Deals or duds? As Seen on TV reviews from Consumer Ally

A good TV infomercial is an audience eager to spend its money to buy the next great, must-have product. But what's behind the claims? A good pitch does not make a good product. And as we've learned, hype often outstrips reality with many As Seen on TV products.

Still, it's the possibilities that draw us in -- the idea that someone has come with something that will make our lives easier or solve some common problem not adequately addressed by any product sold through the normal retail channels.

So, here at WalletPop.com's Consumer Ally we've taken to trying out As Seen on TV products and giving our impressions of their real-world performance. Some actually do largely live up to the billing. We're happy to tell you when they do and honestly tell you when they don't.

And don't forget about cost. As Seen on TV items often seem priced right until you add in the shipping and handling -- which can be as much as the product itself. That has made As Seen on TV products more attractive and increasingly available at mass market retailers including Target and CVS where shipping and handling costs are removed from the equation.