# Has anyone tried The Mysterious Package Company? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785 "2016-10-26T16:16:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/1 "2016-10-26T16:16:57Z")
I’m considering buying one of the scenarios for my wife this Christmas and I’m looking for real people who’ve tried to to help me decide if it’s worth it. Anyone tried it? Did you and/or the recipient like it? I’m interested in providing an experience for her, more than a thing. We’ve got enough stuff. But she’s not super into eldritch horror stuff, so I don’t know if the tone of the stories is right for her. Are they super creepy? For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s the website: [www.mysteriouspackage.com](http://www.mysteriouspackage.com) They are “purveyors of strange and unannounced deliveries, designed to intrigue, befuddle, and delight.” They deliver surprise mail/packages to the recipient that involve mysterious artifacts and circumstances. It’s kind of like a mystery/puzzle by mail. Any advice welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/2 "2016-10-26T16:44:31Z")
Various hints my roommate has dropped imply I should be expecting one of these for my birthday, but I have no experience with it yet. However, last month I got myself a subscription to the [Mystery Experiences Company](http://mysteryexperiences.cratejoy.com/) and thoroughly enjoyed the one mystery I’ve received so far. Everything is contained in one box that shows up at your door. There are multimedia links and hints available online, as well as a Facebook support group that help each other out a great deal. I have heard some good things about MPC, but it’s all been outweighed by how expensive they are. However, most of their items are handcrafted and very well done, so it might balance out. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/3 "2016-10-26T17:42:40Z")
Is there any way to find out what the actual costs might be without becoming a member? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/4 "2016-10-26T17:55:28Z")
Here’s are some reviews, it does sound interesting: [http://www.geek.com/geek-culture/the-mystery-of-the-mysterious-package-is-revealed-1634345/](http://www.geek.com/geek-culture/the-mystery-of-the-mysterious-package-is-revealed-1634345/) > **[Mysterious Package Company - The King in Yellow \[Review\] - Room Escape Artist](https://roomescapeartist.com/2016/06/29/mysterious-package-company-the-king-in-yellow-review/)** > > The Mysterious Package Company's The King in Yellow had great materials and packaging, but the story and content were incredibly weak. Mysteriously, this company’s packaging is the best part of its product. Date purchased: January 3, 2016 **Price: $199.00** > **[r/MysteriousPackageCo - Hey guys, is it worth it?](https://www.reddit.com/r/MysteriousPackageCo/comments/3k52wk/hey_guys_is_it_worth_it/)** > > 5 votes and 3 comments so far on Reddit ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/5 "2016-10-26T18:05:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is there any way to find out what the actual costs might be without becoming a member? I signed up for a membership to find out. They range from $200 to $300. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/6 "2016-10-26T18:17:58Z")
As long as the mysterious package isn’t [an angry bobcat](https://xkcd.com/325/). ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/7 "2016-10-26T20:29:50Z")
In about 1950, my mother joined a worldwide gift club. Every two months, a package would arrive containing a thing made in a foreign country, shipped from there with foreign stamps on it… In those days, America imported or outsources practically nothing, so any object in your house that was not American made was a curiosity that would be proudly shown to visitors. There weren’t even any Volkswagens yet. Thins Europeans bought were actually different from things Americans bought. They might have been figurines or useful tools One that comes to mind was a small cuckoo clock from Liechtenstein. It was not junk, (plastic had not yet been invented either), things were reasonably well-made and attractive. She was quite happy with what she got, and the surprise/excitement value was worth the subscription. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/8 "2016-10-27T13:53:22Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In those days, America imported or outsources practically nothing, so any object in your house that was not American made was a curiosity that would be proudly shown to visitors. So that explains this: [Quote=A Christmas Story] Mr. Parker: Aaah! “Fra-GEE-leh!” It must be Italian! Mrs. Parker: Uh, I think that says FRAGILE, honey. Mr. Parker: Huh? Oh, yeah. [/quote] ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/9 "2016-10-27T14:09:20Z")
For some reason, this reminds me of [this old chestnut](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2H6qC23RPY): > [@](#): > > \*While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day > I saw a great big wooden box a-floatin’ in the bay > I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise > Ooh, I discovered a boom-boom-boom, right before my eyes > Oh, I discovered a boom-boom-boom, right before my eyes > > I picked it up and ran to town as happy as a king > I took it to a guy I knew who’d buy most any thing > But this is what he hollered at me as I walked in his shop > Oh, get outta here with that boom-boom-boom, before I call a cop > Oh, get outta here with that boom-boom-boom before I call a cop\* ---
**Author:** ![plankter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ba0ec/32.png) [@plankter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plankter)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-tried-the-mysterious-package-company/769785/10 "2016-10-27T22:11:08Z")
The premise is intriguing but at $199 too rich for my blood. It did remind me of [this](http://xkcd.com/576/) xkcd. > [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > For some reason, this reminds me of [this old chestnut](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2H6qC23RPY): Hah, I heard that on Doctor Demento’s show. Thanks for the memory.