Have You Ever Fallen For Marketing Hype?

[OmnivoreInk]

Here in Virginia, USA, I have, over the last several months, seen commercials on TV for something called "Glove Mitts" that are supposed to allow you to peel a potato in seconds. They actually show an example of this on TV, someone holds a potato underneath a faucet, is wearing these blue gloves, and after rubbing it for *a second* all the potato peel is gone.

And of course the extra bit you get is a french fry cutter. A circular piece of plastic with metal bits running crossways along it. You position this over your peeled potato, shove down, and voila, you've got several french fries, each perfectly cut.

Well, I've never bought anything from a TV advertisement. If it's not available from stores I'm not going to buy it. But, just before Christmas I saw these Glove Mitts in my local Linen & Things, and thought, well, if they're for sale in an actual bricks and mortar store they must actually work.

So I bought a package. They were cheap...less than $20, if I remember correctly.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the gloves didn't work as advertised. First you had to soak a potato for 5 minutes, then you had to rub it under water. And you had to rub and rub and rub...and after ten minutes if half of the skin had been rubbed off the potato you were lucky and your hands were killing you!

And the French Fry cutter would go through about a quarter inch of the potato before getting stuck, and if you exerted steady pressure on it you could just tell it was going to break and send small metal shards flying everywhere.

So my question is this. Has anyone ever ordered any of those things off TV - the Ginsu knives, the oven mitts, etc. and have they ever worked for you as advertised?

[bmueller47]

Hi,

Here in Virginia, USA, I have, over the last several months, seen commercials on TV for something called "Glove Mitts" that are supposed to allow you to peel a potato in seconds. They actually show an example of this on TV, someone holds a potato underneath a faucet, is wearing these blue gloves, and after rubbing it for *a second* all the potato peel is gone.

And of course the extra bit you get is a french fry cutter. A circular piece of plastic with metal bits running crossways along it. You position this over your peeled potato, shove down, and voila, you've got several french fries, each perfectly cut.

I bought a gadget from a good company, when leaving a cataloque.
It was slicer (cucumber, tomatoes etc) . It looked good.
When I tried it, immediately I did not like the usage. I found it more difficult to use than do it by hand. It also said: As seen on TV advertisement.

I kept it and gave it someone as a Christmas present. They liked it. Wonderful.

Regards

Beat

"Unlock People's Potentials!"

www.wealthtreasures.com

[ChrisH]

Here in Virginia, USA, I have, over the last several months, seen commercials on TV for something called "Glove Mitts" that are supposed to allow you to peel a potato in seconds. They actually show an example of this on TV, someone holds a potato underneath a faucet, is wearing these blue gloves, and after rubbing it for *a second* all the potato peel is gone.

I've seen that ad Actually, I've bought a number of things that are "advertised on TV" and they seldom work as described. Of course, the ad usually looks "too good to be true" - but one can hope...

Chris

[mphcoach]

My weakness that has made the fortunes of many Internet Marketers is or was, as I'm gradually getting reformed, is the next big thing in IM.

Man, have I fallen for these in the past - I have to say it can be a real addiction and I wonder, has it to be gone through - to be experienced - so that you can come out the other side...

Regards

Martin
Best Student Loan Guide

[BizLoanz4u]

I've seen those golves and wondered if they would work...thanks for the heads up- won't be bying those!

But of course all those commercials are going to make it always look easier than it is, it's what get's people to purchase. Sort of the "tell 'em what they want to hear" addage, even if it isnt the truth.

I rarely buy anything from TV, however, I myself have fallen prey a few times. Though I must say the only thing I ever liked that I bought from TV was The Boerner Slicer (or the "V" slicer). Similar to others you've seen, where you have a slate and different size V shape inserts that cut different sizes, shapes and what have you, much faster than a kife by hand. this is different from the one you press down on where it all falls in to a recepticle. I had the V slicer for years and when we had a fire in our home it melted! Well, I just had to get another. I saw an Ad on TV, but it wasnt the same brand. I figured how different could it be? looked a lot like the one I had. Well, it wasn't. I hated it and returned it ASAP (less the S & H). Then found the original and ordered that...It was 10 years ago and I still have it.

But I sure hated everything else I ever ordered from TV!

[Kevin Lee]

With Showcase stores in your local malls now which sell all of the "As seen on tv" items http://www.shopatshowcaseus.com/ , it's much easier to take a closer look at those supposedly "breakthrough" products. I've sampled the "Dream Away" foam pillow and it's like sleeping on a piece of wood, while the "Dream Away Microbead Pillow" is quite comfortable, but far too noisy! If you sleep on your back and never move, you'll be ok, but if you're like me and like to shift from sleeping on your back to side to stomach, the beads make A LOT of noise when they rub against one another! You might as well take a beanie baby toy and have someone rattle it next to your ear the whole night
http://www.shopatshowcasecanada.com/drmicro.html

[Takuya]

My weakness that has made the fortunes of many Internet Marketers is or was, as I'm gradually getting reformed, is the next big thing in IM.

