topic Re: Last straw in Q Talk

Last straw

Kardi — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:18:14 GMT

i think I've finally reached the point of no return. First, the increase in prices on most everything. ( Like $50 tee shirts.). Second, the increased shipping charges. (Up to $12 on shoes and handbags.). Third, the constant tinkering with the web site and community board. It now, for me, has reached a point where it is an unpleasant experience to shop here. It seems the Q (quality) has deteriorated, the V (value) is totally gone, and the C (convenience) has been minimized with slow shipping and a web site that has become less user friendly. I may have to buy one or two items here that I can't find elsewhere, but that's it. My sympathies to those who can't get out to b & m stores.

Re: Last straw

wagirl — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:34:41 GMT

Yes I have noticed the same things too and have opted for finding almost the same items online, elsewhere, with free shipping/returns as well as no sales tax. Don't watch much anymore either. Been with the Q since Jan of 1986, not that warrents any special treatment. But then that is what we can expect these days. Everything retail is the same way. You just have to do your research and get as good a value as you can. I prefer to support my local businesses anyway. And if you have to go to a few places, at least gas is a good deal!

Re: Last straw

danedylan — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:42:23 GMT

here's a question--when they post about a return that if it's LESS than lets say 5lbs. it costs this much-if it's over let's say 5 lbs it costs MORE (don't remember the exact costs)--do they charge u when you return a box that has a box inside??--do u know what I mean?--some things r heavier bc they have that article in a box & then they ship in another box--so how do they determine how much 2 charge 4 that return?

Re: Last straw

CAMOGIRL — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:50:56 GMT

Have not quite gotten to that point yet myself... But, in general I do shop the Q less and less often it seems over the past few years.

Do not get me wrong - I feel like I have gotten many nice items - just seems to me the pricing is getting kinda ridiculous really for what you are getting sometimes. I know everywhere has gone up, and I do not have an issue with paying higher prices for a quality item, and I do not mean designer either - I definitely think anything labeled designer these days on the Q is soo ridiculous. If you were really into designer clothes - you would not be shopping here to begin with - at least I wouldn't.

Re: Last straw

Pook — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:20:31 GMT

I'm the exact opposite as I reached the point of no return shopping at B & M stores many years ago!! Shopping online here and other places is worth any higher costs - although when you factor in gas to get to B & M stores, your time and all the extras purchased going out to shop it's actually cheaper to buy here!! I find shopping B & M stores to be an unpleasnat experience. It's great that we all have options now that suit us!! I actually save since the s& h changes since I don't buy many clothing items and return nothing except for defective items

Re: Last straw

Q4u — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:33:17 GMT

@danedylan wrote:
here's a question--when they post about a return that if it's LESS than lets say 5lbs. it costs this much-if it's over let's say 5 lbs it costs MORE (don't remember the exact costs)--do they charge u when you return a box that has a box inside??--do u know what I mean?--some things r heavier bc they have that article in a box & then they ship in another box--so how do they determine how much 2 charge 4 that return?

I'm no cheerleader, but I do sell on eBay and ship items every day and can tell you that even those big Dennis Basso Boxes with his coats in them would cost me on average (and with an eBay discount) around $20-$25 to ship and that's not Priority....

So IMHO their return shipping is usually less than what the average customer would pay to ship. Also, QVC gives the customer the option of "paying up front"... taking the item in to the post office and paying to ship it however they want it to go.

A box within a box would add to the shipping because the post office determines cost by weight, size, girth, as well as destination so their return shipping labels are at a reduced fixed price for a lot of their returns.

I was at the post office the other day and a lady came in with two heavy boxes for her grandkids who were overseas with their parents. The boxes were about 1 1/2 feet square and looked like they weighed a bit. I overheard the clerk tell her that it would cost $30 and $35 to ship them to the East Coast where they would pick up their Military airplane for the APO. She was floored as she just didn't ship often. It wasn't even Priority... and there was no time frame as to when her grandkids would receive them... only about 5 days to reach the East Coast. (Military flights overseas to deliver packages don't have any time frame).... She walked out of there stunned.

I just returned a Dennis Basso fur coat just a few days ago and it came with a label for $9.95 return shipping. I know for a fact that I would have paid $20 -$25 for regular shipping (paying $2.35 per every $50 of it's value as well)....

All I can say is that each customer has to weigh their desire for the item against what it will cost to ship it back if it doesn't work out and determine if it's worth it!

Re: Last straw

sparklestar — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:42:19 GMT

@Kardi wrote:
i think I've finally reached the point of no return. First, the increase in prices on most everything. ( Like $50 tee shirts.). Second, the increased shipping charges. (Up to $12 on shoes and handbags.). Third, the constant tinkering with the web site and community board. It now, for me, has reached a point where it is an unpleasant experience to shop here. It seems the Q (quality) has deteriorated, the V (value) is totally gone, and the C (convenience) has been minimized with slow shipping and a web site that has become less user friendly. I may have to buy one or two items here that I can't find elsewhere, but that's it. My sympathies to those who can't get out to b & m stores.

So you stated your complaints and your disappointments and unpleasantries so much so that you won't be shopping QVC ... oh, wait, except they are there to fulfill your needs for one ot two items. Hmmmm.

Re: Last straw

Kardi — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 16:31:24 GMT

That's right. It's my opinion and I'm certainly entitled to it as you are to yours. QVC is a retail website not a friend or relative. I have no deep personal attachment like some people seem to.

Re: Last straw

Newgate — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 17:24:46 GMT

I would rather shop in B&M stores because I enjoy walking around and walking up and down in the malls! Good exercise for me!!

But what is getting to me about them such as Macy's and JC Penney is they have maybe 2 checkout stands for each floor and we now stand in long lines for every purchase!! I usually shop during the week in the middle of the day and still have to deal with lines!!

