Ever since Ed Valenti coined the phrase “But wait, there’s more!” in the 1970s, the late-night television commercial for the super-duper gadget has never been the same.
Despite the goofiness of the pitches — Valenti also came up with “Now how much would you pay?” and “This is a limited- time offer, so call now” — it has turned into a multimillion-dollar business. He even helped create the 1-800 toll-free number concept where “operators are standing by.”
The commercials often left viewers chuckling — remember the Ginsu knives, another Valenti product — and wondering whether the item really worked?
That has led consumer groups, website aficionados and even a few media outlets to test the products themselves. After all, if the item is so great, why isn’t it in stores already?
The latest round of examinations by Consumer Reports bursts the bubble on a few popular items — the Shamwow, iRobot, Slap Chop and Snuggie among them — though other organizations that tested them sometimes recorded different results.
Consumer experts say it’s all a matter of use and preference. For instance, the Slap Chop was panned by Consumer Reports for not working easily and because food became stuck in the cutting blades.
Others found the unit worked just fine when the vegetables to be chopped were pre-cut into smaller segments.
The Shamwow, however, didn’t fare so well. The fleecy-looking cloth was panned by nearly every group that tested it. Consumer Reports even slapped its claim that it can soak up 10 times its weight in liquid — down from previous claims of 20 times.
“So does a sponge,” Consumer Reports testers found.
Snuggie
Claims: “Keeps you
totally warm.” Made
of ultrasoft, thick,
luxurious fleece.
Consumer Reports: Very staticky. Ads
imply it covers your
back, but it doesn’t.
Enormous amounts
of lint left behind
with each washing.
Others: Generally
positive comments,
though some pointed
to the thin material.
Commented one
Internet reviewer: “No offense to the
Snuggie commercial,
but would anyone
wear a Snuggie to a
sporting event,
especially the whole
family?”
Tyre-Grip and AutoSock
Claims: Tyre-Grip said
it keeps you on the
road “regardless of
the road conditions.”
AutoSock said it’s a
“quick and easy
alternative to metal
chains.”
Consumer Reports: Using a Honda Accord
to climb a snowy hill,
only AutoSock did the
job, but installation
was a chore.
Others: Colorado
Department of Transportation
approves of
the AutoSock instead
of chains in some
areas.
