The Punchline

When infomercials hit your neighborhood grocery store

Jeremy Hobson Oct 19, 2011

At the supermarket yesterday, I stumbled upon some solid evidence that old tricks still work.

There I was, innocently sifting through produce, when an announcement came over the PA system:

In two minutes, the voice said, they’d be giving away prizes at the front of the store. As if I needed any more encouragement, it would also be a product that usually isn’t sold.

Well, naturally, I wandered over to see what they were giving away.

Next thing I know, I’m standing with about 15 other people watching what can only be described as a live infomercial… For one of those super slicer food processors. You know, the ones that can make coleslaw and salsa in like, 10 seconds.

Well, at the end of the demonstration came the catch: While the product will sell on TV for $59.95, it’s available to us — today only — for the low low price of $29.95!

Long story short — I’m $30 poorer, and I’m going to be making some killer salsa.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.