topic Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC in Q Talk

Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

beach-mom — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:05:09 GMT

I started watching around 2007. I frequently read a lot of posts that refer to what things used to be like.

There are a lot of vendors and hosts people mention whom I never "knew."

So tell me, and others who are newer, what do you miss about the way things used to be, and what are you glad they changed and made better or easier.

TIA!

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

Mersha — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:21:36 GMT

I think one of the best things QVC did was the 50 In 50 Tour to promote American entrepreneurs.

They went to 50 states and showcased what they deemed to be the best new products offered in each state.

It was fun and innovative yet they never did another one. I believe it happened in the 1990's.

I think they still sell products today they found on that tour.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

on the bay — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:26:42 GMT

That time 2007 to me was the old QVC. You were there.

There have been so many thoughts about that and what it was like and why it's so different now.

I don't know about the cvn or whatever it was called. Maybe others will know.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

beach-mom — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:27:47 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
I think one of the best things QVC did was the 50 In 50 Tour to promote American entrepreneurs.

They went to 50 states and showcased what they deemed to be the best new products offered in each state.

It was fun and innovative yet they never did another one. I believe it happened in the 1990's.

I think they still sell products today they found on that tour.

@Mersha - I've heard Angel say that's how Quacker Factory came to QVC! I never got to see Jeanne, but she must have been an inspirational person.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

skatting44 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:34:18 GMT

The QVC in the late 1990's - early 2000's gave all the measurements on items- yes they measured things , gave inseams legnths, and showed the inside out of the rings . There was not all that yaking abt their personal lives .

Now a days they beat it to death abt the TSV's .

the shows are to long being filled with personal info , joking ect and they talk really to fast when giving pertinent info. yes , I remember Jeanne Bice when she first came on with her line in 1999.

Who ever is directing these shows need to go back to the frawing board. The shows with Shawn are the worst with camera following her all ove the stage and models looking in the mirror .

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

on the bay — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:40:31 GMT

Jeanne Bice was on QVC from 1996 when they first discovered her to memorial day (by skype) 2011. She died in JUne 2011.

I always thought she was so inspirational.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

smoochy — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:43:11 GMT

They used to do live remotes from their kiosk at the Mall of America in Minnesota. In the fall of 2001, my husband, daughter and I went up there for a getaway. Because MOA was thriving, a big deal back then. Ok so DD and I were browsing the Diamonique when a Qvc producer approached us. Asked if we wanted to be on live tv in a remote segment. Sure why not! So he introduced us to the host (Katrina or something like that) He said she would talk to us about the upcoming holidays, shopping etc. We were to watch the monitor where back in Studio Park, Mary Beth was selling the Rainbow Bible. When she finished she tossed it to Katrina at MOA and boom we were on tv. I was very nervous, looked it, and babbled like an idiot. My daughter, a teen at the time, stood next to me not speaking but smiling hugely and bobbing her head up and down. We looked psychotic. Oh my gosh when we watched that video (our complimentary copy) we cringed. We agreed to throw it in the trash and never look back haha. I had one friend who saw us but didn't comment on how we did. 😂Oh my gosh that's such a funny memory.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

Winkk — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:46:07 GMT

What I miss is the variety. It used to be QVC would have items you didn't see other places. Today's programming is so redundant.

Also, TSV's were much better. It was a larger reduction than TSVs now.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

on the bay — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:47:13 GMT

@smoochy,

Oh my gosh! That is so funny!

laughing so hard it hurts. Oh my!

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

PhilaLady1 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:47:52 GMT

If I remember correctly, not every brand had a vendor, spokesperson or representative associated with it. Now every brand from every category has someone to chat with the QVC host about the product. I remember when there was one host per show with nobody else, often sitting in a chair, calmly, quietly , and thoroughly talking to the TV audience about the product. I remember 24 hour live programming and Mike Row, late at night , taking a break from selling and singing. Swoon 😊 Can you imagine a host nowadays just stopping their sales pitch and entertaining us with song.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

sunshine45 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:48:19 GMT

the 50/50 tour was probably the BEST thing they ever did!

i remember watching many of those shows and purchasing items from them.

i am pretty sure i discovered "better than bouillon" from that tour, among other things.

i do remember jeanne also.....i believe her item from the tour was a button down shirt with the removeable button covers.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

rockygems123 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:53:32 GMT

@beach-mom

I've watched QVC right after QVC bought CVN, first thing I bought was Corning Ware French White set, great price. Prices seemed really fair across the board compared to other retailers including jewelry pricing. I felt like I found my place to buy.

Bob Bowersox had his faults but he also actually cooked on the show and shared good kitchen information along with the Cooks Essentials guy Bob Warden.

The jewelry was astounding with a lot of variety. Barbara Bixby, Judith Ripka and Joan Rivers early pieces were great, the 14K gold charms were fun to purchase peridically to add to a bracelet, quality seemed high.

Recorded Christmas segments with the hosts were fun. Calm, normal and were a joy to watch.

MEASUREMENTS! No family stories just facts ma'am lol. Even the main family storyteller of today was enjoyable at St Patrick's and Rose of Tralee Days, lots of good information and Irish products that were hard to find elsewhere. Belleek hand made porcelain baskets that took a month to make. I wouldn't want any more today however as I don't buy "dust catchers" any longer.

