Is Mick Hastie Really Offering the “Bullet for a Buck”???

I received an email from reader Joseph M. about the commercial for the Bullet for a Buck promotion, which lets viewers try the Original Magic Bullet for only $1.

This short-form spot features Mick Hastie, host of the earlier Magic Bullet infomercials, but none of his colorful colleagues join him here: no Hazel, no Berman, no Aunt Martha, not even Mimi.

I don’t know if this ad has been edited down from a longer infomercial or not.

Readers of this website know I don’t review products or expose infomercials “scams.” However, this Bullet for a Buck ad provides an excellent case study in how an offer that seems very affordable on a TV infomercial can end up taking a surprisingly large chunk out of one’s wallet.

Any viewer of the Bullet for a Buck commercial will think getting a Magic Bullet blender for only $1 is a great deal.

Cost = $1

But the commercial isn’t selling the Magic Bullet for that price. That $1 buys only a “30 Day Risk-Free Trial” after which you will actually have to pay for the product.

And how much is that product? According the Bullet for a Buck website, at the end of 30 days you will be charged “3 monthly payments of $13.33,” which if you break out your calculator comes to $39.99. So now…

Cost = $1 + $39.99 = $40.99

But wait there’s more! You will also be charged shipping and handling of $19.99, and the S&H is charged right away, not after 30 days, and it’s not refundable. So now…

Cost = $1 + $39.99 + $19.99 = $60.98

So how does that Magic Bullet for $1 look now?

For residents of Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico the deal is even worse because an additional shipping charge of $12.99 is added. Customers ordering from California and Canada will be charged sales tax up front. And none of this includes any “upsells” they might try to entice you with once you’ve actually clicked the order button.

When all the charges and fees are tallied up, the customer will pay as much (or more) than if he or she had bought from Amazon or the local Target store.

So much for getting an Original Magic Bullet for pocket change!