I buy products after products and without having to finish reading the one I bought, I buy another informational product.

I have a confession to make -- I have bought that one belt that builds abdomen muscle for you.

The results? It didn't do anything but made my tummy red from applying the belt.

These programs count majority of their sales from procrastinators who don't get to return merchandise within 30 day period.

I paid $150 to buy a belt and returned promptly never to be charged for it.

My wife also thinks it's funny how I enjoy going through the items at AS SEEN ON TV stores. I bought two items from these stores and both were returned.

If everything is that effective, you'd think they'll sell them at retail giants instead of using direct response marketing.

Regards,
Takuya

[Nana]

This doesn't really count as a television buy but my mom bought CLR in hopes that it would be just "as seen on t.v.", but judging by her complaints the only thing alike about CLR and it in the commercial was the bottle it came in.

[Kevin Lee]

Not all "As seen on tv" products can be bad, as some of them even make it to the mainstream like the George Foreman Grill which is sold at places like Zellers and other large retailers now.

I have a friend who owns and loves both the George Foreman Grill and the Bowflex.

[Takuya]

Not all "As seen on tv" products can be bad, as some of them even make it to the mainstream like the George Foreman Grill which is sold at places like Zellers and other large retailers now.

Kevin,

How do you know?

Our family JUST got the George Foreman Grill last week. We're trying it out this week.... we also have something similar to Bowflex though... can't remember what's called.

Regards,

Takuya

[Kevin Lee]

Kevin,

How do you know?

Hi Takuya,

I know because my friend isn't much of a cook and he was able to make some pretty good burgers out of ground beef and the George Foreman Grill. In addition, as a result of the Bowflex, my friend's forearms were not only noticeably bigger, but more defined with muscle tone as well. Personally, I prefer using free weights as opposed to a "cable" workout system because it's easier on your wrists.

The thing is, most people who buy "As seen on tv" workout equipment are misled into believing that it's a quick fix solution to achieving a chiseled body. And those are the same people who forget that you need a ton of discipline and long term motivation (not to mention a healthier eating lifestyle) to achieve those "advertised" results. My friend who bought the Bowflex is the type of person who plays club level tennis, climbs the CN Tower in less than 18 mins, jogs for an hour, etc.

However, if you want a workout that not only makes you look better, but gives you "real world" muscles for practical everyday use, why not try cave man training? This includes flipping tires, using a 16lb sledgehammer to hit a tire, climbing cables, etc.

For instance, check out UFC Fighter, Sean Sherk's workout. It'll blow your mind because it's so insane: http://mma-knockout.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... ining.html

[Takuya]

What I meant by How do you know, Kevin, was how did you know I bought George Foreman grill? I wasn't disagreeing not all As Seen on TV products were bad.

When you get ripped as a result of your workout, post here your picture too will you, Kevin?

[Kevin Lee]

When you get ripped as a result of your workout, post here your picture too will you, Kevin?

Hi Takuya,

I don't need a Bowflex because I'm already ripped (not big though) as a result of my lifestyle:
a) I have a naturally slim build and less body fat, so my muscles definition appears more easily.
b) I play about 4 hours of tennis per week
c) I weight train and do plyometrics approx. twice a week.
d) I power walk 3km a day in less than 30 minutes.
e) I generally eat very healthy with the exception of the occasional dessert

Besides, I only train to play better tennis and not compete in mixed martial arts, so I don't need to do cave man training

[mphcoach]

We buy things as quick gratification often, without thinking them through - maybe it's that we are seeking something and a purchase provides comfort (by the way, this is way easier to write about than to recognize as I hit that 'buy' button on Paypal!).

The challenge is to decide whether the purchase will add value to our lives - or on the other hand maybe that's just boring and a bit of quick gratification ain't bad, as long as it doesn't cripple us.

Regards

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

[Kevin Lee]

The challenge is to decide whether the purchase will add value to our lives - or on the other hand maybe that's just boring and a bit of quick gratification ain't bad, as long as it doesn't cripple us

Hi Martin,

I think the underlying problem is that it's difficult to set limits for ourselves. For instance, advertising has us chasing "perfection" and if I can do 10 reps and see great results, why wouldn't I increase that to 20, then 30, and so on? I hurt myself in the past for that very reason.

In David Fincher's movie "Fight Club", Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) says "we are by products of a lifestyle obsession...we'll never be complete, stop being perfect", while Jack (Edward Norton) says "I feel sorry for guys who pack themselves in a gym, who try to look the way Calvin Klein say they should look."

Successful marketing often plays on our insecurities. Should companies be allowed to do this just to make a profit? I mean, how many magazines have a size 0 woman or ripped guy on the cover with articles about how fat and ugly we are?