Now here is "real" news;-)
"drugstore.com Posts 1,000th Test Drive Product Review on Site; Innovative Customer-Authored Product Review Program Reveals How Customers Really Feel About drugstore.com Products
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2000--drugstore.com(TM) (www.drugstore.com) (NASDAQ: DSCM), a leading Internet retailer of health, beauty and wellness products, announced today that the site has posted its 1,000th customer-written Test Drive(TM) product review (each review consists of input from 8-10 customers). drugstore.com is the only major online drugstore featuring customer-generated product reviews. More than 8,000 customers have participated in the Test Drive program. Plans for the upcoming year include doubling the number of reviewed products by adding another 1,000 product reviews.
"We're committed to delivering the best shopping experience on the web," said John Williams, vice president of merchandising for drugstore.com. "We think our customers are the best source of candid feedback about the products we offer. The Test Drive Program gives our customers the voice to share opinions directly with their peers."
The customer-written product reviews are submitted via drugstore.com's Test Drive program. Each week, drugstore.com recruits prospective reviewers while they are browsing for products. Interested customers sign up on the site, receive free samples to test at home for one-two weeks, and then complete a detailed evaluation. Verbatim opinions from these home assessments are posted on the site.
Reviewed products have included everything from toothpaste to home spa appliances and personal items such as feminine hygiene products and condoms. Product reviewers are asked to complete a thorough assessment and rate products on a scale of one (worst) to five (best) stars. The reviews are then posted on the drugstore.com web site and may be accessed by clicking on the "Customer Review" icon located next to specific products all across the site.
Reviewers are willing to share, in some cases, very personal anecdotes. "When we did our first review, of the Oral B cross-action toothbrush, the surprisingly passionate feedback we received from the 10 Test Drivers told us we were onto something valuable," said Williams. "All of our reviewers take the process as seriously as we do, whether the item costs $5 or $50, whether it's a general product or a very personal item. Other visitors read the reviews and act on them.
"The thoroughness our customer reviewers bring to this process shows they really care about making drugstore.com a better place to shop by providing honest feedback to their peers about the products we're offering," Williams continued.
La Fayette, Ga., resident April Collins, a drugstore.com customer and reviewer, said, "I love Test Drive not so much as a 'driver' but as a reader of other people's reviews. If a product has a review, I am much more attracted to it. And I read all the reviews before making a decision whether or not to buy the product. Product reviews make buying on the Internet a better experience for me than buying in a brick & mortar store. For me, it's like I have people like me who have already tried the product right there "in the store" where I can ask them 'How'd you like it?' "
drugstore.com offers access to more than 15,000 brand-name personal healthcare products at competitive prices and a full-service licensed pharmacy, along with a wealth of health-related information, buying guides and other tools designed to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Recognized in December 1999 by Gomez Advisors as the top Internet drugstore, the site has sold products to more than one million unique customers since opening in February 1999, the first online drugstore to earn this distinction.
About drugstore.com
drugstore.com(TM) (NASDAQ: DSCM) is a leading online drugstore and information site offering A Very Healthy Way to Shop(TM) for health, beauty, wellness, personal care, and pharmacy products. drugstore.com provides a convenient, private, and informative shopping experience that encourages consumers to purchase products essential to healthy, everyday living. drugstore.com offers thousands of brand-name personal health care products at competitive prices; a full-service, licensed mail pharmacy; and a wealth of health-related information, buying guides, and other tools designed to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. The company recently acquired Beauty.com, a leading site offering prestige cosmetic products and, in addition to Amazon.com, also has strategic relationships with Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE, PSE: RAD) and General Nutrition Companies. Test Drive(TM) is a registered trademark of drugstore.com.
Customer Anecdotes
Parenting/Family
drugstore.com features product reviews in the categories of baby care, eye and ear care, first aid and more.
Peggy, from Fort Mills, S.C., said "When testing Kiss My Face Shower Gel and Foaming Bath, the scent was so enticing that my toddler jumped into the bath with me: clothes and all!"
Carla, of Twain Harte, Calif., has five children. She tested TheSoundSpa Acoustic Relaxation Machine and said, "My autistic child uses sound to help him sleep. He enjoys the ocean waves the most. I have also noticed fewer quarrels when the boys all sit down to a board game."
Susan, of Huntington, N.Y., raved about Conair's 20 Piece Deluxe Haircut Kit. "Getting a two-year-old to the hair salon is a feat in itself. And needing him to sit still with a stranger makes it even worse! The solution? The Conair 20-piece Haircut Kit! With all the attachments, my two-year-old was occupied long enough for me to cut his hair with what I called "the tickling machine" because of the buzzing from the small appliance!"
Women
drugstore.com features product reviews in the categories of family planning, skin care, fragrance, hair care, nails, cosmetics, aromatherapy, feminine care and more.
Beth, of Taylors, S.C., reviewed Biore Pore Perfect Deep Cleansing Nose Strips, saying, "I have used Biore strips before, for both my chin and my nose, and I love them. I have found great success in minimizing and even eliminating blackheads in those areas by using the Biore strips as directed on the package (three times a week). I also use the Biore foaming face wash and my complexion has never been as smooth and blemish free as it is when I use Biore strips and face wash. I highly recommend this product!"
