Arkansas Blog

Most companies who rely upon 'optional products' or discretionary spending will be hurting, as they always do, during a heavy recession. There used to be one exception, the music-recording industry.

Sharper Image relied too heavily on sales of overpriced air cleaners. Sharper Image got nailed by Consumer Reports as well as advertising campaigns by Dave Oreck for the lack of air circulation and poor cleaning performance. Sharper Image could have made the case that the air cleaners work in conjunction with the normal air circulation in a houses HVAC, but they didn't. Sharper Image responded by adding ultraviolet germ killing which may cause dangerous ozone build up in one's home. Sharper Image failed to respond with new innovative products to make up for the lost profits in the air cleaner.

Dont think I ever bought anything from the Sharper Image, that performed as advertised.

They say "a fool is born every minute" but I think the birth rate has ebbed. Not as many fools to tempt.

I never saw anything at Sharper Image that wasn't poorly made, cheap, plastic gimmic. I bought one thing from them against my better judgment and regretted it.

I have to stand up for the Sharper Image.

About 18 years ago, I admired a companion's carry-on bag. It was a three suiter, with pockets for shirts, shoes, underwear, socks, belts and toiletries. It hung in the closet and allowed access to all items with unpacking or bad wrinkling, then folded in the middle with clips to hold it that way and was carried by a strap over your shoulder. It reminded me of the old B-4 bag I acquired in the Navy and Like it was allowed as carry-on on airplanes back in the 80's and 90's.

I found one at the Sharper Image and have used it for weekend and two week vacation trips as my only suitcase. I had to replace the hanging hook and chain four years ago. It's a little frayed, but is still use every other weekend, on business trips and summer vacations to the Redneck Riviera.

So not all Sharper Image products were that poor, Perplexed.

Dickie Thalheimer has done a great job of creating a new concept for the SI stores.The warehouse/distribution center is here and run by his father, Bruce. Now that he is "out" , perhaps he will come home with lots of moolah and invest in Arkansas more than he has already I bought the air ionizer and it works wonderfullly. You are missed.