Finding the products you want and navigating around www.rapidonline.com should be straightforward. However, in order for you to get the most from our website there may be certain icons or features that need a little explaining.

Searching for Products
Advanced Search
Search Results
Parametric Searching
Personalised Order Codes
Understanding the Product Information Pages
Understanding the Website Icons

There are a number of options available when searching for products on www.rapidonline.com. The Search bar is available at the top of every page. You can search via product names, order codes or manufacturer’s part numbers.

Back to Top

The Advanced Search facility allows you to refine your search parameters. A link to the Advanced Search facility can be found underneath the search bar. You can enter a Rapid order code, manufacturer's code or keywords, as well as being able to restrict your search to within a category or particular brand.

Back to Top

The search results are displayed by default in order of relevance to your search criteria, according to how closely they match the phrase, order code or keywords. Use the links at the top of the page to sort the search results by price, alphabetical order, level of sales or relevance. If selecting by price, the lowest value item will be shown first. To see the most expensive product first, click the ‘Descending’ option on the right hand side of the page. The same Ascending and Descending options apply to sorting alphabetically, by sales and relevance.

On the left hand side of the screen you can narrow the search results by selecting different categories, brands or price sectors.

Back to Top

The parametric search facility enables you to narrow your search based on product attributes and technical specifications.

The parametric search banner will appear on product pages covered by the functionality.

Clicking on this banner will display the lists of attributes of that particular product group. As many of these tick boxes can be selected as you wish; clicking on the Show Results link will reveal the products that match your specifications.

The attributes that are no longer applicable to your selection will then be non-editable. The results can be filtered again and again, until just one product remains.

Attribute filters can be removed by selecting the ‘Clear All’ button. The results will then update accordingly.

All products in the group can be displayed by selecting the Show All button. They will be paginated showing 20, 40, 60 or all results. Use the next button or select a page number to view the next page of results.

The search results table can be customised by hiding columns. Select the Hide/Show Columns button and change the settings.

Products can be purchased from the results page by entering the quantity required and clicking the ‘Buy’ button. To view details of the individual product, select the ‘view product details’ or the product code link. Clicking on a brand logo will display all products we stock by that manufacturer.

Back to Top

To create your own codes and descriptions for products you buy regularly, simply click on the ‘Personalised Part Numbers’ link in the personalisation panel on product pages. This feature will only be available when you are logged in.

Enter your codes and/or descriptions into the relevant fields and save your changes.

Your personalised codes will then be shown on search results pages, displayed in order confirmations, order histories and product labels, therefore saving time for customers when checking deliveries.

These codes can also be quoted when ordering over the phone.

Back to Top

Alternative Images - Where more than one product image is available (eg. different views) these will be displayed to the right of the main image as thumbnails on product information pages. Click on the thumbnail to select it as the main image.

Price Breaks - many of Rapid's products are available for sale at bulk prices. This means that the price per unit is lower the more of a product is purchased. For example, if you buy 1000 units of a product and there is a 1000+ price break, the price you will pay per unit is the 1000+ figure.

Downloadable Datasheets - where an Adobe icon appears next to the order code, a datasheet is available for the product. Clicking on the icon will open a PDF document in a new window.

Technical Specification - table containing information about the product, such as dimensions and operating data. Technical Specification tables can be displayed or hidden, depending on the preference that is set in ‘My Account’.

Back Order - The product in question is not available at the present time, but new stock is on order from the manufacturer. The item can be added to your basket and payment will be taken at the same time as the rest of your order. The item on back order will be despatched as soon as possible.

Non-Stock Item Available for Back Order - If a product displays this message, this means that it is not held in stock on site but despatched from the manufacturer once an order is received, either direct to the customer or via Rapid.

Back to Top

Alert

Highlights important information of which you should be aware, such as products with restricted availability.

Cancel

If you have started an action, or opened a layered screen, you can click this icon to cancel the action or close the layered screen.

Clearance

Denotes a Clearance product – end of line items which will not be replenished once they go out of stock. The Clearance area is available from the Clearance tab at the top right of each page.

Contact an Expert

Having difficulty buying online? Engage in a real-time live chat with one of our dedicated assistants, who will happily guide you through your problem or answer any questions you may have.

Datasheet

or Indicates that there is additional information available about a product in a downloadable PDF.

Email page to a friend

Send the link of the page you are viewing to a friend or colleague.

Enlarge Image Zoom

Hovering over a product image with your mouse will enable you to see a magnified version. Clicking the Enlarge Image icon will open the larger version of the image.

Favourites

Add this item to your favourite products.

Information

Identifies educational products which are compatible and approved for use with the Key Stages of the National Curriculum.

Keystage Flags

Wherever this icon appears, hover over with your mouse to find further information about a particular feature of the website.

List/Grid View

Display search results pages in list or grid format.

New

Products that have been added to the website within the last 90 days.

Page Sharing

Tweet and share Rapid pages with friends and colleagues by posting them on your favourite social networking sites.

Personalised Part Numbers

Find favourite products more easily by entering your own descriptions and codes. Just click the link in the options panel when logged in.

Print

Print the page that you are viewing.

Rohs

Displayed on product pages in the price panel, this icon indicates that the product complies with RoHS and WEEE legislation. For more RoHS/WEEE information please visit our RoHS/WEEE pages.

Rohs exempt

Indicates that the product is exempt from the RoHS legislation.

Special Offer

Denotes products with special offer prices or included in current promotions.