If you dread lugging out your iron and board out or making that trip to the dry cleaners, you’re not alone. Mister Steamy to the rescue! Yeahhh we’ll see about that. I always chuckle to myself when I hear the name. What marketing genius came up with that? The infomercial claims it will save you money by releasing steam in your dryer and immediately removing wrinkles from both damp and dry clothes.
Each order comes with two Mr Steamy balls plus two small bottles of Fresh Shot which is a fabric freshener/softener. It claims to work for most fabrics including polyester, cotton and fabric blends.
The Mr Steamy instructions say to…..
Pour one capful of the Sure Shot liquid into the ball. If your clothes are really stinky, pour in two capfuls.
Now add water inside the Mr. Steamy ball then toss it into the dryer.
You’re supposed to see results in 15-30 minutes.
Lauren bravely tries a comparison test with an assortment of her nice clothes. She’s got a cotton dress shirt, a satin tank, and a cotton-lycra blend turtleneck.
Mr Steamy Test Results
With both wet and dry clothes, everything still looks as wrinkled as when she started.
The Sure Shot Liquid escapes from the ball and leaves sticky water droplets and spots on her clothes.
Some viewers said that it creates more static cling and does not work even on towels.
Mr Steamy website is asking $20 for two balls, plus $7 shipping and handling. Put that phone down, save your money and do not order Mister Steamy! And here’s a cleaning product that actually does work. Pheww finally…it’s called Silver Lightning!
Cleaning silver has never been my forte. I’ve discovered that it’s both a messy and time consuming process. So if the Silver Lightening Tarnish Cleaner can remove tarnish instantly with an electrolytic reaction, this just might be a great time saver to have around the home.
Silver Lightning is supposed to be the fastest, easiest and most effective way to clean all of your sterling, silver plates, stainless steel, gold and copper around the home. It’s also guaranteed to last forever. No scrubbing or mess with toxic cleaners and all silverware can be done at once instead of being polished one at a time.
All you need to do is take one of two trays provided into a non-metal container or sink and add boiling water. Then you add two teaspoons of baking powder or salt which starts the chemical reaction. Then add your tarnished things onto the mat.
So does it really work? Of course we are all extremely skeptical but what do you know…. As you can see in the video, it really does work. It only took a minute to see a dramatic difference. Two thumbs way up for Silver Lightning. Yessss! Check out more As Seen on TV household product reviews right here!
Do you ever wish there was a way to stop those annoying infomercials dead in their tracks? Well now there’s a way to rise up to reject this outrageous intrusion in our homes! Our TV channels were never meant to be clogged with 24 hour shopping and workout kings offering to tighten everything from your face to your thighs.
Don’t you just love those infomercial pitches teach us things we didn’t even realize we needed to know? Well you have to admire the sheer nerve of the promoters who think we do.
Have a look at the newest spoof infomercial on the Infomercial Stopper! Get rid of additive bonus gifts, overused catch phrases, stupid rhymes, blinking “call now” signs, GUARANTEED or your money back!
EZ Bundler looks a pretty simplistic infomercial gadget. Billy Mays claims that he always uses and stands by the products he pitches. So lets if if this EZ Bundler Strapping Tool really helps to secure and organizes clutter and recyclables around the home.
EZ Bundler Issues
First off, Joe tries to decipher the instructions which aren’t clear at all and it wasn’t Joe’s fault. This seems to be a common complaint. He then tries to bundle up a simple pile of newspaper. He found that…
It’s difficult to string the cord through the gun.
You have to pull the cord through the gun instead of advancing it automatically.
When you pull the trigger to clip the ends together the fastened end breaks apart right away or doesn’t hold securely.
The clip has been known to get jammed in the gun.
Tommy Noel gives it a zero on the KIDK News “Spudometer” rating system. Obviously he must be from Idaho..
EZ Bundler is supposed to be a new and improved version of the Handy Bundler. Geeze what else could go wrong with this thing? Don’t waste your money! It’s way to much hassle for what it’s meant to do.
The Amish Heater infomercials claim that this is a new “miracle heater.” It definitely grabs your attention on those cold winter nights while your watching TV. Wow it looks so cozy and warm. So what’s the story behind this heater… does it really save you money and why are Amish now experts in “Fireless Flame” technology?
Amish Heater review
The Amish Heater is for those people looking for the beauty and warmth of a realistic fireplace without having to build an authentic one. It of course, has the look and warmth of a wood burning hearth and you can move it around from room to room. The thing is the big claim is that it saves you money.
The Low Down on the Amish Fireplace
The Amish heater also goes by the name Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace.
They definitely look nice but the mantle isn’t real solid oak, only oak plywood.
The mantle is the only part of it made by the Amish, the rest of the heater is made in China.
