Posted by ellie on January 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment  

This website jumps right into the products, listing the first 12 of nearly 3,000 of its bestselling items on the homepage. If you’re looking for information about the company, its history, or a gentle easing into the product lines available, you won’t find it at Piercingdot. Its in-your-face design lets you know right away that there is lots of stuff to choose from, at really low prices, and that shipping is free. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to new customers, and it certainly serves as a way to differentiate itself from other, more upscale competitors.

There are a variety of ways to search for the products you’re interested in: by material, by body part, by design, and more. You can also do a search for a key word or specific element that you’re looking for. There’s a fairly extensive FAQ section that answers questions ranging from what type of material to choose for a new piercing to why you’re not supposed to turn or move jewelry during the healing process. The flaw here is that the writing quality is poor, which makes it difficult to understand at times.

There didn’t appear to be any reviews or testimonials.

As long as you spend over $30 and your shipping address is in the U.S., you don’t pay anything for shipping. Orders under $30 only incur a $2.99 flat rate charge, which is still a pretty good deal.

The company says its goal is complete customer satisfaction, but there are so many restrictions placed on its return policy that it may make it nearly impossible to get a refund. The item must be returned within 15 days, without being worn and without damage to the product packaging, must be accompanied by an authorization number (which you have to request in writing), there are no exchanges, and all returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee.

Though the company says it proudly stands behind its products and their quality, there’s no mention of any guarantee.

The product details give you exactly that: the details, but nothing more. It lists the materials used, size, type (belly, eyebrow, earring), gauge, etc. All of the information is utilitarian rather than aesthetic, which may be perfectly fine for many customers.

The company doesn’t offer products with genuine diamonds.

Piercingdot offers a dizzying array of materials and metals, including gold, titanium, sterling silver, and surgical stainless steel. There’s no statement about the gold products being nickel-free, and while the materials certainly seem fit for wear, they could be irritating to some people. Other unusual materials that Piercingdot uses in its products: acrylic; plastic; and an “organic” line that includes bone, wood, horn, and mother-of-pearl.

There’s no information about where the jewelry is manufactured.

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!

View the original article here