Based on checking the website Justglobes.co.uk, the platform primarily focuses on selling various types of globes, ranging from desk and floor globes to kids’ globes and even globe bars. The site presents itself as the UK’s largest online globe specialist since 2005, claiming to have served over 60,000 customers. While the website offers a wide selection and appears to have a robust customer service presence, a crucial aspect to consider from an ethical standpoint is the inclusion of “Globe Bars.” These items are explicitly described as “drinks cabinets” and promote the storage and display of alcoholic beverages, which is strictly impermissible in Islam. This single product category renders the entire platform problematic for those seeking ethically sound purchasing options.
Overall Review Summary:
- Website Focus: Primarily sells world globes of various types.
- Experience Claim: UK’s largest online globe specialist since 2005, serving over 60,000 customers.
- Product Range: Desk Globes, Kids Globes, Floor Globes, Light Up Globes, Prestige Globes, Hand Laid Globes, National Geographic Globes, Office Globes, Inflatable Globes, Space & Planets Globes, and Globe Bars.
- Customer Support: Phone support available Monday to Friday during office hours.
- Delivery: Free delivery to mainland UK on orders over £35, ships to over 70 countries.
- Ethical Concern: Offers “Globe Bars” which are designed as drinks cabinets for alcoholic beverages, making the platform impermissible from an Islamic ethical perspective.
While the selection of educational and decorative globes is appealing, the explicit promotion of “Globe Bars” for storing alcohol makes Justglobes.co.uk an unsuitable option for Muslims seeking ethically compliant products. It’s a classic case of one bad apple spoiling the barrel. For those looking for geographical or decorative globes, it’s essential to seek out alternatives that do not cross into forbidden categories, ensuring your purchases align with your principles. The presence of such a product category necessitates a strong recommendation against using this platform for any purchase, as it directly facilitates something impermissible.
Best Ethical Alternatives for Globes and Educational Tools:
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- Key Features: Renowned for accuracy and quality cartography; offers a range from educational globes for children to detailed physical and political globes for adults. Often includes illuminated options.
- Average Price: £50 – £300, depending on size and features.
- Pros: Highly reputable brand, excellent educational value, durable construction.
- Cons: Can be pricier than generic alternatives, limited design variations compared to art pieces.
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- Key Features: A long-standing American globe maker known for traditional craftsmanship and a wide array of globe types, including floor models, desk models, and those with antique finishes.
- Average Price: £80 – £500, with some high-end models exceeding this.
- Pros: Established brand with a history of quality, diverse styles and sizes, good for both educational and decorative purposes.
- Cons: Some designs might feel dated, availability can vary.
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Educational World Maps and Atlases
- Key Features: Flat maps or book-form atlases providing detailed geographical, political, and thematic information. Excellent for broad overviews and in-depth study.
- Average Price: £15 – £70.
- Pros: Highly portable, more detailed than many globes, excellent for deep learning, very affordable.
- Cons: Lacks the spherical representation of a globe, can be less engaging for visual learners.
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Interactive Educational Globes
- Key Features: Many modern globes now incorporate smart technology, allowing users to interact via a smartphone app to learn about countries, animals, landmarks, and more.
- Average Price: £60 – £150.
- Pros: Engaging for children, offers a dynamic learning experience, combines physical and digital learning.
- Cons: Requires a smart device, reliant on app updates, can be less durable than traditional globes.
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- Key Features: Decorative wall art made from wood, depicting the world map. Available in various sizes and finishes, often with adhesive backing for easy installation.
- Average Price: £40 – £200.
- Pros: Aesthetically pleasing home decor, provides a geographical reference, can be a conversation starter.
- Cons: Not a functional globe, less detailed than traditional maps, purely decorative.
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Children’s Educational Puzzles (World Map themed)
- Key Features: Large jigsaw puzzles or floor puzzles designed to teach children about countries, continents, and geography through play.
- Average Price: £10 – £40.
- Pros: Highly engaging for young learners, develops problem-solving skills, affordable, no ethical concerns.
- Cons: Limited in scope compared to a full globe or atlas, not a permanent display item.
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High-Quality Stationery Globes
- Key Features: Smaller, desk-sized globes suitable for office or study spaces. Often feature clear political or physical mapping, sometimes with a metallic stand.
- Average Price: £25 – £75.
- Pros: Compact, ideal for quick reference, adds a scholarly touch to a desk, usually durable.
