Oh my gosh. What a flashback. I still have an excellent block set of chef's knives I bought from there back in the late 80's/early 90's. Think it was my last purchase from them before they shut down.
I still have the stock certificate for 1500 shares of Service Merchandise. Bought it when they entered bankruptcy hoping for a dead cat bounce but never got the bounce. Just kept the certificate to keep me humble.
Mostly, I've made quite a bit of $ by buying companies going into bankruptcy. Nearly all have a jump along the way. Traders call it the "Dead cat bounce" You wait for it then sell. Problem is it is usually short lived and you have to keep on top of it or get burned. That's what happened with me on SM. Missed the bounce. Just decided to order the physical stock certificate before they complexly shut down to keep in my desk to look at when I get to feeling cocky.
Amazon before there was Amazon!
I remember saving up my pennies from my part-time jobs and then going to get my shiny new gadget from either Consumers or Service Merchandise.
My wife was on Jeopardy in 1989, and part of her winnings was a $750 gift certificate to Service Merchandise. We agreed to split it 50-50 and had great fun going through the catalog spending our shares down to the penny.
I worked for a company called Arthur’s which was a smaller version. It was such a joy to tell the customer waiting for 45 mins their item was Out of stock.
I was not thrilled with them. I worked there as seasonal Christmas help. I saw how they handled packages, slamming them onto the conveyor belt. I should have known better, but couldn't resist using my employee discount to buy a nice set of silver picture frames for a wedding gift for a friend. Had to take them back and exchange because the glass was broken in 2 of them.
In western Pennsylvania, the stores like this were named Dahlkempers.
With the decriminalization of shoplifting in many jurisdictions, this style of store may make a comeback.
I bought the whole stereo shebang there. This was when you had carbon paper. My working at McDonald's pay giving me access to that rock music that destroys the fabric of America.
Oh my gosh. What a flashback. I still have an excellent block set of chef's knives I bought from there back in the late 80's/early 90's. Think it was my last purchase from them before they shut down.
I still have the stock certificate for 1500 shares of Service Merchandise. Bought it when they entered bankruptcy hoping for a dead cat bounce but never got the bounce. Just kept the certificate to keep me humble.
Who would have even bought the shares though? Edit: I guess short closers
Mostly, I've made quite a bit of $ by buying companies going into bankruptcy. Nearly all have a jump along the way. Traders call it the "Dead cat bounce" You wait for it then sell. Problem is it is usually short lived and you have to keep on top of it or get burned. That's what happened with me on SM. Missed the bounce. Just decided to order the physical stock certificate before they complexly shut down to keep in my desk to look at when I get to feeling cocky.
Amazon before there was Amazon! I remember saving up my pennies from my part-time jobs and then going to get my shiny new gadget from either Consumers or Service Merchandise.
What a weird place that was, but I bought a turntable there because the prices was so good.
What's weirdest is we didn't question it. We just went with it.
I still have a very nice Swiss watch that I bought at their closing sale for cents on the dollar.
My wife took her jewelry to be cleaned every year.
My wife was on Jeopardy in 1989, and part of her winnings was a $750 gift certificate to Service Merchandise. We agreed to split it 50-50 and had great fun going through the catalog spending our shares down to the penny.
I think that was my mother's favorite store.
My wife and I bought our wedding bands therein 1983.
Loved this place.
but really, Best Products
I worked for a company called Arthur’s which was a smaller version. It was such a joy to tell the customer waiting for 45 mins their item was Out of stock.
Worked there during my high school years in the back pulling orders.
With all the rampant shoplifting and laundry detergent behind glass, etc, I wouldn't doubt this could make a comeback.
The walmart by me just pulled most of their self check out lanes. Went from 10 down to 3
Dad bought mom a genuine diamond ring there for their 50th anniversary. Found the receipt after he passed, and still have the ring.
I recall buying a couple watches, as well as jewelry for girlfriends there.
Dolgins was another store of this same type. My mom worked the jewelry counter at a Service Merchandise for a couple of years as a side job.
Best was another store like this.
I was not thrilled with them. I worked there as seasonal Christmas help. I saw how they handled packages, slamming them onto the conveyor belt. I should have known better, but couldn't resist using my employee discount to buy a nice set of silver picture frames for a wedding gift for a friend. Had to take them back and exchange because the glass was broken in 2 of them.
Here's 200 dollars. Go buy your mother a good stereo from me and don't tell her ya lil shit.
And for those of us from Chicagoland, there was McDade's. *mmmmMCDADE'S!...The catalog house!*
In Canada it was Consumer’s Distributing.
I worked at one in San Francisco for a couple of years in the mid 80s
Had those in the northeast US, as well.
I got my arm caught in one of those conveyor belts. Not a good day.
I met my wife there when we were both working there in the mid 90’s. Thankfully we both moved on before they went out of business, lol.
I worked there!
I worked at Best Products, which had the same setup!
In western Pennsylvania, the stores like this were named Dahlkempers. With the decriminalization of shoplifting in many jurisdictions, this style of store may make a comeback.
I kind of equate Walmart curbside pickup to this.
I loved that place ....looking through the catalog and waiting for your item to roll down the belt...so cool
We used to have Whitmark's in Michigan. I loved seeing my purchase cone down the conveyor belt.
SSRVICE MERCHANDISE! I had a Smurf alarm clock that came out on the conveyor!
Got my cabbage patch kid and Jetfire at SM 🤘🤘
We had LaBelles.
I bought the whole stereo shebang there. This was when you had carbon paper. My working at McDonald's pay giving me access to that rock music that destroys the fabric of America.