Addiction to Natural Soaps Means Paying a Handling Fee
Alamander's Alley
My search for Natural Soap led me to Alamander's Alley where I found Rock the Soaps for a good price.
The site is amateurish and tough to navigate. Shipping is a bit high but my order came quickly and my search for Natural Soap has come to an end.
The Site
Alamander's Alley Shipping and Returns: Shipping is based on current UPS rates. You can opt for any of several expedited shipping methods or go with the cheapest method which is UPS Ground. There is a handling fee. Mine was $3.00. Returns are accepted for defective items. You cannot return personal items like soap, toothbrushes, opened food, lip gloss, etc. You must call for an authorization to return items and you must pay to ship products back. Shipping you paid is non-refundable which is standard. Recommended: Yes |
This site has a variety of natural and fun soaps (actually it's a wonderland for soap lovers, candles, bath and body products and a few home products.
The stock is limited but what is there is unique.
Despite trying three browsers, I couldn't get the site to look decent. Words and titles overlap and photos had words sprawled across them making it hard for me to actually figure out what description went with what.
The Shopping
Still, I knew what I wanted and was able to easily add the items to my cart after matching up the soap name with the picture and description.
You click to add an item to your cart and you will see what is in the cart each time.
The Sale
When you are finished shopping, you can register with the site or bypass that and do a quick checkout.
You need to fill in your personal info before you get a hint at what your shipping will be. In my case, in New York, for a $50.00 order, the UPS shipping was around $8.50 but the "small handling fee" was $3.00. That was painful.
I make the order regardless because they had the best prices and choices.
To see shipping costs ahead of time you can view the "Shipping & Policy" area.
You can pay via PayPal or credit card or call in your order. I chose PayPal.
You will get an immediate email order confirmation and another one that outlines your order. It does not say when the order is being shipped nor does it provide a tracking number. Don't wait for a shipping email. I never got one and was getting ticked until I saw the box on my doorstep five days after I placed the order.
Orders come simply boxed with a printed invoice inside.
The Story
The site had some problems, the handling fee was painful and I never received a shipping invoice but five days after my order I received the soaps packed fine in a sturdy box.
My invoice had a hand written thank you and a note that they had substituted the Peridot soap (my birthstone!) for one that was out of stock. Cool.
I am very happy with my order and just love the soaps. (I know, it's a sickness but these things are sweeeeet).