The heat that it puts out is similar to the heat of a space heater. The instructions say that it’s a 1500 watt quartz ceramic heater which you could buy in local hardware stores for $30-40.
They do not save you money on your heating bill. Natural gas is actually cheaper to heat your home than electricity.
They cost $350 each and don’t have the features of other heaters such as a digital thermostat, timer and wheels.
The Amish Heater was recently reviewed by Consumer Reports Magazine and they mention that you can get more heat out of a $75-$80 heater. One brand name that came up was the DeLonghi. So that’s a real shame…The story sounds nice but the truth comes out and reality sets in that this heater really isn’t a deal. Now if you’re just looking at a heater for esthetics only, this heater would do the trick.
The Hang and Level tool claims to help us eliminate those nasty “mistake” holes and scratches for wall hangings. Personally, I find that I’m always guessing where to hang picture frames with long wires. It drives me absolutely nuts! This little gadget is put to the test by an extremely particular gallery owner. At the bottom of this post, there’s also some how to tips in video format for hanging heavier items.
Hanging a picture with the Hang and Level Tool
Hang and Level Claims
Allows you to quickly and easily hang and mount picture frames to a wall level and perfectly placed every time.
Marks exactly where the nail or screw should be placed.
Eliminates unnecessary abuse to walls caused by misplaced nails and screws.
Takes all the guesswork out of hanging picture frames by quickly and easily marking the exact spots where the nails or screws should be placed on the wall.
So the Hang and Level Tool looks like it pretty much works as advertised. The instructions look kind of scary but once you get the hang of how to use it, it’s reasonably easy to use. Maybe everyone doesn’t need this. If your used to hanging pictures around the home you’d probably have a system already down and probably wouldn’t have a need for it. Of course, there’s many other things to consider so your hanging stays securely on the wall.
I thought this was kind of funny… I saw this on the news the other night. Consumer Reports Magazine has labeled infomercials as the quote “Rodney Dangerfields of advertising”. You know…that psychological thrill ride that dramatizes every little problem in our life. Then those sneaky infomercials offer that AMAAAZING product with all its thrilling benefits at that special low price and they always get you with that bonus offer. Wonder why you want to run and grab the phone? It all comes down to neuroscience! Here’s eight tips you can use before reaching for the phone to order.
Infomercials are carefully scripted in order to pump up the dopamine levels in your brain, says Martin Lindstrom, an advertising expert. After the ride “dopamine levels drop in 5 or 6 minutes. That’s why infomercials ask you to buy in the next 3 minutes.”
Key Points to Remember When Watching Infomercials
Pause for 10 minutes before buying - By that time your impulse-shopping dopamine levels should have returned to normal.
Slow down the spellbinders - Watch the infomercial on YouTube instead of on TV. You’ll be more logical and less emotional if you can slow down or stop the infomercial and really see the demo.
Ask yourself if you would I buy this with cash - Forty percent of consumers say no, Lindstrom says, because credit cards candy-coat the fact that you’re spending real money.
Consider other solutions - For an example, Consumer Reports tested the oh so amazing, Grease Bullet which is for removing cookware residue. It did work reasonably well with the recommended half hour soak. But soaking the same dirty pots and pans overnight in dishwasher detergent also produces similar results.
Listen for true “value” clues - When a pitchman cites “a $40 value,” then says he’ll give you two for one, that means the value is only $20 and probably less.
Calculate the real price - I see this happening quite often. Sometimes sellers make more money off shipping and handling than they do off the product itself. Be sure to add shipping and handling charges to the price. I see that they do list all the shipping prices on the front of the vendors site now.
Say no to upselling -I’m sure many of you have experienced this. Those “operators standing by” might pitch additional products, accessories, and refills before you know whether the product even works.
Avoid shipping and handling fees - Infomercials are now a foot in the door to retail stores. Wait until the product you’re interested in turns up with an “As seen on TV” sticker in CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, or other mass merchandiser, usually for the same price but with no shipping charge.
I think I watch TV way to much but I had to see this segment on Marketplace a show for Canadian Consumer. Here’s some interesting things they had to say about Direct Buy.
Slim in Six was created by personal trainer, Debbie Siebers You might have heard of many fitness programs under the company “Beachbody.” There’s Power90X, Hip Hop Abs, Turbo Jam, and of course Slim in 6. Some of you may be wondering how effective the program is or do they (like some workout programs) glam up the program and split the workout onto several DVDs in order to make it look better and charge more than is really necessary.
This is what you get with the Slim in Six fitness DVDs
The workout program is a 6 week long workout where you train for 6 days a week. The program is meant to reshape your body and help you learn healthy lifestyle techniques to keep the weight off. The main goals are to shrink your hips, thighs, midsection and arms. The training exercises are meant to help burn the fat off your body and not bulk you up. The idea behind Slim in 6 is that by working your muscles with low weights for high reps with little rest in between, it creates tone without creating a lot of size. Because of this it’s more appealing and of course marketed to women since most of us ladies want tone, not large muscles.
