Shop Nothing. The Retail Cure.
Do you buy to buy? Think about it. If you see something you like, do you stop and say, well I really don’t need it even though you can afford it? Don’t feel bad. Lots of people feel the same way especially if you are spending it for others. So, much that despite high unemployment and other economic concerns, online retail sales are predicted to reach $32.4 billion this holiday season, which is an 11 percent gain from last year.
What happens if you are teetering between a Buy Nothing Black Friday Supporter to itching to press that “Buy Now” button? Materialistic but realize your impact on the Planet? Shop Nothing offers you some retail therapy so that you can “buy nothing” but still get to press the buy button. Confused? So was I.
What is Shop Nothing?
Current MBA student Jonathan Mariano explains,
“[y]ou must think ShopNothing is a crazy idea. How can someone sell nothing for something?
Nothing for free cannot go head to head with the latest iWidget, eDoodad, or xFad. But nothing for a price may be able to compete. ShopNothing provides that alternative where nothing can truly compete with something.
If you need a little retail therapy, look no further than ShopNothing. We provide a retail experience where you can find fashionable great deals on nothing.
Sustainable goods and services attempt to lessen our impact on the planet. But there is still an impact. Sometimes, the most sustainable thing you can buy is nothing. ShopNothing gives you the choice to buy nothing, or buy nothing.”
According to Mariano’s blog, he contemplated entering into a business contest and pondered did the world really need a new doodad. As he explains, the concept of buying nothing, which has no impact on the Planet, became so obvious to him that he created Shop Nothing.
Consider Shop Nothing's Nothing Delusion Item
Now you can shop for nothing basic priced at $.99 to nothing acidic priced at $999.999.00. I personally like nothing delusional at $9999.00:
“Is nothing reality in a delusion? Or can nothing be a delusion in reality? “The belief that one’s own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions.” -Paul Watzlawick, Psychologist. Find out with Nothing Delusion.”
So for the time being, Shop Nothing will be open for business until the end of the 2010 Holiday season. However, it Shop Nothing become a one-shop-nothing success, Mariano will continue offering us greenies more buy-nothing-retail therapy.
But He is Charging to Pay Nothing?
Okay. This stumped me too. I guess he wanted you to feel that you are buying something with your money. But why not just offer to give money to charities?
But where is all the money going? According to Mariano,
“If ShopNothing actually catches on, I plan on donating part of the proceeds to a non-profit organization, one that is fairly well known and many of us use almost daily (I know I use it daily!) Part will probably go to Uncle Sam. And the rest will be for my next “crazy” project or startup down the road.”
Got to Love His Parity on Cyber Monday:
“We have some Nothing specials for Cyber Monday!
“Nothing Basic was $4.99, now only $.99.
Nothing Essential was $9.95, now only $1.99.
Nothing Deluxe was $19.95, now only $9.95.
Nothing Premium was $99.95, now only $19.95.
Limited time! Get Nothing at bargain prices:)!”
Will He Succeed?
- What do you think?
- Would you buy from Shop Nothing?
- Will people just buy out of principle to denounce our ultra-materialistic world?
- Will people blindly shop for some of their money to go to unnamed charity?
Time will tell. Mariano states he will disclose after the 2010 holiday season the traffic and revenues generated. Should be interesting especially since Shop Nothing was featured in Discovery’s Treehugger who has plenty of green readers.
JenHopkins says
I’m not a shopahilic myself, I just buy things that I really need. Buying just about anything without proper reason could put you in debt and destryo your budget.