Community Chat

[busymom22]

I ordered a decor item back on April 16. At first it said "advance order" but then it was blank on my order list.  For weeks nothing would change and I even chatted with QVC customer service. The item showed out of stock since I ordered it.

Then the item showed in stock for a few minutes so I went to my order page and paid an extra $7 to upgrade shipping.  To my shock next day it shipped!

I actually did this with another item that first was "in process" to "preparing my order" then to "backorder".  After I upgraded shipping it too shipped out. This was 2 days ago.

It's a shame that you can't be guaranteed to get what you order and that upgraded shipping somehow magically makes these items appear!

[KingstonsMom]

@busymom22 

Yes, that's very interesting, especially since QVC makes $ on every shipping charge.

[gertrudecloset]

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@busymom22 wrote:

I ordered a decor item back on April 16. At first it said "advance order" but then it was blank on my order list.  For weeks nothing would change and I even chatted with QVC customer service. The item showed out of stock since I ordered it.

Then the item showed in stock for a few minutes so I went to my order page and paid an extra $7 to upgrade shipping.  To my shock next day it shipped!

I actually did this with another item that first was "in process" to "preparing my order" then to "backorder".  After I upgraded shipping it too shipped out. This was 2 days ago.

It's a shame that you can't be guaranteed to get what you order and that upgraded shipping somehow magically makes these items appear!

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That's because you paid for a better package rate.  The rate they have now for most things of $3.50 is the lowest handling tieir the USPS can give them.  It's a parcel rate that you have to sit around and wonder about.  Upgraded shipping charges always speed things up @busymom22 .  So it sounds like you paid the first amount of shipping (whatever that amount was) and an extra amount of $7.00. 

Or, did you get a refund of the original shipping amount?  If not then maybe your shipping charges were about $10.50.

[busymom22]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@busymom22 wrote:

I ordered a decor item back on April 16. At first it said "advance order" but then it was blank on my order list.  For weeks nothing would change and I even chatted with QVC customer service. The item showed out of stock since I ordered it.

Then the item showed in stock for a few minutes so I went to my order page and paid an extra $7 to upgrade shipping.  To my shock next day it shipped!

I actually did this with another item that first was "in process" to "preparing my order" then to "backorder".  After I upgraded shipping it too shipped out. This was 2 days ago.

It's a shame that you can't be guaranteed to get what you order and that upgraded shipping somehow magically makes these items appear!

---

That's because you paid for a better package rate.  The rate they have now for most things of $3.50 is the lowest handling tieir the USPS can give them.  It's a parcel rate that you have to sit around and wonder about.  Upgraded shipping charges always speed things up @busymom22 .  So it sounds like you paid the first amount of shipping (whatever that amount was) and an extra amount of $7.00. 

Or, did you get a refund of the original shipping amount?  If not then maybe your shipping charges were about $10.50.

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My point was not about the speed of shipping but to just get your items shipped at all.

I know many have posted how their items have gone from "in process" to "backordered" and then even "cancelled".Or their item will go to "backordered" but then QVC will present that item again for "in stock" shipping. There seems to be no commitment to shipping orders others have placed earlier which I think is a problematic way of doing business and can alienate their otherwise loyal customers.

I'm not advising that people upgrade shipping like I did.  I just realized it's one way to get an item you really want because it allows you to "jump the line" ahead of others who ordered with regular shipping.

[novamc1]

I had an experience that might inform others.

Returned something to QVC using included postpaid return label and dropped off at the post office.

QVC usually knows thru tracking when USPS has processed and is sending back the package, and I usually get a QVC email saying the return is on is way to them.  This time I didn't, even after days went by.  

Called QVC which reported  no record of the package being sent back to them,  Called the postmaster, and without having to check anything, he said that all return parcels (probably  hundreds of them, based on the daily pile of packages that I've seen when dropping mine off) had not yet been picked up from their location.

I asked him:  not picked up in a week?  He said yes.   

I guess this is just another example of USPS reducing its service.  I recall  reading that  the U.S. Postmaster General spoke before Congress recently, saying "we need to reduce the customer's expectations of what service levels we can provide".

[Spurt]

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@busymom22 wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@busymom22 wrote:

I ordered a decor item back on April 16. At first it said "advance order" but then it was blank on my order list.  For weeks nothing would change and I even chatted with QVC customer service. The item showed out of stock since I ordered it.

Then the item showed in stock for a few minutes so I went to my order page and paid an extra $7 to upgrade shipping.  To my shock next day it shipped!

I actually did this with another item that first was "in process" to "preparing my order" then to "backorder".  After I upgraded shipping it too shipped out. This was 2 days ago.

It's a shame that you can't be guaranteed to get what you order and that upgraded shipping somehow magically makes these items appear!

---

That's because you paid for a better package rate.  The rate they have now for most things of $3.50 is the lowest handling tieir the USPS can give them.  It's a parcel rate that you have to sit around and wonder about.  Upgraded shipping charges always speed things up @busymom22 .  So it sounds like you paid the first amount of shipping (whatever that amount was) and an extra amount of $7.00. 

Or, did you get a refund of the original shipping amount?  If not then maybe your shipping charges were about $10.50.

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My point was not about the speed of shipping but to just get your items shipped at all.

