pwfm Timely Tuesday - Infomercial Gadgets

Not All Infomercial Gadgets Are Worth The Your Time or Money

If you’re a night owl, you’ve probably watched a few infomercials. If you were tempted to buy something, you’re not alone. According to MSNBC, TV sales pitches rake in about $200-billion a year! Don’t be fooled. Consumer Reports tested 15 popular infomercial products and found that many weren’t worth buying. For example, the ShamWow cleaning cloth claims to hold 12 times its weight in liquid, but the editors weren’t impressed. Another product they thought wasn’t worth the money: The Slap Chop, a manual food chopper that dices when you slap it. However – unlike the ads – it chopped unevenly. The ever-popular Snuggie – the blanket with sleeves – got a big thumbs down because it sheds huge amounts of lint in the washer and dryer.

So how do TV pitchmen manage to sell so many items? Senior editor Jeff Blyskal says that some infomercials use trickery and sleight of hand. For instance, the ad where Billy Mays puts three 50-pound weights on a wall hanger that claims to hold 150 pounds. If you look carefully, you’ll see each weight is hanging from a separate hook. So each hook only holds 50 pounds, not 150. Not all infomercials try to trick you, but if you do decide to get something from a TV offer, here are a few things you need to know.

•First, be ready for the upsell. When you call the toll-free number, operators are going to pitch accessories, refills, and additional products.

•Also, know that there could be another option. Many “As Seen on TV” items are now sold at discount and drug stores. They’re often cheaper and you’ll avoid the big shipping charges.

•Another tip about the products you see on TV: Do your research. Don’t get caught up in the hype and “order right now.” Many products are reviewed by customers and trusted magazines, like Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping. You can also check out a company’s track record for customer satisfaction with the Better Business Bureau.

•Finally, beware of all exercise and health-related products. No matter how convincing the ads are, it’s just not possible to work out three minutes a day, and have six-pack abs in a month.