Just for Discussion--Curiosity Question
Since we have once again acquired satellite TV, we occasionally watch infomercials, something I once would not have wanted to admit. I suspect a lot of people do, or there wouldn't be so many of them. I have watched one, gone to Ebay and purchased the product much more econmically. We bought one item recently and sent it back. They refunded the money promptly.
This is the curiosity question: If you are willing to share, would you share your experience with them? If you have purchased something from an infomercial, did you get what you paid for? Were you happy with the product?
If I get a lot of protests, or no response at all, then I promise I won't clutter up the blog with any more curiosity questions.
posted by David R. Snow at
9:54:00 PM
9 Comments:
Interesting question. In the past, I became so irritated at what seemed to me the infomercial-makers' assumption that all viewers were totally stupid, that I switched channels the instant one came on. In the early days of TV expansion here in CZ, around 1990, TV was lovely. No infomercials--not even standard commercials. It was possible to enjoy a film with no breaks! Then stations began airing commercials, but only between programs. Now, sadly for me, CZ TV is "anywhere, USA". Love, Betty PS: I enjoy your blog. I only wish new episodes appeared more often.
I have bought many items, large and small, from Infomercials. Some of the things get little to no use, but I have yet to be so disappointed that I sent something back. I think my favorite words must be, "But WAIT!"
Betty--FYI--if you select "Other" under "Choose an Identity",you can type in your name and not have to give a password, and your name will appear at the top of the comment instead of "anonymous."
The number of posters is limited, and lately we have been active on the Comments section of Ed's Parents and Ancestors Blog. Like you, I continually hope others will join in the "Encussion."
To answer your question: No, I've never purchased anything from infomercials.
Just recently I purchased a Magic Bullet. I fell for the "But wait..." Now I have two of the darn things, one for me and one that is sitting behind the couch waiting for it's new owners to drive and pick it up because I refuse to pay shipping and handling on it again just to send it less than two hours away to my friends house. It was a late-night purchase...
Magic Bullet or something like it was the one we sent back. Some kind of blender that was supposed to be magic, but nothing as good as the KitchenAid food chopper and the KitchenAid blender I already had.
I don't think it's all magical, but I don't feel like sending it back, because I'd have to ship both of them back and pay for that and they'd only refund the purchase price and not the shipping and handling charges and it's just too much of a hassle. Besides, I needed a blender anyway, but I should have just bought a twenty dollar one from Wal-Mart...
I HAD to HAVE the Space Saver container set, I don't even remember the real name of it now. It is containers that all sit in this dolly thing, and all the lids fit all the containers. I like it, and I use it a lot, but if I had waited, I could have gotten it for ten dollars at Fred's, instead I paid almost forty dollars for it, and had to wait three weeks to get it. I usually know better, I bought my easy flip pancake flipper and first push light at Fred's after they both were on infomercials, I just couldn't wait this time. I think I have learned my lesson, though, what I remember most is it taking about 15 minutes to get to actually order it because of all the but wait.. deals on the phone. At least I didn't fall for any of those, too.
Sam: The WalMart here has a huge stack of blenders for $10. When I saw that I was trying to think who needed one, and now that I know, they are probably sold out.
I did watch one about the little gizmos that clutch the rafters to make a hanging hook, looked on Ebay and bought them for less than half price. They do work, but the one I didn't get stuck very well dropped and hit me in the face, but luckily not very hard.
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