$4,334.86 Raised, Ben Eager To Test Snuggie
280 people have donated $4,334.86 to The Consumerist tip jar so far, hootie-hoo. The average donation is $15.48, which surprises me because I ask, "don't people know you can give as little as two bucks? C'mon, just two bucks to spare at donatetoconsumerist.com." But I don't get any response back because I'm still locked inside the Consumer Reports anechoic chamber and there's no echo. The odd shape of the sound baffling has ceased to baffle me. Instead, it has become my friend. There's just one thought on my mind. Well, two, really. Firstly, how do I escape. Lastly, I can't wait to get Consumer Reports to test the Snuggie!
(Why a tipjar? We'll tell ya!)
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Comments:
Wait are you only testing the Snuggie or are you going to do a "Best sleeved blanket ..." Go Slanket
Ben, you look mighty worried in that screen cap of the video. Perhaps you're worried the Snuggie (in the wild, it seems to be attracted to blue) may eat you alive?
will Meg be in said snuggie? perhaps while wearing the labcoat?
@madmathias: I think Meg was embarrassed\creeped out by the attention she was getting. She hasn't been in the last few videos.
I know if I were Meg, I'd be a little weirded out too. Personally, I think Ben's adorable! Unfortunately, with my roommate moving out a month earlier than she initially said, I am living off of ramen and toast right now but when I get a roommate I will surely donate!
you should next test the shamwow, only followed by the 'companionship' that bit vince's lip(s).
As for the Snuggie, my boyfriend's roommate got one. The fabric is so thin, I can't see how it provides any warmth. It would be so easy to go to a fabric store, buy a couple yards of thick, warm fleece, and make one. In fact, I may do just that.
I would like to see more meg, but in a non-creepy and strictly "I like meg" way.
The rest of you are pervs. pervs.
The comments about Meg are getting increasingly creepy, in that "I stalk you" kind of way. Eeesh.
This begging crap is beyond annoying... Hey Ben you aren't funny... check your ego at the door and write an article.
@joecoolest: I really don't get how anyone constitutes this as begging. Is it begging if charities have a sign in front of it marking that it's a tip jar, and asking for your support for a cause? This is the visual version of the tip jar on the counter.
Not as annoying as someone whining about a free blog asking for financial support rather than having an ad based revenue model. Especially when the aforementioned whiner simply has to move the eyeballs or scroll bar a few inches one way or the other to bypass their annoyance
when did "snuggie" stop involving underwear and start involving a blanket with sleeves?
@joecoolest: I concur. I move that The Consumerist move to a new model, based on subscriptions, fees, obscure fees, hidden fees, convenience fees for paying fees online, processing fees for paying fees offline, misstated fees, fraudulent fees, fees so evil they would be condemned as international war crimes, and finally, when all else has failed, first checked bag fees.
@joecoolest: If we didn't have cool people like you around here, we wouldn't know what was actually funny. Thanks for all your hard work, Joe!
@Wuhao: They're owned by a nonprofit...so you can't charge people for stuff....cause you are a nonprofit, hence not in it for profit.
@Wuhao: no way dude, i want a pop up ad-supported site. the more blinding, flashing "YOU WON A FREE XBOX CLICK HERE TO RETRIEVE YOUR PRIZE" ads i see, the better!
they should also include some of those "are you smarter than paris hilton?" quizes and "hit the old lady with a newpaper and you win" games in the sidebars.
I hate pledge week.
(PS - I'm still broke.)
@undefined: @Grabraham: Heaven forbid the people that read the site let the editors know how they feel about the content. No no no, I like your plan. The bad parts of the site should stay even in the face of criticism from the population that reads it.
Just like when I go to a diner and the music is too loud, I don't ask to have it turned down. It was turned up at some point and it's clear that if I don't like it I should keep my mouth shut, because the last thing any organization wants is constructive criticism aimed at helping them survive. ESPECIALLY when that criticism is relevant to their only revenue stream.
It's burning insight like yours that keeps the Internet moving Grabraham, keep up the good work!
@sockrockinbeats: I really like those games. I have popup blocker, so I can actually play those games without ever getting roped into anything.
@pecan 3.14159265: This is someone who thinks he is funny trying to shill for tips. If you want my "tip" then put up a simple donation button and ask nicely for a donation. Making these videos is a waste of apparently slim resources.
