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Blogs > 49AK > Out of the Ordinary

As Seen on (at) TV (Bed, Bath and Beyond)  

49AK 62M
647 posts
3/12/2009 12:06 pm

Last Read:
3/18/2009 9:49 am
As Seen on (at) TV (Bed, Bath and Beyond)

I don't care for shopping... not even a little. A shopping trip with me almost always ends badly.

Since I don't shop much, the latest trends in retail are lost on me. On the other hand, I did work in television for a while, so I am faily tolerant of advertising, particularly television advertising... so while I might not be inclined to go into a store to buy something, I have a reasonably good idea of what might be out there on the market. I like to watch ads to see if the advertiser did a good job of getting his or her point across.

So the other day, we received a print ad for Bed, Bath and Beyond, and one of the family members pointed out that on the back page of the ad, it showed that they had "Pedi-Paws", which is basically a manicure device for your pets. This is one of those cases where advertising meets need - we have a neurotic that hates to have his feet touched, much less have his nails clipped... So we have been contemplating this purchase for a while. The impediment was ordering it by mail, and the wait. So when we found out that you could walk into a store and buy it, we were sold (that and the $10 off coupon sealed the deal).

So yesterday evening, off we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond. When you combine my disdain for shopping with the kind of merchandise that one might find at Bed, Bath and Beyond, it is no surprise that last night's trip was my first visit there... ever.

It wasn't what I expected.

It was as if Crate and Barrel, JC Penney, TJ Maxx and Costco had a four-way love . Every endcap had an "As Seen On TV" item. "Pedi-Paws" was right by the front door, which for the Anti-Shopper, was incredibly convenient. They had those bowl-sealing things - those were on clearance for $5. They even had that item that looks like a bluetooth headset, but is really a hearing aid.

It was like walking into the Infomercial Store.

There were ten thousand of every kitchen gadget ever. The "Mandolin Slicer?" . . . Had it.

Strangely, I had a certain curiousity about the things I saw in there. It wasn't a consumer curiousity, but more of a people-watching or car crash curiousity... except for retail items.

Living in Alaska, you live a relatively sheltered life when it comes to the retail world. If a big retailer comes to Alaska, it is probably the end of their growth cycle: Target. Kohls. Bed, Bath and Beyond. They arrive here with a bit of fanfare. Ultimately, they're just another store. And I feel a little bit of culture shock when I go into these places. Every square inch of usable merchandising space is occupied, managed, and designed to put these consumer items within easy reach of you as you walk through the store... and as a result, puts your hard-earned dollars within easy reach of their cash register.

But I have to hand it to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Were it not for the "As Seen on TV" items, there would be virtually no reason for me to ever go back there. I doubt I would make a special trip back... but if I was in the neighborhood, I might stop in... Which is what I do when I go to the local mall, where they have a "Hotdog on a Stick". If you've never been, it is worth the visit.

wildnwanton 61F
19428 posts
3/12/2009 3:09 pm

 I am a window shopper to kill time, but if I have to go for something specific, I am in and out as fast as humanly possible. The longer I linger, the more I notice these things I just HAVE TO TRY...so I make a list and stick to it, leave the leisurely browsing on a day I don't have a credit card or anything that is remotely considered expendable cash with me.
"Shall I tell you the secret of the true scholar? It is this: every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson


49AK replies on 3/16/2009 10:18 am:
I am the same way... I have to really get into the shopping mindset to enjoy it... otherwise it is a chore.

firegryphon 54F
5903 posts
3/13/2009 9:44 pm

 I used to work at TJMaxx. Actually, I worked at few of their chains. I was the chick that designed those endcaps so you'd buy buy buy. I was pretty good at it too.



I need to get one of those clippers. Wish they hadn't close all the Bed Bath and Beyond stores down here.
The only thing I HAVE to do is eat, shit, and die. Everything else is a choice.


49AK replies on 3/16/2009 10:17 am:
*grin*

That explains your hypnotic eyes...

You have the "You must have this..." mindset down!

rm_NassyFox 62F
37014 posts
3/16/2009 8:12 am

 About the only things I've ever purchased from BB&B was the "As Seen on TV" stuff, which Wal-Mart now carries many of as well.

How is the Pedi-paws? I've been debating on getting one.



49AK replies on 3/16/2009 10:15 am:
The jury is still out on Pedi-Paws. It clearly isn't the tool for what I had envisioned... On the other hand, this particular neurotic dog likes it... so once I get his nails under control, it will be fine.

My guess is that if a dog's nails are in pretty good shape, this would be great for keeping them that way.

My partner read this posting yesterday, and she thought that I was now destined to be a regular shopper at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I told her that it means that I would tolerate one visit a year there.

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