Are you the type who likes to buy marked-down holiday decorations in January or square away seasonal apparel deals in the offseason? If so, you're going to like Overstock.com's
Then again, maybe you're left wondering why the bargain-minded Internet retailer is paying at least $25 million for Ski West to begin with. The company's tagline is "it's all about the O," not "it's all about the snow."
If you're among the puzzled, visit Overstock's website. See that tab on the right? The one with the palm tree? Yes, Overstock does travel. It's been offering discounted travel, albeit intermittently, for quite some time.
Online retailers evolve. Amazon.com's
It's not just that Overstock will be able to retain Ski West's booking business and build on it by exposing it to a wider audience. It's actually better than that. See, you can buy discounted snowboarding boots, ski jackets, and even alpine skis at Overstock.com. The company also has plenty of luggage offerings to send you off just right. And now you'll have the means to book a week at places like Deer Valley in Utah.
I like this acquisition on many different levels. Ever since the company was recommended last year in the second issue of our Rule Breakers newsletter service, I have been keeping a much closer eye on the company.
However, I've been tracking the online travel sector in earnest long before that. While you have some volatile firecrackers in there, such as Priceline
That's why I've found it frustrating to always see Overstock's travel section in a state of remodeling. Last year, I almost booked a Vegas hotel stay through Overstock. Then the site's travel area was taken down. Then it reopened. These days, you can only book cruises and complete vacations through Overstock. But that's likely to change in the future.
Ski West will help Overstock succeed in the online travel space. There is a lot of potential. It's perfect timing for Overstock -- and not just because it bought Ski West in June.
Other opinions on Overstock.com:
- Learn why W.D. Crotty thinks the company is misunderstood.
- Check out why Jeff Hwang believes that Overstock's underappreciated.
- Find out why Bill Mann is never missing the Overstock call.
Amazon and Priceline are recommendations of our Motley Fool Stock Advisor newsletter.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has been a shopper at Overstock.com a few times in the past -- and likely even more in the future. He does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story. The Fool has a disclosure policy. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.