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SMALL BUSINESS
As Seen on TV Products:
Do They Actually Work?
Our reviewers put several to the test.
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
New gadgetry is hard to resist, but just how well do those clever "As Seen on TV" inventions really work?
The editors of the Money & Finance channel put several products to the test. On the following slides, consumers can find ratings and pros and cons on some of the most popular and curious products on the Web.
Next: As Seen on TV ReviewsMore Reviews & Ratings
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
One Touch Can Opener
Cost: $19.95
Claim: Opens a can in seconds, no sharp edges
Pros: Works exactly as advertised: Very easy to use and no sharp edges.
Cons: After use, it needs to be reset by holding down a button while the motor works its way back to the starting position.
Next: Dryer BallsMore Reviews & Ratings
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Dryer Balls
Cost: $9.95
Claim: Environmentally-friendly, hypoallergenic alternative to chemical fabric softeners that reduces drying time by 25 percent
Pros: Shorter drying time, no more spending on softeners or chemical-laden dryer sheets
Cons: Laundry isn't as soft or static-free as with chemical fabric softeners. It's easy to lose track of dryer balls between loads of laundry.
Next: Foreman GrillMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
George Foreman Grill
Claim: Grills in minutes; extremely easy to use, clean and store; tilted base drains the fat away for healthier food.
Pros: Easy to use and clean, tasty food; a great alternative to a charcoal or gas grill.
Cons: Tilted base could cause food to slide off.
Next: Go DusterMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Go Duster
Cost: $19.95
Claim: Go Duster is the amazing motorized duster that makes dusting faster, easier and more fun than you ever imagined!
Pros: It works like a regular duster
Cons: Product requires four AA batteries. Dust flies everywhere and onto everything else so you are basically just moving the dust from one place to another. Don't see much of a benefit of using this versus regular dusting.
Next: Magic BulletMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Magic Bullet Blender
Cost: $99.99
Claim: Does any job in 10 seconds or less
Pros: Chops, mixes, purees, stirs, blends in seconds; easy to use, easy to clean; includes multiple attachments that can be used for small or large jobs.
Cons: Pricey
Next: Onion SlicerMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Onion Slicer
Claim: Dice onions in one swift motion, encloses onion to minimize odors and reduce tearing
Pros: It dices onions quickly; you do not get the odor or the tears; it dices green/red peppers and hard-boiled eggs as well; It cleans well and it is dishwasher safe; It also has measuring lines from 1/2 cup to 2 cups on the side
Cons: None
Next: Tummy TrimmerMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Invisible Tummy Trimmer
Claim: Flattens your stomach, while it trims your waist
Pros: Works well for hiding small bulges, surprisingly comfortable.
Cons: Not as effective as advertised "before and after" shots
Next: Doggy StepsMore Ratings & Reviews
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Allan Halprin, AOL
Doggy Steps
Claim: Doggy Steps are perfect for small dogs or older pets that struggle to jump into bed, on the couch, into the car ...
Pros: Once your pet is trained it allows them freedom to climb anywhere you have these steps set up.
Cons: There is no major negative. You just need patience to train your pet to use these steps.
Next: FURminatorMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
FURminator
Claim: Promises to quickly, easily and painlessly brush loose hair from pets' coats, reducing shedding
Pros: Solidly constructed with a comfortable heavy-duty rubber grip, brushes out more hair, more easily than a standard pin or wire brush.
Cons: No different than a well-constructed "slicker" brush that dog groomers use, and which may be found more cheaply
Next: AutoVent SPVMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
AutoVent SPV
Claim: Removes hot stale air inlcuding pet and tobacco odors from car; solar powered
Pros: AutoVent's solar-powered air exchange did leave the test vehicle less stale smelling after trial run.
Cons: Must be sized to fit car's window. Fitting needs improvement. Solar panel must be in direct sunlight. It's so quiet, can't tell when vent has stopped.
Next: Glass WizardMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Glass Wizard
Claim: The easiest way to clean glass: Gets hard to reach places, cleans streak-free and cuts grease.
Pros: Quick and easy to clean with water; streak-free shine. Works on glass and textured shower door.
Cons: The plastic handle is not sturdy and cracks easily. The grime bonnet works well on tougher jobs, but some surfaces may require a two-step process: Grime bonnet followed by microfiber bonnet.
Next: Hollywood SmilesMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Hollywood Smiles
Claim: Gets teeth up to four shades whiter in less than an hour
Pros: Whitens teeth after one use, shorter application times than most other products, no bad taste
Cons: Feels like one has a mouthful of ice; plasma LED light does not appear to make a difference; concerns about effects of whitening action on tooth enamel
Next: 3-in-1 ShredderMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
3-in-1 Shredder
Claim: It shreds paper, CDs and even credit cards. Durable steel cutters slice them with just a turn of the handle ...
Pros: For those who don't need to shred often
Cons: Only shreds one sheet of paper at a time, cuts credit cards into four easily reassembled pieces. Dull blades hamper shredding.
Next: S'mores WizardMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
S'mores Wizard
Claim: Make your own S'mores indoors.
Pros: It does make S'mores.
Cons: Slots on board for chocolate are cut too close to heating element and melt together; lengthy heating time; burns marshmallows instead of browning.
Next: Mini Deep FryerMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Deni Mini Deep Fryer
Claim: The Deni Mini Deep Fryer is perfect for quick snacks and small portions of food
Pros: Modern, brushed stainless steel; small & convenient; quiet; no flying or bubbling oil
Cons: Each use requires a lot of oil; easy to get burned accidentally; food tastes burned; little direction on using batter or which foods can be fried; lingering smells
Next: Topsy Turvy PonytailMore Reviews & Ratings
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Topsy Tail
Claim: Hairstyles you do yourself in minutes
Pros: Quality elastic bands and hair brush included ... Accurate directions ... Pictures close to actual look ... (First use may take longer.)
Cons: Some styles require long hair instead of medium length.
Next: Deni Soft ServeMore Ratings, Reviews & Warnings
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Deni Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
Cost: $59.95
Claim: Ice cream in 10 to 20 minutes!
Pros: Easy to clean; easy to serve; delicious recipes included; fun for whole family
Cons: Hard to assemble; messy; long preparation time
Next: Upright BlenderMore Ratings & Reviews
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Pro Stick Blender
Claim: Handy kitchen aid for all your blending and grinding needs
Pros: Blends or grinds for light jobs; easy to clean
Cons: Stick blender has one speed and one blade. To operate one must continually press down on a button. To blend a drink, container must be very tall or liquid will spray. Won't blend frozen fruit.
Next: More Money & Finance FeaturesMore Ratings & Reviews
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