topic Re: David Markstein in Suggestion Box

David Markstein

iminthesouthwest — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 02:59:38 GMT

Dear QVC,

Thank you for the jewelry today. There are several pieces that I am thinking about I do have a suggestion for the next event.

Having David Markstein on the air all day has been a bit of a turn off. He travels around the world, in fact he just got back from Italy, he calls in a lot of favors, people chase after him in Italy wanting his business, he negotiates prices...over and over. For me, that does not add to the presentations. Negotiating prices, favors, etc. is his job, so I automatically assume that he does his job to QVC's satisfaction. Perhaps next time he can train the hosts ahead of time on what they need to know, then let the hosts do their job.

Thanks for your consideration!

IITSW

Re: David Markstein

stevieb — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 03:20:55 GMT

I totally agree and well said. This mess of having the buyers rolled out is a relatively new phenomenon and if you've noticed, they've essentially replaced vendors they USED to have... He adds very little to the presentations, in my point of view, and frankly, I find him a turn off.

Re: David Markstein

circles — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:54:25 GMT

He probably would be glad not to spend the day at the Q.....that has to be a very tiring experience....I can take or leave him....his presence doesn't make me purchase if that is why he is on....he seems like a nice guy....

Re: David Markstein

blackhole99 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:57:15 GMT

I like David and enjoy seeing him on air, if you don't think he adds anything to the presentation he certainly isn't hurting anything. I find him very informative.

Re: David Markstein

iminthesouthwest — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 05:51:37 GMT

Thank you ladies. I just think the programming would be improved if the hosts hosted, the buyers bought, and the vendors...well...vended. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts, and have a great weekend!

Re: David Markstein

MarthaStewardess — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:00:36 GMT

I agree with OP. David brings nothing to the presentations for me. He doesn't say anything about the products that the hosts can't say themselves. In fact, I find him quite annoying.

Re: David Markstein

GCR18 — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:09:38 GMT

On 1/24/2015 MarthaStewardess said:
I agree with OP. David brings nothing to the presentations for me. He doesn't say anything about the products that the hosts can't say themselves. In fact, I find him quite annoying.

ITA

Re: David Markstein

handygal2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:12:30 GMT

I see nothing wrong with having him on with the show host. He explains details about how the jewelry is made, in an unobtrusive way. He gives the show host a break from having to carry the whole hours-long show alone.

Re: David Markstein

juliet — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 03:41:42 GMT

I always am happy when he's on. I want to know the background that he shares on each piece that the hosts wouldn't be aware of. He's low key and pleasant - what's the problem??

Re: David Markstein

stevieb — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 04:09:41 GMT

Let's face it, the only reason they roll him out is because it's cheaper than bringing in a vendor like they used to... He's already there. If they want him on-air, obviously it's their call, but a lot less of him would be my choice. As far as 'background' it's always the same... buying power... calling in favors... tweaking the piece... scaling back the price... and on and on... Nothing real personal, he just has very little TV 'presence'.

Re: David Markstein

iminthesouthwest — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 06:16:01 GMT

On 1/24/2015 juliet said:
I always am happy when he's on. I want to know the background that he shares on each piece that the hosts wouldn't be aware of. He's low key and pleasant - what's the problem??

Hi Juliet,

My original post and StevieB's posts describe the problem. His "background" stories about how he negotiates prices and all the favors, buying power, blah blah blah are uninteresting to me. I am not questioning if he has a pleasant and low key personality, I am sure he is a nice guy. I don't think the hosts need him there, or for him to help fill time. Train the hosts on what they need to know, then let them sell the items. Pretty simple.

Re: David Markstein

juliet — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:06:03 GMT

I wonder if they bring him out to discuss some of the negotiations because there are so many complaints here about pricing gold jewelry??? They may not want the hosts to have to be on the defensive and want him to put it in some perspective from his experience. And there aren't any vendors available for these shows. Same thing for Payton explaining the background of the gems when there are no vendors. I do find value in their appearances but I guess it definitely is a problem for others. This time he had to defend the use of so many doublets. It was funny when Mary Beth mentioned that Judith used them because one that I bought from her looked pretty much the same color as the ones they were selling and of course the price was much more affordable at that time - not so much anymore. Nothing is affordable for me but luckily I bought one or two pieces on every gold rush in the 90's and honestly prefer silver so was actually okay with the price of gold going up because then they started making jewelry in silver with good gems and that didn't use to be the case.

