topic Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification in Customer Care

To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

ChazzyLady — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 20:55:54 GMT

I am requesting clarification on QVC pricing. In particular, sale price vs. clearance price. Throughout several presentations of various products, I have been led to believe that clearance prices were the lowest prices for any given item. However, today I on ITKWD, product #K42765 was "on sale" for $116.34 yet I recently purchased it for $139.96. Not a big deal money wise for some but it is to me.

Please clarify QVC'S pricing policies in this regard.

BTW, I did post a similar topic today under the community forum, but that topic was directed at QVC customers who may have had an experience similar to mine whereas this topic is specifically directed to the attention to someone in an official capacity with QVC and also I wanted others here to benefit from whatever the answer is.

Want to be clear that I AM NOT going to be posting the same topic question all over the boards as has been done in the past by others, LOL!

Thank you.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

KYToby — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 23:01:59 GMT

There is a link to pricing information at the bottom of every page on QVC's website, including this one.

With the exception of one-time-only pricing, I do not bellieve QVC guarantees sales pricing or clearance pricing will the the lowest you will ever pay. No business can guarantee this as pricing may drop as quantities/inventory/seasons change.

As far as demanding an explanation, I do not believe you will get one. QVC does not have to justify its pricing to anyone. As with any purchase, it is incumbent upon each one of us to decide whether the price is a good value for ourselves.

Do you go into brick and mortar stores and demand that they explin their pricing. If you buy something there, and they later sell the items for less, do you go in and cause a fuss and demand explanations? Why should QVC be any different?

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

vickie25 — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:43:06 GMT

@KYToby wrote:
There is a link to pricing information at the bottom of every page on QVC's website, including this one.

With the exception of one-time-only pricing, I do not bellieve QVC guarantees sales pricing or clearance pricing will the the lowest you will ever pay. No business can guarantee this as pricing may drop as quantities/inventory/seasons change.

As far as demanding an explanation, I do not believe you will get one. QVC does not have to justify its pricing to anyone. As with any purchase, it is incumbent upon each one of us to decide whether the price is a good value for ourselves.

Do you go into brick and mortar stores and demand that they explin their pricing. If you buy something there, and they later sell the items for less, do you go in and cause a fuss and demand explanations? Why should QVC be any different?

She is not "demanding" an explanation. No where in her post did she say that. The OP politely stated she wanted to understand QVC's pricing and I see nothing wrong with asking that question. But as you stated she may not get a response.

For what it's worth, an item can have many prices during it's life at QVC. Before QVC started playing pricing games with what they used to call OTO - One Time Only, I could tell you with certainty that the OTO, if applicable, is the lowest price an item would ever be due to the fact there was no expiration date on the OTO. Then QVC changed the name to ODO - One Day Only pricing good for 1 yr and reduced that again to only good for 6 months.

I've seen the following pricing on items (generally in order from highest to lowest price)

1. QVC Price

2. Featured Price

3. Try Me Price - though I think QVC has discontinued that pricing

4. Clearance Price

5. Sale Price

6. Flash Sale Price

7. ODO (One Day Only) Price - expires after 6 months

8. Last Clicks Price

9. LTS (Lunchtime Special) Price

10. LQ (Limited Quantity) Price

11. "As IS" Price

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

Dorothy11 — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:54:20 GMT

Up until very recently, QVC did not offer heavily discounted items with the exception of TSVs and OTO. The world of shopping has changed to to the internet, where we can now comparison shop and view all items offered by QVC all the time, not just when they are on air.

The different pricing names are simply marketing tools. What word will prompt someone to purchase the item? Clearance? Sale? One day only? They can set the pricing wherever they like. If they want to get something out of inventory, or sizes become very limited, the prices will be the lowest.

Frankly, I'm really happy they have started having real sales. I picked up a gorgeous IM bag last week at over half off the original price.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

ChazzyLady — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:19:35 GMT

@vickie25 wrote:
@KYToby wrote:
There is a link to pricing information at the bottom of every page on QVC's website, including this one.

