“T here are changes in the air, but we’re still here!” exclaims the message at the top of the official Internet web site of SkyMall. “Place your order today.”
SkyMall celebrating 25 years of cool stuff could be one of the “changes in the air”; but the message is more likely referring to the fact that SkyMall LLC has filed for bankruptcy protection and “suspended its catalog and fired 47 employees from its call centers Jan. 16, said in a court filing that it hopes to keep up barebones operations while seeking a buyer”, according to this article written by Tiffany Kary of Bloomberg. “The business generated $33.7 million of revenue in 2013, according to court filings. In early 2014, the company had tried to remake itself as an online retailer but ran out of cash to pay employees and vendors before it could learn whether the experiment was working.”
The reasons cited are reportedly a “crowded, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive” retail environment; as well as the increased use of portable electronic devices by passengers — especially as the use of them aboard airplanes was expanded to include during taxi, takeoff and landing back in 2013 — causing fewer people to browse the SkyMall catalog during flights.
Does this mean that thousands of seat pockets aboard airplanes are about to become emptier?
Actually, that was starting to happen anyway, as the company was reportedly already notified that Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines would cease to carry its catalogs.
I personally know of no one who has actually admitted to purchasing a product from the SkyMall catalog. I never did; although there have been extremely rare moments where I have been known to peruse it when I was absolutely bored — that is, if I was not disgusted by the poor and well-worn condition of the catalog — as I wrote in this article called The Most Ridiculous SkyMall Products Money Can Buy back on June 12, 2008:
I admit that when I am bored – that is, I have already seen the movie, finished the crossword puzzle, completely read through the airline magazine for that month and there is nobody to whom I am talking and no view outside the window of which to speak – I may glance through the pages of the SkyMall catalog found in the rear seat pocket in front of me on-board an aircraft.
Some of the products being offered seem useful, but some simply seem ridiculous.
Find out what are The 5 Most Ridiculous SkyMall Products Money Can Buy, as well as reaction from FlyerTalk members. You can also be certain that FlyerTalk members will post their choices of most ridiculous SkyMall products in that thread.
Anyone care for a Star Wars popcorn maker?…
Not I, as I have never owned any popcorn maker and have no intention of doing so — ever…
…and back in 2009, you could have earned a coupon for a discount of $10.00 off the future purchase of any item sold by SkyMall if you purchased a US Airways Power-Nap Sack — which included a cozy 34 x 60-inch fleece blanket; a soft-to-the-touch inflatable neck pillow; eye shades; and foam ear plugs neatly packaged inside a reusable, navy blue fleece drawstring bag embroidered with the US Airways logo — for seven dollars instead of the regular price of $20.00.
Such a deal…
…but someone has been purchasing products from SkyMall — otherwise, the company would not have lasted 25 years. After all, how could you not want to purchase a life-sized Bigfoot Garden Yeti Statue for the low price of only $2,250.00?
This NapAnywhere Pillow might look ridiculous, yet it could be comfortable and just might be useful — but would you pay $59.00 for it?
How about a set of five protective pouches in assorted sizes for your portable electronic devices for $29.95? I have never used this product; but the protection offered by common zippered plastic bags would probably be similarly effective — and you can purchase whole boxes of those bags at any supermarket for as little as $1.49 for as many as 50 zippered plastic bags in each box. I actually use a generic plastic zippered bag for my mobile telephone; and I put it in my pocket. It seems to work just fine for me; and a replacement is as close as my pantry at home. I also carry an extra one or two whenever I travel; and they are good for protecting other items in my bag as well.
You can have an item in the shape of a woman’s pump shoe hold your bottle of wine for only $59.99. The label on the wine bottle can be personalized; and it comes with a stopper at no extra charge.
By the way, all of the aforementioned prices do not include the cost of shipping. This compact foot rest sells for $29.99 but does not include the $9.25 it would cost to ship it to you; and if you want the item rushed to you within two to four business days, expect to pay an extra five dollars on top of that. Total cost with rush shipping: $44.24.
You could earn SkyMall Rewards where you get one point for every dollar you spend where 200 points yields ten dollars in rewards. The good news is that it will not be difficult to spend $200.00 at SkyMall.
Please accept my apologies, SkyMall. I am just not your target customer. I never have been and never will be. Sorry…
…but let us end this article on a fun note with a little game that could simultaneously help promote SkyMall. Below are six products sold by SkyMall, each with links to where they are sold by SkyMall so that you may purchase them easily if you decide you want them. Guess the price of each product; and if you like, please post your guesses in the Comments section below before peeking to find out for what prices they are on sale. Prices do not include shipping and handling.
Are you ready? Here we go…
1. 25 Inch Wheeled Duffel
Features:
- Super lightweight
- Extra strong T26 handle system
- Handle system retracts into a zipper pocket
- Inline-skate wheel system
- Interior tie straps
- Handle can connect into a shoulder strap
- Multiple exterior pockets
- Piggyback strap
- Expands up to 5 inches
2. LSTN Troubadour Headphones
Features:
- Reclaimed wood casing
- Plush earcups for long term use
- Unpluggable, wood enclosed, gold plated plugs
- In-line microphone
- Durable, nylon wrapped cables
- Adjustable metal band
- Works with iPhone, iPod, Android, Blackberry, CD, DVD, spaceships etc. -Frequency response: 18Hz — 22KHz
- Sensitivity: 101+/-3dB At 1KHz1mW
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- R&L balance< < 3dB(50Hz-6KHz 1mW)
- Rated input power: 30mW
- Maximum input power: 50mW
- Cable: length 1.2m
- Plug: 3.5mm gold plated
- Wood cup measures 3″L x 2.75″W
3. Serenity Cat Pod
Did you know your pet can see shades of some colors, especially blue? Latest studies shows dogs and cats are not colorblind and that they depend on color perception to make decisions. Why not add a little bit of colored light and brighten their den to signal them to gently sleep or wake up. The LEDs change colors with a touch of finger with a remote control. One part science & technology, the other novelty and combined in exquisite art. If your pet happens to not appreciate the calming color changing light, you and your guest surely will. Pets should never be left alone, unsupervised with lights plugged in.
Features:
- Handcrafted monolithic fiberglass pod
- Handcrafted removable cotton cover for cushion (machine washable)
- LED lighting fixture with remote control
- Wire chew protector
- Waterproof cushion protector
- Material: Fiberglass composite
- Finish: Shiny polished gel coat (exterior); Matte gel coat (interior)
- Color: white (interior & exterior)
- Pod dimension: 24 in. (60.96 cm) diameter x 12 in. (30.48 cm) height
- Steel stand dimension: 30 in. (76.2 cm)
- Total height dimension: 42 in. (106.68 cm)
- Weight: 25 lbs.
4. PRO Airbrush Makeup System
The Luminess Air Professional Makeup System is a multi-speed airbrush system with three professional pre-programmed air speeds. Use the low speed highlight hair and darken eyebrow lines, medium speed is great for application of cosmetics to the face and neck and the high speed is perfect for full body application including legs and arms.
Features:
- Airbrush
- Two shades of Ultra Foundation
- Blush
- Moisturizer
- Brightening Glow
5. World’s Largest Write-On Map
Features:
- One dry-erase marker
- Eight panels (39-3/4″ W x 53-1/2″ H each) can be hung as one piece or individually
- Simple instructions
- Adhesive for hanging
- 8’8″ H x 13′ L. (5 lbs.)
6. The Versalette
Features:
- One size fits all; best for women’s sizes 2-16
- Instruction card
- How-to video link
- Rayon/Spandex
- Made in the USA
…so how did you do?
All photographs in this article courtesy of SkyMall.
