SmallBizGenius Analysis

Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service offering pre-portioned ingredients and recipes. While some customers praise the taste and variety of meals, many report issues with delivery, missing ingredients, and customer service responsiveness.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews

Delivery Issues

3.0/10

Many reviewers report significant problems with Blue Apron's delivery service. Common complaints include late deliveries, missing boxes, and ingredients arriving spoiled due to delays, as exemplified by one reviewer stating, "My meal kits were constantly delayed or cancelled. Worst experience!!"

25 reviews mention this

Missing Ingredients

4.0/10

Several customers mention receiving meal kits with missing ingredients. This leads to frustration and the inability to prepare the intended meals, as one reviewer noted, "Recipes are decent and portions are fair on the meal kit delivery. Had one missing ingredient in my last box which was annoying."

15 reviews mention this

Customer Service

4.5/10

Customer service is a frequent point of concern, with reviewers describing slow response times and unhelpful interactions. Some customers report difficulty resolving issues, such as missing items or incorrect charges, with one reviewer stating, "Customer service was slow and I don’t feel I was very helpful or interested in making it right."

18 reviews mention this

Food Quality & Taste

7.8/10

Many reviewers appreciate the taste and quality of Blue Apron's meals when the ingredients are fresh and complete. They enjoy the variety of recipes and the opportunity to try new dishes, with one reviewer stating, "My family thoroughly enjoyed the Blue Apron Holiday Roast box meal kit. The beef tenderloin was so tender and delicious."

20 reviews mention this

Subscription & Billing Issues

3.5/10

Some customers report issues with Blue Apron's subscription and billing practices. These include unexpected charges after cancellation and difficulty canceling the subscription entirely, as one reviewer warned, "PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION!! There's more than one item you have to cancel!"

8 reviews mention this

Website & App Experience

5.0/10

A few reviewers mention difficulties navigating Blue Apron's website and app. These include issues with selecting meals and updating payment information, with one reviewer noting, "Frustrating experience. Very difficult to select meals through the app."

5 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Delicious and high-quality meals when ingredients are fresh Mentioned 20x
"The meals are always tasty. I would prefer a few additional options that are not Southwest focused. Those have been quite prevalent."
Offers a variety of recipes and cuisines Mentioned 10x
"We love getting Blue Apron meals. It gave us a chance to make dinners that we wouldn't normally make, and new also ways to prepare vegetables and side dishes that we can repeat on our own when we cook."
Convenient for trying new recipes and learning cooking techniques Mentioned 7x
"Save time & energy & learn something new: All the recipes were good & i didn't have to go to the store"
Easy-to-follow recipes with pre-portioned ingredients Mentioned 5x
"Everything was easy to prepare & the ingredients were fresh."
Good customer service when issues are resolved Mentioned 3x
"Really good customer service"

Common Complaints

Frequent delivery delays and missing boxes Mentioned 25x
"My meal kits were constantly delayed or cancelled. I ended up closing my membership. Worst experience!!"
Recurring issues with missing ingredients Mentioned 15x
"Recipes are decent and portions are fair on the meal kit delivery. Had one missing ingredient in my last box which was annoying."
Slow and unhelpful customer service Mentioned 18x
""Customer Service" is a joke"
Inconsistent food quality and freshness Mentioned 8x
"The quality of food I received was horrible. Veges "ok" but not all of them fresh. The meats; steak, chicken and salmon were tough, lacked flavor and I could not eat the salmon."
Problems with subscription cancellations and unexpected charges Mentioned 8x
"PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION!! There's more than one item you have to cancel!"

Common Questions About Blueapron

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Blue Apron legit and trustworthy?

While Blue Apron provides a legitimate meal kit delivery service, numerous reviews highlight significant issues with reliability. Customers frequently report problems with late or missing deliveries, missing ingredients, and inconsistent food quality. The company does offer refunds or credits for these issues, but the recurring nature of these problems raises concerns about overall trustworthiness. Potential customers should weigh the convenience of pre-portioned meals against the risk of encountering logistical and quality control challenges.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Blue Apron have good customer service?

Customer service is a significant pain point for many Blue Apron customers. Reviews often describe slow response times, with some customers waiting days for a reply. Additionally, some reviewers feel that customer service representatives are unhelpful or unable to resolve issues effectively. While some customers report positive experiences, the overall sentiment suggests that Blue Apron's customer service is inconsistent and often fails to meet expectations.

Based on 18 reviews

Is Blue Apron worth it for small business?

For small business owners, Blue Apron's value proposition is questionable due to its unreliable service. The convenience of pre-portioned meals is undermined by frequent delivery delays, missing ingredients, and inconsistent food quality. These issues can disrupt meal planning and lead to wasted food, making it a less practical option for busy professionals. While the meals themselves may be tasty when all goes well, the risk of encountering problems outweighs the potential benefits for many small business owners.

Based on 20 reviews

What is Blue Apron's cancellation policy like?

Several reviews indicate that Blue Apron's cancellation process can be confusing and problematic. Some customers report being charged even after they believe they have canceled their subscription. It appears that there may be multiple steps required to fully cancel all aspects of the account, and failure to complete each step can result in continued billing. Customers should carefully review their account settings and confirm the cancellation with customer service to avoid unwanted charges.

Based on 8 reviews

Why are Blue Apron deliveries frequently delayed?

The specific reasons for Blue Apron's delivery delays are not always clear from the reviews. However, common themes include issues with the shipping carrier (often FedEx), problems with inventory management leading to meal shortages, and potential logistical challenges in maintaining temperature control during transit. Some customers speculate that the company's efforts to cut costs may be contributing to these issues, while others suggest that external factors like weather or regional disruptions may play a role.

Based on 25 reviews