topic Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration in Suggestion Box

Open Letter to QVC Administration

radc — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:13:08 GMT

I have been a customer since the beginning. I was a young bride when QVC first came into my home and I grew up with QVC. I have seen many hosts come and go. I have never reached out in this way about the decision to let hosts go. But, I am so troubled about the "layoff" of Carolyn and Dan that I am compelled to share my thoughts.

You should recognize the power of the personal connection customers have with Carolyn and Dan (I do not believe that their sales have slipped). They are part of the core group of veterans who made QVC successful and they have adapted well to changing times. They have the talent required to sell w/o the "hard sell". Customers know them, care about them, and miss them. As a mental health professional, I can say that this decision can devastate people and it is considered a trauma (especially for older people who have had long-term commitments to a company). In hurting Carolyn and Dan in this way, you have hurt thousands of loyal customers, who also had a hand in QVC's success. I will not speculate here as to why you chose to lay off these two particular individuals, but this decision has thousands of people talking. I will not say that it has moved me to never shop again. But, it has caused me to see QVC through an entirely different lens. After all these years, I will now buy only if I can't find it elsewhere and/or if I can't find it cheaper (this was never my philosophy before as I used to enjoy tuning in whenever possible to learn about products in real time). It seems QVC is not the company I thought it was (this would have been understandable with hosts who are not selling/not working out) and this really bothers me (it's always disappointing to learn that someone/something you supported was not what you thought it was). While I know that my new buying patterns are insignificant, I am hoping that the feelings of thousands of people will mean something to you.

Carolyn is QVC. She is a rare talent and is unique in her (successful) efforts to build lasting/meaningful relationships with coworkers, vendors, and us (through her gardening shows, D&C, and pet shows - all of which have her unique/personal imprint). Dan is a trusted friend and captures the male customer very well. He is steady, knowledgeable, relatable, and kind. There is no one like him. They both make the holidays fun on QVC. They make shopping fun. They make aging fun for those of us who have been with them all along - they speak well to that customer (remember us?). They are our friends...which is exactly what you wanted them to be.

As this has been described as a "lay-off" situation, please consider bringing them back. QVC is not the same without them, and for many of us, this action represents a callousness and a lack of regard for their dedication and hard work, and most importantly, for them as individuals.

Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts. As they have been respectfully stated, I hope you will not delete this message and will be open to hearing the thoughts of others who share these same thoughts (those who do not should feel free to post elsewhere).

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

cjm61 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:20:58 GMT

@radc It looks like you are addressing QVC upper management? Sorry, your post is a little too long so I didn't really read the entire thing but it appears you are writing directly to management.

I suggest you go to the FEEDBACK tab and contact them there. I've also seen addresses you can send the letter to, I believe you could find it in other posts.

I'm sure whatever you said is important to you to spend the time to write it but there has never been a response from anybody at QVC on these posts, at least that I have ever seen. Hopefully, to get your message to the appropriate people, I recommend the options I stated. I have received responses to comments I posted on the FEEDBACK. Good luck, hope you hear back.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Krimpette — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:37:49 GMT

I think Carolyn and Dan have both moved on. Doubt they'd even be interested in returning.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Spurt — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:09:29 GMT

@radc wrote:
I have been a customer since the beginning. I was a young bride when QVC first came into my home and I grew up with QVC. I have seen many hosts come and go. I have never reached out in this way about the decision to let hosts go. But, I am so troubled about the "layoff" of Carolyn and Dan that I am compelled to share my thoughts.

You should recognize the power of the personal connection customers have with Carolyn and Dan (I do not believe that their sales have slipped). They are part of the core group of veterans who made QVC successful and they have adapted well to changing times. They have the talent required to sell w/o the "hard sell". Customers know them, care about them, and miss them. As a mental health professional, I can say that this decision can devastate people and it is considered a trauma (especially for older people who have had long-term commitments to a company). In hurting Carolyn and Dan in this way, you have hurt thousands of loyal customers, who also had a hand in QVC's success. I will not speculate here as to why you chose to lay off these two particular individuals, but this decision has thousands of people talking. I will not say that it has moved me to never shop again. But, it has caused me to see QVC through an entirely different lens. After all these years, I will now buy only if I can't find it elsewhere and/or if I can't find it cheaper (this was never my philosophy before as I used to enjoy tuning in whenever possible to learn about products in real time). It seems QVC is not the company I thought it was (this would have been understandable with hosts who are not selling/not working out) and this really bothers me (it's always disappointing to learn that someone/something you supported was not what you thought it was). While I know that my new buying patterns are insignificant, I am hoping that the feelings of thousands of people will mean something to you.
Carolyn is QVC. She is a rare talent and is unique in her (successful) efforts to build lasting/meaningful relationships with coworkers, vendors, and us (through her gardening shows, D&C, and pet shows - all of which have her unique/personal imprint). Dan is a trusted friend and captures the male customer very well. He is steady, knowledgeable, relatable, and kind. There is no one like him. They both make the holidays fun on QVC. They make shopping fun. They make aging fun for those of us who have been with them all along - they speak well to that customer (remember us?). They are our friends...which is exactly what you wanted them to be.

