You do NOT get 20 free meals! I signed up for the qualifying, 2-person, 4-recipe subscription and received my first box without charge, as expected. So I should have 18 free meals left; right? Today, when I saw my next box coming in 3 days was $49.96 (already charged, by the way), I flipped. I could see “Delivery 2 – 20% off,” and thought they applied some wrong code to my account.
When I called to have it fixed, they explained (in English as their 2nd language – making it hard to understand in the first place) that somewhere they have a charge – perhaps in the first box(?), but they could not explain where and what that charge was, to my satisfaction, and that they are spreading it over the next 9 boxes; really?! I get that I was going to pay for the shipping, but 20 free meals is 20 free meals! And it took me three calls of them disconnecting me, and having to listen to them “explain” this without they, themselves, fully understanding it, I’m sure, since that is when I always got cut off. On the third call back I made, I just told them to cancel, and then had to put up with listening to their ‘options’ while they tried to retain a customer.
Before I signed up, I scoured their terms and conditions, but couldn’t find anything better than what was in the email:
“20 Free Meals + Free Shipping’ offer is based on free shipping on first box and **a total discount applied over a 9-week period for a 2-person, 4-recipe subscription**. Discount varies for other meal plans and sizes. Shipping fee applies on all deliveries after the first box. Not valid on premiums, meal upgrades, add-ons, taxes or shipping fees. May not be combined with gift cards or any other promotion. No cash value. Void outside the U.S. and where prohibited. Offer cannot be sold or otherwise bartered. HelloFresh has the right to end or modify any offer at any time. Additional restrictions may apply. See [https://www.hellofresh.com/about/termsandconditions](https://www.hellofresh.com/about/termsandconditions) for more details.”
I assumed the “total discount…” above, was the “free”-ness of the deal. WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE CHARGE THEY TACK ON ON THAT THEY SPREAD OVER THE REST OF THE MEALS?? AND WHY DON’T YOU ACTUALLY GET 20 FREE MEALS? I could not find anywhere where it explained that. I’m sure it is all legal in order to cover their asses, but it is EXTREMELY DECEIVING! Although, I’d love to know if there is a lawyer out there that can determine if this can fall into some kind of false advertising!
Perhaps the meals are free, but maybe there is a delivery fee of $50/box??? as shown in the My Gifts and Discounts screenshot? But they make it look like the delivery fee is one and the same as the 10.99 shipping or they would have separated it.
Is there someone who can actually explain where and what (how much) the hidden charge is that they are spreading over the next 9 boxes?? If it is the cost of the 1st box, then it isn’t really 100% off; is it!?
To end on the positive side, if you don’t care about this deception, the meals I got were fantastic and the ingredients fresh! But this doesn’t fit my circumstances or my lifestyle enough to honor this deception, or pay the price in the future. I’m going back to my old ways of shopping and cooking, since cooking for one is easier to do than for a family. I could see how this would be cool for a working single parent (or even couple), who has a good income, and who needs to cook for a family and have them eat healthier than fast food or boxed food from the freezer.
And since they’ve already charged my card for my next box, I will begrudgingly accept that, knowing that I have canceled the subscription and will just enjoy the food and “eat” my losses and my stupidity!
by A11iOop
6 Comments
They make it pretty clear in the description it’s percent off per box spread over several weeks. The amount discounted is equal to 20 meals. In the app and on the website you can see how much every week will cost and how much is discounted.
Your math is wrong from the beginning. They sent you 2 servings of each of 4 meals, that equals 8. Which means you only have 12 “free” meals left in 9 weeks. They spread it out (just like they told you they would).
A 2-person 4 recipe subscription is $75/week+shipping. $18/recipe, $9/serving. Because they call each recipe a recipe in the T&C, and not a meal, for the purposes of the discount they consider 1 meal=1 serving.
The discount is spread over 9 weeks, which would be 72 total servings. 72 is more than 20. So yes, there is a charge after week 1.
They are 100% clear that the free meals are spread out by giving discounts on multiple deliveries. From your post stating around a $50 charge for your second box you’re literally paying half price, which is a good deal.
So what did you learn? Lol
And what have we learned today, class?