MXZ Pocket Saw Doesn't Cut It

The manufacturer of the MXZ Saw is certainly lucky there's a sucker born every minute, because anyone who does a little research will see that the ad execs are a whole lot sharper than the saw itself. Perhaps more than any other "as seen on tv" product I've come across, reviewers overwhelmingly agree that the MXZ Saw doesn't cut the mustard.

The infomercial for the MXZ Pocket Saw dazzles and amazes viewers. The carbide blade can cut nearly anything, never needs sharpening, and will never dull or break. The ad shows the MXZ saw easily slicing through drywall, wood, aluminum, steel, glass, brick, and tile.

The ad appeals to gift buyers, many of whom think the MXZ Saw would make a great stocking stuffer. That's how I ended up with mine, and when I first received it last Christmas, I was psyched to try it. A few hours later, my futile attempts to successfully slice through something ... anything ... became a running gag in my household.

Putting it to the Test

We tried the MXZ Pocket Saw on a plastic soda bottle, an old piece of tupperware, an empty tuna can, a scrap of wood, and a cardboard box. The only item we were able to cut through was the cardboard box, and it took 10 times as long as it would've taken us if we had used scissors.

The Verdict

Most Amazon.com reviewers of the tool agree with my assessment - more than one called the MXZ Saw a "piece of junk." One person wrote, "If your intent is to do sloppy work as inefficiently as possible, by all means, buy one." In all fairness, someone else called the MXZ Saw "worth the cost" and one reviewer actually thought it "worked excellently."

"It is like a butter knife more than a saw, " was another description I found accurate. Though I wouldn't recommend it, one reviewer even suggested the MXZ saw is so dull it would be safe as a children's toy.

A reviewer at InfomercialRatings.com posted my favorite comment: "This product does not even cut the plastic packaging in which it was sold." It's true - I tried!

One final warning (as if you needed one). Although this product comes with a money back guarantee, people have reported significant trouble in getting the makers of the MXZ saw to honor it. Buyer beware!

Monster Ballads: Because Every Bad Boy Still Has His Soft Side

There's a special place in my heart (and budget) for "as seen on TV" rock music compilations, and Monster Ballads: Platinum Edition is no exception. It's chock full o' 1980s glam rock ballads. If you're over 25, you can't help but wax nostalgic when you hear these CDs.

An old commercial for Monster Ballads has one of my favorite openers of all time:

"They taught us how to love.
They taught us how to live.
And now, they're back."

More recent commercials have awesome one-liners like:

"Feel the power of platinum."

and

"Because every bad boy still has his soft side."

See for yourself:



Like many "As Seen on TV" products, this one is promoted as not available in stores, but Amazon always carries it, and I assume other online outlets do as well.

What you get:
32 songs on two CDs

CD #1:
1. Heaven - Warrant
2. I Remember You - Skid Row
3. When The Children Cry - White Lion
4. Headed For A Heartbreak - Winger
5. High Enough - Damn Yankees
6. Love Of A Lifetime - Firehouse
7. To Be With You - Mr. Big
8. Don't Close Your Eyes - Kix
9. When I See You Smile - Bad English
10. Carrie - Europe
11. Fly High Michelle - Enuff Znuff
12. Love Is On The Way - Saigon Kick
13. The Flame - Cheap Trick
14. House Of Pain - Faster Pussycat
15. Miles Away - Winger
16. If You Needed Somebody - Bad Company

CD #2:
1. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
2. Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone - Cinderella
3. Fly To The Angels - Slaughter
4. Silent Lucidity - Queensryche
5. Love Song - Tesla
6. Is This Love - Whitesnake
7. Forever - Kiss
8. I'll Never Let You Go - Steelheart
9. Only Time Will Tell - Nelson
10. Winds Of Change - Scorpions
11. Angel Song - Great White
12. I'll See You In My Dreams - Giant
13. More Than Words - Extreme
14. When I'm With You - Sheriff
15. Ballad Of Jayne - L.A. Guns
16. Honestly - Stryper

The Monster Ballads CDs are also sold separately, but the two CD set is a much better deal.

The Verdict:

With Monster Ballads, you get exactly what is advertised. For me, these songs are actually better now then they were back then! The complete list of songs is above - if just looking at the list gives you fond remembrances of guys with big hair and eyeliner, then go for it. This CD is a winner.

Welcome to "As Seen on TV Deals & Reviews

I'm a true night owl, rarely getting to bed before the sun comes up. That means much of my television viewing is done in the wee hours of the morning, and you know what that means: infomercials.

If there's a product or service advertised on late night TV, I've probably seen it. Maybe I laughed at it, maybe I desperately wanted it, and on occasion, I've succumbed to the enticingly repetitive sales pitches that seem to accompany all as seen on tv products.

If you're reading this blog, chances are you too have felt the pull when you walk past a stack of boxes with the familiar red "As Seen on TV" logo emblazoned on all sides. Maybe you've wondered if these products actually live up to the hype, or maybe you have your own story to tell about an experience purchasing an infomercial product. Either way, you'll feel at home here.

But wait ... there's more.

This blog, As Seen on TV Deals & Reviews, will be a repository of information on all of the infomercial products I come across. But rather than just rehashing what Chef Tony thinks about Miracle Blades or why Ron Popeil calls the Veg-O-Matic "the greatest kitchen appliance ever made," I'm going to give you real people's opinions and reviews.

I have connections in the infomercial product industry and am often able to review products myself. If that isn't possible, I'll find others who have used the product and can give their unbiased opinions. I will also include links to infomercial video clips and each week I will highlight sales, discounts, special offers, and other current promotions for all of the most popular as seen on tv products.

Be sure to check back often for updates, and feel free to leave a comment here requesting a review of a particular product. Thanks for reading!