Should be called World Overpriced Store

Reviewed by dorsia on Sun, 06/02/2013 - 11:25
dorsia's picture dorsia
dorsia
Joined: Apr 16, 2010
Posts: 2
Review of World Health Store
1

Small "health" store in the CBD with nothing but overpriced bodybuilding products. Another foreign scam of a business taking advantage of people's wallets.

Comments

Pl_fr_Inc's picture Pl_fr_Inc Submitted by Guest on Sun, 06/02/2013 - 14:27

I think this message is exagerated. Their delivery service and website is very efficient, and at least you can trust the origin of the product you are buying. Otherwise, you can always buy them on tabao 40% cheaper on average, but at your own risks.

I have to admit though that the prices are very high, and I sometimes switch to reputable tabao stores due to pricing problems.

merri0's picture merri0 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/03/2013 - 10:18

Dorsia - I wouldn't call it a scam per se...possibly a rip off? I've used WHS before and have been confident with the product itself, but always slightly aghast at the price. Unfortunately, they can charge a premium because of scarce supply :/

I would recommend checking out iherb.com if you're looking to buy health products in bulk. I've gotten a lot of the same things and then some (a wider variety of vegan sweeteners and protein powders) at a fraction of the cost. They ship internationally at a flat rate (USD 4) for purchases over USD 80, so if you want to buy lots at one time or go in with a couple friends, it's a completely reasonable option.

If you're looking for things like brown rice, barley, and other such grains, then go to either a Chinese grocery store or the markets. I've been doing that for years without any ill effects. Taobao works on the equipment (foam roller, resistance bands) front.

Also: Hong Kong has a lot of the same health food products at cheaper rates as well. Whether it's whey or stevia, there's a lot in regular or specialty stores that is waaay cheaper. Next time you make a trip down, duck into a Wellcome or Just Green.

Hope this helps!

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/03/2013 - 13:41

Yeah, iherb is slower than it used to be, but still... prices are way better than World Health Store.

Not to knock World Health Store, though; they do provide a service for people who don't know where else to find stuff. I bought stuff from them for a short time; their prices actually motivated me to look elsewhere, and I then found iherb.com. So I guess I should thank World Health Store for their prices--helped push me to find a place with cheaper stuff and more variety, ha ha.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

merri0's picture merri0 Submitted by Guest on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 15:13

Well yes, it depends on if you need that protein powder RIGHT NOW, in which case iherb will likely be a bit too slow. Fifteen days but a third of the price has struck me as fair though Wink

Also - to be fair to WHS, they aren't charging anything that fitness centers in Beijing aren't also charging. These places know they've got a lock on the market. It would be lovely if someone would come in *just once* and offer something quality at saner price. Alas.

fatchuan's picture fatchuan Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/05/2013 - 12:32

I tried to order from iHerb but received an email requesting I fill out a customs form which required a scanned copy of my passport - which I wasn't going to do, so cancelled my order. Does anyone know of any other tried and trusted alternatives to iHerb?

Cheers,

- F

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/05/2013 - 13:27

Yeah, that's a new China customs regulation as of January this year.

I did it very recently, since just signed up with iHerb a few weeks ago. I was confused about one aspect of the China cutoms registration, got on the China customs site and had a very helpful staff member get it all sorted. It's tied directly to China customs and seems, for here anyway, to be fairly secure.

Waiting on my first order to arrive--should be any day now. If any problems will certainly post about it here...

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 14:12

Yes, I did have to give them a scan of my passport's main page.

I was nervous at first, but looked into it more and decided that it was fairly secure. My first order is supposed to arrive tomorrow or over the weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

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