Lynn, from Beale AFB, Calif., reviewed a long-time favorite: o.b. Super Absorbency Tampons. "I've been using o.b. Tampons for seven years and wouldn't change a thing. o.b. Tampons are very discreet during that embarrassing week, because they have no applicator. The entire tampon can fit in your pocket and be discarded down the toilet when you're through with it. The price is comparable to other brands and the quality is just as high. o.b. tampons are great for those who hate doing the walk to the bathroom with the purse thing. For those of you who feel funny using a tampon without an applicator, try the new o.b. Tampons with applicator to get the same superior quality from o.b. I'd suggest these tampons to anyone - they're the only brand I use."
Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel for Women, Dry Skin formula was a hit with Robin, of Crestwood, Ky. "I really liked this product!! It had a pleasant, baby powder-like scent and after shaving, my legs felt oh-so-smooooth! I would definitely recommend this to friends and family. The only problem I had with this product was that since it was a gel, it was difficult to control the amount I dispensed, and I felt like I was wasting product. It's more expensive than the cheap shaving cream I usually use, but I liked it so well that I'll buy it again!"
A trial run for Stephanie, from Columbus, Ohio led her to endorse a new formula of a product she had previously rejected. She tested Nair Lotion Hair Remover with Aloe & Lanolin and had this to say: "This NAIR was wonderful. I haven't used Nair for years, because the harsh smell was too much for me. I was very surprised to find that they've tamed that smell down a lot! It was very easy to use. I rubbed it on, and within eight minutes, it was ready to be wiped off, HAIR and all!! And the aloe and lanolin left my legs feeling nice and soft. Wonderful product -- didn't find anything I disliked about it. Would definitely recommend it to my family and friends!!"
Men
drugstore.com features product reviews in the categories of contraceptives, skin care, hair loss, travel supplies, sun care, shaving and more.
Chad, of Bedford, Ind., enjoyed participating in the Test Drive program. He gave Trojan Supra condoms high marks. "I have supreme confidence they will hold up under a heavy workload. My only complaint is that you didn't send more of them."
Anthony, of Coram, N.Y., tested Chin-Up strips and said, "I found the product to actually work. I've tried nasal strips and they weren't much help. My wife says I don't snore any more. I find added benefit of not waking up with a dry mouth and my sinuses seem to feel much better. The strips are comfortable to wear because they're very sheer. I'd recommend this product as it's the first one I've tried that really works!"
Ken, of Seattle, Wash., reviewed philosophy's "common man" gift set and said, "I like the shampoo and shower. Although the material reminds me of a hand cleaner/degreaser that I used to use after working on my car, I like the way my hair and skin feels after using it. The military color - manly? In combination with the warrior code and some clever marketing, it's an interesting product. I don't use a blade to shave, but I tried the shaving cream and gel several times and went back to my electric razor. (Sorry, I just can't stand the blade with any product.) Yes, I would recommend the gift set for my blade-shaving friends."
Seniors
drugstore.com features product reviews in the categories of vitamins and dietary supplements and more.
Bill, of Northville, Mich., and Melanie, from Arlington, Texas, both evaluated the EZY Dose 7-Day Pill Reminder and found it an extremely helpful product. "It takes up very little room on the kitchen counter but is a clear visual reminder to take my vitamins each day," said Bill. "I had problems trying to remember when to take them but now I open the box labeled for that day and can tell at a glance if I forgot or not."
Melanie was especially pleased to try the EZY Dose 7-Day Pill Reminder. "My best beloved is a stroke survivor so he takes lots of medications. How nice to finally have one object with enough time divisions to coordinate his daily regime! He especially likes to have each day's dosage in a small enough container to slip into his briefcase. It's great for me, too! No longer do I have to ask him if he's remembered to take his pills - just a quick glance and I know. We'll never use anything else."
Richard, of Woodbridge, Va., rated the Sunbeam Soft Touch Heating Pad. "I really liked the Sunbeam Soft Touch Heating Pad. I have a frozen shoulder and when I put the heating pad on my shoulder for about 20 minutes, it felt really nice. The heat penetrated into the muscle and was very relaxing. The pad was a little big for my shoulder, but worked fine. The heat control was easy to use and the heat produced was just right. I also liked that the pad is washable."
Nicole, from North Highlands, Calif., had this to say about Depend Bed Size Underpads: "My grandfather, who's bedridden, used these pads and loved them. They were very easy to clean up. I really don't think there was anything that I didn't like about these Depends Bed Size Underpads. I liked how they absorb a lot more than other bed pads. Of course I'd recommend these to other friends and family. They'd love them as well."
CONTACT:
drugstore.com
Kelly McGinnis, 425/372-3239
kmcginnis@drugstore.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard for drugstore.com
Anne Isenhower, 212/453-2212
isenhowa@fleishman.com" |
