topic Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC in Suggestion Box

Going Back to programming like early QVC

ala860 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:33:08 GMT

I don't know about anybody else but I would like to see QVC to go back to programming like earlier in QVC history. I liked seeing miscellaneous programming, now it's become the Kim Gravel network or Susan Graver and Shawn's programming. It's so repetitive. I used to like seeing silver jewelry on Sunday's and now that's a rarity even on the former Silver Days like March 1st. I don't even watch the programming anymore. I'll go onto QVC website before I go to bed at night just to see what they've had on all day. I'll still buy thing periodically, mostly fall and Christmas decorations but I'm not the die hard shopper I used to be.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

meallen616 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:53:15 GMT

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

ajsidney12 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:55:48 GMT

Shopping and spending habits have changed. I believe another poster has said that jewelry (real jewelry) does not sell like it used to and is a heavy investment for a company like Q as prices of gold and silver go up.

I agree there is a lot of repetitive programming, but when I started watching maybe 15yrs ago, Susan was their superstar and was on what felt like everyday. Now, she did not foray into home goods and makeup, which does create more exposure for the Belle brand but Belle is selling hot right now. In the Kitchen was always on Sunday and still is, SMQ is still going and Saturdays mornings with Leah. They had PM style with Lisa R back in the day and Monday night morphed into the Amy and SK fashion shows taking that slot. Denim and Co has always been on what seemed like everyday as well. Back in the day I felt there was way too many jewelry shows with Joan, Gold Rush, silver days, American west, and Judith Ripka, but that is my opinion.

I wish they would do full days once or twice a month of showing things that have never been on air. Their website sells thousands of products, but to your point, we see the same "programming". A "Do You Know We Have...." show would help as they are underutilizing the exposure new products or brands could bring by highlighting them, all throughout special days with special pricing and free shipping.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

FancyPhillyshopper — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:01:24 GMT

In "early QVC days" people shopped by phone, not online. They had to watch intently to know what was being presented.

Nowadays you can review everything online and shop that way. You do not have to watch any "shows" at all.

The programming has become more like an entertaining show, or for some people like me, a background while I multi-task.

Sometimes I even order from QVC when I am in my car, if I just scroll through items recently on air, or jewelry or fashion sales!

I will always be a "die-hard shopper, " but I really do not need anything anymore.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:02:19 GMT

@ala860

First ... Welcome!

Second ... QVC has to adapt to current shopping trends, just like all the other retailers trying to stay in business.

QVC also has to use vendors that can produce enough product in short periods of time.

They show what is selling. Remember the nonstop B. Makowsky handbag shows? The druzy jewelry? Dennis Basso winter coats?

I seem to recall that QVC wouldn't have a TSV unless they had 50,000 units in their warehouse, ready to ship.

I don't think that's the case anymore due to longer "processing" times.

As for the skyrocketing prices of silver, gold and whatnot, I think they also have to go with recent sales figures and who is still buying those goods. When it comes to jewelry, I think JTV gives them a run for their money.

Amazon used to sell only books ... now they sell everything, and other retailers have to change their marketing strategies ... or die.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

cjm61 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:11:54 GMT

Although I know where you're coming from @ala860 , going backwards is not a possibility. Businesses must move forward and stay with the times along with presenting what sells. Side note, I like Kim and others that are frequently on air.

Earlier QVC was definitely different but so was shopping. No online shopping and checking other sites to compare items. You had to buy when it was presented or make a note of the item number, or as we often did, record the show. Being a shopper since the beginning, they were very repetitive back in those days also. That darn infrared gadget was on continually as was the karaoke machine, Fenton glass, dolls, and many others I can't remember the names.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

They CallMe MRWILKES — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:19:07 GMT

Not only will it never, ever go back to the 1980s, the rate of forthcoming transformation will be disturbing to many ( as if they aren't already upset.)

1985 was yesterday. Yesterday's gone.

Tik-Tok. Streaming. Artificial Intelligence. Social media influencers.

This is now and the future.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

threecees — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:16:48 GMT

Days gone by.

My sister was talking about a certain item several months back and she told me

she would order it the next time she sees it being presented on QVC. I asked her

if she realized she does not have to wait for it to appear again just go on your

phone and order it if you want it.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

Tori3569 — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:23:06 GMT

@ala860 wrote:
I don't know about anybody else but I would like to see QVC to go back to programming like earlier in QVC history. I liked seeing miscellaneous programming, now it's become the Kim Gravel network or Susan Graver and Shawn's programming. It's so repetitive. I used to like seeing silver jewelry on Sunday's and now that's a rarity even on the former Silver Days like March 1st. I don't even watch the programming anymore. I'll go onto QVC website before I go to bed at night just to see what they've had on all day. I'll still buy thing periodically, mostly fall and Christmas decorations but I'm not the die hard shopper I used to be.

And your last sentence is why your request can never be answered. QVC shoppers who have been around for a long time are mostly in the times of their lives when they don't need or want as much. Most are retired and have said they don't need as much clothing or certain kinds of clothing. QVC can't afford to be entertainment these days.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

ellaphant — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 20:48:19 GMT

Everything changes. Q financials show jewelry under performs in sales.

