FAQs
1) I signed up days / weeks / months ago, why haven't I got a box yet?
Matter works like a magazine; all the boxes are sent out together on a single pre-determined date. It's published in limited editions and when you join you'll get the next and other future editions, but not any of the previous ones.
You don't get a Matter box straight away as a direct result of joining (unless by coincidence you happen to join just before we're sending one out - lucky you).
2) What do I do if I move house? How do I change my details?
Change your address in the Edit Your Details section of the site. To access your details, please go to: www.matterbox.co.uk and log-in with your email and password. This will take you to the Edit Your Details section where you can update your address and any other details.
3) What if I've forgotten which email I used to register or lost or forgotten my password.
If you've lost or forgotten your password, there's a link to retrieve it located under the login box at the top right of the web page - "forgot password?".
If you've forgotten which email address you used, you'd better email us at contact[at]matterbox.co.uk and we'll do our best to track it down.
4) Why have some people received emails telling them when their boxes are coming and I haven't?
We wrote to everyone due for the October (now November) box on Oct 24th and again on Nov 13th. Unfortunately some of these emails, especially those on big ISP's like Hotmail, Yahoo etc..., didn't get through. We can only apologise.
If you haven't heard from us since you joined, please get in touch by emailing contact[at]matterbox.co.uk .
5) Why are some people getting the November box and I'm getting the following box in the new year?
We closed the list for the first edition (Nov) on Sept 5th at 6:00pm.
- If you joined before Sept 5th, you get the Nov edition.
- If you joined (or join) after that time, you get the following edition in the New Year.
6) Why has it taken so long to get from the pilot edition to the first full edition coming in November?
The pilot was intended as a small test of the Matter concept to see if there was any merit in the idea and to understand some of the basic elements of how it might work. We hadn't planned on so many people joining while our plans weren't fully developed. It's taken this long to get everything ready.
7) How often will I get a Matter box? Is Matter monthly?
No, and probably won't be. Eventually they'll be lots of different types of Matter boxes made for different kinds of people. Everyone will get a few boxes every year. We always want Matter to be special so don't want to send it to you too often.
8) When I join, will I get all the Matter boxes?
Eventually they'll be lots of different types of Matter boxes made for different kinds of people who'll each get a box a few times a year.
We'll ask you some questions about what you like and what you think. Then we'll send you the Matter boxes that are best suited to your interests/tastes and make sure you don't get any which aren't.
Matter boxes are made in limited numbers, so you won't be able to get Matter boxes which were released prior to you joining.
9) Do I need to keep re-registering after every box in order to receive the next one?
No. You only need to register once. After that you'll receive all Matter boxes which are made with your interests/tastes in mind.
We will add new questions to your profile from time to time, so it's important to check-in regularly and keep your details up-to-date. By doing this you can make sure you'll get the boxes that are most appropriate for you.
10) Who is Matter for?
Matter is for everyone! Eventually, there'll be lots of different Matter boxes.
Initially, editions of Matter will go to all subscribers (depending on when they joined). As Matter develops, there will be different Matter boxes for different people. Matter is based on a universal idea - everyone likes getting a box of goodies - so eventually everyone could get them.
11) What do I do with the items in the box?
Anything you like. We'd like you to enjoy them and do lots of things with them; use them, keep them, give them away, talk about them. We'd really like you tell us what you and your family/friends/colleagues think of them on the website and take part in any offers or promotions featured in the items.
12) How will I know what's going on?
We'll email you with news of deliveries and any changes. We'll also publish news on the Matter web site. Oh, and we update our blog whenever we have a few minutes spare too!
13) When will you tell me when I'm getting a box?
We'll email you when we have a firm date and again the night before to remind you its coming.
14) Can you tell me exactly what there'll be in the box?
That would spoil the surprise!
15) Can you tell me what kind of things will be in the box?
We like to keep the exact contents a surprise for you to discover on the day it's delivered. However, we can say that there will be a range of things in the box from purely creative / conceptual objects that are just about ideas to purely practical items that have a real use, to all sorts of other things in between. Matter is a new concept and it will evolve as everybody involved learns what kind of things you like getting best. We strive to make sure Matter items are amusing, interesting, useful or simply unusual.
16) How does Matter work?
Matter is a collection of interesting/amusing/unusual/useful objects created by a handful of companies. The objects are gathered together in a distinctive box and delivered to your home on a Saturday morning. Uniquely, Matter controls what goes in the box, working with the companies to make sure the items are worth paying attention for. They aren't allowed to stick any old rubbish in the box.
It's a bit like magazines - it's published periodically and there are different versions for different people.
Most unusual or all, there's no editorial for the advertising to interrupt. Our advertisers have to create stuff you'll enjoy getting in order to keep your attention.
17) Does is it cost anything?
No, it's absolutely FREE. All we would like from you (if you want to) is to let us know from time to time what you think and what you like. This helps us to send you the kinds of things you would really love to get.
18) Who owns and runs Matter?
Royal Mail owns Matter in the UK. Matter Media Ltd is an independent company that runs various aspects of the service on behalf of Royal Mail including this website.
19) Will signing up for Matter lead to deluge of unwanted junk mail?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. We don't share, sell or rent our data with anyone else - no matter how much money they offer, or how nicely they ask.
We want you to tell us what you like and what you think so that we can make Matter the best it can be. It just wouldn't be fair to let anyone else know your thoughts and feelings.
20) What do you do with the information I give you about myself?
Keep it safe. Nothing more, nothing less.
21) Why do you ask me all those questions in the Get Free Matter section?
We want to know what you like and what you think. This will help us create better, more appropriate Matter boxes tailored to your own tastes.
22) Can I go back and give different answers to some of the questions?
Certainly. You might change your mind or we might ask new questions from time to time. It's important to keep your details up to date.
23) What do I do if I don't want to subscribe to Matter any more?
Unsubscribe - anytime you like. Send an email to contact[at]matterbox.co.uk marked Unsubscribe. You don't need to, but it would be good if you tell us why you're leaving us though - just in case we need to change or fix anything.
24) What do I do if I clicked Unsubscribe by accident?
Send an email to contact[at]matterbox.co.uk marked Un-unsubscribe!!!!
25) Is Matter UK only?
At the moment, yes.
26) When and how does Matter arrive?
It's delivered by normal Royal Mail first class post to arrive on a Saturday.
27) What if it doesn't fit through my letterbox?
The postman will knock on the door to hand it to you personally.
28) What if I'm not in when it turns up?
Just like any other parcel, it'll be available for collection at your local delivery office or you can arrange to have it redelivered at a time that suits you. You can do it online here: http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content2?catId=400040&mediaId=3700067
29) What if I don't want to go to the Local Delivery office to get it and really can't be bothered to arrange redelivery?
It'll get returned to us and we'll put it to good use.
30) What happens if I don't update my mailing address and the box is sent to my old address?
It will be returned to us, and we'll assume that you're no longer interested in being a subscriber of Matter and we'll unsubscribe you. We don't want to be wasteful. You can always re-join any time you like.
31) What happens if my email address is no longer valid?
That would cause our emails to you to be returned undelivered (bounced). If that happens repeatedly, we'll assume that you're no longer interested in being a subscriber to Matter. You can re-join anytime you like.
32) When I joined, I got an email that said I should put the kettle on. Is my postman going to come in for a cup of tea?
No, not unless you want him/her to. We're merely suggesting that Matter is worth sitting down and spending some time with - so you might as well make a cup of tea.