SharperImage.com

You may have seen in the news that Sharper Image recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and is basically up for sale. I got a little worried that a store credit I have with them will be worth nothing very soon….so I was on SharperImage.com tonight attempting to use-up that old credit I had from some merchandise I returned a few months ago. I finally found a couple of products to buy, and saw an insanely frustrating error message when I proceeded through their online checkout:

Your Gift Card, Reward Card or Gift Certificate was purchased before February 19, 2008, and therefore redemption has two conditions: It must (a) be redeemed in full and (b) your purchase must be for twice the card’s value. Your order total is currently $248.87 which is less than twice the card’s $256.40 value. Please add $263.93 to your order to use this Gift Card, Reward Card or Gift Certificate.

I have never heard of a store requiring you to purchase DOUBLE the amount in order to use your store credit! What an excellent way to piss off customers! Anyway, it’s not surprising that Sharper Image filed for bankruptcy protection. The few experiences I’ve had with this company have been terrible.

**update** Below is an email reply I received from Sharper Image customer service about this…

Thank you for your email.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter has caused you. Please be advised that on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, The Sharper Image commenced a case under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Court for the District of Delaware. The company intends to continue to conduct business as usual while it devotes renewed efforts to resolve it’s operational and liquidity problems and develops a reorganization plan.

Due to our filing for bankruptcy, at this time, we are only able to accept merchandise certificates in line with the following policy:

1. This policy is purely voluntary. It applies to all Gift Cards, Reward Cards, Gift Certificates and Merchandise Certificates issued prior to the Company’s petition for protection under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (February 19, 2008).

2. If you choose to redeem your card, you must purchase merchandise equal to twice the current value of the certificate to redeem the card.

3. If you choose to redeem your card, you may not redeem the certificate partially. Certificates must be redeemed in full.

4. How does it work? If you have a $25 card, you must purchase at least $50 to be able to use the certificate.

5. A Customer who does not wish to redeem his or her certificate as part of this program may have a priority claim in Sharper Image’s bankruptcy case. In a bankruptcy case, priority unsecured claims get paid prior to general unsecured claims, although there is no assurance of payment. Information about filing a claim and claim forms can be obtained on the following website:

http://www.kccllc.net/sharperimage

or by calling the following number: 1-800-344-5555.

6. Sharper Image is working diligently to be able to honor the certificates without condition in the future. A Customer who does not use his or her certificate as part of this program may be able to use the certificate without condition in the future, although Sharper Image cannot guaranty this result. This policy is subject to further order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

7. Certificates may not be accepted at stores that are closing, unless notified at the particular store to the contrary. If you do not live near a store please contact us at either of the numbers listed above or visit our website at www.sharperimage.com.

If you would like to apply your Certificate to an order, please feel free to place an order on our website at www.sharperimage.com or call us at 1-800-344-4444 and one of our associates would be more than happy to assist you.

We appreciate your patience in this matter.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. If you have any further questions or comments, you are welcome to contact us again at any time.

Thank you.

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