I know many have posted how their items have gone from "in process" to "backordered" and then even "cancelled".Or their item will go to "backordered" but then QVC will present that item again for "in stock" shipping. There seems to be no commitment to shipping orders others have placed earlier which I think is a problematic way of doing business and can alienate their otherwise loyal customers.

I'm not advising that people upgrade shipping like I did.  I just realized it's one way to get an item you really want because it allows you to "jump the line" ahead of others who ordered with regular shipping.

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@busymom22 

I understand what you are saying.  I've gotten totally frustrated when without notice neither on-air nor on the website was it indicated that my item was going on an advanced order, and the item wasn't even a sell out either....

My order then sat in limbo for over a month, and I contacted CS and finally they were at least able to cancel it....But its so frustrating....I know the pandemic has created some unique circumstances, but surely the vendor knows whether an item will be available and also when they will be presenting the item in a show....They need to go ahead and just tell their customers like they do sometimes that this item is on advanced order, but to spring it upon us without warning after its already been ordered is not good business!  

[Spurt]

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@novamc1 wrote:

I had an experience that might inform others.

Returned something to QVC using included postpaid return label and dropped off at the post office.

QVC usually knows thru tracking when USPS has processed and is sending back the package, and I usually get a QVC email saying the return is on is way to them.  This time I didn't, even after days went by.  

Called QVC which reported  no record of the package being sent back to them,  Called the postmaster, and without having to check anything, he said that all return parcels (probably  hundreds of them, based on the daily pile of packages that I've seen when dropping mine off) had not yet been picked up from their location.

I asked him:  not picked up in a week?  He said yes.   

I guess this is just another example of USPS reducing its service.  I recall  reading that  the U.S. Postmaster General spoke before Congress recently, saying "we need to reduce the customer's expectations of what service levels we can provide".

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@novamc1 

Sometimes the poor service by USPS is not the result of new Management nor the pandemic.....The quality of service, at least in my area, has been declining for years, even before all the online ordering escalated....One post office employee confided that the delays, errors, and incompetence were because "her co-workers were a bunch of idiots" (her words, not mine).....

Just like when I went to the Post Office to pick up a package and waited in this long line, the guy ahead of me handed the girl at the window the notice he received to pick up a package, she was gone a long time looking for it, finally she came back and apologized and said, oh your zip code is serviced by a different Post Office not this one...she didnt even check the info on the slip before she started looking SMH....and everyone in line groaned... there's other examples I can give you too....but maybe solving USPS's problems should start with hiring competent employees that use their time wisely, efficiently, and correctly instead of spending a lot of time correcting their mistakes...🙄....

[busymom22]

I can understand if an item is "advance order", but this does not seem like a USPS shipping problem at all. If you can somehow quickly get an item by upgrading shipping that shows me that there is inventory but costs affect who gets their item shipped.

[gertrudecloset]

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@busymom22 wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@busymom22 wrote:

I ordered a decor item back on April 16. At first it said "advance order" but then it was blank on my order list.  For weeks nothing would change and I even chatted with QVC customer service. The item showed out of stock since I ordered it.

Then the item showed in stock for a few minutes so I went to my order page and paid an extra $7 to upgrade shipping.  To my shock next day it shipped!

I actually did this with another item that first was "in process" to "preparing my order" then to "backorder".  After I upgraded shipping it too shipped out. This was 2 days ago.

It's a shame that you can't be guaranteed to get what you order and that upgraded shipping somehow magically makes these items appear!

---

That's because you paid for a better package rate.  The rate they have now for most things of $3.50 is the lowest handling tieir the USPS can give them.  It's a parcel rate that you have to sit around and wonder about.  Upgraded shipping charges always speed things up @busymom22 .  So it sounds like you paid the first amount of shipping (whatever that amount was) and an extra amount of $7.00. 

Or, did you get a refund of the original shipping amount?  If not then maybe your shipping charges were about $10.50.

---

My point was not about the speed of shipping but to just get your items shipped at all.

I know many have posted how their items have gone from "in process" to "backordered" and then even "cancelled".Or their item will go to "backordered" but then QVC will present that item again for "in stock" shipping. There seems to be no commitment to shipping orders others have placed earlier which I think is a problematic way of doing business and can alienate their otherwise loyal customers.

I'm not advising that people upgrade shipping like I did.  I just realized it's one way to get an item you really want because it allows you to "jump the line" ahead of others who ordered with regular shipping.

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@busymom22 , I fully understand what you were saying and what you did.  You upgraded your shipping.  Simple.  We don't need a PhD to determine that by you upgrading (paying more) for your package to be delivered ~ is the thing that got your package out the door quicker.  It was an upgrade, after all.

I don't think you were suggesting others do likewise, and I certainly didn't mention it.  The information you gave is applicable to many websites that charge for shipping.  Different tiers (i.e., overnight, 2nd dair air; three day delivery and standard).  I get it.  You pay extra for that convenience though.

[gertrudecloset]

@Spurt The poor service from USPS is not black and white.  People have begged their online stores to lower shipping costs.  When they do, it means it's going to take longer to get your package.  This didn't just happen with QVC packages.  They relegate these packages to a particular tier of service and they don't move as quickly as other options that cost more.  It's a simple case of you get what you pay for as far as shipping goes.

Now, the in stock, bacorder, still preparing notations that everyone complains about might not have a thing to do with USPS.