topic Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC in Q Talk

Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Northray — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:43:00 GMT

So several times now I've noticed people acting sheepish or appalled when I tell them I bought something from QVC. I'm like, really? I thought everyone considered home shopping just another way to shop. But there seems to be a stigma still.

I know QVC is trying to win over Millenials or a younger clientele but I don't think they are making headway. My close friends know I buy from QVC and HSN, they think it's a quirk of mine and sometimes they are impressed with my purchases but not enough to make it a "thing", not enough for them to shop here.

Do you get weird looks when you say you shop at QVC?

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Daysdee — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:48:39 GMT

Yes, definite stigma. I mostly try not to say where I buy anything. My kids do not shop QVC nor do my friends and neighbors. I take a class for senior citizens and never have seen anyone wear any QVC clothing and believe me I would recognize it if they did. I have purchased since the early 90's. Now for clothing Linea is all I buy.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Mary Bailey — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:53:42 GMT

Yes. I showed my lipolaser tech the hair growth I was getting with Hair Max. (it's great btw!!) Her eyes got so big when I said I got it at QVC. Maybe she didn't even know what it is.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

RipleyGirl — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:01:46 GMT

That's ok. To paraphrase my Dad, more for us!!

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Krimpette — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:03:59 GMT

I find that some people never heard of QVC or HSN, but never have I received "stares of horror" because they find out where I got my item. More often, they're a bit disappointed because they couldn't run out and buy a similar item on their own, since they don't watch (or aren't even aware of) shopping channels. Never felt a "stigma".

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Bird mama — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:07:57 GMT

Hey @Northray I'm retired now (last March) and when I was working I would often get complimented on the fashion jewelry or sterling jewelry I wore or handbags I carried. When asked where I bought them I'd say QVC. More often than not, coworkers were surprised that QVC sold such nice and cool things (if I have to say so myself).

I'm a diehard JCP shopper since 1981 so I grew accustomed to folks having wrong opinions about where I shop over the years.

There are more QVC and HSN shoppers out there, believe me. Why they don't fess up is beyond me - there is no shame in my shopping game.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

gizmogal — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:13:04 GMT

I’ve had the experience of a kind of sneer at my purchasing at QVC. Some gal once admired a nice look of jeans and an outerwear jacket I was wearing from Denim & Co. She asked me the brand name or “label”. I should have guessed a woman asking for the “label” was thinking a little more couture than QVC. But she sounded enthused or eager to find out where I bought my clothes. So I told her it was a line called Denim & Co. and thanked her for the compliment. She wanted to know where I found this clothing and I candidly told her QVC. Her face changed, the smile dropped, she remarked something along the lines of not knowing their cheap, poorly made clothing could look that good! Added she wouldn’t ever buy from a TV seller!

So was that a compliment?? Surprised my nice-looking clothes came from QVC ?? I added that I buy clothes I like if the look suits me, if they fit and the price is acceptable, and she kind of backpedaled with “I guess if it works for you”. After a couple of similar snarky moments occasionally following a compliment, I became much more circumspect.

Though I had simple dignity in the face of her rudeness on my side, I felt embarrassed. I buy and wear a lot of D & Co pants and tops, and some Dennis Basso, too, and I get noticed, mostly because the fit happens to be great for me and their casual, sporty classics are often just my style. But if someone asks, I just say I bought it online. Even if I tell them the Denim & Co name of the clothing line, I do not include the QVC specifics, just leaving a vague reference to an online seller to not lie about any store selling it.

I should not be self-conscious about saying I buy clothes at QVC, but it is not really well received for some reason. I think QVC should not have a rep for a low quality, dowdy fashion, loser retail source, but even if it’s from a stranger in the supermarket, I seem to feel a bad vibe saying I’m a QVC customer.

Meanwhile, what counts is that these snobs are admiring my clothes and my sense of style and saying so from time to time. So who’s getting gratified more, the wearer or the sneerer?

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

2blonde — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:17:08 GMT

Yes, I'm amazed there are still people who think TV shopping is weird. Yet, eventually many of them wind up purchasing.

Years ago my sister laughed at me for shopping at QVC. Then, she ordered a laptop from them (it was her first order)!

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

butterfly123 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:18:52 GMT

I have received compliments on my older Dennis Basso faux fur coats. Unfortunately, they want to touch and pet my coat.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

fancy pantsy — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:22:22 GMT

i'm not so sure i get stares of horror, but i have seen looks of shock. i am always amazed that people are so shocked that i buy online so much ... qvc, hsn, amazon, etc. a lot of people are gun-shy about online shopping.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Pook — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:32:50 GMT

I was surprised that many still do equate QVC with old women buying dolls, knick knacks and conservative boxy shapeless clothing. My SO's daughter was in awe of all the skincare and makeup brands I used and started checking out QVC online and buying and told many of her friends also. Many of my co workers liked what I was wearing and all the things I bought so they started shopping the shopping channels. I think if the shopping channels advertised more info about some of the products they have they could get many much younger customers - especially with the skincare and makeup lines.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

SXMGirl — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:32:15 GMT

I think many people just don't admit to it. I see many boxes being delivered just in my small neighborhood. What amazes me is that I have a friend who buys from every shopping channel, as well as every other store in the area. When I saw her last week, she asked me if I shopped at Boscov's. I asked her what she bought there and she said everything.

