topic Long winded callers in Q Talk

Long winded callers

Day1128 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:21:56 GMT

Callers, please. Most of us watching the show do not want to hear you describe on air your specific issues with a product. That's what customer service is for. Nor do we want to hear you gush about how much you LOVE a particular host. I much prefer reading the reviews online about a product, as the callers get off track and really don't offer much in the way of providing good info on the product. I would love to not have any callers on the show at all. That's one reason I shop more online. I don't think the other shopping channels let as many customers call in. I haven't watched the other channels much, but I am watching them more and more. But Rick D. is great about getting the callers off the phone. He is professional, but doesn't let the calls drag out as some of the other hosts do.

Re: Long winded callers

daisyk — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:44:44 GMT

I agree, I cringe sometimes when people go on. I've changed the channel at times. Funny about Rick, I used to think he bordered on rudeness with customer calls, but he seems like he tries to be a little more tolerant these days. Some people are lonely I guess and need to talk.

Re: Long winded callers

Camry22 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:48:00 GMT

I completely agree. Callers should understand that we don't want the life story. Just say your piece and get off gets phone. But I too rarely watch live anymore. Online is the only way to go IMO.

Re: Long winded callers

ajsidney12 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:48:47 GMT

I agree with you for the most part. The issue is usually that someone states they have health problems, do not get out of the house, have limited outside contact with others, etc. and therefore makes the host(ess) feel guilty about cutting them off. If someone wants to say they like a designer or a host, they should be able to do so, but in a very brief statement. Those callers that are just long winded, should be hung up on. I know one of the other channels does that, which at first I found callous but now see it is necessary as these are not self-help call in shows. Or they should be on a timer. I, like you, rely on the reviews online rather than anything the callers say, and Q is not going to rid the channel of the callers entirely.

Re: Long winded callers

HappyDaze — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 02:55:23 GMT

Yes some of them are hard to take. I am not a fan of the calls in general but the ones where they go on and on and on- talking about everything from their medical issues to wanting the host to say hi to their friend Betty who is watching to how young everyone thinks they are, it just is too much. It wastes time and has never added anything of value, imo. Half the time the callers don't seem to even want to be onair- it is like pulling teeth to get them to talk so why'd they call in??

I say do away with the calls altogether and spend more time talking about the products and showing colors and swatches when it is makeup products.

Re: Long winded callers

NC Bandwagon — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 03:31:59 GMT

Hello, Day1128 and welcome.

Honestly, if I ever got to speak with Nick Chavez over the phone, I'd be very long winded.

Re: Long winded callers

ValuSkr — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 03:39:26 GMT

There was a caller to Chaz Dean the other day who had an awful lot to say.

Re: Long winded callers

PenneyT — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 04:00:05 GMT

I don't mind the calls. The hosts probably have to hurry them along, but often the creator of a product or line seems very happy to hear the callers, and to get feedback from actual customers.

Re: Long winded callers

CAMOGIRL — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 06:25:40 GMT

Yes, some people tend to go and on. Not about the on air item or previously aired item, but their personal life - their medical ssues, their personal losses, or something. They have the number to call for customers to comment on or ask questions about the on air item or a previously aired item for which you have ordered or contemplating ordering.I have to agree about Rick - he is not rude, just moving things along. Some people just don't realize that they are taking up air time for other shoppers. Yes, you can shop online - but, for some items a person may just want to see the show and judge from there if they want it or not. I know some people will gab your head off if you let them - the hosts should just not let them. They don't have to be rude by any means, just be firm and say thanks for calling in and enjoy your purchase.

Re: Long winded callers

Caaareful Shopper — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:30:15 GMT

@Day1128 I totally agree. Rick is great with the calls -- very warm with the callers, but also moving it right along. There are some hosts that feel compelled to get that "winner phrase" from a caller, even though 99% of people listening know the call should have ended long ago. I'm sorry to say Rachel is one host that consistently fields the most excruciatingly long-winded calls with her attempt at probing for that great sound bite from the caller. She's a sweet host, but I wish the producers in her ear would be much more assertive to tell her to wrap it up. I turn the channel whenever she takes a call.

Re: Long winded callers

Krimpette — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:16:58 GMT

I don't care much for the call-ins either. I wish there was a way that the C/S person who puts their call through to the host could politely tell them to please comment only about the product. Nothing more. But I'm sure that's not going to happen.

