Community Chat

[DearPrudence]

per Marketwatch today:

Qurate Retail, whose brands include QVC, HSN and Ballard Designs, sold online retailer Zulily to investment firm Regent.

[jackiejenny]

It was kind of predictable Zulily would be one of the first to go. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

Not sure how they can justify keeping HSN.  It was a key competitor, but I am not sure if they have increased any profits due to that acquisition.  IMO, HSN has gone somewhat downhill.

I never shopped at Zulily so I have no input.

[cjm61]

@FancyPhillyshopper Zulily really went downhill. It use to have NEW items daily, for a limited time, usually 3 days. Every day you could check NEW items and see really unique items at great prices. Now, not so unique items and rarely are there many new items. Many items showcased are items that can't sell on QVC. Yes, these can be good deals if you read reviews carefully to determine size inconsistencies and/or inferior items. Again, some are just too limited to sell on QVC and in that case, good deals could be had but rarely.

Hopefully the change will be for the better, go back to the original intent of this site. 

I actually think HSN got better. I rarely shopped there, an item here and there but never "shopped" there. Now, I think it has improved, at least, it has products that interest me and when they had free shipping with a $75 purchase, I found I wasn't shopping at QVC but buying more from HSN. 

[jackiejenny]

Just look at the presentations on HSN vs QVC and tell me which one is better. 

QVC is the one who went downhill. 

Zulily became a joke after Qurate's acquisition. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

HSN always seemed to have lower-priced fashions and household goods, but I started shopping there for reasonably-priced and nice quality gold jewelry.

Unfortunately, all the high-end vendors have departed, and what they have remaining is very, very overpriced and low quality (fine jewelry).

So I have spent almost nothing at HSN--just a few small items the past several years, mainly gifts for family.

I am up late watching the Effy show--I always said a few decades ago that QVC should bring Effy on board, because Effy jewelry is consistent in quality (not hit or miss like so much of the gemstone jewelry QVC often sells.)

However, I have basically now moved on from Effy--the gold weight in their jewelry has declined, and they use too many single cut diamonds.  Also, sadly, Mr. Effy passed away quite recently. Yes, it is lovely to look at, but for me, the value is not there.

So glad I started shopping a long time ago when prices were better--if only I had a lot more money when I was younger!

[chrystaltree]

That's not a surprise to anyone.  Big changes are necessary.

[We rescue cats]

I started with HSN way back in '89 or so, then found QVC  and preferred Q's products and seldom shopped with HSN. But now I am actually migrating back to HSN, not really sure why but again I think it is a combo of I prefer their hosts and their merchandise as well. I'm super tired of the Q's repetition and I love HSN's kitchen shows. If I were in a position to do so I would merge the two channels and then clean house.

[cindyNC]

@cjm61  I just started looking at Zuilily but never bought anything.  I didn't like their return policy of only offering credit.  Looking deeper, realized the items were ones with less than stellar reviews. 

[laluzdelmundo]

Maybe I'm in the minority here on the Q's forum, but I shop at Zulily every week--usually keep things in my basket and then wait 'til Friday so I have one shipping charge for the rest of the weekend. If a sale is ending mid-week I may shop then but still only pay the one original shipping charge for more items.

I do stay away from nearly all clothes offered there but I did find my fave Carole Hochman lounge pj's for $12.78 that were still available at QVC for over $25, a couple of LOGO shirts, and some Madewell items.  Shoes can be a real bargain if you know the brand and style. Clark's have made it to my house at $29-$39-$59 but are still $78 or more at the Q. Barepaws were less than the HSN special prices. Beauty brands, e.g. BareMinerals, Laura G, Algenist and Pur Minerals can also be a bargain. It's also fun to look there for housewares and decor.

With Zulily, it just depends. Hope this new owner won't drive it into the ground.