Flash Sale Sites – What is Huckberry?

Huckberry.com: “Inspired by vintage sporting catalogues…”

Upscale rugged.  You know the type and his gear.  Wool, quality leather, a pair or two of wingtip boots… L.L. Bean Signature has built their entire brand around this movement and the guys who either dabble in the look, or wrap themselves in it like a 50 year old Woolrich jacket they got from their Grandfather.  Which they also aren’t ashamed to tuck their iPhone in.  And now these types have their own flash-sale site.

Huckberry.com seems to specialize in all this stuff.  Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Like Gilt and other flash sale sites, the sales are timed and once it’s gone it’s gone.
• Unlike most flash-sale sites, they launch their sales only once or twice a week.  Not every day.
• They do charge for shipping.  Flat rates of $4.99 – $9.99.  More here.
• Like many other sites, they offer a $10 credit incentive for friends who sign up through your own personalized link.  Once they make their first purchase, you get the $10 credit.

A small sample of what they offer is below.  Some of it is available now, much of it has been scoured from their facebook page from past sales.  Goal is to give you an idea of what these guys are all about:
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Made in the USA Pointer “Chore Jacket” in Brown Duck – $79.00 (expires 5/1)

Made in collaboration with “Buckshot Sonny’s” of Chicago.  Runs the full $100 on the Buckshot Sonny’s site, and over there they claim to have pre-washed this thing so it’s not stiff as snot on a Chicago December morning.

 

Terrapin Stationers Stag’s Head Paper – $20.00 for 6 sheets/envelopes (expires 5/1)

Twenty bucks for six pieces of paper?  Hold on.  that’s $3.33 per sheet + envelope, which isn’t too far off from a lot of greeting cards.  Like the Art of Manliness Letterpress stationary, these are an alternative to sending some goofy drug-store card you picked up last minute.  Unlike the AoM stationary, you get a lot less to send (AoM’s cards are $15 for 15 cards and envelopes.)

 

Old Calgary Wool-Felt Card Sleeve – $20.00

Does a flash sale site lose some cred when one of the items they’re offering can be found somewhere else for less?  And that somewhere else doesn’t charge for shipping?  That’s the case here.  The Old Calgary card sleeve sells for $25 direct through the maker’s etsy shop.  It’s $20, plus shipping, through Huckberry.  Just $18, with free shipping, through MaxtonMen.

 

Made in the USA Ceramic Beer Growlers – ??? (Sale has expired)

“Hand poured and slip-cast in Portland, OR.”  If you’re a beer lover that has a few solid micro-breweries in town, you know how handy a growler can be.  We’re all used to the glass ones.  This is the next level.  Nice.

 

Steve Thomas Retro-Futuristic Posters – ??? (Sale has expired)

Gone.  Damn.  Clever as all hell and would make a great addition to any place.  Maybe even your wife would give the thumbs up on one of these planet-travel posters.  The video game prints?  She might not go for those…
UPDATE:  You can find these posters over here.  Credit to Marcus for the tip in the comments.

Is Huckberry something you’ll use?  Or is this just one more flash-sale-site to throw on the pile of noise that’s becoming an increasingly crowded field?  Know that they just launched a batch of new sales that are camping related.  Mountain Khakis, Boreas Gear, Stove in a Can, that kind of thing…