We all know that it’s best to take the claims of any infomercial — or really, any commercial at all — with a grain of salt so large it would turn Lake Michigan brackish. And yet, there appears to be no end to the stream of products being hawked late at night by loud (and often Australian) pitchmen.
Most of you remember our test of the Snuggie, and our kin at Consumer Reports are always looking into things like the Slap Chop and Magic Jack.
But with so many potentially crappy products available, we’re curious which ones you think deserve a closer look from Consumerist.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or by e-mailing our tipline with the subject “infomercial items.”
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Do the Blendtec “will it blend” youtube ads count as infomercials?
The Mr. T FlavorWave Turbo Oven
Heard so many mixed reviews of this on the internet.
I forget the name of it but there is a thing that is supposed to stop dogs from barking. One thing is for sure, the commercial is annoying (Wait! Put that in the annoying commercial category too!).
What those do is distract the dog, like a can full of pennies.
SHAKE WEIGHT!
My wife bought one and hid it so I couldn’t return it.
HYDROXATONE. I hate those fucking commercials so much.
enzyte and extenze
Happy fun ball.
Is it weird that I haven’t heard of half of these products? I vote for the Total Gym, Kimaro body shapers, and the Ninja blender in the picture. And any infomercial item that is over $100, I think it would be great to protect us from such expensive mistakes.
I have the redi-set-go and it’s great, but not if you want crispy. Instead of the montel blender I got the “will it blend?” one, it’s awesome.
another nomination for magic bullet. i want to know how well it works before buying it. perhaps the ninja chop or other blender/chopper things that are able to use for smaller servings primarily?
The Fushigi ball. Can anyone pick it up and look like a master like that guy in the commercial?
I think the Magic Jack one deserves more of a look at. I have heard some people say it is not bad, others who completely despise it. Since from I can tell, the principle isn’t any different than any other VoIP provider, what is one to do if the company goes under? Does the device has support for all computers? Firewall issues? etc. Are their claims as really up to snuff? or does the “jack” stand for something else entirely.
OP mentions a report linked with text of “Magick Jack”, http://consumerist.com/2010/01/consumer-reports-science-shows-magic-jack-is-actually-worthwhile.html
… that URL has CU report at the end …
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2010/01/magic-jack-magicjack-test-review-deal-phone-usb-voip-skype-vonage-as-seen-on-tv-infomercial.html
Rejuvenate Auto
Ove Glove
Sing-a-ma-jigs Demo please with multiple.
Anything where the seller claims to know something the government doesn’t want you to know.
Every effing weight-loss pill. Either that or investigate those goofy radio ads for some sort of work-at-home scheme. Like this one: “Hi, I’m Roger Pasquire. I became a millionaire at 23, doubled it by 33 and retired at 43. How did I do it? By finding good ideas and THEN taking action to make money.” NO SH*T?!? I’ve been taking action first and then finding the good idea. Glad you told me that. And now you’re going to share your latest money-making scheme with little old me instead of making a sh*tload of money by yourself? What a guy!!! Or this latest one “I recently filed for bankruptcy after going a million dollars into debt. Then I realized the same things I did to get into debt could get me out.” Ummm…no…we’ve got lots of governments that believe that one too.
Every effing weight-loss pill. Either that or investigate those goofy radio ads for some sort of work-at-home scheme. Like this one: “Hi, I’m Roger Pasquire. I became a millionaire at 23, doubled it by 33 and retired at 43. How did I do it? By finding good ideas and THEN taking action to make money.” NO SH*T?!? I’ve been taking action first and then finding the good idea. Glad you told me that. And now you’re going to share your latest money-making scheme with little old me instead of making a sh*tload of money by yourself? What a guy!!! Or this latest one “I recently filed for bankruptcy after going a million dollars into debt. Then I realized the same things I did to get into debt could get me out.” Ummm…no…we’ve got lots of governments that believe that one too.
The Pedegg
It works well enough and cheaper than a professional pedi by far
Its not an infomercial but the latest Pizza Hut commercial features a bit where a lady holds up a Pizza Hut pizza and says “This is how you guarantee a second date.”
I’d like to see that proven.
Shake Weight!
That infomercial is just to hilarious especially the parodies – just need to know if that stupid thing is good for anything other than building up a good….. um….. hand…..
I think Cold Fire would be good to look at. It’s being sold as something you should have in your house instead of traditional fire extinguishers. If it’s not as effective as traditional fire extinguishers, than people that buy Cold Fire instead of a traditional fire extinguisher may end up with an unfortunate surprise if they have a fire.
OrGREENIc cookware. Ceramic cookware that looks impressive and is SO expensive.
I’d like to see the hercules hook and the suction-cup-handlebar-thingie tested.
The POCKET FISHERMAN (not to be confused with pocket billards) and that glass cutter that lets you make drinking glasses out of old bottles. Wait those are from the 1970′s. Dang, crappy products sold on TV have been around for eons. I HATE INFOMERCIALS.