2 Outlets Treasure Troves for Electronics Buffs
Those who love exotic electronic gadgets--like the Car Pollution Shield “that annihilates smog, pollen and pollution from inside your car,” or the Numb Ear Antidote, “an amplified telephone headset that will give you hours of talking comfort and hands-free freedom”--are probably hooked on the DAK Catalogue.
It has everything from $2,800 computer systems for $1,799 to a $80 calculator-sized 100,000-word phonetic spelling dictionary for $49.90. The pricing format allows up to 50% off regular retail prices for these modern miracles of technology. DAK even offers a 45-day trial guarantee, a technical-assistance line and a telephone number for the hearing impaired.
Electronic buffs all over the country who are DAK devotees are envious of our Southern California bonus--two outlet stores where the prices are at cost or below their own catalogue prices. This inventory is made up chiefly of returned merchandise, close-outs or odds and ends. The draw is such that DAK’s holiday sales resulted in the “best Christmas ever,” a spokesman said, with bargain-hunters willing to stand in line just to get in the store.
It’s easy to see why they didn’t mind the wait. Some of the treasures: a Rabbit Picture-in-a-Picture cable box that you install between the VCR and the television and get another program up in one corner, allowing two programs simultaneously. Retail price $169, DAK catalogue price $99, DAK Annex price $69.90.
At the DAK Annex, an imported Breadmaker is popular. It bakes bread automatically in 4 1/2 hours. You put in the dough, and the Breadmaker stirs, kneads, ferments and bakes it. The original price was $349; the catalogue price was $129, and the Annex price is $99.90.
A sub-woofer by BSP is a 15-inch cord that you hook to your existing stereo system to enhance the base. For those who want more oompahs in their lives, the price at The Annex is $59.90, instead of the catalogue price of $149.
Little wonder folks were willing to queue up to gain entry.
Until recently, the policy at the DAK Annex was “no returns, no exceptions, period.” The rousing business at holiday time must have had a mellowing effect on owner Drew Alan Kaplan (hence DAK), because now any item can be exchanged for the same item, store credit or a complete refund of the purchase price for up to 45 days after purchase.
In addition, Kaplan is issuing yet another catalogue--this one for the Annex stores, and most of the items mentioned here will be available through the DAK Annex catalogue (at the Annex prices) as of Friday. So now it isn’t necessary to visit the Annex stores to get the Annex prices. Just call for the catalogue and start poring through the offerings of electronic wonders.
DAK Annex is at 8200 Remmet Ave. in Canoga Park, (818) 888-1399; another location is in Torrance at 25347 Crenshaw Blvd. , (213) 534-1669. HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All major credit cards.
For the regular DAK catalogue, call (800) 325-0800 or (800) 888-7808. For the Annex catalogue, write to: DAK Free Club, P.O. Box 3046, Canoga Park, CA 91306.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View. Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley View, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
