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Retail Ads: What Were They Thinking? (Part 1)

We begin 2008 taking a lighter look at some advertising that just makes you shake your head and go “huh?”.

1. Walgreen’s “Web Exclusive”:

walgreenexclusive.jpg

*MOUSE PRINT: How can it be a web exclusive if the smaller print indicates you can order it in the store, online, or by telephone?

2. Building #19 — Why price goods the conventional way?

bldg19shirt.jpg bldg19jeans.jpg

Building #19, a surplus and salvage chain in New England and a favorite of MrConsumer, is known for their quirky ads. This one really makes you do a double-take (and some arithmetic). Jeans priced by the number of belt loops it has? Shirts by the number of buttons? Huh? Why not, if it is a bargain.

Part 2, in two weeks.

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8 thoughts on “Retail Ads: What Were They Thinking? (Part 1)”

  1. I love the Building #19 ads!

    An honest ad that grabs attention is refreshing. Just out of curiosity, do they tell you how many buttons or belt loops are on the garment?

    Edgar replies: Nope. You have to go to the store and count.

  4. 19 cents a button? At first I was counting the 5 buttons top to bottom, then I remembered you probably have to count the sleeves, collars and heaven knows how many of those extra “replacement” buttons they include!

  5. I find this funny. Presumably you are being charged by the button or belt loop since larger sizes would have more of those items so it would be a way of scaling the prices based on size but … I’m a big person and my jeans always have the same number of belt loops as my skinnier counterparts. Hrm. I wonder if sweatpants are free? 🙂

  6. Hey John, Just had a completely random thought.

    They HAVE to say selected styles with an ad like that. If they don’t, how many people are going to walk and and try to pick up a free T-shirt.

  7. Building 19….1/4…1/8…1/2 and so on sells absolute trash. 90% of the crap should have gone to the landfill…but….you can find some just astounding bargains when you get lucky. Several years ago I bought a leather coat for $29 and a bomber jacket for the same price. Both had minor damage (a small tear). I had the repairs done for $20 and took the coats to a dealer who said they would sell for $250 each. Warning: NEVER DRINK THE COFFEE!

  8. The instore ordering has to be done in the pharmacy online. So people who don’t have a computer will still be ordering online

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