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Oprah Circle of Friends Subscription Try & Keep Item Review

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanMar 28, 2015 | 70 comments

Oprah Circle of Friends Subscription Try & Keep Item Review Box

The Oprah Magazine Circle of Friends Premier subscription comes with perks including a luxury beauty box, a surprise gift, and the opportunity to try and keep products, so I had to sign up!

Here’s a breakdown of the subscription perk options:

Circle of Friends Membership

The first perk I’ve received was the Luxury Beauty Box, the second was the O-list surprise item. And now I'm reviewing the first of two Test & Keep products.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Oprah Circle of Friends Subscription Try & Keep Item Review Info

The test and keep item comes with a card asking you to enter your feedback on the Circle of Friends site.

Here is my test and keep product:

Oprah Circle of Friends Subscription Try & Keep Item Review Burts Bees

Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit - Value $13

This set includes:

  • Almond Milk Hand Creme (0.25 oz)
  • Hand Salve (0.3 oz)
  • Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Grapeseed Hand Creme (0.75 oz)
  • Coconut Foot Creme (0.75 oz)
  • Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (0.3 oz)
  • Replenishing Lip Balm (0.15 oz)

The good news - I love Burt's Bees and I will use all these items. The bad news - this wasn't what I was expecting as a test and keep item. Here are screen shots of the products they use as examples for test and keep:

Screen Shot 2015-03-28 at 1.22.48 PM Screen Shot 2015-03-28 at 1.23.13 PM

To be fair, they do make a point of stating "images are illustrative only, actual items may vary."

I love getting quality drugstore brands in subscription boxes, but the pictures shown for this program led me to believe I'd be getting higher end, more expensive test and keep products.

Looking at the #omagcircle on Instagram, it looks like everyone either received this Burt's Bees set, or an OXO Good Grips Chef's Digital Leave-In Thermometer. (Everyone on Instagram seems to be very happy with the items they received though - maybe my expectations are way off).

Verdict: At this point I can't recommend this subscription. I was expecting higher value luxe items based on the advertisement of this box (and the fact that this is Oprah's subscription). If I knew what I would be actually getting, I wouldn't have paid $200 for it. (I still have one more test and keep item coming to me this year, so I know I'm jumping the gun a bit on this verdict, but after this item and the planner that arrived in February I'm OK with making the call).

From what I can tell from comments on past Circle of Friends reviews, it sounds like this subscription was a lot more valuable in terms of items and perks last year - I guess I missed the good year!

What do you think of the Oprah Circle of Friends subscription?

 

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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70 comments

elizabeth t. cruise

signed in February or March of 15. Had such a hard time getting started. For months I received notices to send payment which was sent when I signed. friend never received magazines. Filled out form sometime June or July asking about receipt of articles and if I wanted to cancel. Said not before my Birthday in August. Promised gift for completing form came in August. Or this might have been birthday gift. Called about Card, received one in Sept. Only use Lipstick, Nail polish and hand cream now. Enjoyed Test & Keep.

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Mary

Wow, I just called to cancel my membership too. (After getting no response from emailing) It was amazing how quickly the customer service rep changed her tone once I told her why I was calling. She became very short with me and rude. When I asked to make sure there would be no auto renewal she snapped at me “of course not.” Such a letdown…hope the refund comes through.

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Hi!
I work at O’s Circle of Friends and just came across this site and have gone through all of your comments. I want to make you all aware that I am here, listening to you, and most importantly, ready to help you all.

If you have specific questions please send them to me directly at [email protected] and I will do everything I can to answer them and, most importantly, make your membership what it’s supposed to be…wonderful.

Look forward to hearing from you.

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Tracy

I just called the number (866-399-6820) and asked that my subscription be canceled and to ensure I would not be charged another $199 dollars with an automatic renewal. I was told the system is not set up to do this and I will be contacted before an auto-renewal takes place via email. How can others get refunds, but I cannot?

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Just try again, I cancelled mine on a Monday and got my refund on a Wednesday. They gave me back 119 so I guess it costs 90 for the glossybox, popcorn and 3 magazines. Definitely not worth it.

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Rhi

Wow… that sounds like total BS if you ask me. I’d call back & demand to speak to a supervisor.

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Michelle S

I had a good laugh after all the hype and you scroll down and see the Burts Bees package. Lol

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Paula

Hi everyone, I just called and cancelled and they are going to issue me a prorated refund. They are not sure what that is going to be but I wanted to let you know because I think it would be better for people to do that then to let them keep all of your money. If you want me to give you an update of how much I end up getting I can do that too. They asked why I was canceling and I basically told the customer representative what we have all been saying…. but they should be able to figure it out on their own.

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patricia

My O-list item were earrings worth $29.95 on the web. My test and keep was also the Burt’s Bees set worth $13.00. Then I called Oprah’s 800 number (866-399-6820) to ask about the 2nd promised test and keep item. (I made a copy from her website in October which showed 2 test and keep products.) I was told that they were only sending out ONE test and keep product and I was done. I expected more from anything with Oprahs name. WHAT A RIP-OFF!!!

