Good TV Offer But If The Stuff Is So Great, Why The No Return Policy?
GoSmile
I swore I would turn the channel when an infomercial came on late at night but I still haven't trained myself to do that so...a couple weeks ago, very late at night, I saw an infomercial for GoSmile, a patented teeth whitening system. I watched...and watched. But I didn't pick up that phone.
I went to the website, of course!
Here's what happens when you venture onto the GoSmile website.
What GoSmile Sells
GoSmile (it is one word on the website) is a New York City dentist (Dr. Jonathon Levine) invented system for whitening teeth. Unlike drooly and messy mouth guards or strips, this system uses little individual vials of tooth whitener that you brush on your teeth twice daily for two weeks. It also incorporates daily vials of immediate stain removing liquid that you can carry around with you and use at any time. Along with that, GoSmile has patented both a morning and an evening toothpaste to go along with the system. There are a few other items you can buy on the site like carry cases for your vials, a lip balm, breath elixir, and other accessories.
Navigation and Content
GoSmile exists just to sell GoSmile products and, notably, the TV infomercial kit. The home page is simple with a red mouth and gleaming white teeth as its main focus as well as a photo of the inventor of the system. The site is done in white and light blue with no annoying flashing or scrolling stuff on the site.
Along the top, there are links to Shop, Background, Science, Press, Testimonials, and TV Offer.
Clicking on the links will slowly take you to different areas of the site. I say slowly because the site seems to lag quite a bit going from link to link. I thought it may have been my browser but other sites load quickly so I suspect GoSmile's site is the culprit.
Nonetheless, the info you get on the site is interesting and the press is all good as you would expect. Same with the testimonials. I don't put much stock in website based testimonials. It isn't as though they are going to post any negative ones or, for that matter, any negative press. Still, it is there for you to read should you want to.
You can shop for GoSmile Teeth Whitener, toothpaste, Daily Vanity vials, and several other single components or choose to purchase the TV Offer Kit, which is what I did.
The site's font is small and light and it isn't the easiest to read but it isn't so difficult that you will be turned off and leave the site because of it. But it would be nice if they darkened the font up some so everyone could easily read about their products.
Add the products you want to your cart and, when you are done shopping, you will go to the checkout.
You will pay by credit card and get a confirmation email and, a couple days later, an email that your order has shipped along with a tracking number.
Your order should arrive in under a week.
My Experience
I purchased the TV Offer Kit which includes two weeks worth of whitening ampoules (14 ampoules/two a day), seven daily ampoules to use after I eat or drink something that is known to stain teeth, a one ounce tube of a.m. and a once ounce tube of p.m. GoSmile toothpaste, a plastic "on the go" carry case, and an excellent lip balm compact for $79.99, which is a substantial savings over buying each of these components separately. I believe if you purchased all that separately, it would cost around $180.00.
When I got to the checkout, I saw my shipping was $9.99 and that I was charged tax, probably because I live in New York where Dr. Levine's practice is located. I also decided to be part of the GoSmile "Club" in which I will get 60 Daily ampoules and a 3.5 ounce tube of both a.m. and p.m. GoSmile toothpaste every 60 days for $59.95 plus shipping. I can cancel at any time but I like the Daily ampoules and want to try then for a while at least.
I paid by credit card and was told that, due to the overwhelming response, my kit may take a few days longer than average to get to me.
I got a confirmation email right away.
I received the kit in three days. I received a letter a few days later stating that my order shipped out and giving me a tracking number — but I had received the kit earlier that day.
Everything was intact and as described and the brochures and info was complete.
Shipping and Returns
All sales are final unless the order was as a result of a mistake on their end. Red flag, red flag!
Shipping is by standard UPS or you can choose to have your order expedited for a higher fee. They do not have a shipping chart on their site so you have to go through the whole process and get to the checkout before you know what your shipping charges will be. For the TV Offer Kit, shipping is $9.99 and tax is also charged in New York. Expect shipping charges to be a tad higher than you would like but not excessive.
GoSmile accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express as forms of payment.
As an aside, you can break the $79.99 TV Offer charge up into two payments if you want but you won't get the nifty lip balm they offer if you pay in full. Other orders must paid in full at the time of ordering.
A Few Words About the Product
I am not reviewing the products, just the site but, since all they sell is their GoSmile products, I thought I would comment a bit on the effectiveness and ease of use. The system is very easy and can be used anywhere. Each whitening ampoule is tiny and separate, with a brush attached, and can be carried with you. You squeeze the vial so the liquid comes down onto the brush, brush the clear liquid on your teeth, and toss the empty ampoule and go.
The main ingredients in the whitening ampoules are hydrogen peroxide and alcohol so you're paying quite a price for common, every day substances. However, you do get ease of use, the exact amount of chemicals to whiten your teeth without hurting the enamel, and other extras.
I have only been using the product for about ten days so I can't comment on long-term effectiveness of the whitening but, as a tea and cola drinker, I see my teeth lightening a little. I don't expect to ever have glaring white teeth but removing the surface stains that tea and diet cola leaves on my teeth improves my smile.
This system is by far the easiest and least messy of any tooth whitening system I have used. I have tried the trays and the strips and special toothpastes, all with some degree of success — usually a small amount. The good thing about this system is that I am able to maintain the whitening effects by using the daily ampoules which are also great breath fresheners.
However, I don't think GoSmile offers much more whitening than any of the other commercial whiteners on the market. It's a good system that makes whitening easy and neat and helps to keep your teeth stain free with the daily ampoules. The toothpaste tastes awful and isn't any better than whitening toothpaste from the drugstore except that it is made with essential oils. As for ingredients, it's not superior.
Also, I have noticed my gums are sore and burn when I use the system. Not so much that I feel the need to stop using the product, but their promises of no burning or stinging are unfounded.
So the choice is yours as far as this system goes. I just wanted to give you a little info on some of the products. You can email me if you would like more detailed product information.
Contact Info
They have an onsite contact form as well as a phone number and a physical address.
Customer Service can be reached at: 1-800-887-6949
Snail mail: GoSMILE
110 East 42nd Street
Suite 1100
New York, NY 10017
If you get really desperate, you can call Dr. Levine himself at his New York dental office at: 1-212-734-6111.
Conclusion
The TV Offer Kit is a pretty good deal. You do save money over buying each component separately. For that reason, this site is pretty good.
However, the site itself is only average. It is slow to change pages and it is so ho hum that it is boring. Although it doesn't utilize those awful hard sell tactics that many TV websites do, it doesn't do a great job of inspiring people to actually purchase the products.
Ordering is easy though and shipping is fast.
The product itself is not up for review but it is easy to use and I have had some success with it thus far. I will continue to use the daily ampoules to keep stains at bay as I am now part of "the club".
I give the site 3 stars. It's a simple site with some interesting information and an interesting new product for whitening your teeth and maintaining those results. But the no returns for any reason policy really bothers me since bleaches can really burn people's gums or cause other unpleasant effects that can't be anticipated before trying the product. If you are going to spend the hefty price tag for GoSmile's products, I suggest you go where you can get your money back if you have an adverse reaction. GoSmile products are available on a number of beauty and drugstore sites.
For the TV Offer, though, this is the only place to go. You can order confidently and know you will get what was promised from the site.
Recommended:
Yes
