As seen on TV. You can’t walk into any department store without seeing a section dedicated to “As Seen on TV.” It’s a crap shoot when purchasing these products and for the most part I like most all my “As Seen on TV” products. With that being said, I feel it’s my civic duty to inform you that some “As seen on TV” products aren’t all they are cracked up to be.
While perusing the aisles of JC Penney last week, I came across “The Instant Perfect Alarm.”
The concept behind this gem is that you attach it your doors or windows for sense of security. Its operating system is magnetized. You peel off the backing and stick it to the inside of your doors or windows and turn the switch to the on position. When the magnetic seal is broken it lets off a piercing high-pitched squeal alerting you of an intruder. Seems simple enough right? I read the back of the package and weighed the problems that I might run into with this product. At $5.99 I figured I didn’t have much to lose. Living in a ground floor apartment building I figured it would add an extra sense of security. I purchased it and took it home.
The next evening I decided to install it. The first problem popped up when my apartment door weather stripping prevented the device from sitting level thus prohibiting the magnetic field marriage. I rigged the device by peeling off the sticky backing of the one side and placing it on the side I needed. Yeah, it was shoemakered no doubt! But I got it to line up. I was ready for bed and I already anticipated that this thing might scare the bejesus out of me in the middle of the night if it defectively went off. So I would test it the next day.
I came home from work the next day and looked forward to taking a little nappy nap, which I so often like to do. I turned on both the front and back door alarms and laid down. Sure enough, it was no more than 5 minutes and the darn things took turns letting off chirps. It could have been the batteries because I read the reviews for this thing after the fact, and most of the complaints were the alarms arrived on consumer’s doorsteps dead. They are not inexpensive to replace either. Another big complaint was the sticky strip on the back didn’t stick very well. Some people velcro’d the strips to the door and solved their problem that way.
Anyway, I resolved myself to the fact that they were a piece of crap and I’d cut my losses and move on. Well that night, my boyfriend and I turned in and both alarms were off. I made sure before I went to bed. In the middle of the night the alarm on my bedroom back door decided to fall off and when it hit the floor it somehow turned on. Scared the crap out of my boyfriend. It’s usually me who pops up out of a dead sleep screaming or moaning. “I calmly said, “Hon, it’s that stupid alarm. It fell off the door.”
It doesn’t work. Even if you velcro it and have flush doors and windows to put it on, the batteries seem to be the main problem here. I’d say this item needs some major overhaul work. I’d be willing to pay more money if the manufacturer would fix the defects so it actually works. Until then I might have to consider getting a dog or married, but I’m not sure which one would be cheaper.
What “As Seen on TV product do you like or dislike?
I’ve seen things like this before and on any kind of thing that gives you the peel back stickers never works unless it’s for something very light. Also even in the ad you can tell that the alarm is not very loud. Most people can sleep through that! The only good thing about the “As seen on TV” things in the store is that you can examine them for yourself right there before deciding to buy. Unlike TV where you take a chance. As most people know about 90% of the things they advertise don’t work as well as they claim. That is if they work at all!
Miikell,
Actually, the alarm is suprisingly high pitched very loud. My apartment isn’t so big so I would definitely hear it. I’m going to put two of them on the windows and see how they weather there. I think the chirping might be because the batteries are dying. We’ll see. If that’s the case, I only lost $5.99
Well, it worked for the manufacturer…..I’m sure they find the income quite handy!
Yes mister Bruce, I’m sure they are enjoying my hard earned cash that I shelled out for that POS device.
The funniest art is that you paid money for it…
art should read Part. I have a dicky P key on my stupid keyboard
Ahahahaha Tony. I knew what you meant, but did you mean “dicky” or sticky, that’s the real question…lmao.
Thanks for stopping by.
HAhaha well getting married would be cheaper !! Dogs are equally expensive ! By the way the alarm ghost was funny! Never again go by the add or anything unless you know somebody who has already used the product .
Here’s a fun test , would surely lift your mood !
The 3 Questions Personality Test – Get a glimpse of your personality.
http://www.3smartcubes.com/pages/tests/three_test/three_test_instructions.asp
I know Tasneem…it probably is cheaper to get married and divorced than it would be to get a dog. My g/f was just telling that her friend’s house was robbed in the middle of the day and they had a German Shepherd in the house. Who would have the balls to go into a house with a huge dog like that?
Oh! Well, it looked like it had potential. Bummer about it not working and scaring your boyfriend.
Natalie asked for some sort of toothpaste dispenser last year. “No fuss, no muss.” When the tube ran out, I neglected to replace it. It did have “muss” though as the toothpaste continued to ooze out in its upside down position.
I think it was funny Jean b/c I’m usually the one who freaks out in the middle of the night when I hear a noise.
Man, we should be able to sue and at least win our money back for their stupid defective items. I hate getting fooled by marketers but it happens all the time. They hype up their stupid cheap products with their clever infomercials and adorable pitch men. *sigh* I miss Billy Mays. I’ll just have to remember the old adage…”if it sounds and looks too good to be true…it probably is.”
I rarely buy things on TV until it’s at the “As Seen on TV” show. The only exception I will make is for music compilations like “Freedom Rock.”
Freedom Rock compilation?
Was that put out by the infamous Canadian “As Seen on TV” company K-Tel Records? Until the CD era, they (or various sub-labels) were probably responsible for 3/4 of all compilation records.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XWyDEW2P1o
They did far more than records. They put out a lot of Ronco and Ronco-like products too like:
The Bottle Cutter Kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjYVk9cz_aE
The EZY-Wash. (Because “Z” is pronounced Zed in Canada.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r0xk25o8Jg
The EZY Tracer (US ad)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r0xk25o8Jg
and all kinds of cra-…er…interesting products to make you’re life more satisfying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOnDYbjigWA
Some even worked like the notorious Patty Stacker that let you make tubes of home made hamburger patties to put in the freezer. (Sorry, I can’t find a video.) Even some Canadian kids who weren’t alive when the product was sold have heard of it.
Chances are, if you’ve been to more than a couple garage sales anywhere in North America or the British Commonwealth, you’ve seen a K-Tel product.
Ahmnodt,
I know right! I’m sure I’ll be fooled again by a few of those “As Seen on TV” items here and there. Some of them are ingenious and deliver what they promise.
I always get suckered by those things! I don’t know why. I have the Sham-Wows (which you can’t dry – oops). I have the bumpits, I never used. Now the furniture sliders came in handy! The dog de-shedder– nope.
I am such a sucker. LOL!
Even that commercial sure made them look easy. I probably would have bought them. HA.
At least it was only $5.99
Thanks for the warning.
Happy Belated Father’s Day to Dads in your life…
interesting and insightful post.
I protect my camper in the summer and my house in the off season the same way. My homes are protected by the good lord and a gun. You may meet them both if you show up not welcome.
lol Gary….that’s how it should be right!
I was disappointed by a few things I’ve bought on As Seen On TV, such as The Snuggie, and that bra strap thing. But, I love my Green Bags. Sorry your thingy didn’t work out.
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