- Cons: Less impactful as a statement piece, smaller text can be harder to read.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
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Justglobes.co.uk Review & First Look
Based on an initial inspection of Justglobes.co.uk, the website positions itself as the foremost online retailer of globes in the UK, a claim supported by its stated tenure since 2005 and a customer base exceeding 60,000. From a technical standpoint, the site appears functional, with clear navigation links, currency options (GBP, AUD, EUR, USD), and a contact number prominently displayed for expert advice. This immediate accessibility and focus on customer interaction are generally positive indicators for an e-commerce platform.
The variety of globes on offer is extensive, catering to different needs and preferences. Categories range from “Desk Globes” and “Kids Globes” to “Floor Globes” and more specialised options like “Light Up Globes” and “Prestige Globes.” This broad selection suggests a deep inventory and an effort to cater to a diverse clientele, from educational institutions to individuals looking for decorative or functional pieces. The mention of reputable globe makers such as Replogle, Zoffoli, Atmosphere, Columbus Globes, and National Geographic lends credibility to their product line.
However, the presence of “Globe Bars” fundamentally alters the ethical evaluation of Justglobes.co.uk. These items are unequivocally described as “classic globe drinks cabinet” designed to “display in your home,” with a clear historical reference to a 17th-century map designed for a French king. The explicit purpose of these items, as cabinets for alcoholic beverages, renders the platform problematic. While other products on the site, such as educational or decorative globes, might be permissible, the integration and promotion of an item directly associated with alcohol consumption make the entire offering unacceptable from an Islamic perspective. The principle here is clear: aiding or facilitating the consumption of alcohol, even indirectly through the sale of associated furniture, is discouraged. Therefore, despite any apparent strengths in product variety or customer service for other items, the inclusion of “Globe Bars” is a significant red flag.
Justglobes.co.uk Cons
When scrutinising Justglobes.co.uk, several points emerge as significant drawbacks, particularly when viewed through an ethical lens. The most pressing issue, as highlighted, is the direct offering of products that facilitate activities deemed impermissible. Beyond this, other aspects relate to transparency and user experience, which, while not ethically compromising, still detract from the overall quality of the platform.
Ethical Impermissibility: Globe Bars
The most significant and unavoidable con of Justglobes.co.uk is its inclusion and active promotion of “Globe Bars.” These products are unequivocally designed as “drinks cabinets” for storing and displaying alcoholic beverages. In Islam, alcohol is strictly forbidden, and any facilitation of its consumption, even indirectly through the sale of related furniture, is considered impermissible. Cmnav.co.uk Review
- Direct Facilitation: The website states, “Our selection of Globe Bars are beautifully made in Italy by Zoffoli… These vintage maps give an insight into the world during that period and make for a fascinating designed classic globe drinks cabinet to display in your home.” This description leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the product’s purpose.
- Contradiction for Ethical Consumers: For a consumer adhering to Islamic principles, the presence of these items on the same platform as educational or decorative globes creates a significant conflict. It means supporting a business that profits from the sale of items used for impermissible activities.
- Lack of Ethical Screening: The decision to stock and promote “Globe Bars” indicates a lack of ethical screening from an Islamic perspective. A business aiming for broad appeal, especially within diverse markets, would ideally avoid products that clearly violate the moral or religious codes of a significant portion of its potential customer base.
Limited Pricing Transparency on Homepage
While the website boasts a wide range of products, specific pricing information for individual globe types is not readily available on the homepage. Users are required to navigate deeper into product categories to view prices.
- Initial Engagement Barrier: For potential customers, especially those comparing options across multiple retailers, the absence of upfront pricing can be a minor inconvenience. It means extra clicks and time investment before understanding the cost landscape.
- No Price Range Indicators: There are no immediate indicators of price ranges for different globe categories (e.g., “Kids Globes starting from £X” or “Prestige Globes up to £Y”). This lack of broad pricing context can make it harder for users to gauge if the products fall within their budget without significant exploration.
Absence of Detailed Security Information
The homepage doesn’t prominently feature badges or links related to website security protocols beyond the standard browser padlock icon. While HTTPS is a given for e-commerce, explicit assurances are often preferred.
- Lack of Trust Badges: Many online retailers display trust badges (e.g., McAfee Secure, Norton Secured, SSL certificates) on their homepage or footer to immediately reassure customers about data security. Justglobes.co.uk doesn’t prominently feature these.
- Privacy Policy Link Obscurity: While a privacy policy likely exists, its link isn’t immediately visible or highlighted on the main page, which can be a concern for privacy-conscious users. Ensuring prominent access to privacy and security information is crucial for building consumer trust in online transactions.
