We’ve been getting a LOT of these emails lately from Linens ‘n Things. It’s funny how the stores don’t exist any more but the e-commerce site lives on. This article says that the same is the case for Circuit City and some other retailers that have closed. Do you see anyone actually buying stuff from these websites or is it just more wishful thinking?
Counter Culture 
I love shopping on line, and I would buy from them. I prefer on line shopping to going to a store because they have more variety available, there is no sales tax and its fun to get stuff via UPS. They need to set up a good web site that is true to the products they sell so that there is no concern about deception. If you haven’t shopped at Zappos, try it out. With bedding and linens, dishes, cookware, etc, why not?? We all know what these items are like we don’t really need to see them in a store.
If I shop Zappos I have a choice amongst thousands of shoe styles and types whereas if I go to store there are only a handfull of styles available.
Online shopping has not been as attractive to women shoppers as it is to men, any comment as to why?
Despite numberous attempts to ‘unsubscribe’ from the e-commerce sites of these companies, I’m still getting email as well. A search for items on Linens’ website resulted in a few bathroom accessories, including a shower curtain and a toothbrush holder.
I only shop on line for things that are hard to find (i.e. school books via Amazon, specialty parts, etc.). I prefer to have the community I live in benefit from the sales tax dollars my purchases generate that ultimately makes it a better place to live.
Right. I too choose in-store shopping over online shopping because in-store shopping is more expensive, less convenient, and because my community needs more tax dollars.
Online shopping is a pain. The item comes and in my case invariably it is broken or doesn’t work. You have to pkg it back up and send it back. I prefer to walk in the store, see an item I want , buy it, and take it home. If there is a problem you can return it and have it in your hand ready to use. Only thing I buy on line are plane tickets!
I’m nervous about these new online stores because it’s just someone who bought the name, and it has no real affiliation to the store chain. Who knows what you’re really going to get with these sites?
What you are going to get initially is unsold inventory from the bankrupcty of the sticks and bricks store, mostly brand name stuff, if thoses sale work maybe someone will make a real business out it! Where can I put in my bid for the name??
I have two great hobbies, I ride motorcycles and I build hot rods. On line buying has been unbelieveably helpful in maintaining and furthering my cool!
Value and product are all that matter. A successful “Brand” is one that you “…know what you’re gonna get” RealUp. Grand Union, Levits, Continental Airlines, Lord N Taylor, Boston Market (originally Boston Chicken) to cite a few re-organized or went under multiple times. If you like a Brand (like TGI Fridays, McDonalds, Panera, etc) you pretty much know where you are going to sit and what you are going to order, even BEFORE you get there. Some come out OK and some don’t. The key is Value + Customer Service = Success. To say on-line shopping does not work is just silly, to say its the magic key to success is. These Brands can re-invent themselves, lets see if they do?
Let’s not kid ourselves. the implied resurrection of such branded names as Linens’n’things, Sharper Image, Bombay etc is in name only.They are shallow attempts by many of the liquidators who purchased the rights to these once very respected names. Lets just say that a rose is NOT a rose by any other name.