@pecan 3.14159265: a "nonprofit" makes a profit and can charge. It simply means that they aren't beholdent to shareholders.
@pecan 3.14159265: Actually, nonprofits charge folks for stuff all the time (think of churches that sell candles, library support groups that sell books). They can even "make money". It's just the money has to go back into the operation and only certain types of organizations generally qualify as NP.
@joecoolest: They did put up a donate site where you can just donate. You don't have to watch the videos, or even comment on them. If this is so beneath you, then why waste the effort watching the videos or typing out such lame criticism?
Boy, I wish the Internet was run the way I wanted it to be run. Then things sure would be different boy howdy.
You should test the Slanket as well.
You are so right!! Next time I am in a diner and I do not like the volume level of the music I will stand up and shout to the whole diner that I find it annoying! I would not dream of asking to speak to the manager ( or click the link to email or AIM Ben)
It's burning insight like yours that keeps the Internet moving RoosterCockburn, keep up the good work!
@HFC: In the spirit of full disclosure... I AM a subscriber to Consumer Reports Online. So I effectively "donate" $5.95 every month to their bottom line. As a subscriber I have every right to complain about my "donations" being wasted.
People donate/subscribe based on content. This crap video series isn't content.
@joecoolest: Then you can e-mail Consumer Reports, or contact Ben directly, instead of crapping up the comments section with your personal insults and bitching.
@squinko: Not sure why this criticism is lame to begin with, but joecoolest is completely right. I did not and will not watch the videos because I cannot stand the "begging" for money...which is what is currently going on.
I understand about the ad based revenue but there are so much better ways to make money. I could help you do that it will just cost my consulting fee.....so I guess you are right...keep begging...I require more than 4k!
@Grabraham: I usually do not stand up and shout...I actually go over to the manager and say....HI...the music is a bit too loud over by me..please turn it down a bit.
then they turn the music down. Amazing what happens when you ask.
@LegoMan322: I think I finally got your sarcasm...shit...I need a coffee.. also a new sarcasm meter...this site keeps blowing mine out.
I finally got off my kiester and paid up $15 as I promised back in the day. Hope it helps. :-D
ZOMG now you are talking to yourself!!! Quick into the anechoic chamber before it is too late!!! ;)
In for $10.
Ben's expressive eyebrows FTW!
@PersonalBest: AND... no one is forcing me to return and support this site. Without traffic they get no donations either. If they piss off enough people of dissenting opinions and this site just becomes a massive butt kiss fest then it won't be of any use to those who aren't butt kissers. I simply told it like I felt it was.
@joecoolest: Agree with joecoolest. I'm just wondering what the difference is between Kodak asking for purchases to keep their costs down regarding storage and the Consumerist asking for donations to test a Snuggie. I mean, Kodak got railed and eventually succumbed, even though many people have been storing pictures on their site for ages. Just kind of tired of the lab coat commercials asking for $$$. Heck, for 4 grand, I could buy about 100 Snuggies and enough materials to test 'em.
I emailed info!consumerist.com several days ago asking for payee details to send a check. Consumerist didn't want my $20 enough to bother emailing me back.
@RoosterCockburn: Yeah, but if you went to a restaurant, filled yourself on their fantastic meal, then didn't pay anything for it then whined like an eight-year-old girl about the music not being to your liking?
There's a word for that: being a freaken' dick.
@joecoolest: Mind documenting that? Because I find it hard to fathom how a sub'r of CU doesn't comprehend Consumerist's donation model.
I find it a lot more likely that a troll might pretend to being a dues-paying CU member tho.
@Trai_Dep: The more accurate analogy would be... the meal that I PAID a subscription fee for wasn't that outstanding, and now I can't get the lab coat wearing Mariachi band to leave my table without an extorted "tip".
@Trai_Dep (dick): It shows up on my credit card as "Cr *CONSUMERREPORTS.Or 800-33" $5.95 every month.
@joecoolest: All I'm saying is that if you normally enjoy the site, but don't enjoy the donation posts, don't click on them and ignore them, if it riles you that much. I don't look as this as a butt kiss fest, but rather as people expressing just how much they enjoy this site and how they're willing to contribute. I don't understand how that is angry making to you.
no meg? boo.