Mystery Boxes – What’s in that package?
The unboxing of mystery boxes has become a new trend on social media. I was on BBC Morning Live last week talking about mystery boxes and what you need to know if you are thinking of buying one. I regularly comment in the media on various consumer issues. See consumer rights expert media appearances and commentary.
Unboxing mystery boxes
What are mystery boxes?
Mystery boxes are exactly what the name suggests! They are sealed boxes filled with a random selection of items from a retailer. They are usually from a specific category, such as electronics, clothing or beauty.
You pay a set price without knowing what you’ll get, often with a promise that the contents will be worth more than what you paid. BUT that is not guaranteed!
The boxes usually contain surplus stock, customer returns or unsold items that companies need to move on to free up warehouse space. Rather than let items sit on shelves, they are bundled together and sold off cheaply.
It may seem like good business sense for a retailer but is it wise for you to buy this stuff?
Why are mystery boxes becoming popular?
Social media is helping the trend become more popular. I think we have inherited the trend from America. If you search for unboxing videos on social media you will see that most are from people in the United States.
Videos of opening ‘mystery boxes’ are everywhere, often showing someone pulling out a high-value item and making it look like they’ve struck gold.
It’s the next step development from buying and selling at car boot sales.
Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist and Host of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast says
People are often drawn to lucky dip or surprise bags because they tap into the brain’s reward system. Not knowing exactly what you’ll get creates anticipatory dopamine. That’s the same mechanism that makes slot machines so compelling. There’s also a strong pull of perceived value and loss aversion: it feels like you might miss out on a bargain or a “win,” even if you don’t actually need the item or in the case of restaurant end of day bags, the food. When we add in the thrill of novelty and the story, we tell ourselves that ‘this one will be different’ it becomes much harder to pause and make a purely rational decision. In a nutshell it’s rarely about need; it’s about novelty, hope, and the emotional lift of opening something unexpected even if we’ve been burned before!”
Where can you find mystery parcels?
Some large household names, such as Home Bargains, Debenhams and Le Creuset have offered mystery box sales. You can also buy them through auction sites and resale platforms.
These can be really tempting, whether you’re buying for the fun of the surprise or hoping to resell something for a profit. But there is always the chance you’ll open the box and feel disappointed, which for many people is just part of the gamble:
@british_sourdough Open my @Le Creuset UK mystery box with me. This cost £50 and has aged guaranteed £500 RRP value. What do you think of my box?
If items are damaged or faulty, can you return them?
If you buy a mystery box from a trader, your consumer rights still apply and you are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Bear in mind that under this law items must match the description. So, if the listing says that the box may include damaged items then you will not be able to return the items for being damaged.
But if the listing was incorrect, for example, if they said the product was stained but it’s actually missing components, then you may have the right to claim a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
If the boxes are listed as being refurbished or second-hand bear this in mind if you wanted to return an item for not lasting a reasonable length of time.
If a return is accepted and refunded, you will receive a percentage of the box price not of the item value.
If you buy from a private seller then items need only match the description and getting a refund will be more problematic.
What if I just don’t like the contents? – Can I return the mystery box or any of its contents?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you are entitled to 14 days to change your mind and another 14 days in which to return the box with all its contents.
You are allowed to inspect items as you would in a shop but nothing more.
It is most likely that you will have to pay for the return postage for this change of mind, so it may not be worth you returning which is all part of the gamble you take.
A private seller does not need to abide by these regulations.
Are mystery boxes a good way to make money?
If you buy a mystery box, it is possible that you can sell the contents online or in car boot sales or on market places.
Selling the occasional item and making a profit from it isn’t too dissimilar to standard auctioning. But be aware that various rules are in place when you’re selling items as a hobby, as a so-called ‘side hustle’, or through social media. See Do the hustle – and pay the right tax! If you are seen as a trader then remember you will also need to abide by the consumer laws above.
What do people say about mystery boxes?
There are mixed views and it would appear that you are better off buying from a store.
What should I look out for when buying a mystery box?
Be very cautious of anyone selling mystery boxes on social media. You don’t know for sure where the boxes are coming from, especially if the seller is an individual, where you will have less protection. For example, “mystery boxes” could contain stolen or fake items or dangerous cosmetic or electrical products which do not comply with UK safety laws.
Do your due diligence. Check reviews that are not on their site, ensure they are registered with Companies House, test the email address with a query and look at returns information. If the company says on their returns policy that they won’t accept refunds, it means they are not abiding by the law and therefore cannot be trusted.
See Consumer Champion and Cyber Security expert provide advice on avoiding online fraud.
If you are trying “lost property” boxes and purchase some unclaimed baggage, make sure that anything you receive doesn’t contain personal information, such as ID cards. These must be declared and returned.
And remember, this is all just a bit of a fun. If you’re spending £50 on a mystery box, prepare for disappointment just as much as you can for excitement, but if it doesn’t go your way, don’t try and sell your faulty, damaged or fake goods on for a profit. Put it down to experience.
Remember your contract is always with the seller and that this is a relatively new thing in the UK and so the Consumer Rights Act probably hasn’t been tested much in court on this topic.
Because this is a bit of a gamble, only spend what you can afford to lose – anything you get as profit is a bonus. Start small!
@thecomplainingcow WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU BUY A MYSTERY PARCEL 📦 (Full Guide: Risks, Red Flags & How Not To Get Ripped Off) #unboxing #sidehustleideas #mysteryparcel #knowyourrights #mysterybox
