Golden Tote Review – April 2014
Golden Tote is one of my favorite boxes to get – clothing or otherwise! Every month you get to pick out 1-2 pieces, and they surprise you with the rest. (I bought two of the $149 totes this month, so there will be another review posted soon!)
FYI – This is not a typical subscription, each month they release a new collection and you can decide whether or not you want to buy it.
The Box: Golden Tote
The Cost: $49 or $149 (This review is of the $149 box)
The Products: Clothing items you pick plus surprises from Golden Tote!
Ships to: Everywhere! Shipping to the continental US $7.95. AK HI $15 and international is $25
Check out all of my Golden Tote reviews and the Women’s Clothing Subscription Box Directory!
Abstract Dot Maxi Dress in Mint – Value $70
This was one of my two selections for this tote and I absolutely love it (which is a good thing considering I got the rust color in my other tote!)
It’s very well made and fits perfectly! I know I’ll be wearing this dress all summer!
Embroidered Denim Jacket – Value $65
This jacket was my other selection. I usually buy a size large in clothing, but I always debate between a medium and large in denim jackets since I wear them open and I never want the jacket to look too boxy on me. I ended up going with a medium in this jacket and I think it was the right choice.
The detail on this jacket is fantastic, and it’s from the same brand as the denim jacket from last month (Thread & Supply).
Woo Souvenir Edition Raglan Lace Top – Value $50?
I believe this item was made just for Golden Tote, so I’m guessing on the price. From the spoiler pics I had assumed that the entire top had some stretch to it (I don’t know why I thought this), but it turns on the sleeves have stretch, but the lace does not.
Golden Tote also added a bonus black cami for layering underneath this top!
Lumiere High-Low Floral Blouse – Value $50?
I love that this blouse has just a bit of a high low effect, and the cut is very flattering.
It drapes pretty low in the back though, so I think I’ll be layering it over that cami Golden Tote included!
Priddy by Puella – Value $65?
The designers behind Golden Tote are also the designers for the amazing brand Puella (one of my favorite Anthropolige brands), and they’ve made the Priddy by Puella line just for Golden Tote subscribers.
This top is super soft, and almost has a bit of a terry cloth feel on the inside. It’s a little wide/loose at the bottom, so I’ll need to wear this with skinny jeans to balance out the look!
Hourglass Lily Strapless Maxi Dress – Value $68
Yes – another maxi dress! (I’m pretty maxi obsessed, so getting one as a surprise item is a real treat for me). I love the pattern, and while I normally stay away from strapless dresses, I’m going to make this one work! (It’s a little on the long side – I’m 5’7″ and will need to wear heels with this dress).
Verdict: This Golden Tote was a complete win for me! The value is pretty close to $400, and definitely worth the $149 cost for me! Did you get your April Golden Tote yet? What was your favorite surprise item?
Written by Liz Cadman
Because of all of Liz’s amazing reviews for Golden Tote, I decided to take the plunge and purchase my very first tote this month. I chose the $149 tote and added a couple of additional pieces. It’s April 25th, I have still NOT received my tote.
When I started seeing April Golden Tote items being added to the swap site and Liz posted her first review, I checked my account on April 20th it said that my order was delivered on April 14th at 4:39p! At first I was concerned that someone may have stolen it, but I have so many packages delivered to my home in addition, I confirmed that my husband was home all day so I was almost certain that wasn’t the case. I immediately emailed Golden Tote on April 20th and called (left a voicemail), asking if the delivery confirmation on my account was a mistake. I emailed and left another voicemail with their customer service on April 21st, 22nd and 23rd until I finally received an email with a very short response from Rosemary stating that production of the Woo Fringe Dress was held back and sorry for the inconvenience, which was on April 23rd- 4 days later! As an FYI, no one ever answered the phone and I called during normal working hours, so I wouldn’t waste your time calling.
The lack of communication and the four day later response time from Golden Tote’s customer service is unacceptable. If I was sent a notice stating my order was delayed because of production around April 14th (when my shipping label was created) I would be much more understanding. As a first time Golden Tote Customer I am very disappointed in this whole experience. Reading some of the other comments about not receiving the bonus items and only the ones that were chosen is unacceptable. I’m busy, we all are, so when I have to spend time out of the day to figure out what’s going on with a $220 order that was supposedly already delivered, is unacceptable.
