Thread regarding Sears layoffs

Is the Kenmore Alfie selling?

Our store hasn't sold ANY. None. Zilch. Nada. Two are missing according to our on-hand counts, so it is definitely due to theft, not a legitimate purchase. Good luck shoplifters, whoever you are, I don't see how it will be useful for you being that you still have to PAY for the goods that you order with Alfie, ha ha...

Anyways, our store received them in late June. Only a handful of customers have asked about it. Most who know about Amazon Alexa point their fingers at it and snicker to themselves. When those that had some interest found out that they cannot get groceries in our area with Alfie, they lost all interest. Apparently only a small portion of the US is covered by Alfie's grocery or shopping service. So, what is it good for then? Ordering a washer and dryer or a screwdriver set?

My question is this: Why did Sears Holdings bother with the expense to copy what Amazon is already doing (well)? How many customers out there will favor Alfie over Amazon's Alexa, which has more coverage, more selection and better pricing? Why bother when the company is in the last stages of failure? If and when it does, wouldn't common sense dictate that these silly little pucks would be rendered useless the moment the ball drops? The live agents that speak with you over these will be long gone due to a layoff.

Even if the company doesn't fold soon, how could Sears afford the infrastructure to support a handful of users? I can't imagine that these are selling well. Like almost all of the other strategies this company initiates, it will end up costing them more than what they will receive in income.

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Post ID: @OP+JEbzBqw

4 replies (most recent on top)

Update: Everyone is right about the Alphie. It is a piece of crap, does not properly sync with your iPhone/Android device. Basically it is a nice looking paperweight. Luckily mine was only $5, they went back off sale.

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Post ID: @abvy+JEbzBqw

Eddie himself sees the stores as an anachronism and a way to make money by selling the real estate. That's why 99% of any effort this company puts forth is related to their online business in some way or another. Trouble is, it is too little, too late. Walmart, which is said to be "behind" Amazon in online sales, is much further ahead than S or K will ever be.

Meanwhile...we have leaking roofs, old equipment, thin payroll, and no customers. If we're lucky, they might throw us a bone and paint a wall or wax the floor every once in a great while.

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Post ID: @myz+JEbzBqw

Eh, I ordered the Sears Alphie, it is now down to $20, plus you get $15 in SYWR rewards points, so I paid $5 for it. So I will see if is worth a crap. I will let you guys know if it works.

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Post ID: @uqe+JEbzBqw

It is just another way to keep customers out of the stores by shopping in line.

Why does it seem that there are no strategy to get customers into the stores to shop? Only to use Sears.com.

Also so much is our of stock in our Sears store,and ordering dates can be as fast as four weeks out,who is going to buy anything?

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Post ID: @ikz+JEbzBqw

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