| Product: |
Healthspan |
| Date: |
15/06/08 (273 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Low prices for high quality
Disadvantages: Hard to find any
Healthspan claims to be the UK's leading supplement brand; their range offers more than ninety nutritional supplements 'all made to the very highest pharmaceutical-grade standards using the purest natural ingredients available'. As they are based in the Channel Islands, they offer tax-free prices that are permanently low, and from time to time certain products are offered at sale prices. I have occasionally received a voucher worth £2 off any order with a minimum value of £18; vouchers such as this can be used online by typing in a code. Postage and packing are free; what more can you ask for?
I first began ordering supplements online from Healthspan a few years ago on the recommendation of a friend as well as my GP. I had never heard of them before, but I was having quite a bit of pain in my right knee that was making it difficult for me to kneel down and to climb stairs. My GP didn't think the problem was serious enough for a prescription medicine, so Glucosamine Sulphate tablets seemed to be the thing to try. I was told that the cheapest source of the tablets was in fact Healthspan, and that certainly proved to be the case. Although I no longer take Glucosamine Sulphate, I have continued ordering other products such as peppermint oil capsules, zinc tablets and cranberry tablets from Healthspan, partly because their prices are so low but also because I have never had any problems with delivery. Any product I have ordered has always arrived within a few days, well packaged, and I have never had any reason to return anything or to make a complaint.
When you visit Healthspan's website, you will see on the left-hand side that you can shop by category if you are not sure which product you require. There are eighteen categories in all, ranging from Joint Care to Women's Health, or from Children's Health to Sleep & Mood. There are even supplements for dogs, cats and horses, although I have not personally ordered any of these. When you click on a particular category, you will be taken to a page that shows a list of relevant products along with a small illustration, the quantities available and the price. There is also a very brief description of each product, but you can click on 'more' to read detailed information. When you have decided that you want to order a product, you can add it to your basket; some products are available in two different quantities, and the larger one always represents a saving.
If you already know exactly which product you want, you can click on Products A-Z at the top of the home page and then select the initial letter of your product. This takes you to a page listing all products starting with that letter and so you click on your particular one. Here again you can read a detailed description of it if you wish and check the price before adding it to your basket. There is also the possibility of entering a keyword in the search box near the top left of the home page to see if a suitable product exists. On the right-hand side is a list of best-selling products with quantities supplied and prices; you can click on the product itself for details, or click on 'buy now' if you already know that is what you want.
Before completing your order, you will need to either register as a new customer or log in as an existing customer. To register is very simple, as you just need to enter your name, address, email address and choose a password; telephone numbers may be entered but are not compulsory. Healthspan promise that they will never sell or pass on your details to any other organisation. You need to confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions, and sign up for any one or all of the Healthspan newsletter, the Nurture newsletter, and the Vetvits newsletter if you wish.
When you proceed to Checkout, you will have the option of giving a different delivery address from the one you registered with for billing. On the following page, you have to enter your card details for payment. Healthspan accepts all major credit cards, as well as Maestro and Switch. You can then click on 'Place your order', and the process is complete. You will shortly afterwards receive an email from Healthspan confirming your order.
If you order more than one product at a time, they will probably be packaged and shipped separately. Most products come in plastic tubs with pull-off lids, although the cranberry tablets came in blister packs inside a cardboard box. Both tubs and boxes are packaged in a sturdy and well-sealed outer cardboard box, inside which a small brochure is also included. As I have said, my orders have always arrived in less than a week and I have never had any cause for complaint. The tubs or boxes list the ingredients of the products and clearly show the expiry date. Once empty, the tubs could be washed and used as small, lightweight and airtight containers that might be very useful when travelling, for example.
Even if you are not intending to buy any supplements, you might be interested in some of the articles that Healthspan publishes on its website. There are currently over 120 of these, and they are written by doctors and other health specialists. Some of the articles do focus on particular products, but others discuss health problems such as diabetes, digestive disorders or arthritis. If you do place orders with Healthspan, you can elect to receive their magazine which features several articles in each issue. It also lists their products and prices, clearly indicating any new additions or any price reductions. You can in fact place your order by post if you prefer. Healthspan also has a freephone service that can be used for placing orders or for making enquiries about their products; such enquiries will be dealt with by trained specialists. I have never made use of this service myself so cannot comment on it.
If you already buy these types of supplement from High Street stores, I would recommend having a look at Healthspan's website as I am sure that you will find their prices difficult to beat. Their products are of the highest quality too, and they provide service of an excellent standard.
Healthspan Ltd
P O Box 64
Healthspan House
The Grange
St Peter Port
Guernsey GY1 3BT
The Channel Islands
Freephone 0800 73 123 77
www.healthspan.co.uk
Also posted on Ciao under my user name, denella.
Summary: Excellent supplier of supplements
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