Sharper Image

Sharper Image was one of the hottest companies in America for years and in the 1980s, it reached near iconic status. Today, I learned on the news that the company has declared bankruptcy.

I remember talking to my friends in college who talked about the quality of a mall based on whether it had a Sharper Image. The store became the benchmark separating the good, from the bad and ugly. One of my favorite movies is “When Harry Met Sally” (yes, I am a romantic) and one of the most enjoyable scenes (and memorable) scenes is in a Sharper Image. There, the two main characters sing on a karaoke and stumble upon Harry’s ex-wife in a most uncomfortable and humorous scene.

Back in those days, Sharper Image was decidedly geared towards the affluent. The products were not cheap, but they were believed to be of a higher quality and a cut above in creativity, over others. Some where along the way, Sharper Image became common in price and image.

* Right now, if you visit the Sharper Image Site, you will find a digital frame key chain for less than $30.

* You can find a hydrogen fuel rocket set for less than $20.

* You can find a Sharper Image Turbo Groomer for less than $30.

I think you get the point, Sharper Image products are quickly beginning to look like the cheap products we associate with “as seen on TV.” We come to that conclusion, because that appear to be exactly what they have become. I believe that the lure of being like everyone else on TV was the very thing that led to its decline. He (or she) that lives by low prices, often dies by low prices. Write that up in the Sharper Image obituary.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (Monday through Friday at 11 AM on CNN 650), which is the longest running program on that station. An award winning author of several books, Kevin writes regularly in http://www.BizPlusBlog.com – His website, http://www.HoustonBusinessShow.com, has continuously updated audio, video, and other content and is an online 24/7 media source. For more information contact info@HoustonBusinessShow.com.

Sharper Image Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier (Product Overview)

NEW SHARPER IMAGE WIRELESS HEADPHONES $19.99

7" Sharper Image Literati Wireless 256MB Color eBook Reader SD Gently Used $19.99

sharper image literati $49.99

NEW THE SHARPER IMAGE TSI-33 Deep Thinker 33 Metal Dete $190.55

NEW THE SHARPER IMAGE TSI-44 Genius 44 Metal Detector $244.67

NEW THE SHARPER IMAGE TSITV Control Freak Wrist Watch $31.21

The Sharper Image Pocket Photo Viewer with Digital Clock $0.99

Sharper Image Wine Chiller $20.00

SHARPER IMAGE Ionic Breeze QUADRA Pro series S1857 air purifier $36.00

The Sharper Image U-Video USB camera New In Box $42.95

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze 3.0 Air Purifier Looks/Works Great $38.50

The Sharper Image AM/FM time/weather Butler New In Box $26.95

The Sharper Image 2.4 inch Portable Digital Photo Album New In Box $22.95

Sharper Image Literati Wireless Reader 500MB, Wi-Fi, 7in - black New IN Box $88.45

Sharper Image Portable Power Pack $20.00

The Sharper Image iPhone/iPod Touch Stand with Battery $9.89

The Sharper Image iPhone/iPod Stand w/Battery ESIPSB10 $10.25

36W UV Light Bulb (Sharper Image Air Sanitizer) 36 WATT $22.69

Sharper Image Talking Pictures Photo Frame $15.00

THE SHARPER IMAGE 10 X 25 Digital Camera Binoculars with Bonus Accessories Kit $24.99

Sharper Image USB 2.0 Digital Photo Album & Key Chain $34.50

The Sharper Image MSG-C210C Quad Roller Dual-Action Shiatsu Massage Cushion $69.00

SEALED NIB Sharper Image Personal Cooling System 2.0 Medium/Large $27.99

The Sharper Image Portable Power Pack - iPhone 3GS NEW $9.95

The Sharper Image Portable Power Pack - Motorola Droid $9.95

Sharper Image SI637 Air Purifier IONIZER QUADRA IONIC BREEZE EUC $54.95

Sharper Image EC-PJ10 Projector $45.00

Avon Sharper Image Touch MP4 Player $19.99

Sharper Image Wine Master $1.99

The Sharper Image X-1 Electric Scooter - No Charger - Bad battery (SOLD AS IS) $14.99

The Sharper Image Literati *Black $0.99

Sharper Image Design Remote IP Connect **See Picture** $16.00

Sharper image Personal Cooling System 2.0Sha $8.99

Sharper Image black nylon duffle travel bag $33.96

THE SHARPER IMAGE ADJUSTABLE TEMP CONTROL WINE CHILLER COOLER KP-W400 NIB!! $44.98

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra SI637 Air Purifier $29.99

AC/DC power adapter for Sharper Image GT113 Clock Radio $9.99

NEW THE SHARPER IMAGE CUTTING BOARD & 2 NON-STICK PARING AND UTILITY KNIVES $11.00

Sharper Image Design Watch Winder model no. SI312 $26.05

USB Video Camera by Sharper Image $18.49

NEW THE SHARPER IMAGE PROFESSIONAL CHARGER BASE FOR CORDLESS WINE OPENER $2.11

SHARPER IMAGE TRAVEL CLOCK $9.99

CORKSCREW / CORK EXTRACTOR - SHARPER IMAGE STYLE $12.50

The Sharper Image Digital Food Scale $25.99

Sharper Image digital double deep fryer $99.95

BRAND NEW SHARPER IMAGE SUPER SIZED DIGITAL COUNTING BANK! GREAT FOR KIDS $14.00

The Sharper Image ISoother Zip Connect #SI786 $39.99

SHARPER IMAGE IONIC BREEZE QUADRA S1637 HOME PET OFFICE AIR PURIFIER $32.00

Golf Watch Caddy Sharper Image $34.99

Sharper Image SI585 CD/Radio/Alarm Clock with Sound Soother and original charger $19.99

