A bit too cheeky?
I’ve blogged before about Woot.com, one of my favorite online retailers. Their writing style is incredibly witty, often times biting, and sometimes bordering on the inappropriate. Today’s copy on Sellout.Woot.com is laugh-out-loud funny, at least for those who haven’t been unfortunate enough to experience a foreclosure:
Philips 80 Watt Power Inverter
So you’ve defaulted on that variable-rate subprime mortgage and have to live in your car. So what? With this Philips 80-Watt Power Inverter, you’ll be blowdrying your hair and blending smoothies until the bank takes your car away, too… Read more
Granted, using such a snarky, smart-alec voice is risky for most online retailers, but Woot has been able to pull it off so far. And it makes for fun reading.
What do you think? Is this too much? What other retailers are getting edgy with their product copy?
Its a fine line, I think….
This sort of style is appreciated by a fair number of people in my experience. However, it can offend. Not me though, thats why I love sites / services like Woot, Daily Candy, FlavorPill and Thrillist - all of which employ the snarky or brutally matter of fact writing style you’ve cited.
Woot is an incredibly smart etailer. They’ve built their business on their unique merchandising strategy and attitude so I don’t think any wooter would be surprised by this passage. My grandma might find it offensive but then she does not shop here. More importantly, I’m sure a smart etailer like woot pays close attention to what does and doesn’t work. What might seem risky from an outsiders perspective could very well be a smart, measured strategy.