Stick Up Bulb

Over a year ago while wandering through Bed Bath and Beyond I picked up the Stick Up Bulb to provide more light in my closet. The package includes everything you need except batteries and even has an extra krypton bulb. It was very simple to install, remove sticky protector, stick to wall. It actually worked very well in the beginning. Did exactly what I expected of it as long as I remembered to turn it off when I was done. However one morning, I pulled the string and the bulb came on then dimmed to off. No big deal right? I'll just change the batteries, nope didn't help. Ok how about the bulb, nope no difference. So now it doesn't work at all.

I tried finding an "800" number for the company, but I couldn't even find that. The number I eventually found is (973) 227-8777, for Telebrands, the company that handles calls for As seen on TV products including the Stick Up Bulb. I called the number on 4/1/2008 and the customer service rep told me to send the unit back and request it be inspected, then they would send me a new one. On 4/3/2008 I sent the broken one back (I'll provide the address at the bottom of the post). Let's see how long it takes for me to get a replacement.

Overall when it worked the Stick Up Bulb was what I expected it to be. I suppose it could have been brighter, but maybe my closet just has a weird layout. Who knows. I rate it a 2 out of 5 3 out of 5, but this may be revised based on the outcome of my sending the unit back.

Telebrands Customer Service
79 Two Bridges rd.
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 227-8777
Request to have your Stick Up Bulb inspected.

UPDATE: 04/14/2008
Good news, I received my replacement Stick Up Bulb on Saturday April 12. I was excited that it came so quickly. Obviously Telebrands takes customer service seriously. They sent me a brand new unit. So if anyone else has a problem like this where the light just stops working rest assured you will get a new unit if you just send it back. I bumped up the rating to 3 out of 5 for the quick replacement.

UPDATE: 09/10/2008
Bad news, my replacement Stick Up Bulb isn't working anymore. Same problem as I was having before. I moved the rating back down to 2 out of 5 for the awful quality control issues.

Perfect Pushup

A friend of mine bought the Perfect Pushup and recommended it to me. I had my wife get it for me as a valentines day present. We bought the $20 version (plastic handles) from Wal-Mart instead of the $40 version (metal handles) available on the infomercial. My first impression was it was a simple design, and seemed well built and plenty sturdy.

The directions are simple; first do as many pushups as you can, then look on the chart to determine your workout routine (always round down to the nearest 10). The instruction sheet has a 21 day calendar with your daily schedule on it. The schedule is easy to follow, basically you are doing pushups every other day. Every few days the pushups get a little harder, but if you follow the routine then they are just right. The best part is it takes less than 10 minutes to complete all 3 sets of pushups. I space them out through the day; one when I wake up, one after work, and one before bed.

My max at first was 15, so I rounded down to 10 for the first routine. 8,6,4,2 (20 pushups three times every other day) was my first pushup breakdown. It was tough in the beginning but I followed the chart to the "T" and I noticed right away that they got easier to do. As they got easier the chart added another set and moved from floor pushups, to chair pushups. After completing all 21 days, the chart has you do your max again to get ready to start again. My max was 30 this time around. Now I'm doing 40 pushups every other day (20,12,8). I have already noticed increased strength, and after only one month increased muscle definition. On the website, Perfect Pushup, they have a section that provides a new style of pushup each month. This makes the Perfect Pushup even more effective.

Now after saying all that I do have some issues with the Perfect Pushup. On the infomercial the guy showing the product is absolutely ripped, but I have not noticed much of a change in my abs even though I have followed the directions and sucked my stomach in while doing the pushups. My other complaint is that the directions tell you to do all these things while you are doing the pushups, breathe a certain way, suck your belly button toward your back, etc..., it winds up being so much to concentrate on that I sometimes lose count and other times I feel I'm going to fall on my face.

My overall opinion of the Perfect Pushup is this; It is a VERY effective product, that if given and chance and stick to the routine can make a huge difference. I highly recommend this to anyone trying to gain muscle definition and strength in your upper body. I rate it a 4.5 out of 5.