Editorial: The Billy Mays Effect
By Sean O'Hara
I don’t really have anything against Billy Mays. His commercials and infomercial stylings will one day be the stuff of legend and myth - as advertising will surely be beamed into our brains in the future. But until then Billy has got to shout louder and smile bigger than everyone else, all while giving you a ball-busting deal on his latest product.
I would like to say that if I had a crap-ton of Zorbee’s to hock that I might find a quieter, more dignified way to go about it, but all things considered, brute force might actually work pretty well. Billy gets into every living room at least 20 times a day and more on the weekends. After a while it seems pretty normal to see his grinning mug smiling back at you.
Somewhere between reruns of Gilligan’s Island and History’s Mysteries, a loud, cheerful dude tries to help you furnish your living room with the Hercules Hook or clean that nasty stain in the hallway. No one else is trying to help you figure this crap out at 3 in the morning — they’re all sleeping. Maybe you do need some Mighty Putty. That would make life better. He’s a crafty one, that Mr. Mays.
All we’re saying is beware of salesmen that don’t blink and seem to point at you more than twice in a 10 second span of time.
Billy Mays Products [Google]
January 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Speaking of which, I’m pretty sure you could buy an epoxy putty like Mighty Putty for less money. Anyone come across some high-strength, high-quality epoxy putty that’s a good price? Or is Mighty Putty really that good?
cl
January 25th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Everyone’s favorite welder sells some…
http://jbweld.net/products/jbstik.php
January 25th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
The guy drives me BATTY!
I’ve been known to dive across another person to reach the mute button!
January 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Mike P. - Seconded! I have decided I WILL NOT buy anything he advertises even if it looks useful. I do not like to be yelled at.
January 26th, 2008 at 12:40 am
That dude makes me stabby.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:54 am
The problem is, most of what he advertises is junk. Some is at least functional (OxyClean is supposed to be at least a decent, if overpriced, detergent) but much of it, like the “dent removal” kits, are complete junk.
And of the useful stuff, like the putty or cleaners, better versions are available, usually for much less, at most grocery stores or reasonably well stocked hardware stores.
As a marketing scheme it’s quite successful, no doubt about that. But they’re hawking cheap Chinese import crap on the clueless, and I find that at least mildly reprehensible.
Doc.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:14 am
I pretty much agree with comments 3-6, although I will put in a good word for the Kaboom NeverScrub. There’s another product on the market that’s very similar, but it’s more expensive and isn’t any better. I use a NeverScrub in both the toilets at home and it really does a good job. I wouldn’t exactly call it “Never” Scrub, but definitely “Only-Very-Occasional” Scrub, and that’s better than the alternative, which is “Every Two Days” Scrub, and I’m just not that into cleaning toilets.
cl
January 26th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Billy Mays is a knob.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Billy Mays is full of it! I brought the cold heat and wire strippers and both didn’t work. Everytime I see his new commericals, I get mad because he made me loose my hard earned cash! So be warned.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
RadioShack sells their own “Cold Heat” wire stuff, and the wire stripper tool thing has been around for years and can be had at walmart. I believe I got mine in the discount bin at Ace for $1 or something…
January 28th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Billy Mays is sapping this blog of its credibility as we speak…I was really sorry to see him featured on a blog that I otherwise enjoy.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I like him because he reminds me of my friends in Pittsburgh. Everything he hawks has the PAHR of the most PAHRFUL forces in the universe!
He’s the next-best thing to Myron Cope, I’m telling ya.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
We found another company that sells the “Hercules Hooks”. I think it was at a craft store. They look to be the same thing(A piece of wire) and sold for a lot less that what Mays pitches on tv.
February 17th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I like Billy Mays. He does what he does well! He is supposed to get your attention..duh! That’s the point. I think he’s probably a real decent guy who’s making a living doing something he does well.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
The only thing worse than listening to Billy Mays is having to listen to George ‘W’.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I find Billy Mays to be loud and abrasive to the ears and mind. I will NEVER buy a single thing that man is out there yelling about. I hope someone gets irritated enough to start some sort of “ban Billy Mays” movement. I will join in a heartbeat if it has the possibility of removing this irritant from my living room.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Hey, people after my own heart! I googled “against Billy Mays” and got this site on the first page. My daughter makes fun of me for keeping the tv remote in reach, just in case that tool comes on. Usually I silence him before he utters a single fingernails-on-the-blackboard syllable.
Roger, I’m with you! Most of the annoying commercials I’ve seen are amateurish local productions, but this is a national menace!