No Customer Reviews on Homepage (Only Trustpilot Link)
While Justglobes.co.uk proudly states “We’re Rated Excellent on Trustpilot” and provides a link, it doesn’t integrate customer testimonials or star ratings directly on its homepage for specific products or the overall shopping experience.
- Missed Opportunity for Social Proof: Direct display of glowing reviews or star ratings for popular products can significantly influence new visitors. It provides immediate social proof and builds confidence.
- Reliance on External Platform: Directing users to an external platform like Trustpilot, while credible, adds an extra step. Some users might prefer to see condensed feedback directly on the site before deciding to click away.
Justglobes.co.uk Alternatives
Given the ethical concerns with Justglobes.co.uk, especially its offering of “Globe Bars,” it becomes crucial to identify alternatives that align with ethical consumption principles. The market for educational, decorative, and functional globes is robust, with many reputable suppliers that focus purely on geographical and astronomical representations without crossing into forbidden categories. These alternatives provide excellent choices for anyone seeking high-quality globes or related educational tools while adhering to ethical standards.
Focus on Ethical Suppliers
When seeking alternatives, the primary filter should be whether the supplier explicitly avoids products that facilitate impermissible activities. This means looking for retailers who specialise in purely educational, decorative, or navigational tools without branching into items like alcohol cabinets. Vbwholefoods.co.uk Review
- Specialised Educational Retailers: Many online and brick-and-mortar stores focus solely on educational supplies. These are often excellent sources for globes, maps, and atlases, as their core mission is learning and exploration.
- Direct from Manufacturers: Some reputable globe manufacturers sell directly to consumers. This can often provide access to a wider range of models and ensure the product is from a source focused on the item’s primary purpose.
- General Home Decor Stores (with caution): Larger home decor retailers might carry globes, but vigilance is required to ensure they do not simultaneously stock or promote items that are ethically problematic.
Key Features of Recommended Alternatives
The best alternatives will offer a combination of product quality, variety, good customer service, and, crucially, an ethical product catalogue.
- Wide Range of Globes: Look for sites that offer different types of globes – desk, floor, illuminated, historical, and children’s globes – to ensure you find the perfect fit for your needs.
- Reputable Brands: Alternatives should ideally stock globes from well-known and respected manufacturers like Replogle, National Geographic, or Columbus. This ensures quality and accuracy.
- Clear Product Descriptions and Images: High-quality images and detailed descriptions are essential for online purchases, allowing you to make informed decisions.
- Customer Support: Accessible customer service (phone, email, chat) for queries, returns, and expert advice is a significant advantage.
- Transparent Pricing and Delivery: Clear pricing, including delivery costs, should be easy to find before committing to a purchase.
- Ethical Product Line: The fundamental requirement for an alternative is that it does not offer any products that would be considered ethically problematic from an Islamic perspective. This includes avoiding any items that promote or facilitate alcohol, gambling, or other impermissible activities.
By focusing on these criteria, consumers can confidently find a globe that meets their needs while upholding their ethical commitments.
How to Choose an Ethical Globe Supplier
Selecting a globe supplier that aligns with ethical principles, particularly for a Muslim consumer, goes beyond just checking the product range. It involves a holistic assessment of the company’s practices, product offerings, and overall transparency. This section outlines key considerations and actionable steps to ensure your purchase is both high-quality and ethically sound.
Scrutinise Product Catalogue Thoroughly
The very first step is to meticulously review the entire product catalogue of any potential supplier. Do not just look at the specific globe you intend to purchase; scan all categories.
- Identify Forbidden Items: Actively search for items related to alcohol, gambling, inappropriate imagery, or any other category deemed impermissible. For instance, the presence of “globe bars” or “drinks cabinets” is an immediate disqualifier.
- Read Product Descriptions Carefully: Even if the product name doesn’t immediately raise a red flag, read its description. Sometimes, the intended use or features of an item might reveal an impermissible aspect (e.g., a “puzzle globe” that promotes a forbidden theme).
- Check “Related Products” or “Customers Also Bought”: These sections can sometimes reveal problematic associations or other items the company stocks that might not be immediately visible on the main navigation.
Assess Company Values and “About Us” Section
A company’s “About Us” page can offer insights into its mission, values, and ethical commitments. While not always explicit about religious ethics, a company that emphasizes sustainability, community, or education might be a better fit. We-run.co.uk Review
- Look for Ethical Statements: Does the company mention any ethical sourcing policies, environmental commitments, or social responsibilities? While not directly Islamic, these can indicate a broader ethical consciousness.
