What Is a Ticket Pull? How Every Box Gets Packed
If you’ve read any of our product pages, you’ve seen the words “ticket pulls.” But what is a ticket pull, exactly? It’s the heart of how we pack every box, so here’s the whole process, start to finish.
We’re Caitlyn and Tyler, and we run C&T Mystery Zone from our home in Northern Michigan. Every personalized mystery box that leaves our house is hand-packed by us — and every item inside traces back to a ticket pull.
What is a ticket pull?
Your Zone sets the minimum number of ticket pulls in your box: 12+ in the Mini Zone, 16+ in Zone 1, 20+ in Zone 2, 28+ in Zone 3, 35+ in the Mega Zone, and 41+ in the Jackpot Zone. Each pull represents one ticket capsule in our packing process, and each capsule carries an item type.
So a Zone 1 box, for example, starts as 16 ticket pulls: 16 capsules, 16 item types, 16 pulls’ worth of surprises.
How a box goes from your order to your door
First, we read your personalization notes. You tell us the age range — child, teen, or adult — plus your favorite colors and your likes and dislikes. We pack around all of it. There is no theme picker; the box is built around what you told us about the person it’s for.
Then the ticket pulls begin. For every pull, we open its capsule to see the item type it carries, and we pick an item of that type from our inventory — matched to your notes. One capsule, one item type, one pick. We open every capsule while we pack, so every pull is deliberate. (The capsules themselves stay with us; they’re our packing tool, not part of what you receive.)
And here’s the fun part: every so often, a capsule holds a lucky duck instead of an item type. When we spot one while packing, that’s our signal to add one bonus prize item on top of that pull’s regular item. Ducks are a random bonus — nothing we can plan for — but when one shows up, your box gets a little extra.
We always add a little extra, too — we love to spoil our customers. Even with no duck in sight, every box leaves with bonus gifts tucked in beyond the ticket pulls.
Then we pack it all snugly, seal the box, and get it on its way. We process orders in 1–2 business days, most boxes ship the next business day, and tracked delivery usually lands in about 3–7 business days — so most boxes arrive within about 4–9 days total.
Why pulls instead of a fixed list?
Because two boxes at the same Zone can look completely different. Two kids who love pink can get totally different assortments, since the pull types mix and your notes steer every pick. The pulls give the box its structure; your personalization makes it yours.
So tell us — how many ticket pulls would your ideal box have? Find your Zone at ctmysteryzone.com and see what we pack for you.
— Caitlyn and Tyler