Not only is the infomercial industry outrageous beyond all belief, it mirrors consumer culture today: our rampant consumerism, our love of get-rich-quick schemes, our willingness to be suckered, and much more. Who hasn't been tempted by one of innumerable gadgets or been curious to see if they really can make thousands of dollars per week from some strange scheme - with no money down? Journalist Remy Stern takes readers inside the world behind the one seen on TV, reveals the fascinating techniques they use to vacuum the money out of your pocket, interviews all the key figures, and shows us what this delightfully seamy underbelly shows us about our culture today.
But Wait ... There's More!
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this lively exposé, journalist Stern dissects the direct-response marketing business (which includes both infomercials and home shopping networks), a $300 billion industry, larger than the film, music and video game industries combined. There's guilty-pleasure revelations aplenty: how the traditional sales pitch adapted to a televisual format by, for example, real-time number tracking that allows network officials to tell on-air talent, through tiny earpieces, that, say, twirling a piece of jewelry around a finger causes sales to spike and how hosts persuade Americans to buy products like the Inside-the-Shell Electric Egg Scrambler, Power Scissors, the Miracle Broom and, of course, the most successful on-air product to date, the celebrity-driven skin-care regime Proactiv. There's psychology here, too: the author describes the mindset of the typical late-night tired consumer, falling for tricks they wouldn't necessarily fall for in a store. Stern is the perfect host to this slightly seedy world, well-informed and "transfixed by the zany nature of it all." (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“[An] entertaining portrait…Mr. Stern is at his best when he confronts the real stars here: the infomercials themselves…But Wait…There’s More! is well worth your time.” (Wall Street Journal )
“One of the most interesting industry portraits to come along in a while.” (USA Today )
“[An] intelligently composed exposé, an impressive work of contemporary history, full of wit.” (Dallas Morning News )
“[A] lively exposé. . . . Stern is the perfect host to this slightly seedy world, well-informed and ‘transfixed by the zany nature of it all.’” (Publishers Weekly )
“In his addictive take on the gimmickry that is direct-response TV, Remy Stern explains why we buy into products with false promises and celeb spokesmen with even falser tans.” (Advertising Age )
“A wholly fascinating account of a wholly fascinating industry.” (Robert B. Cialdini, bestselling author of Influence )
“Nothing is more joyously, or obnoxiously American than the infomercial. This is a book for everyone who is, or once was, a late-night TV junkie.” (Paco Underhill, author of the national bestseller Why We Buy )
“Act now and read this book. It slices and dices the world of infomercials-humorously detailing their meteoric rise as icons of Americana.” (Edward Ugel, author of Money for Nothing )
“I avoid late night TV like the plague-and Remy Stern explains why, wonderfully, in But Wait…There’s More!” (Michael Gross, author of Rogues' Gallery and 740 Park )
“One of the most interesting industry portraits to come along in a while.” (USA Today )
“[An] intelligently composed exposé, an impressive work of contemporary history, full of wit.” (Dallas Morning News )
“[A] lively exposé. . . . Stern is the perfect host to this slightly seedy world, well-informed and ‘transfixed by the zany nature of it all.’” (Publishers Weekly )
“In his addictive take on the gimmickry that is direct-response TV, Remy Stern explains why we buy into products with false promises and celeb spokesmen with even falser tans.” (Advertising Age )
“A wholly fascinating account of a wholly fascinating industry.” (Robert B. Cialdini, bestselling author of Influence )
“Nothing is more joyously, or obnoxiously American than the infomercial. This is a book for everyone who is, or once was, a late-night TV junkie.” (Paco Underhill, author of the national bestseller Why We Buy )
“Act now and read this book. It slices and dices the world of infomercials-humorously detailing their meteoric rise as icons of Americana.” (Edward Ugel, author of Money for Nothing )
“I avoid late night TV like the plague-and Remy Stern explains why, wonderfully, in But Wait…There’s More!” (Michael Gross, author of Rogues' Gallery and 740 Park )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read Steve Salerno's superb review of "But Wait" in the WSJ on March 25, instantly downloaded the book to my Kindle2, and dug in (after setting the font size much larger for my older eyes).
The author had me laughing many times, but, more seriously, there are countless tip and tricks revealed about the infomercial business and selling in general that make this a highly worthwhile read.
I also love talking with friends about the book because everyone knows or remembers the gadgets, get rich quick seminars, and celebrities who hawk pimple treatments and swamp land in Arkansas.
About a third of my way into "But Wait," I began having a strange fantasy: maybe we're all living inside one giant, massive informercial. After all, I bought my kindle2 based on the infomercials at amazon's website!
