Sharper Image Files for Chapter 11
Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:47PM EST
See Comments (11)
The retailer of such irresistible goodies as high-tech air purifiers, noise-canceling headphones, comfy massage chairs, and life-sized Darth Vader figures is apparently hanging by a thread.
But wait—how could this happen? Every time I pass a Sharper Image store, it always looks packed with shoppers ogling the latest in MP3-equipped shaving mirrors, ultrasonic humidifiers, LED grill lights, atomic clocks, and remote-controlled R2D2s. Indeed, I can rarely resist the urge to roam the Sharper Image aisles myself...
...although, come to think of it, I've never really walked out with anything. Maybe that's why the chain is facing "a severe liquidity crisis," according to CFO Rebecca Roedell, adding that Sharper Image has been hit with "increased competition, narrowing margins, litigation, lower consumer and market confidence...and poorly performing stores," Reuters reports. The AP also notes that a Consumer Reports story slamming the chain's signature Ionic Breeze air purifiers (Sharper Image fired back with a lawsuit, which it lost) didn’t help.
So if you've been hankering for a final chance to shop for Darth Vader helmets, ultrasonic rat deterrents, form-fitting sleep marks, or the GPS-equipped SkyCaddie, now's the time. Or just visit SkyMall.
Related:
Sharper Image files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy [Reuters]
Comments on Sharper Image Files for Chapter 11
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2 Posted by brice_78 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse
sky mall rules!
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3 Posted by somebodys_here on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse
Beware of the Atomic-Powered-MP3-bowling-ball which also has WiFi built in and a 3"LCD screen to watch the view from the pins as the ball rolls down the lane.
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4 Posted by sjmassimi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse
Their prices were often too high, which was bluntly apparent with some of their products that you could buy - for much less - at another store.
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5 Posted by belafever1937 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse
Several years ago I bought an electronic device from Sharper Image . It didn't work as guaranteed, but Sharper Image would not honor their warranty of product performance or customer satisfaction. I vowed that Sharper Image would not ever get another dime from me no matter how great their products. They finally got what they were asking for. They should have took a look at Walmart's success.
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6 Posted by cedarsedge on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse
"...although, come to think of it, I've never really walked out with anything." That's what I've always done....... I'd would walk in the store to check out the latest gadgets and by sheer logic, I would make fun of the crap that only the people with 'disposable income would buy' and say to myself: "What suckers"!!!! As far as the 'Ionic Breeze air purifiers'.......what a rip off!!! Glad we won't be seeing that darn commercial anymore!!!!!!! Adios SHARPER IMAGE!!!!!!!!!!!
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7 Posted by cibaenia_motors on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse
Same for me, whenever I visit the US, SI is a sure stop when doing the mall circuit, mostly Miami, but I allways noticed that despite being crowded there wasn't anyone standing by the cash register and I usualy got the feeling that their merchandise was expensive, very expensive! which let me wondering how were they able to pull it off in such a competitive market... Although I did buy an Ipod there once.
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8 Posted by drewdoog on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
wow, so people decided to stop buying crap?
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9 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I had the same experience as belafever - I saw something cool in a movie, found it in the Sharper Image store, purchased it, and it never worked right from day one. In the end they didnt honor their warranty with me either, and I eventually junked the item and purchased something else much cheaper someplace else that worked for years afterwards. It really clouded MY image of Sharper Image, because until then I thought they were the store with the really cool tech stuff.
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10 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I had the same experience as belafever - I saw something cool in a movie, found it in the Sharper Image store, purchased it, and it never worked right from day one. In the end they didnt honor their warranty with me either, and I eventually junked the item and purchased something else much cheaper someplace else that worked for years afterwards. It really clouded MY image of Sharper Image, because until then I thought they were the store with the really cool tech stuff.
1 Posted by matt_archbold2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Yeah, i always go into a sharper image store when i see one, but all i do is look and try out the cool stuff they have. The very few times i've actually purchased something (which i can count on one hand) was always less that 100 dollars.