By the timeI receive my items, which is still a mystery, they will be putting up Spoilers on Facebook for the May tote, when some of us are still waiting on our April tote (or based on comments below, the rest of their April tote). Based on my experience with Golden Tote so far, I think they have a lot of opportunity for improvement.
This happened to me too and I have not heard anything back yet! Do you have any advice to get a hold of someone from customer service??
thanks!
Sorry to hear that. From my experience their CS is only responsive if you email them directly. Log into your account & at the bottom you will see “contact us”. To help them prioritize their requests, include the order # . Last month they did reimburse me $7.95 (shipping) for the inconvenience they caused, so at minimum, if you had a similar experience, they should do the same for you. It’s better than nothing! Hope this helps. 🙂
And I emailed them everyday until I finally received a response. So I recommend that you do the same.
I got the lace top in white. Love it! Can always add an extra cani to my collection too. Not sure how I feel about the puella sweater though. It just looks weird to me!
Had to email them this:
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Hi there,
I received the $149 tote I bought today in the mail and upon opening it I saw I was ONLY shipped the two items I picked out and the lace top/tank bonus gift. I am missing all my other surprise items! Has this happened to anyone else? What can I do to correct this mishap? Hope to hear from you soon.
-Alexandria
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..Hopefully they have good customer service. First time I have bought a tote too. :/
My understanding from speaking with CS is that the lace top was NOT a bonus item but a regular item. However, upon contacting them, they are sending me a new extra item for my $49 tote and they allowed me to select my item myself from a few different options.
Thanks for the information! I have not heard back from them yet. Hopefully I get the same excellent CS as you. Fingers crossed, still kind of bummed it happened on my first tote. Especially since 149 plus shipping isn’t something I would normally spend but figured it was ok to spree for it with a little bit of tax money.
OK so I bought the $149 tote and ONLY received the two items i picked out and the lace top….I am missing all my other surprise items! Has this happened to anyone before?? I sent them an email and a facebook message but was just wondering if this has happened to anyone and if it was resolved. I love the items I got but if they don’t send me other items definitely NOT worth the $149 i paid!
I love my tote! I got it today. I did the $49 tote and picked the navy zebra top because it was just too cute. I also couldn’t afford the $149 tote this month. If I had I would have scooped up that aqua maxi and the sailboat sweater. I expected to get the Woo top because I had already read that if you got the zebra top (which is very soft by the way) or a dress you got one extra item which I was fine with. This was my first tote so I wasn’t really sure what I would get to choose from so had requested a cardigan. They actually read my comment on my order and sent me a cardigan which I love! Super soft and lightweight. Its coral and gradually fades to light gray. It was a nice surprise too for me since I had been thinking the last few days I would just get the Woo top. After reading your review that the lace does not stretch this was probably a good thing I didn’t get it as I still have a little baby belly I am working off right now. The zebra top also fit my chest which is great as Im a little busty and I hate finding cute tops but then the buttons pull across the chest. Anyways as you can tell I love this service and Im planning on ordering again next month. It definitely beats taking a toddler into a store 🙂
I love the dresses you got! And the denim jacket looks like it would be cute over the teal maxi dress too! I may have to treat myself and try this one out sometime 🙂
I LOVE your tote! I got the maxi dress you got only in rust so i can’t wait to see it! I am hoping I love it as much as I love the green one…second guessing my color choice right now…lol! I also got the open back dress too. I really love the lace shirt and am really hoping I got one! I also got a $49 tote like a week later cause I just loved this months options so much so I got a cute little emerald tank! They are both on the way and I really can’t wait to see what my surprise items are!
I bought a $149 tote and the $49 tote but I didn’t receive any extras in my $49 tote, it ONLY had the dress that I selected. My $149 had the 2 items that I selected, 4 extras and the lace top. I sent them a message through their website on Wednesday but I still haven’t received a response from them. April has definitely been a disappointment for subscription boxes for me. 🙁 Although, everything in my $149 tote was AMAZING!
That happened to me too! I already sent them an email and they sent me another lace top because they thought that I meant that I didn’t get this one and was one of the 1,000? I sent them another email again saying I didn’t get any “surprise items” today. Their CS is pretty good, so I wonder what happened to the $49 tote extra items.
