I watch informercials for kitsch enterainment. I usually stick to cooking gadgets because I love to cook and can spot the design flaws easily, plus it’s entertaining to watch the hosts fumble through simple recipies to make life without the whatever-it-is look impossible.
Unfortunately, when I watch an infomercial selling something I have no clue about, I am much more tempted to buy.
So, Teeming Millions, please explain to me what the flaws are in this little doo-dad (besides the exhorbitant price) and if I could do the same thing with tools purchased at a brick-and-mortar store.
My hair looks awesome if blown dry with a large-barreled brush. It has natural curl, but it tends to look coarse and frizzy if I let it do its own thing. A little taming with a blow dryer makes it shiny and flippy and pretty. Unfortunately, try as I might I just can’t.frickin.do.it. I have no patience for beauty things, and my arms are very short so I haven’t been able to aim the darned blow dryer for more than 5 seconds at a time. The gadget in question looks awesome, because it has a large-barreled brush that rotates itself while blowing itself. There are “hot air brushes” that have a barrel that rotates, but those don’t have a motor, they just turn if you pull them through your hair or something.
In sum, from what I’ve been taught any given TV product will typically be flawed in one of two ways: (1) You could do the same thing or close to the same thing with something you could buy in a store for cheaper/better quality or (2) it’s just impossible to do anything like what they promise in the infomercial, with that product or any other. Which is this?
I think you can buy that product in a store. Even if it’s not really widespread, there are stores that sell products available on infomercials. This is generally safer than ordering from an infomercial; you’ll get the product immediately, and there’s much less risk that you won’t be able to return it if it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.
I can’t tell you what’s wrong with the product specifically, but there’s something that applies to all products sold on infomercials. According to this website – and many others – products sold on infomercials need a threefold to fivefold markup to be profitable. Infomercials are a very expensive way of selling a product, and the products they sell need to have mass appeal and a huge markup to make a profit. So, if a product on an infomercial is being sold for $19.95, its actual cost to the retailer is probably between $4 to $6. Never mind ‘a $120 value for only 2 easy payments of $19.95’ – when you buy a product from an infomercial, you’re paying far more for the infomercial air-time than you are for the product. Unfortunately, the infomercial price sets the expected price for the product, so don’t expect a huge discount if you find it in a store. You might be able to find a similar product in a different type of store.
I fully support watching infomercials for kitsch value, though. =)
I have one of these! I can get the same results with a round brush that doesn’t spin, but using a RevoStyler makes the drying/styling process much faster and my hand doesn’t get as tired. I got mine on eBay for around $25. I love infomercials too, but if something really catches my eye I go straight to eBay rather than dialing the 800 number listed in the commercial. I’ve never not found the item selling for a lower price there.
Mrs. fireman bought two of these from the infomercial. Neither one would even turn, let alone style her hair. Had a heck of a time obtaining our refund from the company. If you want to try one, look at the local Walmart, where at least you can return it if it doesn’t work.
I had one of these. I have long, thick, wavy hair, and the thing stalled and wouldn’t turn. For me, it was a waste of money. For someone with short, wispy hair it might work.
Uh, I’ve got one as well. I have long, thick hair that will get tangled as well, but I’ve learned how to take smaller sections of hair and I get nice, smooth hair that feels great. I also have the Hair Maid, a stand that holds the blowdryer at the correct height so that I can use both hands to brush and section my hair. I actually like the Hair Maid better so I’m thinking of donating my Revo Styler.
I think that the main reason infomercial products are reviled (rightfully so) is that they have a great idea, but they’re executed very cheaply. The RevoStyler is made of the cheapest materials possible and feels very flimsy. I suspect that a price is decided upon and then the product is made. The price has to be low enough for someone to decide that they’ll take a chance. I wish that a reputable company would take this idea and make a quality product that does the same thing.
