# $40 spending spree at Sharper Image **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 18, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696 "2005-11-18T20:16:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/1 "2005-11-18T20:16:46Z")
I have never seen a store filled with more useless, overpriced junk than the Sharper Image. However, someone gave me a $40 gift certificate for the Sharper Image, and it’s been moldering in my wallet for about a year. So far the best use for the card I can think of is re-gifting it to someone else, but I know there must be a better way. If you had $40 to spend at the Sharper Image, what would you buy? [http://www.sharperimage.com/](http://www.sharperimage.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/2 "2005-11-18T20:24:24Z")
There’s a 16-LED floodlight on sale for $35 or a gizmo to jumpstart a car by connecting to another car via the cigarette lighters, for $40. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/3 "2005-11-18T20:30:24Z")
Of the half-dozen items that actually under $40, I’d go with the " Dual-Time Travel Alarm Clock." It looks like it may be useful. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/4 "2005-11-18T20:38:25Z")
I love Sharper Image, but I am a gadget freak. However, $40 ain’t gonna be much of a “spree” in there. I bought [this](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku __GU001/pcatid__ 22/catid__676889383) for my brother on his birthday. He loves it. You would have to fork over an additional $19.95 (plus tax) to get it, but it could be fun. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/5 "2005-11-18T21:09:45Z")
Everything I’ve ever purchased from them sucked and was sent back, but if you HAVE to get something, [http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=WY521](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=WY521) the shower radio alarm clock sounds good. I love to sing in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/6 "2005-11-18T22:00:11Z")
One of [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__ET258/), or one of [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__SF004/) would be a nice clock. I’m sure my cats would appreciate one of [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__TK102/). ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/7 "2005-11-18T22:07:17Z")
For $10 more (plus S&H) you can get an [Uptight Asshole Medallion](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku__SI7362TN). ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/8 "2005-11-18T22:27:53Z")
The super-fancy body pillow. But I’m pregnant. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/9 "2005-11-18T22:52:54Z")
Robopet! Or Robosapien! Okay. Maybe not. My BIL got my husband a Robosapien for Christmas last year. We forgot about it until a few nights ago. He is _such_ a dude. ---
**Author:** ![tiltypig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@tiltypig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiltypig)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/10 "2005-11-18T22:58:07Z")
> [@Millit the Frail](#): > > For $10 more (plus S&H) you can get an [Uptight Asshole Medallion](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku__SI7362TN). HA! You could put together an entire [outfit](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __20/catid__ 2007/sku__VB002). ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/11 "2005-11-18T23:11:11Z")
If there’s a **neurowife** or **neurogirlfriend** , you could get her one of [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku__HW422). ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/12 "2005-11-20T00:14:45Z")
> [@Ghanima](#): > > If there’s a **neurowife** or **neurogirlfriend** , you could get her one of [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku__HW422). Can’t portable vibrating massagers be used and enjoyed equally by both sexes? Or are you implying something? 😃 Thanks for the suggestions so far. Anyone else know of any neat items? Btw, that site is really iRRITATING the way that all their products are labelled “iSomething.” ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/13 "2005-11-20T01:21:15Z")
Well, [these](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __39064300/catid__ 35023500/sku__SL001) look neat for only ten dollars more. Or, to complete your outfit, [this](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __2/catid__ 203/sku__SR353). ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/14 "2005-11-20T22:40:13Z")
My shower head, the FilthBlaster9000\* was purchased from Sharper Image for about thirty five bucks or so and it was the best damned purchase I’ve made in a VERY long time. It takes low water pressure and turns it into something fabulous by adding air in or something like that–all I know is that I went five years walking around in the shower trying to get wet and now I have to dial that bad boy down to prevent it taking skin off. Definitely a worthwhile expenditure! \*NOT what Sharper Image calls it, duh! ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/15 "2005-11-21T00:55:51Z")
> [@Millit the Frail](#): > > For $10 more (plus S&H) you can get an [Uptight Asshole Medallion](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku__SI7362TN). nice present for guys who don’t use pocket protetors anymore ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/16 "2005-11-21T01:13:56Z")
The best thing about The Sharper Image catalog is that when I find something I want, I can go online and get it for a lot less, even including S&H! ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/17 "2006-03-05T22:43:25Z")
So I went ahead and purchased the [SUPER BRIGHT 16 LED flashlight](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __21/catid__ 21/sku__AU401). It’s a $40 flashlight the size of my face, how could I go wrong, I figured. Well, it’s a pathetic piece of fucking garbage. By “super bright” they apparently meant “a birthday cake at the retirement home provides more illumination.” You know those miniature LED keychain flashlights? I think ONE of them is brighter than this enormous hunk of junk. The _only_ good thing about it is its emergency hand crank. Maybe I should have gotten an [automatic lighted pepper mill](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __21/catid__ 21/sku__PD301%5B/url) instead. Fuck the Sharper Image sideways with a rusty crowbar. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/18 "2006-03-06T17:07:31Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > My shower head, the FilthBlaster9000\* was purchased from Sharper Image for about thirty five bucks or so and it was the best damned purchase I’ve made in a VERY long time. It takes low water pressure and turns it into something fabulous by adding air in or something like that–all I know is that I went five years walking around in the shower trying to get wet and now I have to dial that bad boy down to prevent it taking skin off. Definitely a worthwhile expenditure! > > \*NOT what Sharper Image calls it, duh! [Yep, that was my choice too.](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku __EL001/pcatid__ 1/catid__104) ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/19 "2006-03-06T17:09:22Z")
Oops! Didn’t read down far enough. Sorry about that not-so-bright light. Any way to exchange it for that pepper mill? ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696/20 "2006-03-06T17:13:09Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > So I went ahead and purchased the [SUPER BRIGHT 16 LED flashlight](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __21/catid__ 21/sku__AU401). > > It’s a $40 flashlight the size of my face, how could I go wrong, I figured. Well, it’s a pathetic piece of fucking garbage. By “super bright” they apparently meant “a birthday cake at the retirement home provides more illumination.” You know those miniature LED keychain flashlights? I think ONE of them is brighter than this enormous hunk of junk. The _only_ good thing about it is its emergency hand crank. > > Maybe I should have gotten an [automatic lighted pepper mill](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/pcatid __21/catid__ 21/sku__PD301%5B/url) instead. > > Fuck the Sharper Image sideways with a rusty crowbar. :mad: Naw, don’t feel bad. If you’d’ve gotten the pepper mill, you’d’ve found out that it was just as big a piece of junk. I vaguely remember buying something there years and years ago, knowing full well it was overpriced, but thought to myself, “oh well, it looks cool”, and the damn thing broke after, like, a month or something. To be honest, I don’t even remember what it was any more, only that I’ll never get anything there again. Really, you’re quite lucky. You got to have this learning experience with _someone else’s_ $40!!! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-spending-spree-at-sharper-image/331696.md?page=2)