BodyBuilding
Reviewed: 10/14/2010 by Penny Branly
Off the top
When you enter Bodybuilding.com, it is a bit like entering a new super gym. From the homepage, there are four options: store, super site, bodyspace and forums. To buy their supplements, you must proceed to the store. The Super Site section hosts over 25,000 pages of nutrition and fitness information, while the BodySpace section acts as a support system, allowing you access to 450,000 member profiles from which you can make friends, track your progress and start a BodyBlog. Right off the bat, this seems like more than just a store that sells vitamins and supplements.
Customer Relations
The site is free to join, so we will focus more on the actual store. After all, this is where you'll be spending the money. You can search by brand, category, goal and ingredient, which is pretty helpful. The products they carry are aimed more toward fitness-oriented people and bodybuilders, so if you're just looking for some plain, old minerals or vitamins, you might consider looking elsewhere.
It seems that the site has weekly specials and you they have made specific pages for the newest products and clearance items. For a site this large, it really is organized quite well. Customers can order online or call or fax in an order and they accept credit cards, PayPal, BillMeLater, check, money order and you can send payment through Western Union. If you have any questions about placing an order, they have an extensive FAQ section and you're able to chat live with a representative or call a toll-free number.
Is the price right?
After a little research on some of the products on others websites, it seems that you will get a discount here. The shipping rates are also really reasonable and you can choose between USPS Priority Mail and Fedex Ground and, at most, seems to take five days to get to you. This is because they have several shipping locations throughout the USA. You are able to track your package as well.
What else will I find?
Although we are focusing on the actual store, the Super Site and BodySpace sections aren't to be ignored because they bring a lot to this site. Their article index seems endless and you can view articles written by only women, only men, sports experts, diet experts and more. There are also videos, contest and a newsletter and specific teens for women and teens.
The site also sells clothing, which from the looks of it, seem appropriate for working out. There are also BodyGroups that you can join and communicate with people who have similar fitness issues or goals, a photo gallery and some product reviews.
The bottom line
Even if you aren't interested in purchasing the supplements here, there is still a lot of value that can be gained from joining this website. The Better Business Bureau has given the website an A+ and after checking out all they have to offer, I'm inclined to do the same.
Store Facts
| Available products | Nutritional Health, Herbal and Vitamin Supplements |
|---|---|
| Available Languages | English |
| Support Telephone Number | (877) 991-3411 |
| Online Live Support | Yes |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Payment Options | Credit Card, Debit, Money Order, PayPal, Personal Cheque |
| Accepted Credit Cards | American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa |
| Return Policy | Unopened items can be returned. Refund will be processed within 24 hours of receipt of item and the company emails you to let you know when they have received your item. If the item was ordered more than 90 days ago, but is unopened and in saleable condition, product can be returned for a refund. Buyer will be charged a 25% re-stocking fee. If your order was placed over six months prior, returns are not accepted. |
| Available Destinations | Global |
| Shipping Methods | Fedex, USPS |
| Shipping Costs | USPS: Starts at $3.99, but depends on weight of shipment. Fedex: flat rate of $5.99, some heavier options may cost $9.99. Canada Post: rates start at $6.99 Fedex Canada: rates start at $9.99 (they pay for duties/taxes at the border!) Fedex Global (international): not listed DHL Global: not listed |
| Delivery Time | USPS Priority Mail: 2-3 days, includes Saturday. Fedex Ground: 2-5 days, includes Saturday. This is the best option for heavier items. Canada Post: 4-9 business days Fedex Canada: 2-3 business days Fedex Global (international): 3-7 business days DHL Global Post: 7-14 business days. |