- Identify Core Business Focus: Is the company primarily focused on education, decor, or is it a general retailer with a wide, uncurated product range? Companies with a niche, ethical focus are generally safer.
- Review Trustpilot and Customer Reviews: While positive reviews for product quality are good, look for any customer feedback that hints at problematic practices or products. A high Trustpilot score for a company selling permissible items is a strong positive.
Verify Transparency in Business Operations
Transparency is a cornerstone of ethical business. A trustworthy supplier will be open about their operations, policies, and customer service.
- Clear Contact Information: Easy-to-find phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses (if applicable) are signs of a legitimate and transparent business.
- Comprehensive Policies: Detailed and clear delivery rates, return policies, privacy policies, and terms and conditions are essential. Ensure they are easily accessible and understandable.
- Secure Payment Gateways: Verify that the website uses secure payment processing (e.g., HTTPS in the URL, recognised payment logos like Visa Secure, Mastercard ID Check).
Consider the Source of Manufacturing
While not always easy to determine, understanding the manufacturing origin can sometimes provide additional ethical context.
- Reputable Brands: Established globe manufacturers often have long-standing reputations for quality and, in some cases, ethical labour practices. Research the brands stocked by the supplier.
- Country of Origin: Be aware of general ethical concerns related to manufacturing in certain regions, such as labour rights or environmental standards. While globes are generally low-risk in this regard, it’s a good general practice.
By diligently applying these criteria, consumers can make informed decisions, ensuring their purchases not only meet their needs but also align with their ethical and religious principles. It’s about being proactive in supporting businesses that reflect positive values.
Justglobes.co.uk Pricing
Based on the information available on the Justglobes.co.uk homepage, specific pricing tiers or a comprehensive pricing structure for their entire range of globes are not immediately evident. While they showcase a vast collection spanning “Desk Globes,” “Kids Globes,” “Floor Globes,” “Light Up Globes,” “Prestige Globes,” and “Globe Bars,” the homepage does not provide a direct price list or typical price ranges for these categories. Customers are expected to navigate deeper into individual product pages to discover the exact cost of each item.
- No Upfront Price Overview: Unlike some e-commerce sites that might feature “starting from” prices or indicate price brackets for different product lines, Justglobes.co.uk keeps pricing details on individual product pages. This means a customer cannot quickly gauge the general cost of a ‘Prestige Globe’ versus a ‘Kids Globe’ without clicking through.
- Currency Options: The website prominently displays currency options (GBP – British Pound, AUD – Australian Dollar, EUR – Euro, USD – US Dollar), indicating international shipping and pricing flexibility. This is a positive feature for international customers, allowing them to view prices in their local currency, though actual final prices would be displayed on product pages.
- Delivery Rates: They mention “FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK ON £35+” and provide a link to a detailed “Delivery Rates” page, which is a good sign of transparency regarding shipping costs. However, this is distinct from product pricing.
- Clearance Section: The presence of a “Clearance” section suggests that discounted items are available, which could imply varying price points across their inventory. However, the exact discounts or pricing on clearance items are not visible on the homepage.
Without direct access to detailed product pages, it’s impossible to provide exact price figures. However, based on general market trends for globes: Professorherb.co.uk Review
- Kids Globes: Typically range from £20 – £100, depending on size, features (e.g., illumination, interactive elements), and materials.
- Desk Globes: Can vary from £30 – £200, influenced by size, base material (wood, metal), and cartographic detail.
- Floor Globes: These are generally more expensive due to their size and often elaborate stands, ranging from £150 – £500, with some high-end models going much higher.
- Light Up Globes: Often fall into the £50 – £250 range, as the illumination adds to the cost.
- Prestige/Hand Laid Globes: These are premium items, often featuring meticulous craftsmanship and high-quality materials, so their prices would likely be in the £300+ range, potentially reaching thousands for collector’s pieces.
- Globe Bars: While ethically problematic, these items typically range from £100 – £400, depending on size, materials, and historical replication.
In conclusion, while Justglobes.co.uk offers a broad selection, potential customers must navigate to specific product pages to ascertain pricing, a standard e-commerce practice but one that lacks immediate pricing transparency on the homepage. The ethical considerations around “Globe Bars” remain paramount, regardless of their price point.
FAQ
What is Justglobes.co.uk?
