Finding high-quality and ethical lifestyle products can be tough, but Alltrue, formerly known as Causebox, sources these items for its quarterly subscription box.
This company is known for working with brands that use ethical practices to create their lifestyle and self-care products. Each box highlights 6-8 full-size items you can use in your daily life for $60. This subscription box has caused some controversy lately because of its sudden, unceremonious shutdown that came as a surprise to subscribers.
In early 2022, the company neglected to send out subscription boxes as usual and failed to pay their partners for their orders. Subscribers discussed the situation on Reddit and social media, and the story even made it to Forbes. Forbes also followed up when the company was purchased by new owners Retention Brands and resumed operations as if nothing had happened.
The company’s new owners have posted an explanation of the situation in the website’s FAQ, but I had to do some digging to find any acknowledgment of the missing boxes and the change in ownership.
The rest of this overview will go over how Alltrue works and how it has changed. Some customers have received boxes from the new owners, but judging by the flood of complaints on the company’s social media posts, many of them still haven’t received the boxes they paid for.
Alltrue Overview
Alltrue is a quarterly subscription box with a focus on socially conscious products. In a world where luxury items are often produced in dangerous conditions with low-paid labor, this subscription box aims to make it a little easier to put your money toward companies that benefit the world. They take the guesswork out of the process by researching companies and partnering with them.
These boxes are available quarterly, making them an occasional treat instead of something you can look forward to each month. These boxes emphasize quality over quantity, and their mission statement clarifies that they aim to include useful items that actually have a place in your home.
Alltrue goes beyond curating brands, however. Before the change in ownership, they had a print magazine and a podcast. The company also had an “artist residency program,” which means that they work with a different female artist to illustrate and design each box. None of these programs have been updated since 2021, however.
Pros:
- Ethical products
- Discounts up to 80% off
- Access to the members-only shop
Alltrue puts a lot of time and care into choosing brand partners that meet their high standards. Not only do their partners create ethical goods, they also create well-made products.
Like most subscription boxes, Alltrue is able to give customers unique savings on the items they receive. In the case of Alltrue, this includes discounts up to 80% off. Ethical products often carry a steeper price tag, so these discounts make a big difference.
Alltrue maintains a members-only shop filled with carefully curated items that are well-crafted and made by people who are fairly compensated, using environmentally friendly methods, and so on. This shop remains open, and it’s also open to former subscribers.
Cons:
- Past unreliability
- Higher price
- Hasn’t updated their website
The company’s recent issues and its rocky transition to new ownership may scare off many potential customers. The subscription box has also increased in price this year.
The company has failed to update many areas of their website, including the front page price list. The result is that their website is a little misleading and confusing for people new to the brand.
How does Alltrue work?
Alltrue is a quarterly lifestyle subscription box. It’s available in winter, spring, summer, and fall. It costs $59.95 per box and comes with a value of $250 or more. Subscribers often note the quality of the items and how well they tend to fit into daily life, making the subscription truly beneficial to a household.
Quarterly subscribers will receive a curated box of 6-8 full-size items ranging from workout gear to kitchen equipment. Boxes often include skincare products, too. Annual subscribers, on the other hand, get to choose from an array of products. Customization means you can always get things you really want and need, reducing clutter and unwanted items in your household.
The company states that they use seven Impact Pillars to decide which companies to work with. These pillars are:
- Artisan and handmade products
- Charitable contributions
- Female-led businesses
- Small businesses
- Sustainably made
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
How much does Alltrue cost?
- One box: $59.95 with free shipping.
- Annual membership: $219.80 with free shipping, billed annually. This breaks down to $54.99 per box.
- Those who live in Canada or outside the continental US will need to pay $7.95 for shipping.
Annual members save $20 compared to seasonal subscribers. They also get a few extra benefits, such as the option to select items and customize their boxes. Alltrue suspended that option temporarily, but their social media shows that options will be available again in the Fall 2022 box. Annual members also get access to Choice+, which allows them to select add-ons to be shipped with their box.
How do you sign up for Alltrue?
Even after the controversy of customers not getting refunds and vendors not getting paid for their goods, Alltrue is still accepting new subscriptions. They require you to pay via credit or debit card, and no longer offer the option to buy through Paypal, Apple Pay, or other methods.
When you subscribe, you’ll need to also create an account on their website so you can manage your subscription, customize your orders, and access their members-only market.
Canceling and Pausing
Alltrue makes canceling easy and simple. Once you log in to your account, you can go to the Memberships page under My Account, and you can click the Unsubscribe link. It’s important to cancel before your next renewal date in order to get billed. You can email customer service to ask when you should do so.
In order to pause your subscription, you’ll need to email the company at [email protected].
Canceling or pausing your account doesn’t include a refund.
What brands does Alltrue send?
Alltrue includes a wide selection of brands in their boxes, and they are primarily socially-conscious, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free.
Some of the brands they’ve featured include:
- Brand With a Heart
- Cosmedix
- Bamboozle
- Small:Hours
- Grown Alchemist
- Henny+Lev
- Huna
- This Works
- FEED Projects
Many of these also show up in other subscription boxes dedicated to ethical consumption.
Final Thoughts
For several years, Alltrue was a popular subscription box that delivered on its promises.
The company had many ambitious projects. Many parts of the company website, like the Artist Residency program, Artisan Development program, and Impact Reports haven’t been touched since 2021, or longer. The front page of the website still lists old, lower subscription prices.
Transparency is essential for companies that build their customer base around ethical shopping. As the company transitions into new ownership, they’re going to need to establish trust with subscribers.
This subscription box serves as a reminder of how important it is to check reviews and do your research before buying from a company! There have been some positive reviews of their new boxes, but I think it’s important for customers to know the full context before they decide whether to subscribe or not.
Instead of taking a gamble with Alltrue, we recommend trying the vegan, eco-friendly boxes from Kinder Beauty. If you’re looking for another lifestyle box, consider Curateur or FabFitFun.