I really do not like shipping charges, however!!

Re: Last straw

ChicagoHeather2 — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 17:34:18 GMT

Also, so irritating that they eliminated 50% S&H in same order because they were rolling out the $3.00 flat shipping, then eliminated that and didn't reinstitute the 50% (some items are still $3.00 but most have gone up). And they also started deducting the full original S&H as well as the minimum $6.95 S&H for every return. So, if you return a purse, for example, you could easily pay nearly $18-20.00 all-in for S&H alone and you have nothing to show for it. Just another thing to keep in mind when ordering. I'm careful about purchases, but still have to return items if they don't look/function as expected. I only buy a few items from a 2-3 brands that still have better deals that I can purchase anywhere else.

Re: Last straw

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 18:11:31 GMT

@Kardi wrote:
That's right. It's my opinion and I'm certainly entitled to it as you are to yours. QVC is a retail website not a friend or relative. I have no deep personal attachment like some people seem to.

Some people seem to take any criticism so personally. My favorite is the poster who can be counted on to chime in an lecture us all on how business works every time someone has a complaint. It gets old, really old.

Re: Last straw

Kardi — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 14:43:32 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:

@Kardi wrote:
That's right. It's my opinion and I'm certainly entitled to it as you are to yours. QVC is a retail website not a friend or relative. I have no deep personal attachment like some people seem to.
Some people seem to take any criticism so personally. My favorite is the poster who can be counted on to chime in an lecture us all on how business works every time someone has a complaint. It gets old, really old.

Don't you just wonder if they operate that way in their personal life? Wouldn't they just be the life of the party? Wow! I guess I should feel sorry for such socially challenged types.

Re: Last straw

Twins Mom — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 14:52:43 GMT

Supporting B&M stores is essential or we might find outselves not being able to feel and try on anything. Furthermore, what do you think will happen to "free shipping" when the B&M stores disappear for returns? QVC has its place, especially for those customers who have little variety in local shopping. For others, I strongly suggest looking local.

Re: Last straw

GinaV24 — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:50:30 GMT

@ChicagoHeather2 yes, paying return shipping plus original shipping has made me REALLY careful of what I buy. Clothing is probably the biggest challenge. I don't take a chance on shoes any longer. I'll go to a store and try them on or buy thru a website that has free S&H and returns.

There are a few brands/items on QVC that I still look at but my purchases have gone way down due to same old same old, pricing & S&H charges. Simply not worth it for me.

Re: Last straw

Allegheny — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:00:45 GMT

It seems I started shopping at the Q ages ago, probably in the 80s. At that time, TV home shopping was a novelty. Our local B&M stores didn't offer the variety (unless I drove over an hour to the city). The Q was different then. But alas things and times change; management changes, programming changes, I am no longer enthralled with any of the TV home shopping channels.

The biggest thing that changed this for me was the expansion of the internet. It has opened a whole new world of shopping options. For clothing and shoes, I still prefer B&M stores.

Re: Last straw

Ibby114 — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:18:21 GMT

I never use their return shipping label unless it's a problem order and the fee is waived. This minimizes the cost so much. I collect a few returns over the month and use a USPS flat rate envelope- the legal size envelopes can hold a lot! Using the usps website for shipping also provides me with free tracking- so I know exactly when Q has received my return.

Obviously I don't buy bulky items - for the most part. And rarely shoes because sizing varies so much (for me, even more than clothing!). I still don't get the original shipping back, but I spend $5.75 to return a few items and it's received at Q within a day or two. Rather than $5.95 (or more) a pop for very slow shipping!

Re: Last straw

CalminHeart — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 12:54:23 GMT

I prefer shopping online but rarely buy from Q anymore. Most other retailers will offer the same item with free shipping AND returns AND a promotion code for a decent discount. Why would I pay extra to buy it from Q when I can get it elsewhere for less?

Re: Last straw

tototwo — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 13:43:13 GMT

QVC, Amazon, et al, are very handy for some. When I worked full time+, I did most of my shopping online. Sure, returning things and postage costs were a pain, but online shopping was easier.

Now that I'm retired, I've re-discovered shopping. It's fun! I enjoy going into stores and seeing, feeling, and smelling the items I buy. I try on clothes before I buy them -- what a concept! I've only ordered a handful of items from Q in the last 2 years. Most have been unhappy experiences and I paid waaay more for shipping than I should have. I haven't had "my last straw" yet, but I'm getting there very fast.

@Kardi, I totally understand.

Re: Last straw

cubagal — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 13:57:19 GMT

Sparklestar, that wasn't a very nice reply. If you can't be nice then don't reply. Sick of these snippy people with their snippy replies.

Re: Last straw

Q4u — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 14:53:11 GMT

What has been very disappointing to me personally (I've sold on eBay since 2003) is the misunderstanding regarding shipping costs. Even after explaining to customers that shipping is expensive and that I will usually absorb at least half the shipping costs, sometimes giving free shipping, that customers STILL ding my stars on shipping costs. I never charge for any of the materials I use to ship (envelopes, boxes that are not for Priority, packing, peanuts, paper)... I still split the cost of shipping.

I find the same thing happening on QVC. People hate shipping costs and think they are being ripped off when it costs A LOT to ship something anymore. Sellers like myself can't usually absorb shipping costs and those offering free shipping will "build in" their shipping costs into the price of the item.... so the customer pays for shipping anyway. I don't do that.

Anyway, it's a major problem and I think QVC has solved their massive return problem by making the customer think twice about returning something.... but on the other hand, people may be stopping their buying altogether for fear of having to return (and pay what QVC wants for return shipping, which is consistently far less than actual shipping costs.) ....