The author had me laughing many times, but, more seriously, there are countless tip and tricks revealed about the infomercial business and selling in general that make this a highly worthwhile read.
I also love talking with friends about the book because everyone knows or remembers the gadgets, get rich quick seminars, and celebrities who hawk pimple treatments and swamp land in Arkansas.
About a third of my way into "But Wait," I began having a strange fantasy: maybe we're all living inside one giant, massive informercial. After all, I bought my kindle2 based on the infomercials at amazon's website!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I thought this book was great. Written in a very engaging style. The chapter on how the infomercials are created is worth the price of the book all by itself. Parts of it were a little depressing though, such as how easy it is to sucker people who don't have money and the long list of dishonest people who have "gotten away with it", in that, even if they had to pay some fines, it was nothing compared to what they earned. A photo section would have been nice. Also, I would have been interested to know if there were or are ANY infomercials advertising products that really are truly innovative or useful. The author would have you believe that the answer is no, but I wonder...
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
About: Stern takes us a tour of the infomercial industry. The cast of characters includes legends like Tony Robbins, one of whose ads brought in $50,000 a minute, unsavory characters like Kevin Trudeau and his bogus "cures" and celebrities who seem to hawk most anything for a buck or to hold on to the last vestiges of fame. A glimpse behind the scenes gives us a look at the QVC "house" where they broadcast 24 hours a day. A few unsurprising "secrets" are revealed as well: The Magic Bullet has a $39.95 charge for shipping, the "other" knife is shown slicing an under ripe tomato while the infomercial knife cuts through an overripe one and don't be surprised if the product with a 30 day money back guarantee arrives on your doorstep on day 29.
Pros: Well-written, interesting look at the industry
Cons: While there is a references section in the back, there are no in-text citations.
Grade: B
Pros: Well-written, interesting look at the industry
Cons: While there is a references section in the back, there are no in-text citations.
Grade: B
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Telemarketing exposed
Gives excellent insight into the world of telemarketing and advertising in general. You will never be fooled again! Very well written.
Published 2 months ago by Sunnyrita13
If you wondered why the world hates marketers...
I'm also fascinated by the direct retailing business, which is why I was happy to come across But Wait There's More. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jim Kukral
More history than value
I bought this book because I thought it would provide some valuable insights into the direct-response television world, but it proved to be more of a history book than a book of... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jon LaClare
Annoying, Rambling and Poorly-Researched Book on Infomercials
This poorly-written book is from a writer who thinks he's clever and above the material that he is writing about--but he fails to cover the subject adequately and does nothing more... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mediaman
"How much would you pay?" Doesn't matter, it's worth the price!
Stern has done a fine job of chronicling the infomercial and home shopping industries, citing both positive and negative aspects alike and offering such fascinating material... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Chuck Donegan
Understanding The Tricks of The Trade...
Have enjoyed reading this book. Very informative on the origins,of the how and why of selling to the consumer.
Published on May 23, 2010 by K. G. Sholes
Before Your Order Anything Again
I heard about this book on a late night talk show called Coast to Coast. The author was being interviewed. Read more
Published on April 22, 2010 by MAC
a somewhat serious overview of a somewhat silly industry
A very enjoyable and entertaining read, this is a somewhat serious overview of a somewhat silly industry. Read more
Published on March 3, 2010 by William T. Wiggins
Delightful read
The book's introduction ends by saying, "this is a book about one of the largest, most sophisticated industries in America that you're probably familiar with, yet know nothing... Read more
Published on November 15, 2009 by Gil Broza
What you want and need to know about infomercials.
Since I was a fan of the TV Show Pitchmen starring Billy Mays I bought this book shortly after his death. Read more
Published on October 18, 2009 by Evil Genius
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
(learn more)
infomercial marketers, infomercial industry, direct response marketers, infomercial producers, many infomercials, social proof Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ron Popeil, United States, Kevin Trudeau, Las Vegas, John Beck, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Tony Robbins, Federal Trade Commission, Girls Gone Wild, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Jessica Simpson, Don Lapre, Doggy Steps, Leeza Gibbons, Greg Renker, Home Shopping Network, Tony Little, Cindy Crawford, New York, Popeil Brothers, Erik Estrada, Wall Street, Joe Francis Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
infomercial marketers, infomercial industry, direct response marketers, infomercial producers, many infomercials, social proof Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ron Popeil, United States, Kevin Trudeau, Las Vegas, John Beck, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Tony Robbins, Federal Trade Commission, Girls Gone Wild, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Jessica Simpson, Don Lapre, Doggy Steps, Leeza Gibbons, Greg Renker, Home Shopping Network, Tony Little, Cindy Crawford, New York, Popeil Brothers, Erik Estrada, Wall Street, Joe Francis Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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