topic Re: Val Pumpkins TSV in Holiday

Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:13:58 GMT

Well, for some reason, I am not able to write a review so thought I'd put it out here. I received my TSV Val Pumpkins yesterday in the Ivory. I had purchased the Orange last year and was pleased, but somewhat disappointed that the light did not shine through real well. This year, Val and the hosts stated over and over that improvements had been made this year so I took the plunge. I decided to just check the lights today to make sure they were functional before the 30 day return period expired. I am familiar with the operations of the lights from last year. Upon opening them and attempting to insert batteries, two opened easily, one would not open no matter what I did. I even had my DH try and he could not twist it open either. It was almost as if it was glued shut in there. I could have tried to fix it somehow, but I have just had it. I struggled with the fox and baby item a week or so ago. It's always hit or miss with Val items in my experience. I packed them back up and left it at the UPS store about an hour ago. I cannot believe the quality control is so poor now with QVC. Those lights should have been checked before they went out, especially at that price point. My order came to $103.33 - NO excuse for such poor workmanship. I marked it as defective, (once again), and should NOT be charged return shipping. I think I am done with Val and QVC for home decor. So tired of receiving things that do not work correctly. I will stick with Home Goods and places where I will not be charged shipping and can return things easily if they do not work. Susan Graver and Quacker are the only brands I can even trust anymore as far as sizing goes. Have shopped with QVC for a very long time. Very sad times.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

geezerette — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:39:39 GMT

Sorry to hear about the poor condition of your pumpkins. That has to be disappointing.

As far as writing a review, it takes a few days to able to write one. I think they're doing this now to try get more actual reviews once people have gotten the products. If you really do want to leave a review, check your order status in a few days or a week and I'm sure the option will be available then.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

kitcat51 — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:48:05 GMT

How in the world could Q open every box, unpack the items, insert batteries if needed, inspect, then repack & mail out...I can hear the complaints now, Q sent me an opened used item & why is my order taking so long.The responsibility lies with Valerie's company & the suppliers she works with, all Q can do as the middleman is a refund. Mistakes happen & just like with every retailer you take a chance when ordering. Sorry you were disappointed @Deb213

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

seaBreeze — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:56:43 GMT

Thank you Deb ... I almost purchased a set today due to free shipping, but decided against it. Plus, no remote and I have lots of 'VPH' and am constantly changing batteries.

Your post made me glad I did say NO.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

SactoSue — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:07:29 GMT

I, too, found the cap on the battery tube to be difficult to twist off, at first. One was very very difficult and I was on the verge of giving up, but I tried again and it worked. Once I had removed it, it worked easily.

The little metal pan where the tube fit inside the pumpkin was also quite tight on one of mine. I was really worried it would not stay, but I wriggled the tube a bit and it seated properly.

I, too, was not impressed by the claim that the light was much more visible. I have the Thanksgiving set and I love the Mustard and Brown colors very much. I will wait until later into September before turning the lights on.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Sakuya — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:18:58 GMT

@seaBreeze - The set has a built-in timer. You only need to turn them on once at the time you want them to turn on each day. Then they will automatically turn off at 5 or 6 hours later and then back on again the next day at the same time you turned them on at day one.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Sakuya — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:28:20 GMT

@Deb213 - I am sorry you were disappointed after being so excited and ordering them. I have had battery boxes that seemed impossible to open. Thought I would break it if I kept trying but was eventually able to open item(s) and had no issues going forward. I understand being frustrated and not wanting to deal with it anymore.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:45:36 GMT

@kitcat51 wrote:
How in the world could Q open every box, unpack the items, insert batteries if needed, inspect, then repack & mail out...I can hear the complaints now, Q sent me an opened used item & why is my order taking so long.The responsibility lies with Valerie's company & the suppliers she works with, all Q can do as the middleman is a refund. Mistakes happen & just like with every retailer you take a chance when ordering. Sorry you were disappointed @Deb213

QVC is ultimately responsible for their products and the quality of those products. We do not order from the suppliers directly. Thanks for understanding the disappointment though! I guess I just feel like the quality of so many things has gone down since I started ordering over 30 years ago and it's kind of sad. I have bought so many beautiful things over the years and now I feel like I just can't trust the brand anymore.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:48:21 GMT

And thanks to those for letting me know that I wasn't the only one with issues getting the battery compartment open. I did not have these issues with the pumpkins from last year so something was done differently I guess.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

SactoSue — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 21:33:22 GMT

I actually worry more about breaking the lid of the battery compartment or losing it, as it has the battery contacts on it. If that lid doesn't stay closed for any reason, no set of batteries will work.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

tsavorite — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:14:33 GMT

@Deb213 I had the same issue also! 2 of mine would not open for me...but my husband got them both open. He was surprised at how tight they were on. Since mine won't go outside I am leaving that extra cover off.

Q may get a good number of returns if the factory put those covers on so tight. That's a shame.

