is… lots of treats and toys to keep him happy, happy, happy!
Julie Morgan says
Not worth the money. They fill a box with cheap, flimsy items that are at times not even gifts to your pet. My cat didn’t need a paw magnet. Just throw away stuff. When I tried to return the box I got very short answers with no names or signatures.
They originally shipped me a dog box, and before writing to them I confirmed on my account that I had in fact ordered a cat box. They did replace it, however some of the items were identical to the dog box. It took nearly a month just to receive my initial box. It’s quite a disappointment all around. They do not stand behind their product or service and just repeat “policy” to any inquiries that you submit.
Beware. Google reviews (not from affiliates) and read Facebook comments. A lot of very unhappy customers.
Jessica Rhae says
I’m sorry that you had this experience. It sounds very frustrating.
This company launched in November of last year. I reviewed one of their very first boxes. My expectation was that they would learn a lot within the 6 months between November and April and have the contents, and their shipping process, fine-tuned by now. Thank you for reporting that your experience was otherwise.
Almost every subscription box out there ships all of their orders on the same day each month. Unfortunately, that means that if you placed your order a few days after the shipping date, it would be almost another month before your box was shipped. I am not saying that is what happened here though and, at a minimum, they should make something like that more clear.
It does sound like they stood behind their product and service, which I am happy to hear. They shipped you out a new box once you alerted them to the mistake. Perhaps you asked for a refund though and they did not honor that?
Again, thanks for letting me know about this. I take note of people’s complaints about the subscription services I review and that factors into my rating of the box when I write my comparison posts.
Verossa says
The dogs are so cute :3
Maria says
I just ordered 3 months for my dog roxie..she is a BIG chewer and gets every squeaky out in seconds..I am hoping the toys are not filled with so much stuffing as she loves to rip her toys and take out every inch of the stuffing… I ordered mine through a groupon. I have t admit after reading this review I am a little nervous that the toys are going to be crappy, but we shall see! fingers crossed that Roxie loves this gift box! she is my BABY!
Jessica Rhae says
We just got a second box from Pet Giftbox. One toy was a rubbery plastic and the other had a lot of stuffing and was very soft. Chester chews through most toys in seconds too so I expect these toys to only provide a few minutes of fun. I never know though – once in a while we find a toy that I think they are going to tear apart in seconds and it lasts for weeks. I hope you are happy with your box.
Amanda says
Do not order from these people. We have had several boxes that were ok, we moved and changed our address two weeks before next box was supposed to be shipped and low and behold, they sent to wrong address. After trying for a week to get in touch with them they kept saying “we will get back to you in 48 hours” why? Take care of it. Horrible customer service. After finally a week and a half later we get a reply saying we can’t have a refund or a new box sent out due to “limited supply”. You sent our box to wrong address, this is your fault. I understand if you have limited supply but at least offer a refund. Now, nothing. We cancelled right then and there. Horrible horrible customer service.
Jessica Rhae says
Hi Amanda. Thanks for sharing your story. I am very disappointed to hear of your experience. As you can see by the comments, you are not the only one that has had a bad one. I contacted the owner and asked about the negative feedback I have been hearing. I was assured that they are working to correct any mistakes (every new, small company has growing pains – they are people just like you and me) so I hope that the issues people have pointed out here get resolves so no one else has to go through what you did in the future.
Charnita Fance says
I can attest to the fact that this company has HORRIBLE customer service and I will never deal with them again. They also remove all complaints from their Facebook page so sadly, potential customers will never know about these issues. I just had one removed earlier today. Luckily, I also posted a copy to the website “Pissed Consumer” along with a screenshot of the response I received for a rep (very rude and condescending).
To make a long story short, I was charged three times in one month for a single box. It’s a monthly subscription, yet I was charged THREE times. When I asked for a refund and finally to cancel (after the third wrong charge), they tried to make me feel bad and as if I was in the wrong for wanting a refund even though it’s MY money and they’re the ones who wrongfully charged me.
Please be careful with this company. They have decent boxes with cute themes, but it’s not worth their horrible customer service!! Don’t be fooled by all the rave reviews on Facebook either since they delete the bad ones.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks for letting me know this is still an issue with them Charnita. I passed along some of the previous negative feedback to Pet Giftbox and admit I did not receive a very satisfying reply to my detailed inquiry. They said, “I appreciate your honesty and letting me know about the negative feedback. We are continuously working on improving our fulfillment and customer service as we grow” but did not address specifics of what they are doing to remedy the concerns of people voiced here.
I leave this post here so people can find information about the box if they are thinking of subscribing. I admit that I have heard a lot of negative feedback about the company. Since not everyone scrolls down to read the comments, I will add a note at the top of the post letting people know they should read them.
Kitty says
What upsets me is that their website says that they ship the boxes out within the 10th of the month…..I’m on box #4 and not a single box has been shipped within the 10th of the month, it’s usually around the 20th for me. I’ve ended up contacting them every month regarding when my box is being shipped out, however the customer service hasn’t been horrible for me, but the whole situation has been rather frustrating. I’m extremely torn between canceling my subscription or not, simply because I love their cat boxes. Today I got news that a friend I referred received her tracking info, but I still have yet to. I contacted them again today, but haven’t heard anything back regarding it. I just wish that they’d ship their boxes out when they say they will.
Jessica Rhae says
Hi Kitty. I am sure they discussed this with you at customer service but, in my experience, “ship” by the 10th of the month does not mean you receive it by the 10th of the month. It means that they ship it by then but it can take up to 7-10 business days to actually get to you. If your box is arriving by the 20th, that sounds about right to me. If you are unhappy with them, by all means cancel. I was just offering that insight in case you are still on the fence about it. It sounds to me like they are, in fact, doing what they said they would.
Jeannine says
I am a very unhappy customer with this company as well. I have been charged for a box I never received and now I have been charged again and have not received this box either. I tried contacting customer service and have never received a response from them at all. This is a company with bad customer support so they won’t go far.
Traci says
Just got the Groupon. I’m a little skeptical because they asked for my credit card info again. I hope I am not going to be charged after its said and done. My daughter is getting a new cat, so we’ll see how it turns out!
Jessica Rhae says
I hope your Daughter’s kitty likes it 🙂
Eileen Johnston says
I was charged for a box in October and never received it. There is absolutely no reason in the world that these gift boxes cannot be shipped out so that they are received by the customer by the 15th of the month. I cannot even find a phone number to call and voice my complaint. Just what kind of idiots are running this company anyway.
Jessica Rhae says
Hi Eileen. I understand your frustration. You, obviously, are not the only one here that has had a poor experience. Although I am not affiliated with them, I am sorry for that. I do know that, although it’s a very long timeframe, their shipping details are listed on their website. They say it can take two weeks from your purchase date for the box to ship and then it can take another 15 days to get there. I know from shipping boxes myself that it can be very costly and I am sure they are trying to save money on that to keep the cost of the boxes down…. so they choose a very slow shipping method. It’s all still very frustrating though. I know when I order something I can’t wait for it to get there. Waiting up to one month for my first package to arrive would drive me nuts. I hope you are able to get a resolution through their email contact form.