topic Re: Dear QVC... in Jewelry

Dear QVC...

terrier3 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:18:51 GMT

Well 2Q revenues are in and jewelry sales are down. You have just relieved your US CEO of her job.

From your quarterly report:

"QVC US's revenue increased 3% to $1.4 billion in the second quarter primarily due to strength in all categories except electronics and jewelry."

PLEASE reconsider the dumbing down and cheapening of your jewelry lines, especially, IMO, Judith Ripka.

I have noticed that this year's TSV's didn't do very well and reviews weren't strong.

PLEASE listen to Ripka fans from way back...and DITCH the Diamonique and over the top embellishment with cheap stones and doublets. And stop insulting our intelligence with $9,000 peridot bracelets, festooned with CZs.

PLEASE.

Thank you!

Re: Dear QVC...

santorini — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:32:38 GMT

Amen.

Re: Dear QVC...

curlywhitedog — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:34:43 GMT

Amen from me too

Maria

Re: Dear QVC...

twocent — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:34:53 GMT

Re: Dear QVC...

Sawn — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:37:20 GMT

I totally agree.

Re: Dear QVC...

Krimpette — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:44:39 GMT

I kind of wish they'd quit over-doing with fads: i.e., drusy, black spinel, now Sleeping Beauty turquoise, etc. The only jewelry I buy on QVC these days is that by Hagit Gorali or Carolyn Pollack.

Re: Dear QVC...

Jaguar74 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:46:42 GMT

Better words could not have been stated, santorini! Now let's hope that the PTB read your post and make amends. The JR jewelry for sure looks like "junk jewelry" that is waaayyyy overpriced. It's just a real shame. I don't watch electronics that often so I csn voice an opinion there. But all in all, things need to be revamped! Yesterday, not today or tomorrow or next quarter!

Re: Dear QVC...

needsmorecowbell — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:46:45 GMT

But their total revenue increased 3%, so that would be good news for the company. So their plan to focus less on jewelry seems to be working for QVC.

When the price of gold sky rocketed and increased from under 300 dollars an ounce in 2001 to 1800 dollars an ounce a little over a year ago, they had to change their inventory. Jewelry sales were down dramatically everywhere. I dont know the statistics but I would assume many jewelers went out of business.

I dont think people are buying jewelry anymore like in the past. I have read so many times on these forums how greatful people are to have their gold from the past and they would never pay the high prices for the hollowed out skimpy gold that is being offered.

QVC has tried to find alternatives such as the bronzo italia line, and the oro nuovo line. But everyone complains about that. Lets face it..the lucky people who scooped up their jewelry when prices were way more affordable are lucky.. I dont think those days are ever coming back.

I do agree that Judith's line has become overpriced..but people are buying it or they wouldnt have it on all the time. Designer silver jewelry in the market place is outrageous though..have you priced any David Yurman pieces lately..way higher than ripka..Unbelievable really. I saw a sterling silver and topaz bracelet on the Neiman site for 7000 dollars!!

Re: Dear QVC...

dooBdoo — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:51:56 GMT

ITA, terrier! Also, the abundance of precious metal filled with who-knows-what-materials, and the bronzo-ing of QVC have convinced me to completely stop buying jewelry from them. I remember hearing about cheap "mystery meat" in dining establishments in the past, which was so unappealing. At QVC we have "mystery 'fine' jewelry."

And I think they (and their customers) could benefit from less emphasis on a multitude of electronics offerings and more emphasis on a more consistent, better quality of electronics.

Re: Dear QVC...

mstyrion — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:12:23 GMT

I miss the sterling silver days when we got to see reasonably priced pieces that did not have a designer name attached. I admire a lot of the designer pieces but they are simply priced out of my range.

Remember Silver Style on Sunday mornings? I bought some lovely things from those shows.

Re: Dear QVC...

terrier3 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:25:33 GMT

On 9/4/2014 mstyrion said:
I miss the sterling silver days when we got to see reasonably priced pieces that did not have a designer name attached. I admire a lot of the designer pieces but they are simply priced out of my range.

Remember Silver Style on Sunday mornings? I bought some lovely things from those shows.

Thanks for reminding me about Silver Style.

That's what got me started on QVC!

Re: Dear QVC...

fthunt — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:33:33 GMT

Very interesting read - I predict Q's bottom line will slowly decrease even more over time as more people become tired of the same faces and rehearsed sales pitch. In my case my credit card statement is no more line after line of QVC purchases; but rather only 2 items (vitamins and Dr. Perricone) on auto delivery 2/3 x's year.

As far as jewelry - no more here - have enough real stuff sitting in the drawer.

