Website Feature: Loot Crate

For $13.37 every month, (plus $6 shipping and handling) you could have a neatly packed box of geekiness delivered straight to your door. Loot Crate, a geek and gamer subscription box service, is an up-and-coming business that has geeks like me anxiously awaiting each new crate.

Since August 2012, Loot Crate has been sending out monthly crates to subscribers around the 20 of each month. Subscriptions can be paid monthly, every three months or every six months.

Each month's crate has a theme that determines the six to eight items. Past crate themes include "Cosmos," which was a crate mashed up with a random Star Wars Pop! vinyl bobble head, a Dead Space 3 wall graphic, a Hexbug and more. Aside from the basic crate, one lucky subscriber will be sent a Mega Crate each month that, according to Loot Crate, is worth over $250.

Loot Crate prides itself with its new partnerships with companies such as Nintendo, Jinx and Marvel to try and improve the crate items every month, and it shows. Though I've only just begun my subscription, I can already see the value in what I've received.

Is Loot Crate worth your money? Absolutely. Here's what I received in the May "Equip" crate and approximately what each item is worth:

Super Mario Coin Candies: $4.87
Pure Nintendo Digital Magazine Subscription: $10
Ninja Cord Wrap: $1.99
Batman Figure: $4.99
Inanimate Stickers: $4.99 (for two sheets, so lets say $2.99)
Keep Calm Towel: N/A (we'll estimate $5)
Bow Tie: $5 – $10
Iron Man Papercraft: Free!

Total = $34.84

Even after sticking with the lower price of all the items, by subscribing to Loot Crate I saved $14.84 total on these products. Granted I may not have purchased all of these in the first place, but I am pleased with what I received - especially that super nifty bow tie.

Though the price is high for a package each month, if you are a collector or have kids, the items that come in the crates are worth their value. However, since this service covers all sorts of geekery, you are taking the risk of receiving a box of products you may not be particularly fond of. Loot Crate also sells leftover items and crates.

Aside from their products, a major highlight of Loot Crate is their community. From their Facebook to their smartphone app, Loot Crates strives to foster a community through photo contests and other giveaway opportunities. The app serves as a hub for all of Loot Crate's social media and allows users to earn points and badges for participating in discussions and uploading photos. It's currently not clear how these points will be used.

Looking at past crates, the quality and value has undeniably improved with each month.  With the growing number of partners and increased interest in subscription boxes, this is a website and a service worth watching if you are thinking of subscribing.

Did you like the unboxing video? Is this something you'd like to see more of? Let us know it the comments below.

Header photo: Loot Crate