As seen on TV: Things you didn't know you needed

I don't know about you, but I really get sucked into the ads and infomercials. Every so often, I buy a bunch of these "As Seen on TV" items to test whether they live up to the extravagant promises.

I've actually found some good products that I still use (Genie Bra; Trendy Top).

But, no surprise here, many of them are a waste of money. I try 'em so you don't have to.

First, some "As Seen on TV" tips:

• Check the fine print.

• "Free" is usually not; you'll pay exorbitant shipping, postage and handling charges.

• "Money-back guarantee" usually means they keep the SP&H costs and you pay the postage to return it.

• If the product sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Here's how the latest half-dozen stacked up in my testing.

The promise: "Soothe, massage and energize your legs and feet"; don't look like "ugly medical compression socks."

The facts: They look like ordinary trouser socks but more supportive — but they're not soothing or energizing.

The verdict: So-so; wish they cost half as much.

The facts: Letters on keys are only two times the size of ordinary keyboards (I measured); a few ounces of water poured on the keyboard, and it never worked again (and I had to restart my computer); keys close together make it hard to touch-type.

The verdict: Good for vision-impaired typists who hunt and peck. But be careful not to spill!

The promise: "The power of glue without the goo!" Re­usable and "great for pet hair."

The facts: Hard to rinse; loses its stick after three or four uses; decent pickup of stray couch pet hair but lousy on a sweater; teeth help clump up pet hair to pick up by hand, so who needs the roller? A piece of tape wrapped around your hand works as well or better in many cases.

The verdict: You don't need this.

The facts: The "miraculous" liquid is drippy and hard to apply. The plastic stretchers make no difference.

The verdict: Doesn't work.

The promise: Put booties in the microwave, and then "enjoy the warm cozy comfort of long-lasting heat." Natural linseed holds the heat in for up to an hour, and lavender seeds provide "a fragrant aromatherapy to help soothe and calm your senses."

The facts: Heat lasts only 13 minutes, max; booties feel as if you're walking on a bag of sand; uneven sole no good for those with balance problems; linseed smells so bad you have to wash your hands after putting them on.