February 01, 2012

Review: Stretch Genie

Description: A shoe stretcher
Main Pitch: "The miracle solution that stretches your shoes to the size you need for perfect comfort"
Main Offer: $9.99 for a 4-ounce bottle plus 2 Expanders
Bonus: Double the offer (just pay P&H) plus 2 gel pads
Marketer: Hampton Direct
Producer: Concepts TV
Website: www.StretchGenie.com
Prediction: On the fence

Many marketers choose items based on sales history, but they also take a lot of shots on items with no sales history or with a sales history that isn't reliable for predicting DRTV results. Based on what I've seen from this particular marketer, however, there is always a relevant sales history behin the item, and that helps me answer my biggest question: Is this a real problem?

If people are buying this solution in sufficient numbers to warrant this company shooting and testing a DRTV spot, there must be something to it. That said, the bar for a national TV and retail rollout is quite high these days, and I just can't imagine enough Americans needing this for the campaign to become a major hit.