November 07, 2013

Pocket Mechanic

Description: A personal diagnostic computer
Main Pitch: "Like having the best car technician right by your side everywhere you go"
Main Offer: $19.99 for one
Bonus: Free 24-hour protection hotline, free access to Website
Marketer: Telebrands
Website: www.GetPocketMechanic.com
Prediction: N/A

This is one of those products that can be made to sound great in a DRTV commercial but has no chance of actually delivering on the promises made. I imagine real diagnostic computers are expensive because they have to work well on all makes and models. A $20 version is unlikely to hit that bar.

I'm also going to guess that diagnostic computers aren't used by the general public because they are technical products that aren't easy for your average Joe or Jane to figure out. There's a reason we don't bother to market anything even remotely technical in DR: It's hard enough to avoid customer service issues with even simple products. No way this one doesn't become a total nightmare.