Monday 23 July 2012

All the Junk You Never Knew You Didn't Need

Anyone who has had the fortune to travel on one of the airlines that carry Sky Mall will be familiar with their range of products. Seen by more than 650 million passengers each year, Sky Mall offers travelers the opportunity to shop for a variety of items, but they specialize in homeware, outdoor accessories, health solutions and products that will make you (and your pets) look absolutely ridiculous. Here is a selection of products I've enjoyed recently:

$339.99-$359.99

Priced between $339.99 and $359.99, this litter box puts waste into a "hidden drawer," and has the added bonus of making your cat look like it's in a spaceship. Or perhaps one of those old deep-sea diving helmets.

$49.99
The Cat Toilet Training System is to help you train your cat to use a human toilet, much like Mr. Jinx in Meet the Parents. I'm not sure why you'd want that. And from the looks of the picture, the cat might not be a big fan either. 

$39.99

This one's kind of self-explanatory, to the extent that a miniature toilet for a pet's drinking water can be explained. It not only promises to be a "hilarious conversation starter" (because I'm always looking for hilarious ways to start conversations with people who are already in my home), the description also explains the physics behind it: "gravity pulls water into the bowl." Glad we cleared that one up.

$29.95

Just imagine if the person next to you on the plane busted this out. 

28" Relax 'N Nap Pillow (link not available)
$89.95

Unfortunately, the actual item isn't for sale online right now, only the pillow covers. My Mum and I both think she looks like she's dead.

$99.95
I can only assume that this sells very well, since it continues to appear, issue after issue. I hope to one day attend a BBQ and see one of these beauties clambering out of the ground. Assembly required.

$1,150, plus $79 shipping 


At $1,150 plus shipping, this one's as easy on the wallet as it is on the eyes, but I'm pretty sure you'd want two of them. And probably the Anubis statue too. You wouldn't want it to look out of place.

$1,250, plus $49 shipping.

8ft+ tall. Regal. Tasteful. Just what you've been looking for to complete the living room.

$399.99

For all those times when you're on the road and wish you'd been able to bring your sauna along with you. Look how much fun she's having. That could be you.

$29.95
Demonstrating their great grasp of tween/teen style, Sky Mall offers this cellphone carrier, which not only offers a "unique solution to the misplaced cell phone," it "can also make a fashion statement." Ok, Sky Mall.

$599.00


Promises "fuller, thicker, and healthier looking hair." For $600, you'd better hope it works. Although, even if it doesn't, I imagine it still provides a fairly spectacular light show. Win-win. Also, her attire would indicate that it's suitable for use right before you head out to your year 7 disco (or, for American readers: your 6th grade... dance? I'm not sure there exists a cultural analog.)

$179.95

I’m fairly certain this is the same product they used to market purely as a surveillance device, great for "hearing conversations at a distance". Now, the description talks about birdwatching and other “outdoor adventures.” I presume the change was to make it seem like an altogether less-creepy device, but the fact they also sell UltraSpy Hearing Ear Muffs, Spy Super Ear Hearing Enhancer and Stealth Secret Sound Amplifier (only one of which warns of the illegality of “secretly intercepting oral communication”) makes me question how many of those who purchase it use it for those legitimate, non-creepy pursuits...

There are, unfortunately, some products which they seem to have stopped selling. The hotdog and bun cooker, much beloved of Randy from My Name is Earl, is nowhere to be seen. Their range of dog staircases used to be much more extensive. The poor economy affects us all in different ways, I suppose. Thankfully, I was able to get a picture of one old favorite, the pet stroller.




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