Your tote looks amazing! I got the $49 tote with a Macroflower dress that is very cute and fully lined. It is a little longer than I expected, but not in a bad way. (I was worried it would be too short. Have to remember that their models are on the tall side and wear a smaller size than me.) Got the lace raglan and a black camisole. Very happy with my tote yet again.
LOVE your entire tote!
If I get that black and white maxi as one of my surprise items I’ll be over the moon! Everything else in my bag could be a complete disaster and I would still be happy. *fingers crossed*
Same here! I’m really hoping for that maxi! I should get mine Monday and getting that dress would make my week!
Gah that dress is perfect. More than likely won’t get it though– I specified that strapless sucks on me :((
I love your surprise items!
Did you order at two different times? Or did they send each tote separately?
Cute Tote!
I LOVE the dot maxi, they were sold out of it so I skipped the GT this month.
I haven’t seen the for maxi on any trade/swap groups either
Last month was my first Golden Tote. I loved one item, had to give the other two away. Nothing popped out for me to purchase this month and your times would not work for me. Happy I saved the money but love getting surprise clothes!
What a great bag! I wanted the polka dot maxi, but was too late! I emailed GT and asked to see if they had any more of the bonus shirts for this month, so hopefully I get one in my bag! Did you get expedited shipping? I still have another week until mine gets here! 🙁
Yep I paid the extra for 2nd Day Air – I hate waiting! 🙂
Haha the wait kills me. Next time I’ll have to try it out!!
Did everyone get the black lace top? I bought a $49 tote with the Breezy dress (which I love) and added the zebra print shirt (love zebras.) If everyone got the top, then I think I’m missing an item?
Only the first 1000 to buy received the lace top.
I did get the lace top, but I didn’t get the other “surprise” item for the $49 tote. At least I think you’re suppose to get another item.
If you ordered a dress as your pick you only get two items in your tote (the lace raglan& cami are counted as one) Its only if you ordered a (cheaper) top you would get 3 items. Its because the dresses are more expensive. They posted about this on facebook in reply to a comment. The $49 tote is advised as 2-3 items so I wouldn’t expect 3 if you ordered a higher priced item. You have to look in the boutique section to find the prices though…there’s a definately an art and a science to buying golden tote! I’m so glad they put out all the spoilers so you can form a strategy before the shop goes live!!
I read it as the lace top is “the” surprise item if you’re one of the first 1000. But, then again, this was my first Tote so I don’t know how it usually works. I bought the $49 tote and picked the breezy open back dress and received the lace top and bonus cami. When it says “2-3” items under the $49 option, does that mean 2-3 in addition to your pick?
Yes, I read it that way too. There’s no disclaimer saying if you pick an expensive item, you’ll only get that item. Then why buy the tote?
If the item was expensive, then I expect one extra item instead of two, but to say your item costs too much so you get no extra items is just a bad business practice.
Nobody didn’t get any extra item… just some people got 1 extra and some 2 extra. How you ‘expect’ it to worn is exactly how it is working ! @TinaP it’s two to three items total, so it includes your pick. I think the confusion is people seem to think the lace raglan is bonus item, but it is counted within the item total which seem perfectly reasonable to me. If you didn’t want it you could request for a different surprise item. Or don’t read the spoilers if you don’t want to know what’s coming.
I thought the lace raglan was a bonus item too but it’s not. Hopefully they’ll word it differently if they do that again in the future.
I’m interested to know why so many people thought the lace top would be a bonus ‘free’ item? I think GT said something like this month the first 1000 subscribers will receive a woo lace raglan top….perhaps I’m a cynical Susie but I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion this is a bonus! It’s retail value is more than the cost of the $49 tote so again not sure why people are bummed to receive ‘just’ this and their chosen item. If everyone starts trying it on for extras and complaining that they didn’t get a surprise all that will happen is GT will stop with the spoiler/special items. I don’t work for GT or anything so this is just my opinion, I’m a new International customer and still waiting on my first tote!
I believe golden tote addressed this on the Facebook trading group. For the $49 tote it’s 2-3 items depending on the cost of the item you picked out. If your picked item was one of the tanks shirts then you received three items total because they were less expensive items. Everything else is your pick + reglan shirt for a total of 2 items unless you did not want the woo shirt then I guess you get a suprise.
For that Lumiere High-Low Floral Blouse, you can tie a wide ribbon in the back connecting the straps (kind of like those convertible bras with the hook for a racerback) which would pull the top higher in the back. Plus it’d be a cute look.