Re: David Markstein

iminthesouthwest — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:06:40 GMT

On 1/24/2015 juliet said:
I wonder if they bring him out to discuss some of the negotiations because there are so many complaints here about pricing gold jewelry??? They may not want the hosts to have to be on the defensive and want him to put it in some perspective from his experience. And there aren't any vendors available for these shows. Same thing for Payton explaining the background of the gems when there are no vendors. I do find value in their appearances but I guess it definitely is a problem for others. This time he had to defend the use of so many doublets. It was funny when Mary Beth mentioned that Judith used them because one that I bought from her looked pretty much the same color as the ones they were selling and of course the price was much more affordable at that time - not so much anymore. Nothing is affordable for me but luckily I bought one or two pieces on every gold rush in the 90's and honestly prefer silver so was actually okay with the price of gold going up because then they started making jewelry in silver with good gems and that didn't use to be the case.

That certainly is a plausible explanation for sure, and thank you for your response. Years ago, I was in sales. I was asking people to spend tens of thousands of dollars, and I didn't have the buyer by my side. I was trained, and I got paid well for the job I was doing. QVC sales force are highly trained and they should be able to explain the prices and the products without help. (If not, sales are not for them!) These people are tough, and can handle a Gold Rush or any other show by themselves. For me, it would be a cleaner presentation with just the salesperson selling. Well, that's my .02. I hope you have an enjoyable Sunday!

Re: David Markstein

mnmom — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 03:21:45 GMT

Yes, I suppose he is there to justify the cost of the jewelry. I find him very intense. In contrast, the guy who does the artisan jewelry buying (Peyton?) is very pleasant yet also informative.

Re: David Markstein

stevieb — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 04:18:36 GMT

Peyton is a nice addition, David, not so much... and I've been saying all along that they continue to wheel him out because they no longer have vendors to share the spotlight... Of the few they still retain, they're apparently cost-cutting by not often flying them in and having the on the set... Too bad, I used to enjoy the Italian vendors... Then too, maybe they opt not to make the trip to push bronze, clad and fake diamond jewelry...

Re: David Markstein

CalminHeart — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:39:01 GMT

I really question if David is calling in any favors. He touts $100 per gram as a great deal. Well, I have news for him. It's not. Gold prices are down 1/3 and they retail wasn't even $100 gram before the price drop.

Re: David Markstein

iminthesouthwest — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 05:46:32 GMT

I think it was yesterday (if not very recent) when a host stated that before a gold event, the buyer(s) hold meetings with the hosts and give them the "stories" of the pieces. That makes sense, and something I would expect. So why he is on camera on different gold events, I have no idea. Buyers buy and hosts host, right QVC?

Re: David Markstein

Spurt — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 17:46:58 GMT

Since jewelry sales have been declining at QVC it's like David M is there to justify his purchases .....I think he needs to expand his buying horizons from just Italy and Turkey and bring us something new and different not just a different variation of the similar styles from the Italian factories that have presented before or a lot of Byzantine.....

I plan to watch Carolyn Pollack and Hagit's early jewelry shows on Sunday and the best part--NO DAVID M!!!!

It's a shame QVC chose to air the Designer Jewelry Shows opposite the Super Bowl, since I will be watching the game....It would've been something to FINALLY watch on the weekend that isn't a computer/ipad, blender, vacuum, bed or Clarisonic....Why I might have actually watched QVC for most of the day....and maybe purchased something....

Re: David Markstein

Spurt — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 17:49:18 GMT

On 1/29/2015 stevieb said:
Peyton is a nice addition, David, not so much... and I've been saying all along that they continue to wheel him out because they no longer have vendors to share the spotlight... Of the few they still retain, they're apparently cost-cutting by not often flying them in and having the on the set... Too bad, I used to enjoy the Italian vendors... Then too, maybe they opt not to make the trip to push bronze, clad and fake diamond jewelry...

That's a good point---I don't mind Peyton at all, he adds to the presentations and provides insights on the gems .....

Re: David Markstein

vickie25 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 03:55:12 GMT

I don't mind David. In fact, he has often provided, on air, the gram weights of items that are not included in the item description. He proves my point, that as a buyer, he knows what the gram weights are and thus there is no reason for QVC not to include this information.