Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

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@Sage04 wrote:

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@Caaareful Shopper wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@Caaareful Shopper wrote:

Of course other companies offer discounts & promotions to new customers -- it's a common business practice.

But, QVC is not some faceless clothing store or cable company.

QVC built it's business model on engaging and interacting with their customers.  The hosts cry on cue, announce marriages, births, deaths, vacations, tout Bible verses, pretend to be therapists and nutritionists, etc.

QVC does everything they can think of to try to make viewers believe we're all one big happy family.  They encourage their hosts to post an extraordinary amount of personal business on the social media pages. They come up with Happy Hour, Honey!, My Carb-free Diet Coffee Talk -- all encouraged to keep you emotionally connected.

This 3 1/2 month freebie to new customers only is a complete antithesis of all of that.  No wonder so many are stunned and outraged.  I get it.

QVC wants it both ways --  business as any other corporate giant.  Then on the other side of that 2-sided face, Hey family, call us and tell us how much you love us! Our lines are open!

Creating a big promotion to try to get new customers is great.  But why not have two concurrent promotions.  One for new customers, and a great one for existing customers as well?  Was that so hard to come up with?  Or, again, they just didn't care. 

But of course now they're scrambilng to offer something.  

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The answer is really very simple @Caaareful Shopper .  They didn't want to.  They are not the first company to do this and I doubt if you do business with other companies they will be the last company to do this.

If you look around, there are plenty of companies that already use this marketing strategy.  Tmobile uses it.  Most cell carriers offer free phones for new subscribers.  Now ask yourself:  How many "new subscribers" could there possibly be where no one has a cell phone?  Don't you see the commercials?  I do.  Verizon has done this for years.  They do whatever it takes to get their numbers. 

YOU might think it not nice (I did too when it came to Verizon) but where was I going to go?  I had no choices for quality cable service.  I don't use Verizon's home phone or cell service because it's not good where I live.  They know their customer base and they know that losing a few to gain many more is better for their bottom line.  This is not a lesson in morality, this is business.

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@gertrudecloset   I'm not suggesting a morality litmus test.  I'm talking strictly business.  Public relations is worth millions to a company.  Most large companies pay PR companies just to keep their image above ground, and fix any issues that arise that caused backlash. 

My point is that QVC built a business model that supposedly cherishes its current customers.  It's not the point if that's a naive or unreasonable perception.  It's QVC that crafted that perception. 

Verizon never shares personal employee interests.  In fact, Verizon hopes you never call them, just pay the bill.

I agree with you on one thing -- they didn't want to -- and that's the entire outcry.  QVC didn't want to.  

@Caaareful Shopper  and @gertrudecloset  maybe they are planning to offer Free Shopping for long time Customers. It's coming and not just for a day. How about free shipping every weekend until the end of January?

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Keep hope alive @Sage04 

[Suzeecat]

Long-term, loyal customers have been getting the message from QVC for a very long time that we are NOT appreciated or valued.  Sales and clearance prices have gotten better, but I remember a time when they would take 5% or LESS off an item and tell us it's clearance priced.  NO coupons, or a meager $5 off for only CERTAIN apparently random customers.  Waitlisted items that never shipped, poor or nonexistent order tracking, or how about "the letter" that some would get if they returned too much???

Now, more icing on the cake.  When will we learn? ? ? ?

[gertrudecloset]

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@Suzeecat wrote:

Long-term, loyal customers have been getting the message from QVC for a very long time that we are NOT appreciated or valued.  Sales and clearance prices have gotten better, but I remember a time when they would take 5% or LESS off an item and tell us it's clearance priced.  NO coupons, or a meager $5 off for only CERTAIN apparently random customers.  Waitlisted items that never shipped, poor or nonexistent order tracking, or how about "the letter" that some would get if they returned too much???

Now, more icing on the cake.  When will we learn? ? ? ?

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You see all of the things you mentioned above?  "We?"  Yet you're still here and still shopping is this correct @Suzeecat ?  Pinning for the old days, but still shopping.  Those were they days, huh?  Now that you don't get any of the aforementioned goodies you remember so well, but they are now just a memory why do you still shop here?  I'm not trying to be snarky.  I'm asking because you ARE a loyal customer.  You obviously have need for what QVC sells.  At the very least you think you "need it."  That's how you were set up!  Businesses do that ya know!

