I’m one of the lucky few in my office to have a T.V. This comes in handy for breaking news alerts, as well as between the hours of noon and 2:00pm; TLC has a killer What Not to Wear marathon. Oh, and the glory that is Mike Rowe and Dirty Jobs: scheduled for 4:00pm. .. bless you, T.V.
This afternoon, I heated my Campbell’s Chunky Chicken Noodle soup and was methodically separating the edible chicken chunks from the questionable chicken chunks when my ears were mauled by the most utterly ridiculous spectacle of advertising that I have ever been forced to listen to.
You may be saying to yourself , “Forced? Dear god, woman- change the channel!” Let me preface this story by explaining two crucial elements. Element the first is that I inadvertently destroyed my television’s remote control when, instead of placing it in my desk’s “universal desk crap” holder, I dunked it into the glass of water next to said holder. Element the second is that I am extraordinarily lazy. Despite the fact that there are about eight feet separating me and the channel control button on my T.V., I can’t actually bring myself to stand up.
The assailant that attacked my eardrums this afternoon was an infomercial for a product called “Shoes Under”. The Shoes Under is box with shoe-sized segments that is equipped with a thin plastic top that attaches to the box with a zipper. This product is designed to store your shoes under your bed. I was immediately struck by the sheer novelty of this product (I hope that when I say “sheer novelty” it is interpreted as “utter and complete insanity”).
The ad starts out with a woman overcome by piles of shoes. It cuts to a scene of a woman opening her closet, only to be bombarded with hundreds of falling shoes; she is horrified and distraught.
The look on the woman’s face can only be described as something akin to a thorough realization that terrorists have made an effort to diabolically disorganize her closet. Her only answer to the dastardly shoe attack is to utilize the very implements that so frequently confuse wrongdoers: compartmentalized storage, flimsy “waterproof” plastic and a reinforced zipper. Surely the new Shoe Protection Strategy, when implemented, will not only clean her closet… it will simplify her life and keep the American homeland safe. Obviously.
Aside from the ridiculous nature of this commercial, my confusion stems from how a product that can only be described as a box warrants an entire 30 seconds of television air time.
I’m cool to the idea of causing even one click on the Shoes Under website so here is the Shoes Under, in all its innovative glory:
I believe the Bed, Bath and Beyond chain has been selling products similar to the Shoes Under for the last, oh, twenty years (give or take). In an attempt to somehow tie Penn Quarter into this post and to also attempt what will likely be a feeble grasp at reason after the Shoes Under… the next sensible place to go with this post is the Chinatown Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Does anyone else love this particular Bed, Bath and Beyond as much as I do? I love that it seems like a secret lair. I love that it is the most bizarrely laid out retail space I’ve seen. I love that if I’m early to meet a friend for dinner in Chinatown, that I can forgo waiting at the restaurant bar (where I will invariably purchase a drink or six) and instead browse around the various homewares and utensils offered at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Whoever thought to themselves, “You know what Chinatown needs? A Bed, Bath and Beyond… underground… with a questionably-translated Chinese character sign in front. Yes, exxxxcellent,”… that individual is a mastermind.
Perhaps next time I’m early for dinner, I can pop into Bed, Bath and Beyond. Not only will they offer any storage solution I might ever need, but they likely also sell universal remotes… may I never be subjected to Shoes Under again.
Excellent post! My favorite useless product on TV these days is the Slanket, literally a sweater/blanket combo akin to wearing your bathrobe backwards. I don’t get it!
I agree with you about the wonderland that is the underground Chinatown BB&B! I love it!
By: Jenny on January 13, 2009
at 5:48 pm
Ha- the Slanket! Not to be confused with the Snuggie, which is more or less the same product. Who knew that two separate companies said, “Consumers need a choice in their blanket-with-sleeves consumption and we’re proud to offer not one but two products that fulfill that need.”
