answer:I imagine that, for the most part, this would be because either a) Nobody would buy it if they just saw it on the shelf. b) They want the product to apply to a specific audience, so they have an infomercial on television channels that are mainly watched by that type of audience. or c) The product is a scam that no stores will sell, so they have to resort to an infomercial where unsuspecting TV-watchers will buy the faulty product. As for the side question, this is probably because it motivates people to buy it right then instead of just copying down the number and forgetting about it completely. If people feel that they have a limited amount of to buy something, they’re more likely to just go ahead and buy it, rather than take that chance. (And, some people probably believe that they won’t be able to get the product after the time period is over until another infomercial for the product comes on. [equal]P )