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Vanessa

she’s not rich for no reason peeps! >.<

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Angie

Does it strike anyone else as funny that Oprah is mass marketing her friendship as something you can purchase, and at three different price points, no less? lol

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Carolyn

You can cancel by calling Customer Service at 866-399-6820.

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Emily S.

Wow. Subscription boxes can risky and disappointing at times but this one is just awful. Sure, the picture says “for illustrative purposes only” but the text says members will get to “preview new products.” The Burt’s Bees set, in addition to being of very low value, is not a new product. This set has been on the shelves of Target and drug stores for at least the past year, maybe longer. The sub completely misrepresented the value and types of items that would be sent. I hope those of you requesting cancellation and/or refund are successful. O needs to make this right.

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Nicolette Christensen

So they are putting a $106 value on a birthday card, the O list planner and 2 test and keep items? The next item better be spectacular!

Has anyone actually recieved the bday card? Is it actually signed by Oprah TO YOU, or just printed or a generic “Oprah signed 500 cards one day” thing?

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Tiffany

Never thought O would do the ole bait and switch. Thank you for letting us know. I love your reviews, I check here before I subscribe.

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Connie

I am glad I did not sign up for this box and am so sorry for everyone that did. I am shocked reading these comments and what has been received. Popcorn! I hope that there is a positive outcome from the complaints. Unfortunately it sounds like they do not care but I hope I am wrong.

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Elo

Wow this is truly awful! I would absolutely insist on being refunded. I can’t believe some of you got popcorn omg. They really ought to be ashamed.

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Paula

My experience has been much different than most of you. I am a Premier member and subscribed the very first day. Here is what I have received.
2 VIP tickets to Oprah’s tour value $2000, a an O Circle member who attended the tour a free pair of LisetteL pants value $120, a photo and reception with Oprah at the tour Value Priceless, O List Gift a small bag value $29.00, Winner in OMag Circle of Friends Twitter Contest at Christmas time. value $499, and The Burt’s Bees kit value $13. So far I have received over $2600 in goods, services and joy for my $199.00
Yes I was disappointed in the Burt’s Bees kit to test however, I think for me it was the best $199 that I ever spent!

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Liz Cadman

Wow! Can you let us know when you subscribed?

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Paula

I subscribed in July.

stephanie

That burts bees set is on clearance at my work for 6.99 thats such a joke sorry you guys got screwed 🙁 glad i never subscribed . so its pretty much 200$ for some magazines

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Paula

Oh no! I read the terms and conditions and we automatically get billed. If we cancel now, is our second “mystery” gift going to be worse than if we wait and cancel after? This is worse than the social bliss box. I never thought I would say that but I guess never say never.

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Michelle R

I logged on and clicked on “cancel my subscription” and it says
“We are sorry that you want to cancel your subscription.
Your current order is not eligible for cancellation for any of the following reasons:
* It was sold as part of a bundled order
* It was sold as part of a gift order

So as far as I can tell they don’t make it easy to cancel and we have to email customer service to do so.

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Terrienyc

I’ve done so twice so i will post it if I’m successful in getting it cancelled. 🙁

me

I don’t want to crush the hearts of any who still happens to worship O as this unicorn of all beings predominately based on an enormously successful run as one of the most revered, beloved talk show hosts of all time. Especially at a time when the production powers that be discovered how hugely beneficial both financially and influentially it was/would become to use their programming as a indulgently sweet (albeit somewhat deceptive in cases) catalyst to cross market products (mostly perceived as higher end, luxury brands) to the masses, whether they were conscious of it or not. Hugely strategic win for brands (prouct placement), for their star (gains mega influential power and commission kickbacks for conveniently mentioning/gifting random products ever so coincidentally) and for ratings (you get a car, and you get a car, and… gosh, maybe if I tune in, I’ll get a car?). You couldn’t plan it better, it was magic and no one realized because O had become the new and improved Santa. Regardless of whether she truly used or believed in the product, sales

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me

(oops… continued, sorry…)
As I was saying, sales soared merely by her mention. UGGS, philosophy, Kuhn rikon, etc, brands that perhaps weren’t considered mainstream or as commonplace as today saw profits and stocks go through the roof. It was a phenomenon that fascinated economists and was every ad execs, marketing and branding, publicists and CEOs to small business/indie/niche marketers dream. So while it maybe began as she innocently mentioned a prouduct, it blew up and created many millionaires and billionaires. It made people and products relevant. And it changed the face of how people buy. We’ve realized how we are influenced and that reviews and perceptions can unfortunately be deliberately designed and manipulated. That’s what I see with this box. O signed onto what is presently a very hot, successful money making band wagon and instead of ensuring integrity and honor when signing her brand to it, she dropped the ball hard and showed many her true nature. It’s all about the Benjamin’s with her too, unfortunately. It’s eye opening and hopefully a very clear revelation for many. I feel super sad for those who shelled out $$ that coulda gone to a better box, because I know how much it sucks to be let down like this and I hate to see any MSAers go through that, because even tho I am a random stranger to you all, I ‘ve been on/reading MSA for a long time, and through day habit, I find myself relating and truly caring about how we all go thru this Sub/Mystery Box experience, whether it’s a box I’m subbed to or not. So because of this box and the crummy experience O’s “Circle of People I Couldnt Care Less About So I’m Not Gonna Give Them the Cool, Luxury Swagtacular Stuff I’d Give Gayle, But I’ll Gladly Take Their $200 and Give Them Some Random Sponsored Condolence Freebs” err… I mean the more familiar edited name, O’s”Circle of Friends,” far as I’m concerned, she and Gayle can go cuddle with her Echart Tolle first edition lined in virgin dove feather parchment, gilded cashmere throw in her Uggs, smear on some LaMer diamond encrusted face mask while sipping some Aces from a Bvlgari flute and suck it. *pout* /end rant. Sorry for the lengthy rant but #notsorryshesucks #nowondershesbeenhavingsomanygaragesaleslately
#sellout #obviouslyinevergotanOcar LOL