By: missbiscuit on January 14, 2009
at 10:20 am
The people wearing the snuggies look to me like an evil warlock coven or something. Not anyone I’d want to snuggle with on the couch.
By: brian on February 8, 2009
at 2:05 pm
lol, great post
By: Kitty Stiletto on February 25, 2009
at 5:42 am
Shoes under– a review i just wrote:
I found this to be a big scam. I ordered four of them hoping to organize everything in my closet. I JUST received them in the mail and I am fuming! At no point in the advertisement do they indicate the item they are showing is the “deluxe” option. So when asked at the end of my purchase if I wanted to upgrade to the “deluxe” which included sturdier sides, I just assumed it to be an even sturdier option on top of what they were showing. No, the basic item they send is a floppy mess of a sealable bag— the compartment separations aren’t even sewn to the bottom of your bag, so shoes can freely slide into the next compartment due to the lack of any reasonable structure.
As for simply sliding ShoesUnder under the bed– forget about it!! It’s like sticking all your shoes in a big, plastic bag neatly lined up, then pushing the bag around and expecting the shoes to still be in order. This is a ridiculous scam! I’m sure I’d be happier if i’d gone ahead and ordered the “deluxe”– but that was CRAZY expensive for a product that seems no where near worthy. I’m not at all looking forward to calling their customer service because I’m guessing they’ve protected themselves in the fine print and I’ve wasted a hefty chunk of change on a RIDICULOUS “storage solution”. I could have gotten something much nicer for the same price– had I known. I am HUGELY disappointed.
By: Mel on March 8, 2009
at 12:51 pm
Mel – you took the words right out of my mouth. On top of it all I got hijacked by $27.00 postage for a little box.
I called the customer support line and they are giving me $10 refund. You should do that also.
I would have rather had all my money back.
By: Ronda on March 10, 2009
at 7:48 pm
Oh, one more thing. I purchased online – when I went to purchase – you know how you usually get another screen that gives you the option to quit after you see the shipping. I thought I was going to see that screen and then whoops – I purchased.
These people have a really good con game going.
By: Ronda on March 10, 2009
at 7:52 pm
Thank-you everyone for the information. I was going to buy, “Shoes Under”.
However, instead I believe that I am going to take everyone’s advice and go to Bed, Bad and Beyond. That way I would be able to see in advance what I am buying.
I love the internet!
By: Bonny on March 14, 2009
at 8:40 am
OOPS! I meant to say, “Bed, Bath & Beyond”!
Sorry.
By: Bonny on March 14, 2009
at 8:41 am
Exactly; You’re right, Mel
BIIIIGGGG SCAAAAAMMMM
They got me too.
By: The Trucker on March 15, 2009
at 9:20 pm
Like so many others, I thought this would be a great organizational tool for all my shoes, but after reading the reviews I was reluctant to purchase. Well, today I walked into Walmart and there they were, so I decided to buy one. At $10, I felt if I didn’t like it I could easily return it, which is unlikely what I would have done had I ordered them online. Yes, they were a disappointment. The entire bag is flimsy and so are the panels separating the shoes. I had hoped the bag would be sturdy and easy to push under the bed. Not so! The picture in the ads makes it look ideal, but as one customer pointed out, the dividers are not attached at the bottom, so the shoes can easily slide from side to side. Ive decided to keep this one, but will continue to look for something sturdier.
By: Evon on March 17, 2009
at 2:16 pm
I’m glad I looked you all up. I ordered 4 online yesterday and the shipping came through at $55.95! I’m calling their customer service number this morning. They better cancel my order. The shoe organizers you all describe sound like what I already have – which is why I thought the Shoes Under looked sturdier – much sturdier. If it required that upgrade to deluxe to get what I really ordered, then it is a scam. What a shame. Thanks for your comments.