SHARPER IMAGE GFSIU150 PORTABLE POWER BANK $4.25

The Sharper Image Professional Garment Fabric Steamer & Hangers Set PSSI-280 NEW $75.00

SHARPER IMAGE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY EXTENDER FOR IPHONE 4S ,4,3GS $6.01

17V AC Adapter Power Sharper image iTower SI353 speaker $24.99

17V AC Adapter Power Sharper image iTower SM252 speaker $24.99

nib THE SHARPER IMAGE 3PC. TOOL SET LIGHTS COMPAS TOOLS $9.02

SHARPER IMAGE PERSONAL A/C COOLING FAN FITS AROUND NECK WORKS PERFECT $5.00

SHARPER IMAGE WORLDWIDE ADAPTER KIT , EXCELLENT!! $14.00

The Sharper Image NEW 2.4 Portable Photo Album Black Digital Albums 1 $5.50

Innovage Jumbo Universal Remote Control - NEW, Emerson, Sharper Image, Large, TV $14.99

Sharper Image iPulse for iPod (with subwoofer) n sync led light show $40.00

Sharper Image 10 Language Translator 256kb NIB $99.99

Brand NEW Sealed Sharper Image Personal Pillow Speaker (SI303) $8.99

Sharper Image Personal Cooling System 3.0, New in Box, Free Shipping $9.94

Sharper Image VW Beetle Volkswagen Stereo Speaker Alarm Clock Radio Zip Connect $35.00

Sharper Image Auto Drive Rotating Tie Rack $20.00

The Sharper Image MSG-F110 Deep Kneading Shiatsu Foot Massager NEW $30.00

The Sharper Image Wireless Headphones SHP921 BOXED AND READY TO SHIP!!! $0.99

The Sharper Image 2.4" Portable Photo Album Store up to 200 Digital Images $2.75

The Sharper Image 2.4" Portable Photo Album Store up to 200 Digital Images $2.81

SHARPER IMAGE SHOE BUFFER SHINE MACHINE CA825 $31.00

The Sharper Image KP-W001 Wine Aerator $80.99

Sharper Image Compact Fan $20.99

The Sharper Image OVERSIZED UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - BRAND NEW! $9.99

The Sharper Image KP-W100 Automatic Wine Bottle Opener, Black $80.99

The Sharper Image New Relaxx Dual Bedside Audio Dock for Ipod, Iphone & Tablet $145.57

4-in-1 Digital Media Player from The Sharper Image-NIB $29.99

Lot of 7 Sharper Image Platinum 909TSI GSM Cell Phone BATTERY ONLY $69.00

24V AC adapter for Sharper image iTower SI333 speaker $31.99

Sharper Image Airwerks Collection TSA Approved 17" New $34.95

SHARPER IMAGE SR277 WIRELESS OUTDOOR SPEAKER - WORKS! - MAKE OFFER, QUICK ANSWER $69.99

AIR COMPRESSOR by SHARPER IMAGE ELECTRIC Tire Inflator Car or Bike plus VALVES $19.99

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze GP SI730 Air Filter Purifier New In Box MSRP $499 $299.99

NIP DIGITAL CAMERA BINOCULARS FROM THE SHARPER IMAGE $12.00

Sharper Image SI871 GP Silent Air Purifier with Ionic Breeze $329.99

JUNK DRAWER VINTAGE THE SHARPER IMAGE LADIES LEATHER BOMBER JACKET SIZE M $68.00

The Sharper Image Ice Traction Slip-on $2.50

The Sharper Image Ice Traction Slip-on $2.50

The Sharper Image Ice Traction Slip-on $2.50

The Sharper Image Versa Hybrid Supercraft RC Plane - Flys Over Land or Sea! $199.99

Versa Hybrid Supercraft RTF Sea & Land Plane The Sharper Image Electric Airplane $204.99

Sharper Image Electric Wine Opener - WSI-OP200 $37.08

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Hybrid GP Air Purifier $75.00

NIB SHARPER IMAGE 3 IN 1 ADJUSTABLE MANDOLINE SLICER STAINLESS STEEL FREE SHIP $19.99

SHARPER IMAGE "IONIC BREEZE GP - MODEL S1730' AIR PURIFIER $50.00

NEW Sharper Image Literati wireless ebook Reader COLOR $185.95

Sharper Image Design SI459 Key Organizer Ring with high brightness LED Light $8.00

SHARPER IMAGE WINEMAKER'S COLLECTION BOTTLE OPENERS NEW $34.99

Sharper Image MSG-P110 Shiatsu Pillow Massager w/ Heat $49.00

Sharper Image Spion AR001 Binocular $75.00