GlobeIn Artisan Box

GlobeIn delivers 3-5 handmade artisan products monthly from 40+ countries in themed boxes. Fair Trade Federation member. $35-40/month (3-12 month commitments), $10/month shipping after first month. Founded 2011 by Vladimir Ermakov. 4.3/5 Trustpilot but BBB F rating and supplier non-payment allegations raise ethical concerns.

WARNING: BBB F rating and supplier debt allegations raise ethical concerns about fair trade claims. Read full review before subscribing.

GlobeIn has delivered handmade artisan products from global makers since 2011, founded by Vladimir Ermakov (former robotics engineer) and Liza Moiseeva in San Francisco. The company pioneered using technology to create a marketplace connecting fair trade artisans from developing countries with U.S. consumers through monthly themed subscription boxes. With $2.35M in funding, GlobeIn achieved profitability within two years by introducing fair trade products to subscribers who might not otherwise seek them. As a verified Fair Trade Federation member, the company claims to support thousands of artisans across 40+ countries through nine Fair Trade principles emphasizing ethical production and economic opportunity.

The subscription model delivers 3-5 handmade items monthly in themed boxes like “Baker’s Box,” “Coffee Lover’s Box,” or “Wellness Box,” featuring products taking 17+ hours to create. Unlike many subscription services, GlobeIn offers a box builder allowing subscribers to preview monthly themes, swap items, or skip deliveries. The Maven Membership ($5.99/month) provides shop access and discounts without box deliveries, catering to customers wanting flexibility beyond traditional subscriptions.

Pricing Plans

GlobeIn’s pricing varies by commitment length:

12-Month Subscription: $35/month (best value)

• Total: $420 over 12 months + $110 shipping (free first month) = $530 annually
• Lowest per-box cost but longest commitment

6-Month Subscription: $37/month

• Total: $222 over 6 months + $50 shipping (free first month) = $272 for 6 boxes
• Mid-tier pricing and commitment

3-Month Subscription: $40/month

• Total: $120 over 3 months + $20 shipping (free first month) = $140 for 3 boxes
• Highest per-box cost but shortest trial commitment

Shipping: Free first month, then $10/month for all tiers

Maven Membership: $5.99/month (no boxes, just shop access and discounts)

All subscriptions include the box builder for previewing themes, swapping items, or skipping months. The $10/month shipping significantly increases effective cost, what appears as $35/month actually costs $45/month for 11 months of a 12-month subscription.

What’s Included

Every GlobeIn Artisan Box contains 3-5 handmade products curated around monthly themes:

Handmade Artisan Products: Items crafted by makers from over 40 countries in developing regions. Products take 17+ hours to create and include home decor (baskets, textiles, ceramics), kitchen goods (utensils, cutting boards, dishware), wellness items (aromatherapy, candles, self-care), accessories (jewelry, scarves, bags), and seasonal decorations. Quality receives consistent praise, items feel substantial and showcase genuine craftsmanship.

Monthly Themes: Boxes follow cohesive themes like “Coffee Lover’s” (coffee accessories, mugs, beans), “Baker’s” (baking tools, aprons, recipe cards), or “Wellness” (self-care products, aromatherapy, relaxation items). Themes provide collecting direction and ensure items work together rather than random assortments.

Artisan Stories: Documentation explaining each product’s origin, the artisan who created it, their community context, and fair trade impact. This storytelling connects consumers to makers, theoretically justifying premium pricing through transparent provenance.

Box Builder Access: Unlike rigid subscription boxes, GlobeIn allows previewing next month’s theme and contents approximately two weeks early. Subscribers can keep the curated selection, swap individual items for alternatives, or skip the month entirely. This customization flexibility reduces unwanted item accumulation.

How It Works

Subscribing to GlobeIn follows this process:

1. Select Commitment: Choose 3-month ($40/month), 6-month ($37/month), or 12-month ($35/month) subscription. Longer commitments save money but increase risk if issues arise.

2. Receive First Box: Your initial box ships with free shipping. Monthly billing begins, and subsequent boxes incur $10/month shipping costs.

3. Preview & Customize: Approximately two weeks before next shipment, access the box builder to preview theme and contents. Choose to keep curated selection, swap specific items for alternatives, or skip the month (billing pauses).

4. Monthly Delivery: Boxes ship with 3-5 handmade items following the month’s theme. Products arrive with artisan stories and fair trade documentation.

5. Shop À La Carte: Access GlobeIn Shop for additional artisan products outside subscription. Maven Members ($5.99/month) receive early access and discounts without box deliveries.

6. Manage Subscription: Update preferences, skip months, or cancel through account portal.

SERIOUS ETHICAL CONCERNS:

While product quality receives praise (4.3/5 Trustpilot from 672 reviews), systematic operational and ethical issues contradict the fair trade mission:

BBB F Rating: Not accredited, with F rating indicating systematic issues resolving customer complaints

Supplier Debt Allegations: Multiple reports document suppliers from India and other countries claiming millions in unpaid debts to small artisan producers, the very makers GlobeIn claims to support through fair trade. If accurate, this directly violates Fair Trade Federation principles requiring fair compensation and payment terms.

Customer Service: Unresponsive to inquiries about shipping delays, product availability issues, and billing concerns

Overpricing: Products priced significantly higher than similar handmade items from verified fair trade retailers

These concerns create a disconnect between stated fair trade mission and alleged business practices.

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Fair Trade Supporters: Those prioritizing ethical consumption (IF supplier payment concerns resolve)
• Home Decor Enthusiasts: Collectors seeking unique handmade decor from global artisans
• Gift Givers: Artisan boxes make thoughtful gifts with social impact messaging
• Customization Seekers: Box builder flexibility appeals to those wanting control over deliveries
• Cultural Appreciation: Interest in global crafts and artisan stories

Not Ideal For:

• Ethical Priority Shoppers: BBB F rating and supplier debt allegations contradict fair trade positioning
• Budget-Conscious: $35-40/month + $10 shipping = $45-50/month effective cost, plus overpricing concerns
• Immediate Response Need: Customer service unresponsiveness creates frustration when issues arise
• Short-Term Trials: Minimum 3-month commitment limits risk-free exploration
• Verified Fair Trade: Consider certified fair trade retailers with better BBB ratings if ethics are paramount

RECOMMENDATION:

The product quality and concept merit a higher rating than operational realities support. When boxes arrive, handmade items showcase genuine craftsmanship and unique designs unavailable elsewhere. The box builder customization and Maven Membership options demonstrate customer-centric innovation. However, the BBB F rating combined with supplier allegations of millions in unpaid debts create serious concerns about whether GlobeIn truly supports artisans through fair compensation or primarily exploits fair trade marketing while underpaying makers.

If you prioritize ethical consumption and fair trade principles, verify recent supplier payment practices before subscribing. The disconnect between Fair Trade Federation membership and BBB F rating suggests systematic issues requiring resolution. Consider purchasing from retailers with transparent supply chains and strong BBB ratings (A- or better) if ethical sourcing is your primary motivation. If you value handmade aesthetics regardless of ethical concerns, GlobeIn’s products deliver quality when received, but the $45-50/month effective cost (including shipping) warrants comparison shopping against verified fair trade competitors.