[Suzeecat]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@Suzeecat wrote:

Long-term, loyal customers have been getting the message from QVC for a very long time that we are NOT appreciated or valued.  Sales and clearance prices have gotten better, but I remember a time when they would take 5% or LESS off an item and tell us it's clearance priced.  NO coupons, or a meager $5 off for only CERTAIN apparently random customers.  Waitlisted items that never shipped, poor or nonexistent order tracking, or how about "the letter" that some would get if they returned too much???

Now, more icing on the cake.  When will we learn? ? ? ?

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You see all of the things you mentioned above?  "We?"  Yet you're still here and still shopping is this correct @Suzeecat ?  Pinning for the old days, but still shopping.  Those were they days, huh?  Now that you don't get any of the aforementioned goodies you remember so well, but they are now just a memory why do you still shop here?  I'm not trying to be snarky.  I'm asking because you ARE a loyal customer.  You obviously have need for what QVC sells.  At the very least you think you "need it."  That's how you were set up!  Businesses do that ya know!

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Your response does feel a bit "snarky", but you did get me thinking "why DO I still shop"?  Truth is, my spending at Q is a fraction of what it was years ago.  I don't have a history of shopping anywhere else like I do with Q because if I get treated the way Q treats me, I do take my business elsewhere.  So, why have I stuck with Q?  I guess it's because my television is in my home and when I turn it on, I invite them into my home and I am exposed to merchandise (and the big factor, the SALES PITCH) that I don't get from other places I shop, such as Amazon.  When I shop at Amazon (for example, or ANY store or website), I don't have someone telling me all the wonderful features and modeling clothing (trying on makeup, eating food) on real people walking, talking, turning, smiling.  I shop because I let them into my home, my brain.  I WANT to be sold, and they are right there with me, telling me I need several and telling me where/how I'm going to use it, etc., etc. 

Does the younger generation turn on the tv anymore?  That will be the make or break factor for television shopping.  I don't think free shipping for a few months will bring in throngs of new customers, but I can't blame them for trying.  I just wish they would show more tangible appreciation for long-time customers.

[Etoile308]

I'm not a fan of using the word "we" because it implies I, and perhaps others who may not agree, are included in the we. 

I'm reminded that if people want a shopping channel televised into their home then there are other channels to choose from.

[Kmac444]

I have never been nor do I think I will ever be outraged by something QVC does.  It is a company and not my friend.  There is a huge difference in offering ALL of their customers free shipping for a few months and trying to snag new customers by giving them free shipping for a few months.  They do offer free shipping days peridically for all shoppers.  I have found that I can get most items on QVC elsewhere for less money.  I will buy if it is a good deal and it is something that I am sure that I am not going to return (like Philosophy shower gels or Purity).

Clearly, they don't want to offer free shipping for whatever reason.  It is not outrageous.  If you don't like to pay shipping, there are plenty of other places to shop.  I personally order a lot from Amazon and I pay the yearly free to do it with Prime.  It is worth it to me.  If Amazon quadrupled their Prime cost, I would probably drop it, but I would never be outraged.  Again, it is a business and they can do what they want.  I can also do what I want by shopping elsewhere if I am so bothered!  

[coffee drinker]

I haven't read all of these posts, so forgive me if I'm repeating what others have posted.  Free shipping is great and is the only time I'll buy something from QVC.  That being said, I think HSN did something pretty thoughtful offering free shipping if you purchase items totaling $75.  I'm sure it has to be on one order, not 1 item, but that could be an incentive for some to purchase there.  

Lately, it seems like I just don't want to order anything because of the costs of items, plus s&h, plus tax and then if the item has to be returned, more costs.  It's easier to buy locally or if on-line Amazon has free returns, free shipping for Prime members or $25+ purchases if you don't have Prime.  Kohls offers coupons all the time and free shipping at certain dollar amounts.  Their stores are generally local, so returns can be brought there.  Easy-peasy.  Other department stores offer good sales with percentages off and free shipping guidelines the same as Kohls.  To me these stores value their customers.  

I really feel/think the shine has gone out of purchasing from QVC.  At least for me it has.  Same old sales pitch and has gotten stale.  You can almost guess the hype the hosts will spiel.  They're not the only game in town.

Thanks for letting me vent,