Buyer Beware

Dermacia, the breatable foundation, can be seen on infomercials all over the television. The gorgeous celebrity spokesperson is Rachel Hunter, former supermodel and former wife of Rod Stewart. Buying make-up and skincare from infomercials is nothing new. The idea began many years ago, but has evolved into a new marketing technique. The draw is that you can try this (and other) products for 30 days, risk-free, usually with an astronomical shipping fee that can range anywhere from $10 to $20 per shipment. If you are not fully satisfied with the product, you can return it and keep some small token of their appreciation. In the case of Dermacia, it's a moisturizing spray. If you do like it, then you will be billed on your credit card every month in a specific amount. In the case of Dermacia, it's $19.99 a month. For that, you will receive a new shipment every three months or you can set up another shipment calendar to better suit your needs. Of course, you can cancel at any time. There are other products on the market that are sold the same way inasmuch as you now belong to their exclusive club (makes you feel wanted, doesn't it?). They (the infomercials) make the products seem so amazing, that you just can't live without it and they ALWAYS have some doctor testify to the formula of the make-up or skincare product with the hook that their star patients pay far more for the very same thing, but now you can have it too. The most incredibly annoying part of these infomercials is that they always have a pretty, but has-been supermodel that you really like pushing the products as well. You can see Cindy Crawford doing the very same thing for a skincare line she's hyping. The deal is the same. Nowhere in the infomercial do you see what you will pay if you keep this stuff. For that you have to go to a website and read the very fine print. Be very leary of these marketing techniques and don't let yourself be drawn in by the hype that you can't live without it. These products don't contain magical ingredients. Also, the shipping charges are a tip-off that they are making money from the shipments as well as the products that probably could never live up to their claims. Products like these that come with many strings attached should be avoided. Look for products that work for you by trying them in the store so you can walk away, risk free, without having to lay out one cent. If you do buy products online or from television, make sure you know the policy up front without having to scour a website to read the fine print. Everyone will always look for ways to part you from your money, which is fine, as long as it's what works for you.