The Sharper Image: Creating Better Desires

In addition, total dependence on outside suppliers can be the kiss of death. An example of one such marketing catastrophe was when whiz kid entrepreneur Jay Walker (of Priceline.com fame) gave Thalheimer a $40,000 co-op advertising allowance to feature a spectacular electronic light sculpture on the catalog cover at $1,200 a pop, only to discover that the manufacturing facility could not keep up with demand. Walker’s company went bust and everyone involved got egg on their faces.