Who is the ShamWow guy, and Why Do You Want to Buy His Rags?

I don't usually pay much attention to infomercials or those "too good to be true" ads on TV, but lately there is one that has captured my attention...no, the attention of a nation. Not since Billy Mayes pitched Oxy Clean have we become so entranced with a TV commercial. Yes, I am talking about Vince, the ShamWow Guy.

If you haven't seen the commercial, and the only way you could have missed it is if you don't own a TV, Vince is the headset-wearing pitchman who is pitching what amounts to a rag (OK, it's a chamois). Not only that, but he's charging you $19.99 for it!

"You're spending 20 dollars a month on paper towels, so you're already throwing your money away," reasons Vince. Somehow I get the feeling I would be doing the same with ShamWow. Besides, who spends $20 a month on paper towels? How many spills can you have on one month?

Vince reminds me of the guys who were always getting me in trouble in high school, or in the Navy. He has that "c'mon, what's the worst that could happen?" vibe. Well, I could spend 20 bucks for a few flimsy towels, for starters.

Now, to be fair...I haven't actually tried the ShamWow. It could be an amazing product, but...I don't know. I already use something at home called rags. They were free, because they are actually old bath towels that I don't use for bathing anymore. Like the ShamWow, they are washable. But still, Vince makes a convincing case, and his commericial is quite smooth.

"This is in real time" says Vince, as he soaks up another spill. "Are you getting this, camera guy?" he adds, apparently unconcerned that he's not making any friends with the studio crew. I'm both mezmerized and terribly annoyed with Vince at this point.

Vince is destined to join the ranks of those TV pitchmen you just can't get out of your head, like Billy Mayes, Ron Popeil, and the British guy who was selling Chinese woks a few years ago.

The only "As Seen on TV" item I have purchased is the Debbie Myer's Green Bags, and I have been quite happy with them, although it is time to replace them. I did not buy them by calling a toll-free number and handing over my credit card number, however. I purchased them at the "As Seen on TV" store at the mall. I bought them because I saw them as a way of actually saving some money by avoiding spoiled produce, and they honestly do work. I don't see how Shamwow would do the same thing, but I guess I could be wrong. Has anyone purchased ShamWow? Does it work?

Come to think of it, I still haven't thought of a compelling reason to purchase Mighty Putty, either.

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