Re: Long winded callers

tototwo — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:17:37 GMT

If I'm watching QVC and they "go to the phones", I quickly change the channel.

Re: Long winded callers

qvcaddition — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:43:13 GMT

I don,t watch that much, usually go on Kindle and see what was on in the day. If I see something I,m interested in, I click the arrow and watch the presentation.

When I used to watch, some called because they wantet you to know about their Grand children and their life that has nothing to do with the product. If asked WHAT COLOR THEY BROUGHT, the host will always say perfection. Now, except for one show where I want to see the big picture, I watch later or DVD it to fast forward.

Re: Long winded callers

HappyDaze — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:25:52 GMT

I don't know who Rick is-not sure I've ever seen him host anything but I only watch beauty shows so perhaps he's never done them before- but he sounds like he knows how to handle callers. That is the problem-it is the host's responsibility to keep the caller ontrack and to move them along if they are long-winded and heading off track. They generally do a terrible job of this, at least during the beauty shows.

I am not kidding, the other day they kept a caller on the line for about 5+ minutes and she just kept saying the same things and I felt the host just kept encouraging her to talk. When they start talking about their medical issues and someone who passed away or other sad, off topic things like that, both the host and vendor seem uncomfortable and awkward and they have no idea what to say or do. The whole thing is uncomfortable and hard to watch and listen to but the host needs to LEAD the caller to make sure they don't veer off topic and often they don't.

I feel like some callers use the testimonial line for therapy and although I feel bad for them that they must not have anyone else to talk to, it really is inappropriate. There actually are no-charge phone numbers lonely people can call to talk about those types of things and get support, usually sponsored through hospitals or health departments.

Re: Long winded callers

Hoovermom — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:41:54 GMT

They make me uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassed for them.

Re: Long winded callers

chickenbutt — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:12:19 GMT

If everybody, who doesn't love the calls, changed the channel as soon as they heard 'let's go to the phones', maybe they would stop doing it.

I don't watch that much anymore but it's a guarantee that as soon as I hear those words I'm out of there. Nine times out of ten I forget to go back. When people do that, it's sales lost.

As long as it doesn't negatively affect their bottom line they will do it. That's the key.

Re: Long winded callers

NAES1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:52:00 GMT

@PenneyT wrote:
I don't mind the calls. The hosts probably have to hurry them along, but often the creator of a product or line seems very happy to hear the callers, and to get feedback from actual customers.

@PenneyT

From the few that I have heard, I would believe, YES, the vendors 'thrive on every word'. It must have been the (other channel) Evine/with the Skinn vendor..."he actually comes -almost up into the camera...it's almost like a high moment!

Once the host asks what she/he wants the caller to say, as a note convincing the audience...'the product is >all that +++, then she/he is no mre interested. That's what I've noticed.

As in reference to ( the sales male with blond hair) Domeimer), he's one definitely I can not watch. He REPEATS the same thing over & over every 3 minutes. I have seen him...maybe 5 times, at midnight on the TV shop Q specials, especially the mattress SELL. That was enough for me. I really have no idea what daytime callers are spewing for call in life stories, since I'm not a viewer, here...frequently.

BUT! I do have a fairly well insight of what you mean. Interesting, though.....

Re: Long winded callers

SunValley — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:26:39 GMT

I feel sympathy for people in pain from medical issues or losing loved ones, but a product call in is typically not the time or place to recount your troubles. There are rare shows that are devoted to in-home aids where this might be appropriate. Some hosts are better than others at guiding the call-in conversation. Other than feeling uncomfortable with the gushing or lamenting callers, I dislike when the hosts practically put words in their mouths and then make them agree. "Would you say that this ______ is the best you have ever used." The caller gulps and agrees. I have noticed two hosts who do this a lot. Last thought, I am sure nerves get the better of many callers and they blurt out things; probably hang up and think, "Now why did I say that!"

Re: Long winded callers

MomCat — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:32:30 GMT

Not a fan either. Prett much annoying. I usually change the channel if they go too long. I like how on HSN they simply stop talking to them after the point is made. Just cuts them off. That's better, and I agree the calls don't add one darn thing to the presentation.

Re: Long winded callers

handygal2 — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:02:45 GMT

The Q must be convinced that the testimonial calls are helping their bottom line, otherwise they would discontinue them. I read an article that said the show's producers are watching the volume of phone orders placed in real-time. So they can see if orders spike during a testimonial call. They probably let a call drag on if it's "working."