BizRate.com Recognizes The Best Of The Best E-Tailers With "Circle Of Excellence" Platinum Awards For Holiday 2003

Leading Shopping Search Site Recognizes Very Best Performing E-tailers As Rated By Online Shoppers During The Holidays

Los Angeles, January 16, 2003 - In its continuing mission to provide consumers with the most accurate and relevant search and comparison information about the top merchants on the Web, BizRate.com (www.bizrate.com) announced today its fourth annual "Circle of Excellence" Platinum awards recognizing 35 of the “Best of the Best” e-tailers for their outstanding performance over the critical holiday season.  The awards are based on the direct unbiased feedback, collected at the point-of-sale and after delivery of goods, from more than 1,500 customers per merchant concerning seven key satisfaction metrics including:

Industry Average  (on a 10-point scale)

1. Overall Satisfaction: 8.61
2. Product Selection: 8.45
3. Ease of Finding Products: 8.52
4. Repurchase Intent: 8.66
5. Product Met Expectations: 8.93
6. On-time Delivery: 8.73
7. Customer Support: 8.25

"As online retailing operations become more sophisticated each year, and consumer satisfaction needs are become more demanding, we are particularly pleased to pay tribute to the outstanding 8% of merchants who actually exceeded this year's industry average," said Chuck Davis, president and CEO of BizRate.com. "While the majority of BizRate.com merchants provide good customer service - day in and day out, what makes the Circle of Excellence Platinum winners so noteworthy is they were able to surpass satisfaction standards during the busiest retail period of the year when a record-breaking level of online orders were placed. Several merchants are four third time winners, indicating an incredible commitment to customer satisfaction,"e; added Davis.

BizRate.com "Circle of Excellence" Platinum award recipients, listed alphabetically and with categories, are:

• Abt Electronics - www.abt.com (Electronics).
• Bass Pro Shops - www.basspro.com (Sporting Goods).
• Blue Nile - www.bluenile.com (Jewelry & Watches).
• Boardgames - www.boardgames.com (Toys & Games).
• Booksamillion - www.booksamillion.com (Books & Magazines).
• B&H Photo - www.bhphoto.com (Home & Garden).
• Build-A-Bear Workshop - www.buildabearworkshop.com (Toys & Games).
• Campmor - www.campmor.com (Sporting Goods).
• CarrotInk - www.carrotink.com (Office Supplies).
• Christianbook - www.christianbook.com (Books & Magazines).
• CircuitCity - www.circuitcity.com (Electronics).
• Cooking - www.cooking.com (Home & Garden).
• Crutchfield - www.crutchfield.com (Electronics).
• Clinique - www.clinique.com (Health & Beauty).
• Crucial Technology - www.crucialtechnology.com (Electronics).
• Cutlery and More - www.cutleryandmore.com (Home & Garden).
• DiscoveryStore - www.discovery.com (Entertainment).
• EBgames - www.ebgames.com (Toys & Games).
• GameStop - www.gamestop.com (Toys & Games).
• Gloss - www.gloss.com (Health & Beauty).
• Lenox - www.lenox.com (Home & Garden).
• Musician’s Friend - www.musiciansfriend.com (Entertainment).
• New Egg - www.newegg.com (Computer Hardware).
• Perfume Bay - www.perfumebay.com (Health & Beauty).
• QVC - www.qvc.com (Electronic Retailing).
• Recreational Equipment, Inc. - www.rei.com (Sporting Goods).
• Scentiments - www.scentiments.com (Health & Beauty).
• Shoebuy - www.shoebuy.com (Clothing).
• The Perfume Spot - www.theperfumespot.com (Health & Beauty).
• The Vermont Teddy Bear Company - www.thevermontteddybearcompany.com (Toys).
• The Vision Forum, Inc. - www.thevisionforum.com (Books & Magazines).
• TowerHobbies - www.towerhobbies.com (Hobbies & Toys).
• Zappos - www.zappos.com (Clothing).
• ZipZoomFly - www.zipzoonfly.com (Computer Hardware).
• Zzounds - www.Zzounds.com (Music).