How Well Do Those ‘As Seen On TV’ Products Really Work?
Posted December 24, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
You see them on TV every night – some loud mouthed announcer shouting the praises of a product that will change your life, benefit mankind, cure diseases and bring world peace. O.K., no one said those “seen on TV” ads aren’t long on hype. But do they ever actually live up to it?
Consumer Specialist Jee-Yun Lee decided to find out. She put a random sampling from those late night infomercials to the test in one of those “As Seen on TV” stores that dot malls across the GTA. How did they do? To find out, click the video links.
Here’s a list of the products she tried:
The Vidalia Chop Wizard
Purpose: Supposed to allow chopping of vegetables in one easy slice.
Price: $30
Verdict: Works as advertised.
Tobi Steamer
Purpose: Steam cleans clothes in a hurry, faster than ironing.
Price: $118
Verdict: It works but at that price tag, you may want to stick with an iron. Good if you’re on the road and don’t have access to one. Watch the pole, though. It can be a little wobbly.
H20 Mop
Purpose: Can clean floors and tiles using only water.
Price: $118
Verdict: It worked fairly well in our tests, but can only deodorize carpets – not clean them.
Quantum Heat Packs
Purpose: Provide heat for outdoor activities or when you need a temporary heat source to treat a sore body part.
Price: Varies depending on size
Verdict: They actually work as advertised. The medium version lasts 45 minutes, the larger one an hour. They harden after the heat is gone, but putting them in boiling water allows you to reuse them. They can also be used as cold packs.
Overall verdict: Nearly all of the products we tested actually did what they were supposed to. Should you buy them over the TV? You can, of course, but if you have one of those stores near you, you’d be better off making the purchase there. Not only do you save on shipping and handling, which can add to the cost, but you’ll also have a place to take them back to if something goes wrong. Be sure to read all the warranties and return policies before purchasing anything.