What is Included in the Slim in Six Program?
There are basically three main workout included in Slim in 6.
Start It Up (25 min)
Ramp It Up (48 min)
Burn It Up (60 min)
Two bonus workouts for flexibility and abs and also a 35 minute cardiovascular workout.
Nutrition guide
Workout calendar
Tape measure
Diet plan
Fitness guide
Resistance band
Good Points
Offer something for everyone’s fitness goals, levels and workout preferences.
It’s solid, total body workout that’s very effective, well designed and easy to follow. They’re suitable for beginning through more advanced exercisers,since the moves can be easily modified up or down.
For those of you who like a challenge, the advanced workout is extremely challenging with a nice mix of cardio work and full body toning.
The workout calendar helps to keep you motivated and helps track your progress.
It’s handy to navigate to the segments that you may or may not like. It’s got an on-screen countdown clock which ticks off as you go through each chapter.
Bad Points
Many ladies don’t follow the eating plan since it’s a bit confusing.
The “Start it Up” beginners routine may be a challenge for you if you haven’t worked out in a while. Just alter the workout progression as you see fit.
The music is very boring and somewhat irritating but fortunately there’s a “music off” option so you can play your own music.
The moves are also extremely boring and repetitive. This gets dull after six weeks straight. If your not into repetitive lunges, squats, plies, crunches and push ups and resistance band work, Slim in 6 might not be for you.
Debbie Siebers can’t seem to count and you end up workout out one side more than the other.
Slim in Six has it’s flaws, but if you can overlook them and you have a lot of commitment to stick to this workout 6 days a week for 6 weeks straight, you will see excellent results.
The P90x Workout System sure has a lot of testimonials on the web. This is because the Beachbody website has a business opportunity where you get paid for every order sent to the Beachbody website. Of course nothing wrong with that but the thing is, most people who are using and promoting it aren’t interested in pointing out its flaws. So I wondered if this system is this anything revolutionary and most importantly, does it really work as advertised?
P90x workout system 12 DVD set
The P90x workout program is a packaged set of DVDs features a dozen sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts. These include abs, cardio, core, yoga, plyo, legs and back, chest and back and much more. Trainer Tim Horton claims that it’s designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in 90 days. The so called secret is an advanced training technique called “Muscle Confusion” which accelerates results by constantly introducing new moves and routines so that the body never plateaus.
Advantages
Tony and the gang are inspirational and fun. The DVDs are serious workouts, yet you are still having fun and laughing at the same time.
The DVDs showcases people with different body types and shows their results. Some of the co-hosts are older, and one guy has only one leg. So knowing that those people can get through the workouts motivates you.
The program keeps you interested and offers variety.
Everything is laid right out for you so you never have to think about what work out your going to do for the day.
It’s easy to skip right the the move that you want since the DVDs have an easy navigation system.
You’ll constantly be striving to do the moves since they aren’t easily mastered.
Options are presented so you can modify the moves when needed.
You need very little to actually use this system. Just an inexpensive door frame chin-up bar and a few dumbbells.
Perfect workout system if you want to stay fit while on the road.
There are many satisfied P90x users who claim this system really works and makes them so much stronger and flexible.
The beachbody.com site offers Message Boards and chat room which are available 24 hours a day. It’s offers a place to go for motivation, guidance, and peer support. It’s actually good resource if you want to get more info and see what others are saying about the course and common problems, etc.
Scott is a personal trainer and he explains what he thinks of the P90x system and what “muscle confusion” is.
Disadvantages
As Scott mentions in the video, there’s nothing revolutionary about this workout program. It is the same as just switching up which days you do which exercises (The nice thing though is that everything is laid out for you so you don’t have to think about what workout your going to do that day.)
If you are a beginner you’ll need a lot of determination and stamina. It’s not impossible but it’s very difficult. You can take the fit test (link is below) to see if you can do the basic moves. P90X is more for those who have been training for at least 1 year at about 3-5 times weekly.
A big part of the program is also the diet but the recipes are complicated and only make a couple of servings. After a long days work some P90x users found that they prefer to stick to easy meals that their whole family wants to eat.
Tony Horton of course is the creator and trainer of P90x. Unfortunately he has a personality that turns people off. He’s full of himself, not sincere, belittles others babbles on and doesn’t explain the exercise properly. It’s not so bad at first, but when you are watching these DVD’s everyday it will get really old.