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Lisa

I think I love you a little. It sucks being one of the rare people who don’t buy into the Oprah hype.

That being said. I can understand how people would expect good things from someone like Oprah. I feel bad for those who have spent so much money only to be given something you can pick up easily at your local drugstore. I like the brand, but it’s nothing new and something I couldn’t easily get myself in the next 10 minutes. I’d be highly disappointed (and quite angry) to have received this ‘gift.’

I also think the complete differences in the gifts are very odd.

Christina

LOLOLOLOLOL well said

Dena

I’ve been fuming about O’s Circle of Friends since December. I signed up because Oprah normally doesn’t do anything that isn’t classy or first rate. I signed up in October 2014 and received my luxury box in December. My box was a used pink Glossy Box with three items in it. I called their customer service and told them I wanted to cancel because of the box that I received. I got my charge card bill and they charged me $56 for the two months that I was a member. I contacted them to find out what was worth $56 and they told me the box that they sent, use of the website for two months and the subscription to O Magazine that they stopped sending in January. I will never order anything that Oprah is attached to.

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Michelle R

I’m very bummed about this subscription too. It was a total leap of faith as I’ve never considered spending that kind of money on a subscription before. I really thought there would be a lot of value in it with Oprah’s name on it. My special gift months ago was Footnanny Foot Cream (which granted is better than the notebooks many people got). When I got my Burt’s Bees kit I knew for sure I had made a mistake signing up for this subscription.

I didn’t think this subscription renewed on it’s own – if that’s the case I need to cancel it before another $200 gets wasted.

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Annette

I received ROC Deep Wrinkle Serum (1 oz.) $16.18 on Amazon

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Rhi

Omg. That’s awful. If you were a member of the Home Tester Club right now, you’d be be getting this product for free, no strings attached. Okay, one string. You have to write an honest review about your experience. I’m so sorry ladies. Their customer service and the self thought “Queen Bee” really need to rethink what a sub box is. Little companies like Little Lace Box are slamming it out of the park. I still dream at night anout when they will reopen for subscriptions. I guess she was too good to sit down w/ people at successful companies like Popsugar, Birchbox, FFF, to see what WORKS, and then expand from there. I’m not surprised though.

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lisad

Yikes, what a rip off, I hope you all get refunds!

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Barbie

Not cool. I’m kind of speechless by how wrong this subscription is on so many levels.

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mvp

Barbie…
A) totally agree… on so many levels.
and B) You are an icon. I truly adored your “action figures” growing up, even though I also secretly had a Jem doll who was far too large to share clothes or accessories.
oh, and to clarify, C) For some reason I just get inexplicably happy whenever I see the name Barbie. XD (and I subconsciously start looking for missing tiny shoes.)

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chris

When a company puts pictures of jeans, a swimsuit, and other items known to be in the $50-100 range and says they are for illustrative purposes only, still sounds like bait and switch to me when they send out a $10-13 product. (A little harder to make this case with the $40 thermometer.) Notice they didn’t happen to put any “illustrative” pictures of items in the $10-13 range. Why not? Hmmm… maybe because people would not opt for the Premier level of this subscription which is twice the cost of one level down. Of course this is not an accident. They can’t possibly believe someone would be happy with this.

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mvp

Agree… it seems like a very deliberate attempt to sell a product by evoking emotion. It just doesn’t feel honest at all. It would be like somebody like Scott Disick or Diddy announcing you won their Swag Life Grand Prize and when you showed up to pick it up, it wasn’t the Rolex and RR Phantom depicted in the email, but a plastic Dora the Explorer Timex and a years rental of a used Ford Focus. (No offence to Timex, Dora fans, or Ford Focuses… just needed the contrast for illustrative comparison.) LOL
Somehow I have a hard time believing this was an unintended overlooked occurrence when their Board met to discuss this venture. It feels like we got MacGrubered. By Oprah. That’s just sad.

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chris

I think some people have said this subscription was better in the past. I think it’s very likely that Oprah or someone close to her was involved in the beginning and then just walked away and handed this off to someone else to manage going forward. Whoever is in charge of it now probably thought “hey if we gave less valuable items we could make more money….” Maybe a good short-term strategy – makes the product more profitable initially on paper – but not a good long-term strategy if you want loyal customers over time.