Re: Dear QVC...

santorini — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:34:24 GMT

On 9/4/2014 Jaguar74 said: Better words could not have been stated, santorini! Now let's hope that the PTB read your post and make amends. The JR jewelry for sure looks like "junk jewelry" that is waaayyyy overpriced. It's just a real shame. I don't watch electronics that often so I csn voice an opinion there. But all in all, things need to be revamped! Yesterday, not today or tomorrow or next quarter!

I can't take credit for those words. Those are terrier's words. I only said one word in agreement.

Re: Dear QVC...

culebra — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:39:17 GMT

I still like Judith Ripka jewelry, but this last TSV(turquoise bracelet) was not very good. QVC and Ripka really skimped on the bracelet by making it smaller than usual sized Ripka bracelets. I thought I received a baby bracelet in small. I did not mind that it was narrower. What I minded they made all sizes smaller so they use less silver etc. I purchased to use as a stacking bracelet with several of my other Ripka cuffs and bracelets. All of my other small bracelets will fall over it. Silver is now cheaper than it was two years ago.

On the other hand the barrel necklace offered at a One Time Only was just beautiful as was my silver chronograph watch.

Re: Dear QVC...

motherinlaw — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:16:06 GMT

Hi culebra: I have had many of the same thoughts and results as you as far as Ripka jewelry goes.

Have yet to receive my OTO barrel necklace but happy to hear from you that yours is beautiful! That has been on my wishlist for a long time and finally purchased it when it went on the OTO price.

My first Ripka watch came yesterday in the chocolate chrono which really should be called antique bronze...it is deep and gorgeous in color....simply stunning!

Have been concentrating my Ripka purchases mainly the last few years in the JR2 line but with the sale of the company last Spring, there have been issues there as well. Still waiting for some earrings I ordered in April to arrive....they were due in July.

I went to my first jewelry estate sale last Spring and will go again in two months. Totally wonderful pieces to choose from in all areas of jewelry....it's like being in a candy store!

Have also been purchasing more from Carolyn Pollack's line this summer just because she happen to have pieces I can easily use to mix and match with other designers and yes....Made in America and you get weighty metals and real stones. That makes a nice combination and I appreciate that.

Diligence is so important now when purchasing jewelry....if you really watch/learn and research, you can find good things out there. Just seems to take longer.

Re: Dear QVC...

DINOBABY — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:25:53 GMT

I agree, and if you want to sell more jewelry bring back Kirks Folly and their sets, and silver style with no designer jewelry. Silver is not that expensive and it is extremely insulting to have some of the designer jewelry at the outlandish prices in the thousands for common gemstones. Also, gold is no longer at 1800 an oz, so stop using that excuse. I am a longtime customer and the Q is pricing most of us right out the door. One more thing, enough with the bronzo stuff, if you want to sell fashion jewelry that's fine, but the bronzo that you try to pass off as designer with the high price tag is not fooling anyone.

Re: Dear QVC...

MarenSeattle — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:36:39 GMT

Back in the day, QVC used to offer good, quality jewelry. Heavy pieces, well manufactured. Remember Imperial Gold?

needsmorecowbell (LOVE your nic!) raises an excellent point about the price of precious metals skyrocketing, so adjustments had to be made. They probably wouldn't have been able to sell volume if their inventory consisted of pieces costing $1K or more.

But they shouldn't sell the cheap (and cheaply manufactured), LIGHTWEIGHT and hollowed out pieces. I think most of us (or maybe just me :-) would be willing to pay a little higher price to receive a quality piece of jewelry -- even if it isn't large and honkin'.

I just got a Sergio Gutierrez liquid metal bracelet which is HEFTY and FEELS so good on my wrist. It's nickle plated (we'll see if I have a problem with nickle :-), and cost like $80. It sparkles in the sun like diamonds. I haven't been this thrilled with a piece in years, and I'm not having to justify it in my mind by saying "well, it's sterling" to overcome the chintzy-ness.

Re: Dear QVC...

Jump4joy2 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:42:03 GMT

Well said!! I no longer watch the jewelry shows. For years, I purchased more jewelry than anything else from the Q. Those days are gone -- along with the quality of the jewelry they offer.

Re: Dear QVC...

Jump4joy2 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:42:34 GMT

Well said!! I no longer watch the jewelry shows. For years, I purchased more jewelry than anything else from the Q. Those days are gone -- along with the quality of the jewelry they offer.

Re: Dear QVC...

colliegirls — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:49:59 GMT

I would hope that the report would have them offering a larger selection of jewelry and eliminating SO MANY electronic shows!!!