I'm a huge fan of monthly scrapbook kits clubs.  I even admit I have been a member of more than one kit club at a time.  Joining a monthly scrapbooking kit club not only takes the work out of shopping for coordinating scrapbooking supplies, it can be cost effective as well.  The number of available kits clubs continues to increase and choosing the one that best meets your scrapbooking needs can  be overwelming.  How do you choose which kit club is right for you? Investigate and research the clubs before you join.

• What is the monthly cost of the kit club?  Prices can vary considerably between clubs.  Don't overlook the shipping costs.  Some clubs don't charge shipping at all.  Other clubs may appear to be less expensive until you add in the shipping costs.  Check for value on the supplies.  Take the time to roughly estimate what the supplies in an average kit would cost at a local scrapbooking store.  Will you be charged taxes?  This all depends on where the supplies are shipped from and where you live.  In the United States, items shipped within the same state are charged state taxes.  I know of at least one monthly scrapbooking kit club that provides a discount for the its members that live in the same state equal to the amount of taxes in that state.  Don't overlook clubs in Canada.  Some ship to the United States and provide a good value for the products in the kit.
• Is this kit club strictly a scrapbooking kit club?  Check to be sure that the club does not include other crafts you may not be interested in, such as, rubber stamping and card making.
  
• What is the kit club's focus?  Some clubs simply provide coordinating page kits.  There are other clubs that spotlight a particular scrapbooking technique or new product.  Also consider how the products are themed each month.  One club may provide enough supplies to make 8 pages all with the same coordinated theme.  Another club may split the 8 pages into 4 different 2-page layouts each with a different coordinated theme.  Which one is best for you depends on your scrapbooking style.  Do you like to make albums all with the same coordinated papers? Or do you prefer to mix themes in an album? 
  
• When does the kit club ship during the month?  Most scrapbooking kit clubs ship near the first of the month, but a few ship mid-month.  This attracts scrapbookers who join more than one kit club. 
  
• Does the club have a time commitment?  Most clubs give a discount for commitment to join for 6 or 12 months at a time.  Is there a cancellation fee for the club?  Carefully read the kits club's terms and conditions.
  
• Does the club offer a return policy or credit for  kits that did not meet your needs?  Some clubs allow you flexibility to choose your themes each month as well.   Check the prior month's themes and make sure they would appeal to you.  Are they too heavy on girl themes and you have boys?  Do they include the latest products available or are themes based on products from last season?
  
• Can you purchase a sample kit or a prior month's kit?  This is a good way to test drive the club before you commit.
• Does the kit include layout ideas or technique instructions?  Many clubs have a design team that provide ideas on how to use the products.  The amount of detail provide for instructions can vary from no instructions at all to a several-page course on scrapbooking each month.  Are the instructions at a beginner or advanced level and how does this match your scrapbooking needs?
  
• Does the scrapbooking kit club offer an online community?  Many clubs have websites with message boards and layout galleries that members can use to communicate with each other and share design ideas.

There are many monthly scrapbooking kit clubs available.  My favorite resource for monthly scrapbooking kit clubs is Willow Traders, http://www.willowtraders.com.  Be warned that the enthusiasm of the women on this message board is sure to hook you on monthly scrapbook kit clubs.