Of all things the DVD packaging will scratch your DVDs so be careful when removing them. Most DVD’s you buy come in a plastic case where the DVD is suspended above the packaging. With the P90x set you have to slide out each DVD from a book format with cardboard/paper sleeves! How dumb!
Feel the burn with P90x workouts!
Other things you need to know about the P90x System
They don’t tell you this before you order the P90x System but you need to pass a fitness test before you start the program. Here is the P90x test. The minimum requirements are listed at the lower part of each page in black.They recommend that if you can’t pass the test to start with something lighter.
P90X is a good work out if you, can’t get to the gym and want someone to tell you which exercises to do at home, you are prepared to follow a very specific diet you have 75 min at a time to work out for a total of 90 days.
As you progress through the program it’s good to see proof of it on paper (how many reps, weight used, etc.). This might not seem like a big deal at first but a few weeks into the program it will.
The workout set is extremely challenging for your body at first. Don’t hurt yourself trying to finish your workout. Your muscles will “reach failure” and literally stop working which is what you want. You’ll need to stop and rest for a bit.
P90X isn’t a miracle workout system but if you want a DVD set that tells you specifically what to do like… do this exercise, have your water break now, do this many reps, than you’ll like this system. If you want to go to the extreme, take your fitness to a whole new level, have LOTS of will power and are willing to dedicate major time/ effort than the P90X program is for you.
Acai Berry weight loss sites are the latest internet craze. Some of you might be looking for diet programs for a 2010 New Years Resolution so I really concerned some of you might get caught up in the the hype surrounding Acai Berry products. You may be familiar with the Acai fruit when it was featured on Oprah with Dr Oz or with Rachel Ray. It’s also been talked about on The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Below we examine what to look for when buying Acai Berry supplements.
Is the Acai Berry effective for weight loss?
What is the Acai Berry?
It’s harvested from the Amazon Rain Forest and looks almost like a blueberry but actually tastes like a mix of berries and chocolate. Acai Berry comes in many forms including the whole berry, juices, powders, pills, food items and more. The Acai berry itself is not a hoax. There’s no question about it’s high nutritional value. It has similar health benefits to other berries. Studies have shown that Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. The only problem with fresh Acai berry is that it is highly perishable. The good news is that Acai berries can be freeze dried and turned into a powder which has all the health benefits of the fresh Acai berry. The bad news is that the majority of Acai powders being sold today aren’t even legitimate or have very low antioxidant effects or nutrients. What it does not do is help you lose weight without diet and exercise.
Acai Berry Weight Loss Scams to Avoid
I hate to use the word “scam” but that’s really what some of these Acai Berry sites are. Stay away from sites that claim that their Acai Berry weight loss supplement will help you lose a certain number of pounds a day. No company can honestly promise these things. Acai Berries don’t hold a “magic key” that will help you lose weight, but it will help make your body healthier. To a certain extent a healthy, well-balanced body may help you lose more weight. Changing the way your body looks takes time and effort. Supplements can help you get better results, but they won’t work on their own.
Beware of sites that offer you a “free trial”. They aren’t really free. You’ll at least have to pay the shipping and handling and often there are many secondary charges. Make sure you read the fine print on the site. If it mentions anything about recurring billing or a free trial, I would avoid it. It more than likely will be a recurring monthly fee and you’ll be billed if you don’t cancel with 14 days. It get’s worse on other sites. You put in an order for a free trial and you try to cancel the monthly billing and they still keep billing you every month! Other companies phone numbers are disconnected and they keep billing you. I would avoid these sites all together because you don’t know if the company is legit or not.
Look for an Acai Product that is backed by a Consumer Bill of Rights. You want to know in writing, exactly what you are getting and what you are going to be charged.
Look for contact information and call the company and ask questions. You have the right to know what you are putting into your body.
Make sure you only buy 100% Organic Freeze Dried Acai or Acai product from a reputable health food store. I enjoy the Acai juice from my local health food store but it’s $60 a bottle and I know and trust the owner of this store. Other forms of Acai may not have the same nutritional punch.
Acai Berry Weight Loss companies that claim that their product is endorsed by Oprah, Dr Oz or Rachel Ray. They have all talked highly of the health benefits of the natural fruit itself, NOT the Acai Berry products that these companies are trying to sell. In fact, Oprah and Dr Oz have 40 trademark infringement suits against internet marketers of Acai berry products. I like drinking Acai Berry juice for the overall health benefits as opposed to using it just for weight loss. Here is a actual link from the MSNBC.com site for that segment on the Today Show’s Acai Berry benefits. By the way, there are many companies using a Today Show video to promote their own Acai Berry product. Just be careful!
Acai Berry for weight loss is not proven by any scientific evidence, explains Christine Marquette, a registered and licensed dietitian.
And here’s a cleaning product that actually does work. Pheww finally…it’s called Silver Lightning!
