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What a shame the guy was a personality, and his new show was very interesting. Pitchmen basically gave you an insight to how products go from development to the market. R.I.P Billy
#1 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:21 PM EDTi will miss billy's sense of humer on the commericals my favorite one was the oxiclean commerical i have used oxiclean it is a great product when i use it again i will think of billy.
wow while I never cared for his "in your face" mega volume style, he did move the product!
for the infomercial icons all that is left is Sully ( swivel swwper guy ) and the annoying Vince of the Sham wow ads, and yes he can keep doing it all day lol.
Prayers to Mr Mays' s friends and family.
#2 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:29 PM EDTWow, what a bummer. He was such a character! I used to watch him just to crack up! Hope he is at the pearly gates this morning saying "Billy Mays here....." RIP Billy and prayers and thoughts to your family.
#3 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:33 PM EDTI've still got a tub of OxyClean down in the basement thanks to this guy! Guess I'll get it out and pour some in the next laundry batch to honor his memory.
#4 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:36 PM EDTI too never cared for his in your face style, but I enjoy the show Pitchmen.
It is always sad t lose anyone, but to lose someone so young - more so.
RIP Billy - my thoughts and prayers to your family, friends and fans.
#5 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:36 PM EDTI'm in disbelief. Just yesterday I was wathcing one of his commercials. Prayers to the Mays family and friends.
#6 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:41 PM EDTIt's sad because I think he was a genuinely great guy... just my opinion. Out of all the "infomercial people" I've seen on TV, Billy Mays was one of the very few that I really liked and I felt that way because of "the sincerity of his style." He always struck me as a decent, honest guy, who truy believed in the products he was selling (unlike many others). As a lifelong salesperson, I firmly believe that's a great accomplishment no matter what you're selling. If YOU wouldn't buy YOUR product, you cannot come across as "believable" no matter how hard you try.
I actually "bumped in to him" walking in to the Home Depot in Palm Harbor, Florida, around 7 pm on a Saturday night. I recognized him and said, "Hey, you're Billy Mays!" Without even flinching, he immediately responded with that big smile and a 'whispering voice', replied "Yes, I am!" We shook hands and I said it was great to meet him and told him I was a big fan. I also asked what the heck was HE doing, standing outside of Home Depot? He said he was helping a friend fix something and that he lived in Palm Harbor. So, he came across in person exactly like he did on TV... a friendly, decent, regular guy. Anyway, he's way too young to go, and my sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends. He has defintely "earned his wings!" I wish him peace.
#7 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:44 PM EDTMighty Putty is definitely the best product.
#8 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:44 PM EDTI agree! Saved me a LOT of money!
by far his ESPN commercials which spoof his product promo's. My sympathy to his family.
#9 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:44 PM EDTGod I hated his commericals, but sorry to see him go. Both Billy and MJ born in '58 along with (Gulp) me...
#10 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:45 PM EDTMy sympathy to his family. I coudn't stand the guy and refused to buy anything he advertised.
#11 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:45 PM EDTMy thoughts and prayers go out to the family and anyone who's life is touched by his passing. From the perspective of a sales rep who answers the calls for his infommercials......Billy could move it all, no matter how big or small. The most common question I am asked is "I bet he's fun to work for?". Although as sales reps, we are never afforded the opportunity of meeting him face to face, my response has always been, "Yes, he makes my job so much easier!" Thanks Billy, you will be sadly missed.
#12 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:49 PM EDTThere will never be another pitchman like Billy Mays, to make me drag out my credit card and, buy, buy, buy. I liked his, in your face approach.
He will be missed in my household. RIP Billy Mays.
#13 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:49 PM EDTI agree....If Billy recommended it, I'd buy it!! The ShamWow guy....not too much. I'm getting to like the English guy a little better. I saw him and Billy Mays on Rachael Ray a while back....they were both so funny and had such fun doing what they do! Especially Billy. I will miss him!!
I'll miss waking up in the middle of the night and being able to watch his proven selling techniques. RIP Billy Mays.
#14 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:50 PM EDTI allways wondered what product I would be seeing him selling next. He was one of a kind and I am saddened by his passing. My favorite product that he pitched was the Awesome Auger. Rest In Peace, Billy, We will miss you.
#15 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:51 PM EDTThe US lost a true marketing genius today. My prayers are with his family. Somehow, he broke most of the rules of direct response marketing, and in the process wound up re-writing them.
Billy Mays was a true artist and won't be replaced anytime soon.
I can't wait to watch all the specials about him on tv continuing for the next week.
#16 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:51 PM EDTAlthough he had an "in your face" style of selling, if you watched the Discovery show "Pitchmen" you would see the real side of him.
R.I.P. Billy Mays.....Wonder what your entry speech into heaven sounds like....."Hi, Billy Mays here for K-Boom....it will keep the Gates of St Peter gleeming bright and shiney forever".
#17 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:53 PM EDTWhat a great thought!! My whole family loved "Pitchmen" and will really miss Billy. We have used and enjoyed quite a few of the products he pitched, and though his style was not for everyone, "Pitchmen" did show a different side of him: friend, family man, and someone who would not pitch a product he did not believe in. Anyone who has so far made a rude comment concerning him should just do as my grandfather taught me: "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all." Rest in Peace, Billy.
What a Character, What a loss. My Sympahties
#18 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:53 PM EDTTo his wife Deborah and their children our prayers go out to you. You and the world has lost someone great and he will be missed. I hope he will get peace. We hope the public will give you and your family PEACE through this difficult time. May Billy Mays style go on forever. R.I.P
#19 - Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:01 PM EDTThis is a shock to hear about the passing of Billy Mays. He truly was the salesmens salesman. With his outgoing friendly style he would reach out to you and make you want to at least try the product. My condolences go out to his family and friends. We will all miss you Billy.
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I'm sorry to hear of his passing, but frankly, his style of presentation was not a favorite of mine. Condolences to his family.