As this has been described as a "lay-off" situation, please consider bringing them back. QVC is not the same without them, and for many of us, this action represents a callousness and a lack of regard for their dedication and hard work, and most importantly, for them as individuals.

Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts. As they have been respectfully stated, I hope you will not delete this message and will be open to hearing the thoughts of others who share these same thoughts (those who do not should feel free to post elsewhere).

@radc

Well said!

The firing of Carolyn and Dan looks suspcious and more or less looks like a change in order to attract a younger demographic....Dan-"the old guy"....'nuff said, and Carolyn "the most curvy" and "matronly" in the EXECS eyes.....So what if viewers think Carolyn and Dan provided the most detailed information on the products and seldom interrupted the vendors while the vendors were making an important point.....I know Carolyn had the infamous squirrels, but they in no way took up as much time as these narcisstic hosts and their personal stories, or "family stories"....many of the hosts QVC chose to retain make the shows all about them, and the main purpose of QVC---to sell products seems to have taken a back seat, THE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE THE STARS NOT THE HOSTS!!! And their financial reports say that this current model of "host first" doesnt seem to be working.....SMH!!!

I do turn the channel, and am buying less and less from QVC because the majority of the hosts now give little product info, online is sales "fluff", Im not paying and taking a chance on a product with QVC with their costly return policy ($6.95 for shipping return label, plus loss of my original shipping cost)....

I could care less about the host's personal lives which seems to be QVC's current focus...Dont care to watch the post show after live streams either!!!! .So lets see ---With me along with countless others watching/buying less can they drum up enough business to stop the downward trend in sales and keep the channel afloat???..it sure cant continue on the downward trend that they are going on....the young demographic AINT coming QVC----so its better to have professsional hosts that provide detailed product info rather than highlighting the semi-celebrity hosts!---

Im in no way advocating Dan and Carolyn's return, just giving my opinion on roles host play, and looking at the financial results and suggesting QVC look at this also, as well as customer feedback on who is making customers watch/buy less....

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

They CallMe MRWILKES — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:41:34 GMT

I feel free to say that I never cared for either of the hosts under discussion.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

ValuSkr — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:53:01 GMT

I liked Carolyn but have to agree with management about Dan - it was long past his time to go.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

kaydee50 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:59:40 GMT

If the PTB want to attract a "younger" demographic, there are several other hosts that need to go.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Puppy Lips — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:03:27 GMT

I sent a comment to the QVC social team and they said they would forward it to the right department. I am sure QVC did not expect the huge reaction they got. Now they might be a bit tentative to let anyone else go. If that is the case, that is a shame because there are a few hosts that really do need to go because they are getting worse, not better.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

They CallMe MRWILKES — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:15:32 GMT

Hosts should not (in my opinion) be immune from any future large scale layoffs necessitated by poor financial conditions.

They are no different than the average Qurate office or warehouse worker vulnerable to a layoff.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Caaareful Shopper — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:17:15 GMT

@radc

I had to laugh when you suggested those that don't agree should post elsewhere.

But I do understand how some are still upset about Carolyn and Dan, respectfully. However, I think the better route for your post is Qurate's management email, or phone messaging.

I'm one that liked Carolyn in her early hosting days, but not so much at all in her most recent years. I never warmed to Dan. Looking at thier social media post QVC, they both seem quite happy and have moved on. I wish them well elsewhere.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

geezerette — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:19:58 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
I liked Carolyn but have to agree with management about Dan - it was long past his time to go.

I will say that I have always enjoyed Dan.

But I wonder if part of their decision may have been that they seem to be eliminating many of the products he was so good at presenting.

I also have wondered about both hosts' retirement/pension plans. It could be that Dan would have been eligible for a higher retirement compensation package had he gotten 30 years in. (Carolyn was close to 20.) While I realize that other hosts have already met those limits, I'm wondering if TPTB may not have wanted to shell out any more long-term benefits packages.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Patriot3 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:21:56 GMT

Just my opinion.........No matter how many letters/comments management receives re Carolyn and Dan, it's not going to make any difference.

They are gone and QVC certainly is not going to hire them back. Doesn't work that way.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Bhvbum — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:33:31 GMT

There seems to be the assumption that there was a little thought by QVC management when Carolyn and Dan were "retired". And maybe we can change their minds and bring them back.

