I think it's time for VPH and QVC to....

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

start to source more home decor goods from here in the USA.

The price increases on a lot of the home decor items they are importing are simply not worth it for the quality of the merchandise.

I don't see why they don't look domestically for producers and start offering things made right here. They used to have things like Hannah's Candles, Old Virginia Candles, I think they have carried items from P Graham Dunn etc. There are a lot of cottage industries out there with great products available, right here at home.

Valerie and QVC often only bring in small quantities of things, that are almost sold out before they even get their first airing, so the smaller quantities that many domestic suppliers might be limited to should not be a lot different than a lot of what they are showing anyway.

If we are going to pay a premium price for this home decor stuff, lets start seeing things sourced here, even if it is limited quantities. What mark ups we are paying for in these imported goods is from the horrible increased shipping prices. So let's eliminate the shipping container issues, get some locally produced goods offered, and put some of that money into local businesses and domestic workers.

It's long past time to look closer to home for some of the home decor type goods being offered here.

sometimesQVCaddict · ‎03-09-2010

I would agree, but labor costs, plus raw material costs to make items in the US is sky high! As a part time craft business owner, even wholesale prices for materials to make items are pretty high. Than adding in labor costs, plus overhead if you have people making products in the US and your operating costs, again, is pretty high!

Not sure the average Q shopper would TRULY pay the prices for USA made if they're balking at China made product prices that are obviously made a lot cheaper, even with shipping to get here. Than adding in QVC's profit cut, the price goes even higher!!

And Q buys in bulk, let's face it. A small time business that maybe makes 50 or 100 of an item wouldn't be feasible for Q's bottom line.

If you want to TRULY want to buy USA made home decor or anything else handmade in the US, shop at local businesses you know, go to local or other craft fairs, shop Etsy (make sure USA made though) or Google local businesses in your area. Your money goes DIRECTLY to the seller who makes local USA made items!! Win win!!!!

I don't think QVC is the place for small batch truly handcrafted local items regardless of what they say. It's all about mass quantities for mass profits, made as cheaply & quickly as possible! That would apply for Valerie & any other vendor. Just my 2 cents....

sometimesQVCaddict · ‎03-09-2010

Also just to add Spring is the time when local craft fairs start! Search your area to see what's happening! My first show is in April, and runs sporadically through November at various locations/craft shows I set up at.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@sometimesQVCaddict wrote:
I would agree, but labor costs, plus raw material costs to make items in the US is sky high! As a part time craft business owner, even wholesale prices for materials to make items are pretty high. Than adding in labor costs, plus overhead if you have people making products in the US and your operating costs, again, is pretty high!

Not sure the average Q shopper would TRULY pay the prices for USA made if they're balking at China made product prices that are obviously made a lot cheaper, even with shipping to get here. Than adding in QVC's profit cut, the price goes even higher!!

And Q buys in bulk, let's face it. A small time business that maybe makes 50 or 100 of an item wouldn't be feasible for Q's bottom line.

If you want to TRULY want to buy USA made home decor or anything else handmade in the US, shop at local businesses you know, go to local or other craft fairs, shop Etsy (make sure USA made though) or Google local businesses in your area. Your money goes DIRECTLY to the seller who makes local USA made items!! Win win!!!!

I don't think QVC is the place for small batch truly handcrafted local items regardless of what they say. It's all about mass quantities for mass profits, made as cheaply & quickly as possible! That would apply for Valerie & any other vendor. Just my 2 cents....

@sometimesQVCaddict

I agree with you about the truly small batch stuff. But there are a ton of companies out there making much larger quantities, and selling at or below many of the China imports on QVC.

Q certainly couldn't stock their entire inventory with domestic products and have the variety they need, but if every show, someone like Valerie was offering just a couple of domestic made items (to start with), it would make a big difference.

I think a lot of people would buy them regardless of the price. I think they need to go back to companies they used in the past, like Peterboro baskets, and bring a few items in and see how they do.

I know they brought in the revitalized Longaberger brand back right before the pandemic. Was expensive, but it did sell.

Pyrex, Rubbermaid, etc. all have lines of kitchen and storage goods that they could tap into as well. I really just think QVC doesn't try hard enough to bring in domestic items.

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@Mominohio I agree with QVC sourcing products made in the US, and I would add other free countries around the world. You mentioned P.Graham Dunn, and I had not heard of them. I spent the last half hour researching their great story and products. Most certainly a fit for QVC! Unfortunately, since nearly everything we buy, from computers to clothing to cars to home products, are at least partially made in China, the best we can do is ask our government to insist on accountability in the production of things we import from China. I can't get into details, but I'm sure you know what I mean. AND, yes, it might help to ask QVC to start buying US made items.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

It's because most people in this country won't pay a nickle more for anything so a neighbor could have a job. So our taxes get used rather than us paying a fair price for stuff for people to live and have jobs.

So many people now living here could care less about neighbors now.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@Sooner I don't want to get into any political discussion but are you speaking of a specific part of the country? Everyone here in my area is working and have been even during the beginning of the pandemic. All businesses are and have been open.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@Sooner I don't want to get into any political discussion but are you speaking of a specific part of the country? Everyone here in my area is working and have been even during the beginning of the pandemic. All businesses are and have been open.

@proudlyfromNJ My point is that the only way USA goods will sell is if people pay USA prices and they won't. They'd rather have a new t-shirt made by sweat shop labor and children from countries that don't worry about stuff like that.

Only the USA customer can fix it and good luck with that.

sometimesQVCaddict · ‎03-09-2010

@Mominohio I could see about the "larger quantity operations" but still made in the USA companies, but it would be interesting to see IF this happens AND any pushback on price.

Prices I've seen lately on wholesale materials to even manufacture items is rapidly climbing. And thats at wholesale prices! I'm lucky to have supplies for what we make to last awhile.

pupwhipped · ‎03-11-2010

I don't know what the answer is to all this but I will say I find her items less and less appealing....at any price. And over the last many years I bought a ton. Not now. There was a time I never missed a VPH show. Now it's no big deal if I miss it because I will not have missed much anyway.