Hasta La Ideas

All Unitasker Wednesday posts are jokes — we don’t want you to buy these items, we want you to laugh at their ridiculousness. Enjoy!

At first glance, this week’s unitasker selection seems like it could be helpful. It’s a device to organize shoes, which doesn’t seem like such a bad thing … until you realize a few things about the product that actually make it unhelpful. Let’s take a look at the Space-Saver Shoe Storage Stands:

First, it prices at around $10 a pair of shoes. This isn’t very expensive if you own two pair of shoes. However, I know many people who own 20 or more pair of shoes. So, this shoe storing solution would be at least $200 for them, if not more. Most effective shoe storage solutions are significantly less expensive.

Second, when working with clients, I always recommend they choose a shoe storage solution that they will use every day and that will protect their shoes from pets and pests. One problem with these shoe stands is that they aren’t easy to use — you have to manipulate your shoes and the stands to access the shoes and to put them away. A person who already has a disorganized closet isn’t going to start magically using a complex organizing product. Also, the stands don’t keep dogs from getting into the shoes or cat fur off them the way shoe storage solutions that don’t sit on the floor do.

Third, and this is my biggest hangup with them, the stands aren’t connected or anchored in any way. If one stand falls over (a totally normal expectation), they can all tip over, and then you have a shoe mess on your closet floor. They will keep your shoes paired, but not in any organized fashion, completely negating their purpose.

When organizing your shoes, it’s best to find a solution that actually solves your problem, not creates more problems. If you’re super organized and can come up with a way to anchor these to a shelf out of the reach of pets … maybe these devices can work for you … if you also have a couple hundred or more to spend! Thanks to reader LR for introducing us to this almost-practical unitasker. So close!

If you have a few spare moments and are looking for a hearty laugh, you will likely enjoy Amazon’s recent article “Funniest Reviews.” It features many of the unitaskers we’ve posted over the years along with the ridiculous comments that accompany the products.

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