I've worked for some pretty big corporations, and there is a lot of thought put into releasing people who have worked as long as Caroline and Dan. QVC has an HR Department who's job is to make sure people are treated fairly. I am asuming that has been done regardless of the "Facebook" posts, etc.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

depglass — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:43:56 GMT

I just want to say that this is the most well thought out and reasonable post on this situation and QVC itself. I also have been somewhat shaken in my belief that QVC is an upstanding company deserving of our support.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

DRB003 — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:14:01 GMT

I have tried several times to use the feedback button and it does not work. I am logged into my account. I've been trying for quite some time to contact QVC about the latest lay-offs. I realize there is a phone number posted, but I'm not sitting around on hold for a long time just to be told they are there to give information about orders and not discuss my opinion.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Ronettes — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:52:59 GMT

The firing of Carolyn and Dan looks suspcious and more or less looks like a change in order to attract a younger demographic....Dan-"the old guy"....'nuff said, and Carolyn "the most curvy" and "matronly" in the EXECS eyes.....So what if viewers think Carolyn and Dan provided the most detailed information on the products and seldom interrupted the vendors while the vendors were making an important point.....I know Carolyn had the infamous squirrels, but they in no way took up as much time as these narcisstic hosts and their personal stories, or "family stories"....many of the hosts QVC chose to retain make the shows all about them, and the main purpose of QVC---to sell products seems to have taken a back seat, THE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE THE STARS NOT THE HOSTS!!! And their financial reports say that this current model of "host first" doesnt seem to be working.....SMH!!!

I do turn the channel, and am buying less and less from QVC because the majority of the hosts now give little product info, online is sales "fluff", Im not paying and taking a chance on a product with QVC with their costly return policy ($6.95 for shipping return label, plus loss of my original shipping cost)....

I could care less about the host's personal lives which seems to be QVC's current focus...Dont care to watch the post show after live streams either!!!! .So lets see ---With me along with countless others watching/buying less can they drum up enough business to stop the downward trend in sales and keep the channel afloat???..it sure cant continue on the downward trend that they are going on....the young demographic AINT coming QVC----so its better to have professsional hosts that provide detailed product info rather than highlighting the semi-celebrity hosts!---

Im in no way advocating Dan and Carolyn's return, just giving my opinion on roles host play, and looking at the financial results and suggesting QVC look at this also, as well as customer feedback on who is making customers watch/buy less....

I too wonder at the subtle 'shift' to a younger audience, and showing models of that age group and sizing.

I have been purchasing much less during the last several months, if QVC keeps up this trend they will lose a major segment of their sales.

I think they forget that there are many other shopping outlets available, and I find myself drifting towards them!

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

BalletBabe — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:44:13 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I just want to say that this is the most well thought out and reasonable post on this situation and QVC itself. I also have been somewhat shaken in my belief that QVC is an upstanding company deserving of our support.

They lost my support giving free shipping to new people for 3 months over the Holiday Season. Carolyn and Dan just added to that.

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

Ronettes — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:54:24 GMT

@BalletBabe wrote:
@depglass wrote:
I just want to say that this is the most well thought out and reasonable post on this situation and QVC itself. I also have been somewhat shaken in my belief that QVC is an upstanding company deserving of our support.
They lost my support giving free shipping to new people for 3 months over the Holiday Season. Carolyn and Dan just added to that.

Three months? I wasn't aware of that, seems apparent they are losing sales and were trying to attract new customers with that policy!

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

radc — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:59:19 GMT

Thanks so much. This post was clearly not intended for the naysayers; it was meant primarily for QVC administration and then for those who share the same feelings (those who don't feel the same way are free to move on to other posts -- but I know some will find it necessary to add their personal negativity). I do hope this message makes its way up the chain...

I have also worked for large corporations, and layoffs usually have the appearance of fairness. There are hosts who have been at QVC longer than Carolyn, and many that have been there for a shorter period of time. There are hosts that do not match the contributions of Carolyn and Dan, either based on length of time employed or ability.

Employees are called back from layoffs, and I hope this happens for Carolyn and Dan. If they choose not to return, at least they will have been given the choice (which they have earned).

Have a splendid day...

Re: Open Letter to QVC Administration

50Mickey — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:06:29 GMT

@Bhvbum wrote:
There seems to be the assumption that there was a little thought by QVC management when Carolyn and Dan were "retired". And maybe we can change their minds and bring them back.

I've worked for some pretty big corporations, and there is a lot of thought put into releasing people who have worked as long as Caroline and Dan. QVC has an HR Department who's job is to make sure people are treated fairly. I am asuming that has been done regardless of the "Facebook" posts, etc.

@Bhvbum This continuing campaign to bring back Carolyn and Dan is becoming absurd. They were laid off, let go, or whatever you want to call it. Management at QVC is not going to change their minds and bring them back because a very small but vocal minority keeps up the drum beat to get them back on air. I doubt if either one of them would want to return to QVC. Both have moved on and frankly if I were Carolyn or Dan I would be embarrassed by this. If people care about Carolyn and Dan they can keep in touch with them on their Facebook page instead of continuously bringing up their termination.