By: Debi on March 23, 2009
at 8:56 am
I wish I had found this before I bought these plastic boxes, no rigid sides no rigid bottom charged $14.00 for shipping. They said they would refund $10, I did not even order 4 boxes of the crap, now when I pulled the one box I used out from under the bed the stiching is not holding the plastic to the binding. I’m calling the credit card co. These are JUNK save your money
By: Sonda Giles on April 11, 2009
at 1:49 am
One more thing I’m sending all four back parcel post postage was $6.78. This is such a rif off they said they would return everything except postage which they charged was $20.97 we need to put this on utube
By: Sonda Giles on April 14, 2009
at 12:54 pm
thank you everyone!!!! I was just about to purchase this shoesunder crap until I read all these reviews. It’s really sad to see how these people advertise falsely and try to scam and take your money at the same time. I know for sure if I received my product and it was flimsy as you said it is, definately I would get all my money back and keep the cheap boxes anyway!!! But I’m not going to waste my time, I’ll go to bed, bath, and beyond also!!!
By: Trini on April 21, 2009
at 8:53 am
I wish i had read this site before i bought this junkkk. I dont belive this. Its looks so diiferent than what they showed it on TV. I just received this piece of junk which is not rigid and everything falls in as if you have threw everything in a bag.
The basic item they send is a floppy mess of a sealable bag— the compartment separations aren’t even sewn to the bottom of your bag, so shoes can freely slide into the next compartment due to the lack of any reasonable structure. What they showed on TV which they didnt even bother to mention is something called “DELUXE” piece.
I am hugely disappointed. I wish i could get my money back. This is a big SCAMMMMMMMM.
By: Kavitha on April 26, 2009
at 8:07 pm
Crap! Crap! Crap! That’s what their customer service and business practice is … they ripped me off! I was charged for two items when I ordered one; and charged shipping on 4 items two of which were supposed tb free! Tried to call customer service to fix the error and was accused of ordering two sets. They only offered to refund me $10.00 when they were at fault and actually owe me $24.00. I want my money back!
By: anna on April 28, 2009
at 3:18 pm
I can’t believe this SCAM!!! I ordered several of these only to be charged $62. for shipping and like a previous writer noted, you don’t get the chance to see your order before it is processed. I called and complained and they gave me a $20 credit. That was before I received my one little box with my 12 pieces of junk inside. I have now called Customer Service, spoke with an agent who told me that I already got $20 back so if I return the products I will get an additional $40 leaving the $62. for shipping out of my pocket. I would not accept that answer so I sopke with a supervisor, Joyce. She gave me the same song and dance that shipping is not refundable and that she is so sorry that their product did meet my expectations…blah, blah, blah. I told her the whole bit that everyone else is saying, that these are not a box at all, flimsy, no rigid dividers, etc., etc. and that they are totally and completely misrepresented on the infomercial and on the website. She finally admitted that the product in the infomercial is the deluxe version. I lost it after hearing that. I told her that they are dispicable, using such deception and dishonesty in their business practices. I also told her that I’m sure my credit card company would agree with me that I did not receive the goods I had presumably ordered. She then backed down and offered the solution of sending my complaint and my request for the return of shipping to their corporate offices where these types of issues are handled. I am suppossed to hear from someone within 24-48 business hours. We’ll see how this goes….I can’t wait. I will not quite until I get every cent back that I spent. Unbelievable!
By: Marilyn J. Backus on May 8, 2009
at 3:00 pm
I just googled Shoes Under Reviews and was lucky enough to find this site. I wish I’d found it before I purchased these things. I bought two, fully expecting to see what was shown on TV. I ordered online, and don’t remember seeing anything about a ‘deluxe’ option. When I received my package I was surprised to see such a smooshed little plastic bag. How in the world could that organizer fit in that little plastic bag? Easy…. send a flimsy piece of pantyhose fashioned into a bag. I gave it a chance, but there is NO WAY that I can A)fit my shoes into one compartment unless they’re ballet flats or B) slide it under or pull it out from under my bed and keep them in an organized fashion. Now every time we see the commercial on TV we yell out “Liars! It’s a scam!” Everyone stay away from these things. Piece ‘o crap on a cracker.
