Impact Gel Insoles on Pitchmen

77

By tulwave

See all 2 photos

Are Impact Gel Insoles for Real?

Impact Gel Insoles are this seemingly great new product launched out of nowhere because of the debut of the Disovery Channel Reality Show Pitchmen.

Pitchmen can best be described as part As Seen On TV items seller and part reality show.It stars the ever annoying, and tragically now deceased, Billy Mays and his partner Anthony Sullivan who are best known to us as those high pressure infomercial hosts who sell us that stuff we cannot live without at 3 a.m.

Pitchmen is slated for 13 episodes but the reality aspect of the dirty little world of infomercials is what provides the entertainment value for the audience. However, the show does a disservice to the products it features by turning them into a bit of a carnival act.

As Seen On TV Product Worth the Money.

So now we have seen a little of the show and see that infomercial mode is in full swing. But the fact of the matter is that this particular as seen on TV product is worth the money!

Here's why. Impact Gel Inoles are a clinically proven product which will provide relieve to sufferers of foot pain and other podiatric problems. They are sold by a select group of podiatrists and foot care specialists and provide a medical benefit to patients who use them.

In fact, for patients with non structural defects, they can be life changing due to their low cost and ability to redistribute weight under the sensitive pressure points of the foot.

When we walk, especially under the heel and ball of our feet where bone spurs and foot imbalances may create painful pressure points, shock waves can pulsate up through our body's which can cause pain in the knees, legs and lower back.

Impact Gel has created an insole that will effectively absorb the shockwaves and eliminate the pressure which causes pain for so many people. So for people with aches and pain this an incredible product.

Impact Gel Insoles are really one of those products that people really can't live without!

But here lies the problem for Impact Gel. To be chosen as a business to be featured on the Discovery Channel which has a great reputation for providing great content regarding health, science and nature was a major break for the company.

But, to be featured on Pitchmen, which is a show about how to mass sell a product to the public using high pressure sales tactics was not so lucky. It's true, for some people you will see featured on upcoming episodes of Pitchmen, it will be the fulfillment of a life long journey, or a rags to riches story. But watching them go through the circus like process of giving their dreams away to Billy Mays for profit is hard to watch.

If you are trying to sell a GPS cupholder from your doublewide, you need Pitchmen to get to the next level, but if your product is the greatest thing since sliced bread getting some brand exposure is one thing, but having the process of negotiation and all your private business exposed to an audience is another.

For entertainment purposes, Pitchmen, is about entrepenieurs who need a big break to fulfill their dreams, but in reality they are fed to a couple of sleaze bags like Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan. It's true they have sold millions of products worldwide to people who don't need them and we can all now clean every stain off of our carpets, but the mere fact that a product is feature in an infomercial detracts from its credibility.

Further, any product in an infomercial that ends up on a reality show about infomericals is really starting in a hole.


So what was in it for impact gel insoles?


If you watched the premiere of Pitchmen or any of the reruns since it began it's run you can see why it was so important for impact gel insoles to be on this show. Pitchmen has tried to copy the strategy American Idol in that everyone loves to see the awful auditions and miserable failures of people just like them.

In America, nobody really loves a winner, but you better have one! On American Idol it is the losers who are often remembered for their silly stunts or mistreatment by the judges or voting public.

On the first episode of Pitchmen we saw several ridiculous ideas being "pitched" and only two ideas were chosen. In order for Pitchmen to work as a show or a concept, they better have a million dollar home run hitter up their sleaves or they will prove to everyone that the show and idea that they can make people into Millionaires overnight would be a complete fraud.


Impact Gel Insoles Saves Pitchmen


So even though the Discovery Channel has this reality show that nobody has ever done before, if Billy Mays can't deliver then the show will take. If you think about it, there were two contestants on this game show and one of them needed to prove that Pitchmen was for real.

So along comes a small company with a medically proven miracle product called impact gel and a guy who likes to put his GPS in his cupholder.

Which product do you think Billy Mays and his team of Carnival Barkers can sell? Well, there is no doubt that would be impact gel insoles because anyone could sell a product that sells itself.

The beauty of Pitchmen was not their ability to sell Impact Gel Insoles on television, it was the ability of the show's staff to convince Impact Gel that this was the right way to market their product.

