That Woman in Every Damn Commercial on TV Hosts the Better Trades Infomercial
May 18th, 2007 Paul Lucas
I caught an infomercial recently for the BetterTrades Financial Freedom Expo, a free workshop about making money by trading stocks. The Better Trades program is pretty much your typical “get-rich-quick-in-the-stock-market” infomercial. (Swap out the product name and you could pretty much be watching the infomercial for WizeTrade or 4X Made Easy.)
But the one thing that caught my eye about the BetterTrades infomercial was the female co-host. Her name is Erica Shaffer, and after seeing the Better Trades infomercial I now finally have a name to put to the face of the woman who seems to be in every damn commercial on television!
I first noticed Erica Shaffer when she did a commercial for Warming KY Jelly. At the same time that ad was being aired she was also appearing in a commercial for Mercury Auto Insurance. “That’s the chick who likes the Warming KY Jelly!” I thought to myself when I first saw the Mercury commercial on TV. I also wondered if the folks at Mercury would have hired the actress if they had known she’d be appearing on an ad for a sex lube at the same time.
Since then Ms. Shaffer has appeared on ads for just about everything: Shoe Pavillion (where she plays the “Shoe Pavillion Mystery Shopper”), 3 Day Blinds, Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, and now the infomercial for BetterTrades.
Erica Shaffer has a website at www.ericashaffer.com. (Don’t miss the bizarre animated banner at the top.) Curiously, none of her many TV commercials are listed on her online resume. (Although her fan mail indicates she also appeared on the “70s Music Explosion” infomercial with Barry “Greg Brady” Williams.)
Anyone looking to get work in TV commercials should try to track down Erica Shaffer’s agent, because that is one person who is doing a great job!
OMGosh!! I keep saying the same thing to everyone! She is everywhere and does a DAMN good job of it! She really makes you want to buy the products (except for those ugly blinds!)I think it is something about her facial expressions. I thought I was the only one who noticed she is everywhere.
Comment by Eva — June 8th, 2007 at 10:20 am
I finally decided to look for her name after it bugging me for so long and here it is, thank you. She really does do a great job with her facial expressions and to me is very beautiful. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head lately, but that’s probably just because I see a commercial with her every 30 seconds.
Comment by Ramon — June 8th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I too was noticing her on sooo many commercials, sometimes not even as a principle actor but as the heartburn suffer’s husband, for example. She is very pretty and she does sell the product well, I think even those ugly blinds! Now I can sleep tonight since I discovered her name. Thanks!
Comment by Rick — June 8th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I was trying to find out her name 6 months ago and came up empty. I came across a website that is only about commercials, where people ask for help identifying who is the actor/actress on a commercial. Someone brought up her commercials but no one knew her name. Now that I saw her on BetterTrades yesterday I have found peace knowing what her name is. That’s quite a slick personal website she has but a lot of the entries are old — it seems like are legitimate movie/TV and live theater career isn’t doing so well.
Comment by Randy — June 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
She’s got a MySpace page!
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=94464107
The annoying background music is by the Dresden Dolls
infomercial-hell.com isn’t the only website that has taken notice of her ubiquitous commercials.
Comment by Randy — June 28th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
FYI, Erica is also (I think) in a “cameo” as the lady who admires the bed in a older Sit n’Sleep commercial. I didn’t realize it at first because she’s lying down and admiring the bed. But after maybe the 100th time, it hit me–”Oh no–is that HER againl??!!”
Comment by Peter — March 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I noticed her to on every commercial, my wife
thought I was crazy. Now I know I’m not. Is it
just a guy thing, beautiful women. There are four
shapes to women’s faces and she has the trust one. This is the plug for the company I work for,
could her agent get her to do a commercial for
the THE BEDDING EXPERTS.
Comment by orlando — April 12th, 2008 at 4:25 am
I just found out Erica Shaffer is in a lesbian romantic comedy, A Family Affair (2003). Reviews say it has sex-scenes (but no specific mention of nudity?) I really think she’s beautiful, and am curious about the movie but am hesitant because it gets such polarized mixed reviews. Some love, more seem to hate it. Anyone seen this movie?
Comment by Deyvid — April 17th, 2008 at 1:54 am
It all makes sense now. She warms up the lube… screws people in Better Trades and drives off in her Mercury.
Comment by Diddy — April 26th, 2008 at 6:08 am
She also did a half-hour infomercial for BowFlex.
Comment by Markle — July 17th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
According to her bios, Erica has done everything from soap operas to lesbian-themed films to infomercials. According to her web site she has worked with transsexuals to develop an appropriate speaking voice range. Kinda makes you wonder??? Her big, alto, sexy, sultry voice is one of her better qualities although she is capable of many and varied looks.
Comment by hooty — August 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Didn’t she also do the new Better Trades infomercial this year with there founder Freddie Rick and Jimmy Johnson too?
Comment by cameron — November 8th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
SHE IS HOT…
Comment by PETER — February 17th, 2009 at 11:20 am
In the “Better Trades” infomercial, she’s identified as a financial reporter….yeah right. If Maria Bartiromo, of NBC, were doing the infomercial, it would certainly grab my interest, since she’s a professional financial analyst with a great reputation.