By: Cookie on May 14, 2009
at 5:53 pm
WHAT THE FLIP!!!! I wish I would have found this website earlier. My wife and I were watching TV sure enough to please her I went to buy SHOES UNDER, Because she wanted it . BIGGGG MISTAKE!! First they constantly push you to purchase more than what you want. Then I get my credit card statement BAM I ordered 6 packets of SHOES UNDER!! I specific stuck to the plan of ordering 2. HOW DID I end up with 6. I called Customer S. just to have some idiot tell me there is nothing he can do until the order has reached my home. I know that trick ” Sir please return the product if not satisfied for a full refund… MINUS the shipping!!! ALL I PAID FOR WAS SHIPPING!!!!!! $57 down the drain!!! Don’t fall for it as I did!!! SHOES UNDER IS A SCAM!!!!
By: June bug on May 14, 2009
at 8:07 pm
I’m glad I took the time to look up reviews on this item. It looks so convenient on TV, but I am always skeptical of buying something from an infomercial. They will take your money, then you have to fight to get it back. I’m also always concerned about putting in all of my billing information on one screen like it asked for on their order form, because I don’t know if when I click to continue it’s going to allow me to review the order with all the costs, and I’ll have an opportunity to change my mind, or if it will just go ahead and place the order. Thank goodness for online reviews!
By: Odette on May 23, 2009
at 5:17 pm
BIG RIP OFF……they took the money from my debit card even after I cancelled my order. Overcharged postage and then acted dumb on the phone when I call to complain. Do not by these things !!!!!
By: Cathy Andrews on May 26, 2009
at 9:15 am
Love the beginning post~love honest woman!!
These things suck. I tried to return them or find out if I could exchange for the deluxe model, which maybe has a solid bottom…..instead I settled for a 6.99 refund (I don’t think they want them back!) and I will glue the darn things to a piece of plywood or something similiar. I was so excited and they are crap. What false advertising.
By: Michelle on June 1, 2009
at 1:34 pm
your just as well to take a big plastic bag and shove your shoes in it! this bag is crap!! buyer beware!!
By: kathy murphy on June 4, 2009
at 11:07 am
I learned a valuable lesson as a result of the Shoes Under SCAM…always check the internet for reviews BEFORE buying!! I ordered two, and like Mel, didn’t think that I would need to upgrade to the deluxe version because of how sturdy they looked on the commercial; WRONG!!! What a TOTAL RIP OFF. I’m very disappointed with Telebrands for marketing such a shoddy product.
By: Carol on June 6, 2009
at 9:59 pm
Did anyone report this company to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) or the State AG (attorney general) of your state? I have had issues with Dell and Target in the past and they wouldn’t budge until I filed complaints with the above mentioned organizations. It’s amazing how quickly they act to resolve the problem when you file those complaints. I STRONGLY encourage you all to file complaints.
By: Sue Q on June 11, 2009
at 3:44 pm
Rhonda I agree with you the same thing happened to me. I’m trying desperately to get the word out that this product is the worst infomercial I’ve received to date.
We should start a class action law suit for the individuals who weren’t that lucky, like myself, to receive a refund. Excellent product but very, very poor workmanship. Their gimmick – rip off as many people as possible and here’s the kicker….I visited their website, placed an order, entered my information but didn’t select the submit button; I changed my mind, exited out of the program and received my product a week later…. PEOPLE save your money, build your own shoe under, do whatever you need to do just don’t purchase anything from this company in New Jersey!
By: Tamara Hurt on June 14, 2009
at 8:39 pm
Also, they will attempt to offer you $10 bucks back so don’t accept it because an entire refund is what you desire. It’s a piece of crap. I accepted the 10 bucks but in reality that was just a deduction from the shipping and handling money.
By: Tamara Hurt on June 14, 2009
at 8:49 pm