Unique Items & Great Service... For a Price
Written: Sep 27 '02 (Updated Jun 19 '04)
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I managed to make my way onto every baby-related mailing list known to man, and among the hoards of junk, the One Step Ahead catalog caught my eye. One Step Ahead has a little bit of everything. Toys, monitors, high-chairs, strollers, personalized stuff, stuff for moms-to-be, etc. After looking though the items, making mental notes, a little drooling (then gasping at the prices), I noticed they had a website.
Aside from prices, this is a complex, but very well-done website. Navigation is quick and simple... very user-friendly. There are some really great features here that I really like. One of those is the ability to have a closer look at items with different views, more text, and REVIEWS (you can even submit your own) using a pop-up box so you don't get tangled up in trying to find the page you were on. There's also that old staple, the product search box.
~FEATURES~
Catalog Quickshop
One Step Ahead (OSA) combines the internet and catalog shopping with their Catalog Quickshop. If you have one of their paper catalogs, access this feater and enter the item #. The site will take you to a screen where you can either immediately add the item to your cart or have a closer look. It also gives the availability of the item.
Shopping Sections
What online store would be complete without sections? Items are divided up by category and sub-category, and includes dozens of items not found in the paper catalog. They even have a Twins' Club, featuring strollers, bedding items, toys, etc. for twins and triplets. Main shopping sections include:
Safety
On the Go
Nursery
Nursing & Feeding
Playtime
Bath & Health
Outdoor Fun
For Parents
Twins' Club
Halloween (Holiday)
On Sale Now
Leaps & Bounds
Leaps & Bounds is a site within a site, and the partner/subsidiary of OSA. This section of the site features items specifically targeted at the 3-7 year old. As with the main shopping categories, these also breakdown into sub-categories:
Playtime
Outdoor Fun
School Readiness
Creative Arts
My Room
Bath & Health
In The Kitchen
Travel
Halloween (Holiday)
On Sale Now
Gift Center
Here you can purchase Gift Certificates, either E-certificates for use on the web only, or paper certificates, get Great Gift Ideas, register with their Gift Registry, and even choose special Gift Wrapping (at $3.50/item). Great Gift Ideas is sectioned out in categories from "Moms-to-be" to "Age 8 & up Birthday." The site pulls up ranges of items appropriate to the category you choose.
Shop Smarter
This feature offers advice on how to choose appropriate and safe items, parenting issues, etc. Advice can be found on:
New Parent's Checklist
How To Make Baby's Crib Safe & Secure
How to Buy a High Chair
How to Buy a Diaper Bag
How to Balance Breastfeeding & Work
How to Buy a Stroller
How To Choose the Best Toys for Your Baby
How to Make the Most of Your One-on-One Playtime
What the Experts Say About Thumbsucking
How to Choose -- and Use -- a Car Seat
15 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby
Halloween Safety Tips
Tips for Safe and Happy Trick-or-Treating
Finders Keepers Program
OSA/Leaps & Bounds is always looking for new and innovative products. Finders Keepers is a program where you can submit an item, and if they add it to their catalog, you receive a $250 gift certificate for OSA/Leaps & Bounds.
Free Affiliate Program
OSA offers a basic website affiliate program, much like LinkShare. Just add links on your site. You earn 8% commission on each item sold, and are able to track sales.
Sales, Specials, & Clearance
At any given time, OSA offers sales prices on selected items, and clearance items are marked down even more. Since the prices are so high regularly, the sales prices bring them down to what the items are actually worth, and the clearances are a pretty good deal. There is always a holiday or special "baby-day" special going, and emblazoned on the front page of the site.
Shipping
I think shipping is outrageous. I ordered an item that weighed next to nothing (very small pkg of cloth clothing extenders) for $9.95. Ground shipping was $5.20! Shipping charges are based on dollar amount ranges unless otherwise specified in the item description (they are clearly marked). This includes oversized items such as strollers. 2-Day Fed Ex delivery is also an option. Shipping on my $9.95 item with Fed Ex would have been $13.20...
Check-Out (Cart) System
This is the basic garden variety cart system. When you go to check out, you are asked if you have an account. If not, you are taken to a screen to enter your basic demographic info and choose a password. This is just a convenience mechanism for return shoppers. It eliminates the need to re-enter that information. After your purchase is complete, you are taken to a printable invoice screen and are sent an invoice via e-mail, which also tells when your item(s) will be shipped (7-10 days, drop-ship 4 weeks, etc.).
Other Areas to Note
This site has a Site Map, Privacy and Security Statement, and Contact Us and About Us sections. I didn't see anything about return policies or the like, so I assume one would contact their Customer Service Department. I'll provide those contact numbers below.
Logimom's Shopping Experience
I saw this nifty product called "False Bottoms," which are basically clothes extenders for Onesies, creepers, and other baby clothing with the 3-snap crotch. I must say that's a great idea for monetarily encumbered parents whose kids grow like proverbial weeds.
Anyway... I figured it would be faster to order online, so I used the Catalog Quickshop feature. Checkout was a breeze. Not too many screens and no scripting problems with the cart programming (no "Cannot Be Displayed" screens). I immediately received my invoice via e-mail, which stated my product would ship in 7-10 days. I was pleasantly surprised to see the item in my mailbox in 5 days! The product was exactly as described, and has been a real money-saver.
A very positive experience, indeed.
Contact Information
URL for OSA/Leaps & Bounds: www.onestepahead.com
One Step Ahead Order Toll Free: 1-800-274-8440
Leaps and Bounds Order Toll Free: 1-800-477-2189
One Step Ahead Fax: 1-847-615-7236
Leaps and Bounds Fax: 1-847-615-2478
(credit card number and signature required)
One Step Ahead/Leaps And Bounds:
P.O. Box 517
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-0517
One Step Ahead Customer Service: 1-800-950-5120
Leaps and Bounds Customer Service: 1-888-203-2265
(Monday to Friday 7 AM to 7 PM CST)
Happy shopping, and thanks for reading!
Logimom
© 2002-2004 Donna Standridge
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Snap extenders
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About the Author
Member: Donna Standridge
Location: Texarkana, Texas
Reviews written: 213
Trusted by: 147 members
About Me: Busy being both mom and scientist. Check out our growing company Saphoros Skincare at www.Saphoros.com!
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