Comfort House

Full review
Updated 8/18/02: Wanted to let you know that based upon my suggestion, Comfort House has made a couple of changes to their web site in order to give more visibility to their products. I have changed my overall rating of them from four to five stars.

Preamble
Last October, I asked my beloved grandmother what she wanted for Christmas. Now, she's not a typical grandmother. She believes that Pepsi rots your teeth, that all doctors are quacks, and that the government conspires to screw all of the little people.

With that said, I know that after I nag her for awhile, she'll give me a list, but that list will contain some unusual type items. Last Christmas, I was dead on. Her list included things like 'reading glasses', long underwear, stationary, and a watch (but not a normal watch - one that she could read).

How unexciting is this list? Yep. Not at all.

I started my search on Yahoo and scanned several different stores. No luck. When I was about to give up, I found Comfort House Online Store.

About The Company
Comfort House as a retailer, has been around (via the mail order business) since 1991. Chances are, if you're associated with seniors, caregivers, or the physically challenged, you were a recipient of their catalogs.

Since they've expanded to the internet, they've started to distribute other 'comfort' related products that people of all ages (and certainly of all physical limitations) could enjoy.

Products include (but are certainly not limited to):
Home & Garden Center
Kitchen & Cooking Center
Beauty, Skin, & Foot Care
Car & Driving
Luxury Bedding
Home Healthcare Center
Vision and Hearing Helpers
Arthritis Aids & Assistive Products
Reading and Writing
Pregnancy Comfort & Baby Gifts
Massage Chairs & Home Spas

The Web Site
I have lots of positive things to tell you about this on line retailer however, the design of their web site is not one of them.

When you first log on to the home page, there is a picture of a home, along with their logo for Comfort House. Right below are radio buttons for Search, Info, Index, Email, and Show Order. If you’re a first time shopper at this site, you may be asking yourself – so, should I pick the Search or Index button? Either one you select robs you of pictures and if you’re anything like me, you’re a visual person.

If you were to scroll down a little bit on the home page, you would see that Comfort House has actual category links set up to help your shopping experience. Once you select a category, your screen is filled with products accompanied by pictures.

Their selection is pretty incredible and most times, the description of each product is excellent. I couldn’t even tell you how many items they have. I spent hours going through individual web pages and looking at their products. What I also like is that they give you a list of ‘related’ items. That’s nice cross-selling and it certainly made me go look at other items I would have never thought to look at.

When you decide what you want to purchase, you click on the radio button next to the product and it adds it to your shopping cart.

Show Me The Money
Checking out is easy. They ask for the usual demographic information and you can choose to pay American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Email Gift Certificate or you can call your information in/mail your payment.

Shipping is by UPS, First Class or Priority Mail only and the rate varies depending on what you order. They have an entire chart set up that says if you spend between ‘x’ and ‘x’, shipping is ‘y’. They tell you to expect your order within 7-10 business days.

Other Interesting Tidbits
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, Comfort House has a very generous return policy. You have 30 days to get it back to them (from the date you received it) .

Think you saw someone else offer a better price? Comfort House allows you to send them the advertisement via email/fax/snail mail within 14 days and they will match the price.

If you need to order more than a dozen of an item, you can write to them and ask for a discount.

You’re given the option of having the gift wrapped for an additional $3.50.

If you want Comfort House to stock a product that they don’t currently have, they strongly encourage you to email them.

Customer Service
One of the things that is very prevalent on high volume web stores is an emphasis on customer service. I was surprised to not see anything on Comfort House’s web site which bragged about their Customer Service. What I did find though was a write up from the president and CEO of the company, Jeff Gornstein. His letter to current and potential customers was very simple, homelike, and sincere. And he even furnished an email address where you could drop him a note.

My Experience
I’ve shopped at the Comfort House web site twice. The first time was in late November when I was trying to find something interesting to purchase for my grandmother. I ended up purchasing ‘reading glasses’, a watch with a built in magnifier, and an inflatable back pillow. Once it was shipped, which was within a few hours of receiving my order, they emailed to me a shipment verification. I received my order within 3 days. Every thing arrived in nice, neat order although I was surprised that they used newspapers as packing material.

The second time I ordered was in March for – you guessed it – my grandmother again. It was her birthday. But here’s the funny part. Not only did I get something for her, but I also purchased something for myself. Yep, I got her exactly what she wanted – something with magnets in it (a magnet mattress pad). By the way, she swears by it. Says that she’s never gotten a better night’s sleep. I purchased me these way cool shower organizers. They’re made out of mesh pockets and I love how they hold all of my stuff. (Link in case you’re interested: http://www.comforthouse.com/comfort/showor.html)

Just like my previous order, I was sent an email verification only this time, my shipment arrived in two days.

All of the products purchased were of excellent quality. I have to tell you that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my shower organizers. I used to have the one that went over your shower head but I found that it never had enough room for all of my stuff. Plus, I hated running in to it when I was washing my hair.

The End
A for diverse and rare product selection.
D for web design.
A for delivery.
B+ for quality of products ordered.

Yep, I recommend them. Take a look, especially if you have someone in your life who has special physical needs.