The fact is Impact Gel could have gone to market several other ways and been successful, and even though the show itself only showed footage reinforcing that idea that Impact Gel needed to rely on the skill of Billly Mays or they would be out of business was insulting. You can buy Impact Gel Insoles without giving Billy Mays his cut if you like.

The Discovery Channel needed a winner and impact gel insoles gave it to them. The real fun of the show is watching the dreams of the hopeful be shattered on television. That's where the ratings will come from.

As for Impact Gel Insoles, they will be around long after Pitchmen is cancelled because the product is great. In fact, I'm wearing them right now and have ordered a pair of custom foot orthotics that contain the gel material so I can run, play basketball and live pain free.

Pitchmen Billy Mays As Seen on TV Dies at 50

Here is Billy Mays selling Oxi Clean.
Here is Billy Mays selling Oxi Clean.

Billly Mays is a Whimp Poll

Do you think Billy Mays is a coward and should have gotten run over?

  • Yes
  • No
  • He should Quit the Show
See results without voting

Why Do People Hate Billly Mays?

  • Because He Colors His Beard Pitch Black
  • His Loud Annoying Voice
  • Because He's The Ultimate Sellout
See results without voting

Billy Mays Dead At 50

Billy Mays died today and this is truly sad. I enjoyed making fun of nobody more than Billy Mays and he was a brilliant business man and an annoying but great entertainers.

Here's how the Death of Billy Mays Broke.

TAMPA, Fla. – Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman whose boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean made him a pop-culture icon, has died. He was 50.


As Seen On TV Items

Lately I've noticed some really cool as seen on TV items so I wanted to recommend some hubs about them. Some products are silly, some work well and others are duds but people are talking about them so why not.

Perfect Punch

Grill Glove

Fridge Locker

Freedom Alert

Couch Coozy

Bark Off

Comments

Dan 3 years ago

Billie should not make an infommercial stating that he'll let that vehicle run over "his hand" when it was Anthony Sullivan that did it.

Being a "pitchman" he should know more than anyone else about truth and honesty in advertising. I'm sure he could have been fined for running it and allowed people to see it was him when it was Anthony.

Anthony, although part of the show, realizes that Billie is a lot of talk and has to step in at times to get the job done. I like the fact that it shows peoples products, good and bad and some are going to be let down.

"Hi, I'm Billie Mays and I have to let Anthony Sullivan really do most of the hard work while I shoot my mouth off".

tulwave profile image

tulwave Hub Author 3 years ago

You know what Dan you are right.

When I watched the show I thought that Sully was going to let the van run over his hand to prove it didnt' hurt and then Billy would get brave and do it for the show.

I was really shocked that Billy didn't step up to the plate after he saw it done. Not only did he look like a total loser, but how could he ever live it down with Sully.

He's gonna hear about this for the rest of his life!

I bet when he goes to super cuts to get his Beard dyed black, the stylist is secretly laughing at him!

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... I: wait... I: wait... I: wait...wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

Jeniferr profile image

Jeniferr 3 years ago

I'm at a loss after watching the second video.  What does hitting your hand with a hammer and letting it get run over by a car prove? Using their logic, lead would be a good idea to put in your shoes! 

I'm sure the impact gels work great but they try and make it sound like its something never before seen, when really gel insoles have been around for years.  I actually didn't mind Billy Mays before I saw this but now I'd have to say my opinion has changed.  Thanks for this pleasantly surprising hub!

Eddie 3 years ago

Regardless of everyones opinion, the fact remains that they reached your home(s) and caught your attention (though brief) and that's why they get paid the big bucks despite their lack of courage or inflated egos. I think the biggest item that runs across my mind (as should all of yours) "it's all about presentation!" Can't ignor it if it's good.

MotherHubber profile image

MotherHubber 3 years ago

I love this show, I love As Seen On TV products, and I'm an infomercial junkie. However, as with everything else in the advertising/media world, viewers should use common sense when reaching for their wallets.

Are these commercials a form of entertainment? Yes. Is Billy Mays a bit of a tool? Yes. But the name of the show is "Pitch Men" so you kind of know what you're in for. Inflated egos and half-truths are what these guys are made of. But as Eddie stated above, if these guys grab your attention, they've done their jobs. And if you buy their products, you've made a choice, just like every time you buy anything.

