Have you ever bought anything off of an infomercial?
Did you ever buy the ginsu 2000 or the silver bullet or one of those ron popiel gadgets? thoughts? feelings? stories?
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14 Comments:
It's hard for me to believe that anyone has the time or the interest in actually watching one of those video monstrosities. But then again, I'm not a mainstream tv addict. I've never seen the Sopranos, American Idol, Survivor, ow whatever passes for entertainment these days.
1stmakearoux at 5:14PM on 06/13/07
I've never bought anything myself from an infomercial, although I know people who have.
Infomerciails are a strange thing you find yourself enthralled by them, esp. if it is in the middle of the night and you can't sleep.
Sarahrm at 6:59PM on 06/13/07
I have, and have generally regretted it. They air them late at night, when we're at our weakest. I fell for the automatic multi-speed bike as well as the Popiel Rotisserie. I ditched the bike after hardly using it, but I've had better luck with the rotisserie. It makes chicken and sausages pretty well, but it totally blows when it comes to a solid chunk of meat, like a roast beef. The heating element just doesn't get hot enough. The outside is charred, while the inside is raw. Would I buy it again? Probably not. I bought it in an effort to replace my charcoal grill which I lost when I moved into an apartment high-rise.
DaveFaris at 7:31PM on 06/13/07
My grandparents have an interesting friend that is constantly sending them products from infomercials. I took some of the silicone bakeware off her hands, and it's worked pretty well (doesn't make a great lasagne pan, but for muffins and cakes it's just fine). She got one of those weird infrared ovens, and she seems to be happy with it. My mom took her Magic Bullet. that's one I'd never want: plastic doesn't work well for blending, in my opinion. I guess my mom liked it, but it didn't take long for her to lose most of the pieces (busy household). It seemed too small for anything but individual drinks or salsa.
Not sure what they'll get next, but it is kind of curious to see this stuff in action (not that I was independently wanting the opportunity).
But I doubt that, by and large, any of these items would really meet up to heavy use. Too much plastic.
ren at 12:47AM on 06/14/07
Two words:
GEORGE FOREMAN!
Recently, I bought the tomato seed packets from TomatoGiant.com. It took them like eight weeks to deliver them. We'll see if I really get eight foot tall tomato plants with tomatoes the size of grapefruits this summer or if it was a scam.
jperlow at 9:31AM on 06/14/07
I bought the pasta express....waste of $14.99. The pasta was soggy and a little too al dente at the same time.
Sweetie at 10:50AM on 06/14/07
About 15 years ago, I purchased a Tilia FoodSaver (the original model) from a cable television program. Those were the days that a FoodSaver could ONLY be purchased in that manner. Those were also the days that the vacuum sealer cost several hundred dollars.
Results - One of very best kitchen appliances that I have ever purchased. We use it almost daily, and have gone through countless rolls of bags. We have also saved a ton of money by buying "specials" at the supermarket, vacuum sealing them, and then freezing them.
The original model was very heavy, unlike the comparatively flimsy models sold today in stores. My FoodSaver operates just as well today as it did the day I received it.
We are obviously pleased with the unit and have used it for many purposes besides sealing food, i.e. packing extra clothes to carry on the boat, etc.
That is the only time I have purchased anything from a television show (infomercial).
Personally, I think the stuff they sell today on infomercials is garbage.
DocChuck at 11:23AM on 06/14/07
My parents bought the the Miracle Blade off TV. Because it came with NOT ONE, BUT TWO!!! I ended up getting the extra blade. I believe this was the Miracle Blade II (they're now on version III). That thing has done an incredible job. The serrated blade slices through bread, both crusty and soft, like a dream. And it's great with tomatoes or any food that anything but a very sharp knife would crush.
Adam Kuban at 12:02PM on 06/14/07
I have never, but my cousin is a sucker for infomercial items - she's fallen into the Magic Bullet charade SEVERAL times.
Though I must say, the little things will whip up a cocktail like nobodys business. Problem is, they only make enough for one so if everyone isn't having the same drink (last she made in it was margaritas) you have to mix one, wash it out, then mix the other.
I think she had a problem with the rubber gasket coming off all the time - of course, she was putting whole cubes of ice in it to blend with the alcohol and mix!
rbryants at 12:28PM on 06/14/07
My friend's husband has purchased several items off the TV, much to her chagrin. I believe most of it now resides in her basement. And I'm fairly positive she'd give me whatever I wanted just to get it out of her house. :)
AuntJone at 1:03PM on 06/14/07
My parents purchased a food dryer 7 years ago or so and its been great. We had been making beef jerky for wilderness camping in the oven, but the dryer takes less time, holds more, and doesn't tie up the oven for an evening. They also use it for fruit and herbs from the garden.
IronPlatypus at 2:34PM on 06/14/07
I am a huge fan of my George Foreman grill. I have had many a good piece of rotisseried meat from the RonCo Rotisserie, and I have heard great things about the Magic Bullet, though I have never used it myself. I also enjoy the Food Saver.
Diz at 2:57PM on 06/14/07
I have the magic bullet. It is a great little device for drinks (you can get extra mugs) and to chop peanuts for peanut sauce. Throw some honey roasted peanuts, a squirt of sesame oil, Thai chili sauce, a little lemongrass water, a dash of lime, a little garlic, tiny slivers of thai red peppers (when they make it here) and 30 seconds later a nice refreshing creamy dipping sauce, although we put it on chicken on the bbq - a lot of it will burn off - but oh so yummy. It is perfect for places where your kitchen consists of a microwave... gee I miss the states sometimes.
enjyns at 6:54PM on 06/18/07
I love the "AS SEEN ON TV!!" crap!! I have the George Foreman (I've owned 3 of them), a Flowbee (since 1989!! I haven't had to wait an hour to get a bad haircut and pay $15 plus tip since 1989!), all sorts of stuff. I just bought the Smooth Away hair remover.
A lot of the stuff doesn't work or doesn't work AS ADVERTISED, but some of it does. The Flowbee is great, the George Foreman was great, the Pedi-Egg or whatever that is called works pretty good.
Mooner at 9:17PM on 01/10/09