Bath and Body Works: Giving Other Body Care Sites a Run for their Money!
Bath and Body Works
My favorite bath and body line is Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime Verbana. I like lots of others (Body Shop's Satsuma line is a real close second), but Bath and Body Works always sucks me in and leaves me broke but happy as I stuff my bathroom closet with all my new products.
So, when I found out I didn't even have to leave my house to buy from Bath and Body Works, I was so there. I was on the site the first day it launched! Of course, I already purchased from it, sort of as a right of passage (or yet another indulgence, whichever you prefer).
What the Site Sells
Bath and Body Works sells its usual line of bath splashes, gels, scrubs, lotions, creams, and butters. Along with those, the site sells an impressive line of facial skin care from manufacturers like C.O. Bigelow, Pure Simplicity, Freeze 24/7, and a brand new exclusive line from dermatologist Patricia Wexler. Also online is hair care, hand and foot care, spa and aromatherapy, candles, gifts, gift cards, and some men's items.
Navigation
The site is very professional. The home page has enticing photos of new products in many categories. You can click on a category at the top or along the left side of the page and begin your journey or do a search for a specific product or scent (I searched for Coconut Lime Verbana and up came all the products that are sold with the scent.).
Once you find a product you are interested in, click the thumbnail photo and you will get a larger photo and a full description along with the price. If you want it, click to add it to your cart.
Once you have finished shopping, you will be taken to a page where you can sign in or, if you're a first time customer, you will fill out your personal information and pick a password for returning to the site.
Shipping costs are clearly evident when you shop and you know exactly how much you're paying as you add products to your cart. I like that. No surprises there.
Enter your major credit card or debit card number and click to confirm and you are done.
You will get an order number immediately on the screen along with a printable purchase order. A letter of confirmation comes about an hour later. I thought I did something wrong because usually I get confirmation letters immediately upon ordering on similar websites so I called customer service who told me to wait an hour and, sure enough, I got my confirmation letter.
You receive a second letter when your order ships with a tracking number which you can check on through the site to see where your products are and when to expect them.
There is an easy to find link that takes you to customer service with FAQs, info on shipping, your account info, and a place to write to customer service on the site.
Simple and clean, navigation is straightforward and fast.
My Experience
They were having a buy three get one free sale on certain items and, of course I bought three and got one free! I browsed quite a bit looking at what the site offered compared to the brick and mortar store and found that some items are not even sold in the stores that I go to.
I decided to get my Coconut Lime Verbana fix and then go wild and get some Mandarin Mango stuff and the Patricia Wexler starter kit. I did note that the buy three get one free only applied once even if I put eight eligible items in my cart, I only got one free not two. So, like any savvy shopper, I ordered twice, buying three Mandarin Mango products and getting a Cucumber Melon one free on one order and buying the rest of my items on another. However, I probably didn't save a lot since the shipping was more than it would have been if everything was on one order, but I think I still saved a bit and Lord knows I need more bath and body stuff!
As I mentioned, I didn't get a confirmation letter so I got worried. I checked my account status on the site and it said I didn't make any orders. I called customer service and the rep told me it takes an hour to show up and to chill out (but not in those words, of course). Sure enough, an hour later my confirmation letters arrived and the website was updated with my two orders.
The next day, I got emails telling me my items were shipped out and was given tracking numbers.
Although I made two orders five minutes apart, my products came about five days apart. The first came in five days, the second in eleven. No idea why but it was like Christmas for two days instead of one.
The products were boxed and packaged fairly securely. Unfortunately one item was without its cap and leaked in the box. I wasn't thrilled with having to send the messy item back before getting the replacement item. I decided to take the loss rather than to try to send a leaking bottle of liquid to the company in the mail. Eventually, the company replaced the item at no charge but it was a struggle.
Everything else was as it should be. My husband and sons are building me a large shed to store my "stuff" in. OK, that was wishful thinking but it may end up a necessity!
My shopping experience with Bath and Body Works was for the most part fine and I will definitely go back. They have weekly specials and shipping deals and are really giving The Body Shop a run for their money online!.
Shipping and Returns
Shipping is based on amount of your total order. For Ground UPS Shipping, the range is from $5.00 to $10.00. Orders over $100.00 are $10.00 no matter how large. You can opt for second day or overnight shipping for a fee which is clearly shown on their shipping page. Lately, shipping has been free for orders either over $75.00 or $60.00.
You can return any item for a refund. You need to send the item(s) back on your dime or return them to any Bath and Body Works retail store. You will not be refunded shipping charges either way.
You can also exchange items but ONLY at their retail stores. The site will only refund items not send out exchanges.
Contact Info
You can contact their customer service department via an on site form or call 1-800-756-5005.
Conclusion
Wheee! Bath and Body Works is finally online! Now I can sit at home and spend more money on stuff I don't need!
This is a good site with great products and reliable service. I had no problem with the site, the products, or customer service. However I did receive one item damaged without a cap that leaked and I wasn't thrilled with the way that situation was handled at first but it was fairly handled in the end.
I am going with 4 stars. They have all that I look for in a website: Full disclosures about shipping, returns, exchanges, and full contact info with a toll free number that is manned by knowledgeable, friendly staff. Their products are well known and the other manufacturers on the site are reputable and mid to high end. Prices are fair. Shipping is fairly fast. But shipping is also somewhat expensive when they are no shipping specials going on. They have been having a lot of promotions though and I think they will institute a "Free Shipping Over $XX.00 Policy" very soon.
Recommended:
Yes