Great hub!

tulwave profile image

tulwave Hub Author 3 years ago

exactly right MotherHubber,

But the thing about this episode which caught my attention was the fact that I had already used the impact gel insoles and loved them. The product is really legit so seeing it on Pitch Men and learning the behind the scenes way they do things was interesting but I thought it cheapened the product.

I don't buy as seen on tv stuff but I guess I did this time and I'm still happy with them. I got them from my doctor for $24.99 I believe.

Tom M 3 years ago

I disagree with the above premise that "the mere fact that a product is featured in an infomercial detracts from its credibility". The only thing that REALLY detracts from a product's credibility is if it doesn't work. I think the makers of ImpactGel went about this exactly the right way. When you've got a product that works, and you're completely and totally confident that it works, why wouldn't you want to reach the broadest possible consumer base (i.e. through constant infomercials and widespread commercial appeal)? Artistic integrity and the notion of not "selling out" to a "carnival barker" (your phrase) like Billy Mays are phenomenal ideals...if you're already a millionaire and the money isn't a necessity. I'd have to believe that most, if not all, successful businesses use some kind of marketing firm or service to promote their product , and that firm or service is getting paid to do that, so that's money you budget as part of creating your product (spending money to make money, so to speak). It sounds like you think that if a product has a certain level of inherent high quality, that just by virtue of its creation everyone will instantly know about it. That simply isn't practical. If it wasn't for Pitchmen and Mays and Sullivan...I'd have never even been aware of this awesome product!

To conclude, my personal slant is that Billy Mays is awesome and hilarious...but I realize he's not for everyone and I've never really considered myself an apologist for his admittedly over-the-top style. I was disappointed but not shocked that he backed out of the car demo...what did surprise me was that Sullivan was the stand-in and not a paid stunt double...I figured they'd have somebody to do that. Sales is not markedly different from acting...you have the top-flight talent getting paid to do what they're good at, and behind-the-scenes people paid to take the big risks. Maybe it's just me, but I never assumed the demonstrations done in infomercials were one-take miracle wonders...like any other production, there's editing and doing what you have to do to best sell the product...I just like being able to kinda see behind the curtain a little now.

Sorry this turned into a "Pitchmen" review...I started out googling info on ImpactGels and wound up reading this and I didn't like the tone. I know that the writer probably isn't affiliated with the product's makers...the editorial above just kinda smacked of "biting the hand that feeds you" a little to me...and, again not trying to be a Mays apologist here, but I don't like to see him (or anyone else, for that matter) getting banged on for basically doing what his specific job is in this case, pretty damn well. Thanks for reading.

tulwave profile image

tulwave Hub Author 3 years ago

Tom,

I agree with you on most of what you say and your comment is well thought out. I just felt that the company had several ways to go to market the product and choosing the infomercial route wasn't the best. But I imagine they are selling a ton and people are looking for impact gel insoles everywhere especially if you found this page on google.

So hopefully it works out well for everyone and the retailers who were selling them at a higher price can bite the bullet and compete with the TV offer.

Ruben 2 years ago

Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch! Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead. Wake up - sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed. Wake up, the Wicked Witch is dead. She's gone where the goblins go, Below - below - below. Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out. Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low. Let them know The Wicked Witch is dead!

Snuggies profile image

Snuggies 2 years ago

I didn't know that Impact Gel Insoles were on a TV shows. I got them from my Dr.and they packaging is exactly alike. If I'd known they were an as seen on tv product before My doc suggested them I probably wouldn't believed they would work but they are great. I have narrow feet and I enjoy running. In my thirties I began to get bruises on my heels. I wanted the impact gels to tighten up the foot bed, but I didn't expect the gel to help with my heal bruising, but it blew me away. I would prefer my doctor than the ghost of Billy Mays touting their medical benefits but they work.

Seen On TV profile image

Seen On TV 2 years ago

Totally agree about the impact gel insole, but disagree about Billy Mays. I never found him annoying, but I'm an as seen on tv product junkie and to me he was the Elvis of this genre.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
    • Comments are not for promoting your Hubs or other sites

    Please wait working