With the exception of one-time-only pricing, I do not bellieve QVC guarantees sales pricing or clearance pricing will the the lowest you will ever pay. No business can guarantee this as pricing may drop as quantities/inventory/seasons change.

As far as demanding an explanation, I do not believe you will get one. QVC does not have to justify its pricing to anyone. As with any purchase, it is incumbent upon each one of us to decide whether the price is a good value for ourselves.

Do you go into brick and mortar stores and demand that they explin their pricing. If you buy something there, and they later sell the items for less, do you go in and cause a fuss and demand explanations? Why should QVC be any different?
She is not "demanding" an explanation. No where in her post did she say that. The OP politely stated she wanted to understand QVC's pricing and I see nothing wrong with asking that question. But as you stated she may not get a response.

For what it's worth, an item can have many prices during it's life at QVC. Before QVC started playing pricing games with what they used to call OTO - One Time Only, I could tell you with certainty that the OTO, if applicable, is the lowest price an item would ever be due to the fact there was no expiration date on the OTO. Then QVC changed the name to ODO - One Day Only pricing good for 1 yr and reduced that again to only good for 6 months.

I've seen the following pricing on items (generally in order from highest to lowest price)

1. QVC Price
2. Featured Price
3. Try Me Price - though I think QVC has discontinued that pricing
4. Clearance Price
5. Sale Price
6. Flash Sale Price
7. ODO (One Day Only) Price - expires after 6 months
8. Last Clicks Price
9. LTS (Lunchtime Special) Price
10. LQ (Limited Quantity) Price
11. "As IS" Price

Thank you @vickie25 for your kind words and especially in-depth historical perspective on QVC pricing. Your list is truly "cut and paste" worthy! Your answer is all I was asking for and I really don't think it's too much to ask of any vendor, online, on TV, or elsewhere.

As for politely asking, yes I always try to be thoughtful and polite when posting here or on any other forum.

I also NEVER respond to or in any way engage anyone directing ad hominem (personal) attacks or who use the old "Straw Man" approach with me by quoting something I didn't say and then asking or demanding an answer. Never. It is just pointless and a waste of time and energy, and just feeds, well, whatever people like that feed on since no matter how often they feed on that kind of negativity, they are, sadly, never full.

Again, thank you for your insights.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

ChazzyLady — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:56:10 GMT

@Dorothy11 wrote:
Up until very recently, QVC did not offer heavily discounted items with the exception of TSVs and OTO. The world of shopping has changed to to the internet, where we can now comparison shop and view all items offered by QVC all the time, not just when they are on air.
The different pricing names are simply marketing tools. What word will prompt someone to purchase the item? Clearance? Sale? One day only? They can set the pricing wherever they like. If they want to get something out of inventory, or sizes become very limited, the prices will be the lowest.
Frankly, I'm really happy they have started having real sales. I picked up a gorgeous IM bag last week at over half off the original price.

He he @Dorothy11 I guess everybody now knows which term will get me shopping and that's CLEARANCE, LOL!!! I learn so much from you wonderful people on this forum. In this instance, both you and @vickie25 have helped me to scrutinize their pricing terms more carefully.

BTW, I watch Isaac Mizrahi's shows--I think he's a real doll--frequently but have never bought anything. But, with Fall rapidly approaching, I just might want to treat myself to a clothing item. Have you ever ordered his clothes and did you like what you ordered?

Thanks.

Edited to say that @vickie25 did indeed include that term in her response above. You go girl @vickie25!

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

dooBdoo — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:28:53 GMT

@ChazzyLady, I think yours is an interesting question. I looked at the bottom of the Community page and click on this -- Pricing & Retail Values -- and was surprised to find a list of (if I counted correctly) 26 different categories with descriptions of each one:

Pricing & Retail Values

(Unless otherwise stated, pricing shown does not include shipping and handling or applicable sales tax.)