Justglobes.co.uk is an online retailer based in the UK that specialises in selling various types of world globes, including desk globes, floor globes, kids’ globes, light-up globes, and other speciality globes. They claim to be the UK’s largest online globe specialist since 2005.
What ethical concerns exist with Justglobes.co.uk?
The primary ethical concern with Justglobes.co.uk is its offering of “Globe Bars,” which are explicitly described as “drinks cabinets” designed for storing and displaying alcoholic beverages. From an Islamic ethical perspective, facilitating or promoting alcohol consumption is impermissible.
Does Justglobes.co.uk sell educational globes?
Yes, Justglobes.co.uk sells a variety of educational globes, including “Kids Globes” illustrated with animals or providing greater detail for more advanced learners. They also offer “Space & Planets” globes for astronomical learning.
Are there any positive aspects of Justglobes.co.uk’s website design?
Yes, the website features clear navigation, prominently displays contact information for customer support, offers multiple currency options, and has a clear policy for free delivery to mainland UK on orders over £35. It also links to its “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot. Dash4it.co.uk Review
Can I find National Geographic globes on Justglobes.co.uk?
Yes, Justglobes.co.uk states that it stocks globes from various reputable globe-makers, including National Geographic.
What types of globes does Justglobes.co.uk offer besides globe bars?
Beyond globe bars, Justglobes.co.uk offers Desk Globes, Kids Globes, Floor Globes, Light Up Globes, Prestige Globes, Hand Laid Globes, Office Globes, Inflatable Globes, and Space & Planets globes.
What is the delivery policy for Justglobes.co.uk?
Justglobes.co.uk offers free delivery to mainland UK on orders over £35. They also ship to over 70 countries globally, with full shipping rates available on their delivery rates page.
How can I contact Justglobes.co.uk customer service?
You can contact Justglobes.co.uk customer service by phone at 01536 264611, available Monday to Friday during office hours, for expert advice and assistance.
Does Justglobes.co.uk have a physical store?
Based on the website’s description as the “UK’s largest online globe specialist,” it primarily operates as an online retailer, without indication of a physical storefront. Lockfit.co.uk Review
Are the “Globe Bars” historical replicas?
Yes, the “Globe Bars” offered by Justglobes.co.uk include vintage maps from different centuries, with some featuring a 17th-century map designed by Pierre Duval for King Louis XIV, adding a historical design element to the drinks cabinets.
What are some ethical alternatives to Justglobes.co.uk for buying globes?
Ethical alternatives include retailers focusing solely on educational supplies, direct manufacturers like Replogle or National Geographic, or general home decor stores that do not stock ethically problematic items.
How can I ensure an online globe supplier is ethical?
To ensure an online globe supplier is ethical, thoroughly scrutinise their entire product catalogue for forbidden items, assess their company values, verify transparency in business operations, and consider the source of manufacturing.
Does Justglobes.co.uk provide pricing information on its homepage?
No, Justglobes.co.uk does not provide specific pricing information or price ranges on its homepage. Customers need to navigate to individual product pages to see the exact costs.
What globe makers does Justglobes.co.uk stock?
Justglobes.co.uk stocks globes from various globe-makers, including Replogle, Zoffoli, Atmosphere, Columbus Globes, and National Geographic. Kitchenknives.co.uk Review
Does Justglobes.co.uk ship internationally?
Yes, Justglobes.co.uk ships to over 70 countries, including throughout the EU, America, and Asia.
Is Justglobes.co.uk rated on Trustpilot?
Yes, Justglobes.co.uk proudly states on its homepage that it is “Rated Excellent on Trustpilot” and provides a direct link to its Trustpilot reviews.
What is the age range for Justglobes.co.uk’s kids’ globes?
Justglobes.co.uk states their children’s globes are “perfect for all ages and learning levels,” offering globes with animal illustrations for younger children and more detailed options for advanced learners.
Does Justglobes.co.uk offer illuminated globes?
Yes, Justglobes.co.uk offers “Light Up Globes,” including illuminated globe balls for children that can also serve as bedside lamps.
How long has Justglobes.co.uk been in business?
Justglobes.co.uk has been operating as an online globe specialist since 2005, making it a long-standing retailer in the UK. Drsick.co.uk Review
Where can I find the terms and conditions or privacy policy on Justglobes.co.uk?
While not explicitly highlighted on the homepage, standard e-commerce practice dictates that links to terms and conditions, privacy policy, and other legal documents would typically be found in the footer section of the website.
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