The Chronic Consumer

I have a son, so I don’t have any first-hand experience with Club Libby Lu, but many of my friends with young daughters absolutely rave about the place. It’s a store — usually located in big malls — where ‘tween girls can go to dress up in different clothes, get makeovers with real makeup, get their hair done, and try out different accessories, like big sunglasses, fake tattoos, etc. There are different “experience” packages that parents can buy for their girls that entitle them to different things at the club.

Anyway, I just heard that Club Libby Lu is closing all stores across the nation at the end of January. I’ve tried doing research to find out a reason for the closings, but haven’t been able to come up with one, so I guess we have to chalk it up to the economy. It’s strange though, because I always see people in Libby Lu when I walk by there.

The silver lining here is that Libby Lu is offering big discounts as part of their farewell tour (so to speak), so before heading for the exit sign one final time, customers can score some good deals on various products.

It’s too bad that Libby Lu is going under. I think this kind of store is a great idea, and I’m sure lots of girls loved the place. Isn’t it strange how business ideas that look good on paper often don’t pan out in real life? I wish we knew the real story behind why the chain is closing.

Remember a while ago when I mentioned that Dr Pepper was giving away free 20 oz. sodas because Guns ‘N’ Roses actually released their Chinese Democracy album in the 2008 calendar year? The company followed through on what was apparently an offhand comment by a marketing executive or whatever, which I thought took courage in this economic climate.

Anyway, leave it to Axl Rose to be a total buzzkill about the whole deal. Apparently, he wants to sue Dr Pepper for “malpractice” because the company didn’t give away enough free sodas to his liking. In order to get a coupon for a free drink, customers had to call a toll-free number or fill out a form on the Dr Pepper website. Because there was such a tremendous response, both avenues were busy, meaning that people either had to try for hours to get their free drink or just give up.

Rose claims that Dr Pepper didn’t do enough to satisfy demand, and actually “defrauded” customers in the process.

What a jerk, ya know? Who really cares if some people didn’t get a free soda… is that really worth filing a lawsuit over? Maybe he’s just pissed that no one cares about his stupid band anymore (judging from tremendously low album sales).