Forget Dustin Hoffman - This Place Offers Value
K-Mart Online
Kmart never set the mark for innovation or excellence in retailing, leading consumers to easily dismiss the company's web offerings. Indeed, in an area where selling commodity items in a commodity environment makes differentiation difficult, Kmart and its predecessor, Bluelight, are easily lost in the mix.
But hold on just a minute. Despite Dustin Hoffman's crowd-pleasing line in the movie Rain Man, KMart offers some decent brand name and private label products, often at a discount. I am not suggesting that anyone rush right out to their site and purchase a $49 DVD recorder from a third-tier supplier, but there might be more there than meets the eye.
First a word about the Bluelight name. A catchy phrase from the ubiquitous PA chant in the stores (Attention Kmart shoppers. There's a blue light special on aisle eight.) has gone the way of the dodo bird. Bluelight is still an ISP offering from Kmart, but enter the name in your browser, and you'll automatically be redirected to Kmart's site.
You Can Buy Decent Stuff There
Panasonic, Hoover and other brand names are all available from Kmart, just like in the stores. There are hundreds of web sites that sell the department store goods that Kmart offers, but the social stigma some people associate with the chain should not automatically preclude them from your shopping rounds. If an HP inkjet printer cartridge is a commodity item, you may find cheaper prices or shipping at Kmart than at a computer site, another department store or one of the super sites.
Sure, there is a lot of Kmart private labeling. You can buy items that may not be of as high a quality as another brand. That especially holds true for apparel and appliances. But a CD is roughly the same no matter where you buy, as are appliances from well known manufacturers that are still factory-fresh.
Shopping The Big K Online
I placed an order on the 8th of the month and received immediate confirmation. The selection was similar to the store selection with the added bonus of web only deals that were no doubt remaindered items from the stores that didn't sell well in a retail environment.
I received a shipping confirmation three days later via email. That is a day longer than the site promises for shipping in-stock items, but the delay was inconsequential in my circumstance. Shipping was reasonable through FedEx although other options are available. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Kmart's shipping policy is that shipping costs are calculated on weight rather than dollar amount or a flat fee. As with everything you might buy online, carefully consider shipping costs when purchasing. Some stores take a loss on shipping as a loss leader. Others look upon shipping as a mini profit center. Kmart seems to have approached this area as a straight pass-through cost to the customer.
A Final Thought About Price
The item I ordered had clearly been in a retail store at one point and was stickered with a price that was more than twice what I paid. Like Overstock.com and other inventory liquidators, Kmart found it more profitable to sell the item to me rather than dumping it through online channels at an even cheaper price. Be sure to shop hard — you might be surprised at what you find.
Five Things To Remember From This Review
1. Just about everything available at the retail stores is also available online.
2. Prices are competitive, even on brand name items.
3. Shipping is calculated based on weight, not a flat fee or dollar amount.
4. The company's site is still operating and seems strong despite the parent company's financial woes.
5. Items may not be processed as fast as the site claims. Look for someone who guarantees shipping dates if your purchase is time-sensitive.