I have purchased very little in the last several years imo, Q quality in clothing has gone way down. Q used to sell well made, blazers, sweaters and shirts-tops. Now most clothing is poly, rayon and or modal. No thanks! The styles are no longer my taste - huge

prints with tons of stretch. Not for me.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

Flamom — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:44:03 GMT

I first found QVC when they did the 50 in 50 tour. That's when Quaker Factory/Jeanne Bice first appeared. I loved seeing what artisans and creators were producing. I bought something from Quacker and still have it.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

TheMemphisVette — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:53:13 GMT

i miss the rotary phone

but here we are

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

We rescue cats — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:54:44 GMT

The 50 in 50 shows were so awesome, I loved watching them and often 'taped' them! They were the Etsy of their time!

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

Estellee — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:54:29 GMT

One show I miss is Boyds Bears with Gary Lowenthal. He was a hoot!

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

shoekitty — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:30:38 GMT

I too like in the old days the mosh mash of merchandise. In all fairness, everything was new then. No internet, social media, etc to,complete with. In the early days most of the clothing was made in USA as well, simply because we hadn't gone global then. That started in 2000. Some a little before. Many of the items QVC sold in the beginning came from sears, lol. Like nesco, some appliances, amcor ionizer, that red light therapy for pain thing. Then they started with celebrity merch like Rue McClanahan, Joan Collin's, Morgan Fairchild, Angie Dickinson, Linda Dani, Delta Burke..now she was very popular, gosh the list was long. Then somewhere along the line, as costs rose and changes occurred, QVC seemed geared toward self merchandising or in collaboration with someone else. Like a denim and Co, Susan Graver, Kim Gravel and many others I can't name due to not really watching in years. The control and profit may be there.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

shoekitty — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:41:56 GMT

I wanted to add, because darn I am long winded...lol. Because of the way Q sells things, it is hard for smaller business, or many companies to keep up. QVC works a few ways. They own things outright, or in partnership which they have more control over. another way is vendor. makes or provides item, then boxes it up ready to ship, delivers to warehouse, or they do forementioned, BUT they get order from QVC AND SHIP PRODUCT OUT THEMSELVES. Return products can eat into vendors pocket to much, and perhaps many bow out. Then There are a couple other ways they work as well. I know a few plans I mentioned as I applied for the first 50/50 show, and received guidelines. I went to meeting with them anyway, knowing I didn't think I could produce the items , handmade in quantities they wanted. And boy was I right, quantity was way more than I dreamed of. But they were nice to work with and had a super team. Kind

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

CalminHeart — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:15:16 GMT

Welcome to the forums!

I agree, Q is not what it used to be and I don't think it'll ever be as great as in the past.

Watching Q is like watching the movie, Groundhog Day. It's the same thing day after day, month after month.

Their finances are in the toilet. Until they actually enter the 2020s and the future, update their product lines, are price competitive, and are service (shipping, returns, etc) competitive, nothng will change.

Going to X might draw in some people. Not me. Not anyone I know.

Q announced plans to merge stock shares so the price per share goes up. While not illegal, it's just a way to fool people into thinking stock is worth more than it really is.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

OutOfTheBlue — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 03:47:05 GMT

All of you reminded me of the old Q days and I had to smile.

YES! Remember:

-Bob Mackie and his wonderful designs

-Bruce Makowsky handbags shown what seemed like every day

- KOOS and his krazy designs (he was interesting)

- The Company that sold those stuffed bears

- Judith Ripka Jewelry shows ad nauseum

- Susan Graver, the star of Q with shows on what seemed like almost every day.

- The 50 in 50 state to state shows were fun

- Jean Bice of Quacker who was UNfiltered ! Ha!

- Bob Bowersox withh his laid back demeanor selling just about everything

I could go on and on.

In those first days of Q, If I didn't run to the phone fast enough, and often times I didn't - I would miss out on an item.

Times are VERY different now.

Lots of online shopping has opened up a whole new way of buying - and Q I think is trying to stay relevant.

A set of "touch" to turn on bedside lamps have lasted me over 30 years now - I just recently donated them, But they were made well (solid brass) and were a deal when I bought them.

I have MANY fond memories of the early Q days, as well as how young I was !

I bought a lot of items over the years; some OK...some really great.

I will always shop the Q for as long as they are around.

I can still find things here that I can not find anywhere else.

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

shoekitty — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:36:55 GMT

@OutOfTheBlue I do remember those vendors. The company that sold those cute little bears was Boyd's Bears. Had that crazy fun vendor. Gary.? Also, remember all the Capademonte porcelain? Annette Funicello bears...I still have Bobby and Annette! The nesco shows with Virginia Olsen, those were my favorites. The food, the fun...real fun with Steve Bryant, I loved him with Virginia! And let's not forget TFal. There cannot be one person who ever shopped on QVCthat didn't wind up with one of those pans! And the doll shows. Mary Beth did a lot of those. Lot of stuff they no longer have. They even used to have Isabella Fiore handbags, probably the highest name designer in hand bags they ever had. I remember when I bought IF handbags at Nordies, and Neimans and Saks, they were expensive! I bought one from QVC, I loved to death, and my granddaughter just weaseled from me, she said, oh that's so vintage, lol. I used to love the Kirk's Folly shows with Judy Crowell. Those were the days. Then around 2000 it became the Susan Graver channel and they went from there talk about over exposure at the time. All the smaller brands Wentz kaput

Re: Going Back to programming like early QVC

OutOfTheBlue — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:52:21 GMT

@shoekitty Thank you for all the recall you gave me on the old Q days and the vendors and hosts.

YES! I remember everything you posted.

Wow...it was really fun back then, wasn't it??