Loot Crate

Loot Crate delivers exclusive collectibles, apparel, and accessories celebrating gaming, anime, and pop culture franchises. While the service offers officially licensed items unavailable elsewhere, serious operational challenges following bankruptcy in 2019 have led to widespread fulfillment problems, shipping delays, and poor customer service. The 1.1 Trustpilot rating and F BBB grade reflect ongoing issues that significantly impact the subscriber experience.

About Loot Crate

Loot Crate launched in 2012 as the original geek subscription box, building a loyal following with exclusive collectibles from beloved franchises. At its peak, the company shipped hundreds of thousands of crates monthly to fans worldwide. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and has faced ongoing fulfillment challenges since restructuring.

Despite its troubles, Loot Crate remains the only subscription offering truly exclusive items from major franchises like Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and popular anime series. For collectors who receive their crates, the items inside are genuinely unique and unavailable elsewhere. However, the company’s track record demands caution - we recommend researching current reviews before subscribing.

Pricing Plans

Crate Type	Price	Shipping	Value	Focus
Loot Crate	$29.99/month	$6 US	$50+	Pop culture mix

Multi-month Prepaid Plans:

• 3-month: 5% discount
• 6-month: 8% discount
• 12-month: 10% discount

Note: Loot Anime (discontinued Dec 2023) and Loot Gaming (inactive June 2025) are no longer available. Loot Fright is currently sold out. See Wizarding World for the other active Loot Crate subscription.

How It Works

Loot Crate’s monthly subscription cycle promises exclusive collectibles, though operational challenges significantly impact the actual experience:

1. Choose Your Crate and Subscribe: Select between:

• Loot Crate (Original): Pop culture mix across gaming, movies, TV, comics, and anime - $29.99/month plus $6 US shipping
• Wizarding World: Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts exclusive items - separate subscription

Prepaid multi-month plans offer 5-10% discounts but require upfront payment, which carries risk given the company’s fulfillment challenges. Many subscribers recommend month-to-month subscriptions initially.

2. Monthly Theme Announcement: Around mid-month (when on schedule), Loot Crate announces the upcoming month’s theme via email, social media, and their website. Themes might include “Epic Quest,” “Villains,” “Timeless,” or franchise-specific focuses. The announcement teases franchises included without revealing specific items (to preserve surprise).

3. Exclusive Item Creation: This is Loot Crate’s key differentiator - they partner with major licensors (Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Disney, anime studios) to create exclusive collectibles unavailable anywhere else:

• Custom Funko Pop variants with unique paint schemes or poses
• Exclusive apparel designs featuring mashups or special artwork
• Limited edition figures, statues, and vinyl collectibles
• Branded accessories, pins, patches, and home goods
• Collector’s items with “Loot Crate Exclusive” markings

When these items actually arrive, they’re genuinely collectible and often appreciate in value on secondary markets.

4. Crate Assembly and Fulfillment: After the month closes, Loot Crate assembles boxes containing 4-6 items themed around the announced concept. Theoretically, crates ship on or around the 1st of the following month. However, this is where major problems occur:

• Severe delays: Multiple customers report waiting 3-6+ months for orders
• Missed shipments: Some orders never arrive, with refunds difficult to obtain
• Lack of communication: Little proactive notification about delays or issues

The 1.1 Trustpilot rating and F BBB grade primarily reflect these fulfillment failures.

5. Delivery (If It Arrives): When crates do ship, tracking information is provided, though updates can be sporadic. Domestic shipping typically takes 5-12 business days once actually in transit. The $6 shipping fee is charged regardless of whether delivery occurs on time.

6. Unboxing and Collecting: If/when your crate arrives, unpack the exclusive items:

• Collectibles are wrapped individually to prevent damage
• Apparel is usually folded with sizing information
• A collector’s booklet explains each item and its exclusivity
• Items bear “Loot Crate Exclusive” branding

For subscribers who receive crates as promised, the unboxing experience delivers genuine excitement - these ARE exclusive items you cannot buy elsewhere.

7. Display, Use, or Sell: Decide what to do with items:

• Display collectibles on shelves alongside other fandom items
• Wear apparel to conventions, casual outings, or as sleepwear
• Gift items to friends who share fandoms
• Sell exclusive items on eBay, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace (some items fetch premium prices)

The exclusive nature means these items have collectible and resale value IF they arrive.

8. Manage Subscription (Attempt To): Through your Loot Crate account, you can theoretically:

• Update shipping address
• Change subscription type or cancel
• Contact customer service about issues

However, customer service responsiveness is a major complaint - emails go unanswered for weeks, cancellation requests are sometimes ignored, and resolving issues requires persistence. The F BBB rating reflects hundreds of complaints about customer service failures.

Shipping: $6 for US addresses. International shipping varies significantly by country and can add $15-30+ to costs, making Loot Crate less viable outside the US.