I put my lights in right away as I wanted to do the timer and make sure it's working.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

rockygems123 — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:25:39 GMT

@Deb213 wrote:
Well, for some reason, I am not able to write a review so thought I'd put it out here. I received my TSV Val Pumpkins yesterday in the Ivory. I had purchased the Orange last year and was pleased, but somewhat disappointed that the light did not shine through real well. This year, Val and the hosts stated over and over that improvements had been made this year so I took the plunge. I decided to just check the lights today to make sure they were functional before the 30 day return period expired. I am familiar with the operations of the lights from last year. Upon opening them and attempting to insert batteries, two opened easily, one would not open no matter what I did. I even had my DH try and he could not twist it open either. It was almost as if it was glued shut in there. I could have tried to fix it somehow, but I have just had it. I struggled with the fox and baby item a week or so ago. It's always hit or miss with Val items in my experience. I packed them back up and left it at the UPS store about an hour ago. I cannot believe the quality control is so poor now with QVC. Those lights should have been checked before they went out, especially at that price point. My order came to $103.33 - NO excuse for such poor workmanship. I marked it as defective, (once again), and should NOT be charged return shipping. I think I am done with Val and QVC for home decor. So tired of receiving things that do not work correctly. I will stick with Home Goods and places where I will not be charged shipping and can return things easily if they do not work. Susan Graver and Quacker are the only brands I can even trust anymore as far as sizing goes. Have shopped with QVC for a very long time. Very sad times.

@Deb213

I wouldn't say the quality control is so poor with all of QVC items.

Valerie's items have declined in the last few years as you say really hit or miss.

Have been mostly happy with Home Reflections recently and in the last year, think their quality control is better.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

bellaartiste — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:52:38 GMT

I have the set from last year. The small one dropped from my hands landed on my wood floor and sharttered into a million pieces. It was like glass. I was shocked. Whatever the material is be careful. I thought because it is a man made material that it would last a long time.

I passed on this year as I find that it is hit, or miss with Valerie's products, and the price's seem high to me. I shop around town now mostly at Home Goods and Hobby Lobby for seasonal. I can get beautiful large picks at Hobby Lobby for around $4.00 each. Plus returns no matter what the size are easy, no shipping.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:56:37 GMT

I do have some Home Reflections items that have held up very well. They are a little pricier though. But I guess you get what you pay for...

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Tori3569 — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 04:20:24 GMT

@Deb213 wrote:
@kitcat51 wrote:
How in the world could Q open every box, unpack the items, insert batteries if needed, inspect, then repack & mail out...I can hear the complaints now, Q sent me an opened used item & why is my order taking so long.The responsibility lies with Valerie's company & the suppliers she works with, all Q can do as the middleman is a refund. Mistakes happen & just like with every retailer you take a chance when ordering. Sorry you were disappointed @Deb213
QVC is ultimately responsible for their products and the quality of those products. We do not order from the suppliers directly. Thanks for understanding the disappointment though! I guess I just feel like the quality of so many things has gone down since I started ordering over 30 years ago and it's kind of sad. I have bought so many beautiful things over the years and now I feel like I just can't trust the brand anymore.

Logistically, there is no manufacturer or retailer who can check every item it sells. The industry standard is about 3% of items are checked before being sold and shipped.

Trying to compare the quality of anything from 30 years ago is unrealistic.

There wasn't online shopping, there were many more smaller stores out there, more manufacturing was done here in the US and even QVC didn't sell as many items.

QVCs sales volume in 1995 was approximately $1.4 billion vs 2025 at $9.3 billion.

So, if your concern is quality control you're definitely better off going to physical stores where you can touch and try things out first.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:21:46 GMT

Very good points and I agree with you. So by that standard and the data now, maybe the QVC model just doesn't work anymore. Or at least take the Q out of their name? It's going to be a lot of brick and mortar for me from now on to be honest. I also have good luck with Amazon, but even the few times that I have had to return something to Amazon, their returns and refunds are so incredibly easy and fast, that it isn't as onerous as QVC's system is.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

RescueLover — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:13:08 GMT

@Deb123 🌻🍂

I’ve seen plenty of poor quality items at stores like Home Goods and TJ Maxx, At Home etc etc

And I wonder why they’re not in a special “Blow Out Clearance” section.

Items scratched, dented, broken, crooked, missing parts etc. etc.

Recently was looking for some Harvest signs. The 2 they had were very reasonably priced if You could remove the Very noticeable Black stains without ruining them. UGH

And if you’re truly a shopper going store to store like Me You will see these defects. But then again I’m not one to pick up and item without looking it over good before putting it in My cart.

I come home and tell My Husband I find better items at QVC !!

Also I don’t know understand how people don’t get refunds right away ? Because I get a refund or an item EXCHANGE from the Q, before they even receive it back. 😉

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Deb213 — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 13:48:20 GMT

I agree with you too. I do see some low quality/damaged things in the stores as well. The difference is that I can choose not to buy it at that point. With online shopping, you dont know it's damaged/defective until it gets to your home. Then you have the whole returns process, charging to return it, and the delayed refunds. Yes, I have had many delays in refunds from QVC as have many who have posted here through the years. I have tolerated it for a long time. Something just snapped yesterday and I am not going through the aggravation anymore. I will stick with my reliable QVC clothing brands on occasion, but as far as depending on things that have to operate or function, it's over for me. The trust has been broken.

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

RescueLover — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:08:11 GMT

@Deb213 🌻🍂

How do you do returns and exchanges ?

Are you using QEasy Returns or starting a return online through Order Status?

Re: Val Pumpkins TSV

Pecky — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:27:39 GMT

@RescueLover wrote:

@Deb213🌻🍂

How do you do returns and exchanges ?

Are you using QEasy Returns or starting a return online through Order Status?

@RescueLover I always do this and like you mentioned, I get a refund days before they even receive it. Also @Deb213 if the item is defective they don't charge for the return label. Q has come along way with their returns. Another good reason to use their label is if it is sitting at the post office or lost they will refund you immediately because of using their label. This happened to me last week.