I don't go to the mall, ever, so QVC is how I get most of my things. I find that the clothing is fashionable and that I see similar clothes in the catalogs that I receive at much higher prices.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

jubilant — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:33:54 GMT

No, my experience has been different. This past week I received several compliments on my new coat from QVC. I had the impression they wanted to look into QVC's coats after our conversation. I have also been complimented on some of my jewelry from here. My most compliments have come from my Joan Rivers blouses I just bought these past few months.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

ALRATIBA — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:36:57 GMT

If someone asks, it's usually about something I bought at Amazon.

Everyone I know shops at Amazon.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Lyttlewyng — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:37:16 GMT

@@gizmogal I get what you're saying. I had a similar experience at the hair salon

where another client asked me about a velvet top I was wearing.

I told her it was by Marla Wynne. The woman gave me a blank stare when I said it was from the shopping channel, HSN. Then I proceeded to tell her that most of the rings I was wearing that day, which she also admired, were from QVC. I told her that it's all about being a savvy shopper and the shopping channels were my best kept secret for unique items and good value.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

chrystaltree — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:58:42 GMT

Not now. I remember 20 or 25 years ago, people would give me the side eye when I said I bought something from QVC or HSN. Back then, the shopping channels did sell a lot of junky stuff but there was also good stuff. The problem was when people channel surfed, they often just saw the junk. There was no online shopping. Only those of us who were willing to think outside the box took shopping channels seriously. Generally, I just didn't tell any one I shopped at shopping channels. But that was a lifetime ago. I don't a single woman over the age of 30 that feels that way now. Everyone shops online. Everyone knows about QVC, everyone has seen QVC ads on tv and the ads in the glossy fashion magazines. I know women who don't buy jewelry or clothes but they bedding and computers and cookware. In my workd there's no stigma attached to shopping channels, there hasn't been for a very long time. Younger women, particularly the under 40's haven't really caught on yet. It's not a stigma, it's just they think of them as places where older woman shop and they aren not wrong. My daughters still call it "your QVC". They know I get good stuff and they'll say "Mum, can you take a look at your QVC and see if they have a leather tote bag that matches these boots, buy it and I'll pay you back". It's like they don't even want QVC on their own phones or computers...LOL They shop Amazon and a million other places online. QVC wants to attract that age group but I don't see it happening for two reasons. One is those young women, still think of shopping channels as places their mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers shop at. Second, shopping channels don't carry the brands and styles they want. I suspect it will be a different story when they hit their 40's and have kids in middle school and they are saving for college.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

chrystaltree — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:58:55 GMT

Not now. I remember 20 or 25 years ago, people would give me the side eye when I said I bought something from QVC or HSN. Back then, the shopping channels did sell a lot of junky stuff but there was also good stuff. The problem was when people channel surfed, they often just saw the junk. There was no online shopping. Only those of us who were willing to think outside the box took shopping channels seriously. Generally, I just didn't tell any one I shopped at shopping channels. But that was a lifetime ago. I don't a single woman over the age of 30 that feels that way now. Everyone shops online. Everyone knows about QVC, everyone has seen QVC ads on tv and the ads in the glossy fashion magazines. I know women who don't buy jewelry or clothes but they bedding and computers and cookware. In my workd there's no stigma attached to shopping channels, there hasn't been for a very long time. Younger women, particularly the under 40's haven't really caught on yet. It's not a stigma, it's just they think of them as places where older woman shop and they aren not wrong. My daughters still call it "your QVC". They know I get good stuff and they'll say "Mum, can you take a look at your QVC and see if they have a leather tote bag that matches these boots, buy it and I'll pay you back". It's like they don't even want QVC on their own phones or computers...LOL They shop Amazon and a million other places online. QVC wants to attract that age group but I don't see it happening for two reasons. One is those young women, still think of shopping channels as places their mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers shop at. Second, shopping channels don't carry the brands and styles they want. I suspect it will be a whole different story when they hit their 40's and have kids in middle school and they are saving for college.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

kitcat51 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:01:36 GMT

I get teased by family & friends for my QVC & HSN purchases, little do they know some of their favorite gifts from me were purchased there...to me it's just another place to shop & no big deal. Yesterday at the grocery a woman asked where I got my cute shirt & coat, I thanked her for the compliment & said QVC...with a smirk she said Really! & I went from cute to tragic. Oh well, some people.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

blackhole99 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:08:23 GMT

I've been buying from the Q for years, but usually do not tell people I buy from them, I'll just say I bought it online. If they press me, I will tell them where I bought it and of course my family knows I'm a big QVC shopper. My neice and her new husband are both in their late 20's and she told me they bought all their XMAS gifts from the Q. My son who is 34 shopped at the Q twice and because he had to return something and had to pay for return postage never shopped at the Q again, although he does shop online where S&H& returns are free.

Re: Stares of horror because I shop at QVC

Katcat1 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:11:49 GMT

No, I do not get strange looks. I don't care what people think. I would say the main audience for the Q is a more mature woman. I never shopped online but now that I am retired, I do not have time to wait in lines or search the store for someone to wait on me. I would say 98% of my shopping is now online. I am not happy with some of QVC policies of charging shipping for each item. I don't know anyone else except for another shopping network that does this. QVC needs to act more like a retail store with everything including shipping costs. When you treat people a certain way with excellent customer service, they will keep coming back and tell their friends.