topic Re: Martha on Top in Holiday

Martha on Top

KWestchester — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 22:19:47 GMT

I've been a huge Valerie fan for years. Still am. But, her prices are now too high for me, and new ideas seem few and far between. Martha Stewart's prices can be just as high, but her items are more elevated than Valerie's and many we haven't seen before.

Re: Martha on Top

KWestchester — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 22:19:52 GMT

Re: Martha on Top

fthunt — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 22:55:15 GMT

Today received Martha's gold wreath and it's perfect (as I knew it would be). Will use on front door in holiday season before the formal Christmas wreath is needed.

Opinion: Martha goes for Quality and fewer items

Valerie goes for volume Quantity - sell lots - so cheaper items offered.

Re: Martha on Top

GenXmuse — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 23:22:29 GMT

You can find close to the same thing at Michaels or hobby lobby. Probably the same factories in China for both. She can be seen as aspirational to some and that drives up sales because of her image and presentation approach. The two things I bought from her chipped easily and were overall a disappointment.

Re: Martha on Top

PhillyGirl23 — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 23:31:24 GMT

Both sell junky-looking things in my opinion.

Re: Martha on Top

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 23:40:56 GMT

Boy, am I out of the loop!

How often is Martha giving presentations these days? I would like to catch a show; didn't even realize she had product on QVC!

Re: Martha on Top

rms1954 — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 23:48:37 GMT

I never purchased any of her items but she went on and on and on about how elevated and elegant and high-quality her recent TSV light strands were. I ordered two sets, four strands altogether, and they arrived broken and damaged.

Re: Martha on Top

ajsidney12 — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 00:10:44 GMT

The last two yrs I have ordered TSV's of VPH and they were broken. I had purchased multiple sets both times and had to send all but one back. The only reason that one item did not go back (it was sold in 2021 as an oversized snowglobe type ornament with a Christmas scene and glitter) was because my kid loved it because it was Santa and they did not care it did not work. I ordered the strands from MS this year and not only did they ship almost immediately, they worked perfectly,

Re: Martha on Top

ScrapHappy — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 14:12:11 GMT

I didn't watch any of the CIJ shows. I don't need anything. I did notice Marth Stewart was back on air though. In the past, I have done better, price wise, shopping Hobby Lobby or Michaels. I've especially noticed items at Hobby Lobby are very similar to VPH if not a spot on match for a lot less money. I am concerned about my local Michaels store. For some time now they look like they're in trouble. Many aisles don't have a thing. Gone are all those wreaths they would have up high to the ceiling. Barely anyone in the store. I've mentioned this store before on a different thread: atHome store. Huge selection. Really nice wreaths at a very reasonable price point.

Re: Martha on Top

HLP — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 16:02:23 GMT

@GenXmuse wrote:
You can find close to the same thing at Michaels or hobby lobby. Probably the same factories in China for both. She can be seen as aspirational to some and that drives up sales because of her image and presentation approach. The two things I bought from her chipped easily and were overall a disappointment.

I can't get to Micheals or Hobby Lobby, so see there are a lot of folks like me, who are thrilled to shop with Valerie or Martha. Where in the USA do they make things like China makes? I've had things from Valerie going on 7 years, still beautiful, and still make me happy.

Re: Martha on Top

HLP — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 16:05:45 GMT

@PhillyGirl23 wrote:
Both sell junky-looking things in my opinion.

Whatever you do, Don't buy these things that make you unhappy.

Re: Martha on Top

chlema — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 19:31:16 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
I never purchased any of her items but she went on and on and on about how elevated and elegant and high-quality her recent TSV light strands were. I ordered two sets, four strands altogether, and they arrived broken and damaged.

Sorry to hear yours came broken. I only ordered 1 set and it was not damaged. I have one strand in a 18" bird cage type thing, using just the white light feature, and it is just beautiful lit up at night. I'm really glad I purchased them.

I only have ordered twice before on Q for Martha's products. One was her pruning shears, 3 years ago and they're still going strong. A good purchase. The other was her set of 3 huge gardening bags - the kind you put your discards in before dumping them in the yard waste cans for pick-up. Boy were they a good purchase. I always have one hidden outside, rain or shine, and so far only one has bitten the dust after years of use.

So going by my experience I will not hesitate to order from Martha again.

Re: Martha on Top

fingerlakesny — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 19:40:44 GMT

You guys are lucky that you can go to Hobby Lobby, Target, Cosco, Home Goods etc. I live in a very rural area and it is over an hour to the nearest of these stores in the city. I can't and don't drive in any city. I get very bad anxiety, so I just avoid it. Once in a while, I can find a ride. We do have Michael's and JoAnne in the area. At least I have that.

Re: Martha on Top

bluetail fly — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 19:45:49 GMT

@KWestchester wrote:
I've been a huge Valerie fan for years. Still am. But, her prices are now too high for me, and new ideas seem few and far between. Martha Stewart's prices can be just as high, but her items are more elevated than Valerie's and many we haven't seen before.

I have been thinking along those lines and you expressed it very well.

Valerie still has some lovely items and I love watching her for decorating ideas, but I enjoy Martha's shows tremendously. I have bought many of Valerie's items over the years both as gifts and for my home. In my old age I am finding more and more of Martha's offerings that I want for ME.

Re: Martha on Top

nomar — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:21:27 GMT

I am anxiously waiting for my globe string lights to come in and very nervous about them. So many bad reviews about bulbs, etc. Pretty pricey for 2 sets I ordered, but thought I could find places for 4 strings. Now I wish I had not ordered them.

Re: Martha on Top

50Mickey — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:06:12 GMT

@nomar Nomar I purchased one set. One strand was find. The other strand was missing 3 of the plastic bulb covers. They were in the bottom of the box. I am going to keep this rather than go through the hassle of returning. I think I'll try to glue the bulb covers on the strand over the lights that are missing the covers.

Re: Martha on Top

GinaV24 — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:23:32 GMT

I agree. I love watching Valerie's shows but often the items are so similar from year to year that I don't need anything.

I really enjoyed the shows that Martha Stewart did and I bought some items that I hadn't seen presented before and some of the new items, too.

Re: Martha on Top

GinaV24 — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:26:21 GMT

I stopped buying any of the "snow globe" type items from any of the vendors. I had bought one for Halloween a few years ago and it only worked one season and of course since it was past the 30 day return limit, I was stuck with an unworking item.

I have items from Valerie that I really like and use often so it all depends on what I see and when. Plus like others I'm trying to buy less items.