In the meantime, I’ll hang on to my $3,000.
Comment by Anonymous — March 1st, 2009 at 10:59 am
Yeah, I’d like to (KY)lube her Mercury Cougar. And then take her for a test drive on the Bow Flex. In the morning, I’d take her on a ride to the Bed-der Trade Show me what you got for me now babe!
Comment by Bill Craft — March 21st, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Rick and Johnson are, to me, very obvious scammers! Erica would undoubtedly do ANYTHING for a buck. What an horrendous operation. The United States Department of Justice should see to it that these folks be indicted and tried for ‘HIGHWAY ROBBERY!
Comment by Norm — March 29th, 2009 at 9:39 am
On this infomercial it says she is a finacial reporter. She’s really just a commercial whore. Does the fact it says she’s a finacial reporter make it a fraud?
Comment by Fred Smitty — April 26th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
That is too funny LMAO!!! I notice that on her website, resume…does NOT mention her finacial reporting success. And to Fred Smitty…that is a GREAT point!!! Thank the highers power that be, for Google search engine that we all can look up frauds before they get our money!!!
Comment by Mon — April 27th, 2009 at 8:11 am
She is so freakin’ hot! Yes, she’s everywhere! I would’nt buy a lot of the products she’s selling, but I watch the commercials anyway just because she’s on it.
Comment by T Welch — May 28th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Is she the one playing the wife to the gray haired guy who says “this could be fun” in the ExtenZe commercial?
Comment by Tank Riggins — July 21st, 2009 at 6:04 am
My wife and I first saw her doing the KY commercials a while back, and then the series of 3-day Blinds commercials. The first time the 3-day Blinds commercial came on we fell out of our chairs laughing- we knew exactly why she needed blinds in such a hurry!
Comment by Val Vashon — August 6th, 2009 at 4:25 am
LOL! After years and years of trying to find out who she was because I swear I saw her in every other commercial (my husband never believed me or noticed it), today I finally found her name. Googling for “woman in tons of commercials” did not yield anything, so I did an image search of commercial actresses, and about 7 or so pages in, I saw an image of her and finally got her name. It is indeed funny how she doesn’t credit allll of those commercials she’s in, but I guess she only wants to highlight certain successes and there is only so much room on a resume. I think she’s got that everyday American woman look that people find appealing and non-threatening and that’s why she is so widely used in commercials. Ahh… I feel SO MUCH relief finally knowing her name.
Comment by Tamara — August 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I worked with her on a infomercial set in ‘08. Before that day I had never seen any of her work but since then I see her everywhere. She is a very warm, helpful and engaging person. She projects a sense of professionalism and humor to her work. She was a delight to be around.
Comment by Darryl — October 25th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Just saw her in another one. She’s in bed with hubby after sex. Talking about Calloway golf!
VERY HOT!!
Comment by BOB — November 1st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I met Erica about 4 years ago at a cast party and indeed she’s a very cool, warm and relaxed person. She’s also really smart, open minded and WILD (after a few drinks). In fact, she did a barefoot dance on the diving board and fell into the pool (fully clothed) after almost a minute straight. Of course, it didn’t take long before everyone else (including myself) would jump in to pool and join her - WOO HOO!!! It was quite a fun night! BTW, Erica looked very stunning soak-n-wet!!! ;)
Comment by Diane — December 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Beauty? - fading.
Moral authority? - not so much.
Emotion? - insincere
Familiar? - automatic mute, strong preference for commericial free media.
I really am interested in voluntary advertising, which:
1. I have solicited without being prompted
2. applies to my own interests
3. does not cause a disturbance
4. is not annoying
I make a conscious effort to avoid tacky sponsors.
Comment by 4w578i — January 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
OMG Diane! I do remember that party like it was last week!!! Indeed, she is in fact WILD after a few drinks, and isn’t shy about herself! She looked SO cute doing her “barefoot dance” on the diving board before falling in the pool with her clothes on, I just KNEW that was going to happen when she got too close to the edge! You’re SO right about her stunning wet-look! I must admit to being a little turned on - “SIGH!!!” ;)
Of course, I had kick of my shoes and dive into the pool (fully clothed) and join Erica - WOO HOO!!! She’s an AWESOME gal!!!
Comment by Felicia — February 4th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I AM JUST SO GLAD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO NOTICE HER!! My Boyfriend and I argue about it all the time! He thinks I’m crazy! I’m so glad I finally got to prove him wrong! THANK YOU!!!:) HaHa…
Comment by DANIELLA — February 7th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
BLOOD SUCKIN HATERZ!!!. YOU ALL THAT MADE A NEGATIVE COMMENTS (THAT IS IF U ARE REAL) SHOULD GO GET A LIFE AND POSSIBLY A JOB. EPITOME OF JEALOUSY. NUISANTS.
Comment by none of ur damn biz — March 15th, 2010 at 1:12 am