Important Reality Check: The “How It Works” process described above represents the IDEAL experience. The 1.1 Trustpilot rating, F BBB grade, and thousands of negative reviews indicate this ideal rarely materializes consistently. Before subscribing, check Loot Crate’s social media and recent reviews for current fulfillment status.

What’s Included

Each Loot Crate typically contains:

• 4-6 exclusive collectible items
• Licensed apparel (t-shirts, accessories)
• Vinyl figures and statues
• Home goods and decor
• Themed pin or patch
• Collector’s booklet with item info

Featured Franchises

Loot Crate has featured exclusive items from:

• Gaming: The Last of Us, Halo, Fallout, Elder Scrolls
• Anime: Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia
• Movies: Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Horror classics
• TV: The Office, Stranger Things, The Mandalorian

Who It’s For

Best For (With Major Caveats):

• Hardcore Collectors Willing to Risk Delays: Those who value exclusive collectibles enough to tolerate potential 3-6 month shipping delays or non-delivery - the exclusivity is real IF items arrive
• Franchise Super-Fans: People who must own every exclusive variant of their favorite franchises (Marvel, DC, Star Wars, anime) and are willing to endure operational challenges for unique items
• Patient Subscribers: Individuals with extremely high tolerance for frustration, unanswered emails, and uncertainty about when/if orders will arrive
• Resellers with Low Expectations: Those who understand that exclusive items can appreciate on secondary markets (eBay, Mercari) and are willing to treat subscriptions as speculative investments with high risk
• Gift Givers for Forgiving Recipients: People buying gift subscriptions for geek culture enthusiasts who will appreciate the IDEA and eventual items rather than expecting timely delivery
• Risk-Tolerant Fans of the Brand: Long-time Loot Crate supporters who remember the company’s peak years and are hoping operational issues improve, willing to give them another chance
• Month-to-Month Experimenters: Those willing to try a single month (not prepaying) to see if current fulfillment has improved, understanding they might lose $36 if the crate never arrives

Strongly Not Recommended For:

• Anyone Expecting Reliable, Timely Delivery: The 1.1 Trustpilot rating and F BBB grade reflect severe, ongoing fulfillment problems - if you need items to arrive within 30-60 days, Loot Crate cannot guarantee this
• Budget-Conscious Shoppers: At $36/month ($29.99 + $6 shipping), you’re risking money that may never result in received products - those on tight budgets should avoid this uncertainty
• Control-Seeking Collectors: You have zero customization - no choice of franchises, no ability to skip months with themes you dislike, no control over apparel sizes (usually XL)
• Risk-Averse Subscribers: The company’s 2019 bankruptcy and ongoing operational struggles make this a high-risk subscription - prepaying for 3-12 months carries substantial non-delivery risk
• Those Needing Responsive Customer Service: Email support is notoriously unresponsive, with reports of weeks-long waits or no responses at all - if you need help resolving issues, expect frustration
• Fans Who Want Current Pop Culture: Even when crates arrive on time, themes may feature older franchises or releases from 6-12 months prior due to licensing and production timelines
• Anyone with Limited Tolerance for Disappointment: If delayed/missing orders, ignored customer service emails, and broken promises will ruin your experience, skip Loot Crate entirely
• International Subscribers: Already expensive at $29.99 + $6-30+ international shipping, plus customs fees in some countries - delays are reportedly worse for international orders
• People Who Research Purchase Decisions: If you read reviews before buying, the overwhelming negative feedback (1.1 Trustpilot, F BBB, Reddit threads filled with complaints) should discourage subscription
• Parents Buying for Kids: Children lack the patience for 3-6 month delays and don’t understand bankruptcy/restructuring explanations - disappointment is almost guaranteed

The Reality: While Loot Crate’s exclusive collectibles are genuinely unique and valuable TO COLLECTORS WHO RECEIVE THEM, the operational execution is so problematic that recommending this subscription is difficult. The 1.1 Trustpilot rating reflects thousands of frustrated customers. The F BBB grade indicates hundreds of unresolved complaints. Reddit’s r/lootcrate community is filled with delay reports and fulfillment issues.

If you subscribe despite these warnings:

• Use month-to-month billing (never prepay for 3-12 months)
• Pay with credit cards that offer purchase protection
• Document all communications with customer service
• Monitor your credit card for unauthorized charges after cancellation attempts
• Set expectations that delays are likely, not exceptional
• Check recent social media posts for current fulfillment status before subscribing

Loot Crate’s concept is excellent - exclusive collectibles from beloved franchises delivered monthly. The execution post-bankruptcy has been deeply problematic. Until/unless operational issues resolve consistently (verified by improved ratings and customer feedback), approach with extreme caution.

Important Warning

Loot Crate has a 1.1 Trustpilot rating and F BBB rating due to shipping delays, unfulfilled orders, and customer service problems. Before subscribing, check their current social media and recent reviews for fulfillment status. Consider starting with a single month rather than committing to longer plans.