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

ChazzyLady — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:38:04 GMT

Hahaha @dooBdoo, yes, I guess QVC's motto is why just have only four or five categories when a bajillion will do, LOL!

Thanks.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

dooBdoo — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:40:16 GMT

@ChazzyLady wrote:
Hahaha @dooBdoo, yes, I guess QVC's motto is why just have only four or five categories when a bajillion will do, LOL!

It's bizarre, isn't it? I recall reading an article in the past about the companies with a mind-blowing number of "special offer" categories.

It's almost meaningless, at this point.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

KathyPet — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 01:50:38 GMT

There was a news story I read on line a couple of years ago about a consumer group that had surveyed pricing policies from multiple vendors including on line sources, B&M stores and shopping channels. QVC was at the top of the list for the worst offender for confusing and misleading pricing. THe group singled out QVC citing over 20 different kinds of pricing promotions. They said QVC's pricing was designed to confuse purchasers and lead them to believe they were getting a good price when in fact they were not.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

Moonchilde — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 02:12:42 GMT

@KathyPet wrote:
There was a news story I read on line a couple of years ago about a consumer group that had surveyed pricing policies from multiple vendors including on line sources, B&M stores and shopping channels. QVC was at the top of the list for the worst offender for confusing and misleading pricing. THe group singled out QVC citing over 20 different kinds of pricing promotions. They said QVC's pricing was designed to confuse purchasers and lead them to believe they were getting a good price when in fact they were not.

I remember talk of this too.

I think that very long-time customers of QVC who are in their 70s and 80s have relied on whatever QVC told them the "usual" and "sale" prices were because for whatever reason they could not and/or did not price compare and QVC used to be almost the only game in town. So, QVC has been able to claim anything they want about prices and do whatever to manipulate this particular group of shoppers.

In five years, these customers will no longer be in their data base (not based solely on age but also the non-tech savvy aspect) and they will have to deal with customers in that same age group (and younger) who DO comparison shop, know what prices are, good or bad, and who WILL shop around because they ARE tech-savvy.

It does not seem to me that QVC has done *any* planning for this eventuality, which is bizarre.

Re: To Moderators and/or Customer Service, Pricing Clarification

KathyPet — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:04:13 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
@KathyPet wrote:
There was a news story I read on line a couple of years ago about a consumer group that had surveyed pricing policies from multiple vendors including on line sources, B&M stores and shopping channels. QVC was at the top of the list for the worst offender for confusing and misleading pricing. THe group singled out QVC citing over 20 different kinds of pricing promotions. They said QVC's pricing was designed to confuse purchasers and lead them to believe they were getting a good price when in fact they were not.

I remember talk of this too.

I think that very long-time customers of QVC who are in their 70s and 80s have relied on whatever QVC told them the "usual" and "sale" prices were because for whatever reason they could not and/or did not price compare and QVC used to be almost the only game in town. So, QVC has been able to claim anything they want about prices and do whatever to manipulate this particular group of shoppers.

In five years, these customers will no longer be in their data base (not based solely on age but also the non-tech savvy aspect) and they will have to deal with customers in that same age group (and younger) who DO comparison shop, know what prices are, good or bad, and who WILL shop around because they ARE tech-savvy.

It does not seem to me that QVC has done *any* planning for this eventuality, which is bizarre.

I do agree with you Moonchilde. I read on these forums postings from customers who are heavy and frequent buyers from QVC. THey seem to be older woman who cannot or do not wish to get out to B&M stores and appear to be oblivious to the selection of comparison shopping opportunities available on line. THese buyers are aging out and are being replaced by younger, tech savvy customers who are not going to be taken in by QVC's pricing games, shoddy merchandise and high shipping fees. AS far as QVC's target market being consumers with annual income of over $100,000 I wonder what they are putting in the coffee in the QVC executive offices. I cannot believe that most people with that kind of income are making QVC their primary shopping venue especially for fashion items.