Ron & Margie crab cakes were pretty good before they were found out. I think they were part of the 50 in 50 which was mentioned.

The 50 in 50 was fun! Lots of variety and a lot of good quality regional products.

Valerie had her US made soy candles, not everything she had in the old days was imported, that was refreshing.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

Effie54 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:55:26 GMT

I go way, way back to,when QVC first started with the original hosts. They talked about the product....and, as another poster said, they took measurements showed different fabric swatches with jewelry, and highlighted every aspect of the product. There was little or no talking about themselves, no boasting, no silly nonsense. No overkill on TSV's. It was entirely different.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

rockygems123 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:57:32 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
@Mersha wrote:
I think one of the best things QVC did was the 50 In 50 Tour to promote American entrepreneurs.

They went to 50 states and showcased what they deemed to be the best new products offered in each state.

It was fun and innovative yet they never did another one. I believe it happened in the 1990's.

I think they still sell products today they found on that tour.

@Mersha - I've heard Angel say that's how Quacker Factory came to QVC! I never got to see Jeanne, but she must have been an inspirational person.

@beach-mom

Jeannie Bice was epic. Her clothes weren't my style, but I admired her. She had grit and drive, she was one in a bazillion.

She had heart, a big one.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

spumoni99 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:47 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
They used to do live remotes from their kiosk at the Mall of America in Minnesota. In the fall of 2001, my husband, daughter and I went up there for a getaway. Because MOA was thriving, a big deal back then. Ok so DD and I were browsing the Diamonique when a Qvc producer approached us. Asked if we wanted to be on live tv in a remote segment. Sure why not! So he introduced us to the host (Katrina or something like that) He said she would talk to us about the upcoming holidays, shopping etc. We were to watch the monitor where back in Studio Park, Mary Beth was selling the Rainbow Bible. When she finished she tossed it to Katrina at MOA and boom we were on tv. I was very nervous, looked it, and babbled like an idiot. My daughter, a teen at the time, stood next to me not speaking but smiling hugely and bobbing her head up and down. We looked psychotic. Oh my gosh when we watched that video (our complimentary copy) we cringed. We agreed to throw it in the trash and never look back haha. I had one friend who saw us but didn't comment on how we did. 😂Oh my gosh that's such a funny memory.

That is so funny, I bet you and your daughter have a good laugh about that memory!

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

on the bay — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:46:23 GMT

Definitely more variety and they showcased the product not the hosts.

Tiffany lamps, things you never knew you needed like 3 way touch lamp plug ins; Valeries things were so different and unique with better pricing and yes great candles too.

Kirks Folly with elaborate sets and the Irish shows when they would all dress up and have songs and dancing.

I remember Lisa in Italy and at christmas time with her Christmas shows.

So many great jewelry designers all gone now.

Even the fashion days were exciting and you really did see something new and unique.

The forums also were so much fun. It was more like a bunch of people sharing things together and the fashion forums were so funny. People would post something without being ganged up on. There were a few trouble makers and mean things too but not as much.

I know it won't be the same but I really enjoyed QVC back then.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

On It — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:02:47 GMT

Back in the days before online ordering, each item had 7 minutes airtime, then they moved on to the next. Everyone had to dial in to place an order. The call centers were key. The operator asked me to speak to the host live, but I declined.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

rockygems123 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:04:29 GMT

@beach-mom

@smoochy 's story was SO well told and hilarious, haha!

Her story reminded me of In the Kitchen with Bob's WEEKEND! It was an entire weekend in PA in West Chester County staying at a beautiful B & B, dinner with Bob and his family, Studio tour, live TV audience.

My dearly departed ex-husband gave the weekend to me as a 50th birthday gift, my 7 yr old son at the time & ex were glued to the TV and recorded the live segment on the VCR. They knew I would talk haha.

Blabbed on and on about Lock & Lock and told how much I loved it, It was a lot of fun and a great weekend, so glad I went.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

rockygems123 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:07:23 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
If I remember correctly, not every brand had a vendor, spokesperson or representative associated with it. Now every brand from every category has someone to chat with the QVC host about the product. I remember when there was one host per show with nobody else, often sitting in a chair, calmly, quietly , and thoroughly talking to the TV audience about the product. I remember 24 hour live programming and Mike Row, late at night , taking a break from selling and singing. Swoon 😊 Can you imagine a host nowadays just stopping their sales pitch and entertaining us with song.

@PhilaLady1

Mike Rowe, he was hilarious! That was when middle of the night QVC was great.

@beach-mom

If you google Mike Rowe you'll see that he did well after QVC. He was very irreverent and I think he was fired more than once. Fired him, brought him back, etc.

His description of the cat bag is epic. It's probably still on youtube, definitely worth a watch.

Re: Tell Me About the “Old” QVC

rockygems123 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:09:32 GMT

@Effie54 wrote:
I go way, way back to,when QVC first started with the original hosts. They talked about the product....and, as another poster said, they took measurements showed different fabric swatches with jewelry, and highlighted every aspect of the product. There was little or no talking about themselves, no boasting, no silly nonsense. No overkill on TSV's. It was entirely different.

@Effie54

I LOVED how they showcased the jewelry in front of different color swatches. I thought that was very clever and very informational.