Jewelry

[BGDC]

On 4/9/2014 Sheesh said:

On 4/9/2014 TerriManz said:

No surprise to me! The QVC prices have gone up considerably and the quality has gone down. She is a multi-millionaire and it's all business to her. She has made millions from QVC and she will stay on the Q for the next 5 years until she gets all of her money. Case in point, when Christine Carlino of Philosophy sold the company to Neutrogena. She stayed on and then when Coty purchased Philosophy she was on air maybe once or twice and then bye bye Christina!! Ripka will do the exact same thing! Mark my word!

And she will be 77 years old by then---and your point is what exactly? Should she stay until YOU decide it is time for her to retire? Seriously?!

You said it, Sheesh!

[Sunshine Kate]

I knew something was up because they were pushing JR and the prices are out of line. They did this was B Mak handbags too.

I never buy when a company starts really pushing merchandise. It's a red flag.

[Trix]

I don't begrudge any of these folks for doing something they love successfully for a long time then banking the money and getting out of Dodge. The retail business has never been so difficult from the creative and management side as it is today. Creatively, because it's so cost prohibitive to create luxury without pricing yourself out of mass market appeal; and management from the angle of trying to produce at certain price points, dealing with manufacturers, distribution, and retailers. It's a huge pain in the you know what.

[scotttie]

Just saw this thread today. Haven't read all the comments but this sort of explains why Judith is on QVC so often now.

[JavaQueen]

Wow...just skimmed this. $22.5 million is nothing. I don't care if you say "it's just a number." It's too bad. At 72, she can retire or do whatever she likes. Hopefully, she can relax and enjoy her family.

In retrospect, she should have copied the Effy model. I don't do think they do CZs, but the do use gemstones and sterling. Her association with QVC may have people the chance to get some beautiful jewelry, but it ultimately it damaged the brand. Value and branding go hand and hand..

The outrageous pricing no wonder. It was meant to get as much cash for QVC as possible and also pad the books before the company was sold. Well, at least you can get some good sale prices.

[LuckyPeach]

On 4/7/2014 motherinlaw said:

On 4/6/2014 LuckyPeach said:

Favorite Son, I'm betting you are correct! Thanks for bringing up the role of the world marketplace which JR and Brian both spoke about exploring for some time now. ~Peach

On 4/6/2014 motherinlaw said:

Favorite Son: Those are very good points. I had not thought of things in that way. It could totally explain the disappearance of the 18k from her website.

Even so.....it was fun to look at that price range of jewelry. Remarkable things!!! I will miss not being able to gaze at them.

Motherinlaw, I'll miss perusing the 18K on her website, too! Sigh... ~Peach

PS~I owe you a debt of thanks due to your very informative Facial Flex post in Beauty. You inspired me to dig mine out and start using it religiously again. Thank-you for the heads up on the current quality issues. Mine is one of the old ones but when I have to replace it, I'll know how to fix it. THANKS!!

Peach: You are Welcome. I was in a panic when my original Facial Flex finally bit the dust and with the roller coaster ride I had to ensue trying to replace it with what it now available. It was a struggle but managed to salvage this unit and do have several back ups. I will not be without this device. For me....it is great! Sure....there is some natural lack of firmess but nothing like what it could be without Facial Flex. My neck area is perfectly toned and my face looks very good for my age. Happy to learn that you are trying yours again. It takes such little time to see results!

Motherinlaw, am "flexing" every day now and can swear my jawline looks a little tighter! Thanks again~Peach PS~I did get a backup of the original!

[LuckyPeach]

On 4/8/2014 smarty said:

On 4/6/2014 LuckyPeach said:

On 4/5/2014 smarty said:

On 4/5/2014 LuckyPeach said:

On 4/5/2014 ennui1 said:

On 4/5/2014 LuckyPeach said:

In short, it's AN ART THING!

Yes. The art of the deal.

Ripkanistas: This quote was taken out of context from post #105 where I was speaking in detail about Judith's artistic creativity and use of materials, not business. ~Peach

Lucky Peach, I find the "ignore user" button to be priceless...and I might add, that I can only see this particular user when they are quoted in a response (like yours here within). I have found this thread far more pleasant to read without all of the usual obnoxious commentary. I have a few more users who I have ignored because of this thread. I do find it comical that people who profess to dislike Ripka and her jewelry spend an awful lot of time making commentary to that fact. Me thinks they protest too much....a little green goddess envy, in my opinion! Peach, keep on rocking your Ripka and take the high road!

Smarty, thank-you for the perfect and very sound advice. And on your last line, will do! Same to you... I even enjoy keeping a couple of her pieces out here next to me on the computer desk as art objects, and rotate them often. Best regards~Peach

PS~I see from your reviews that you are also a JR pearl lover. I wanted to let you know that when the recent flattened, rounded Baroque pearl toggle necklace was introduced, I was entranced but waited as usual. Your review helped me put it at the top of my JR Wishlist and I finally received it last week. OMG, what a stunner!! I haven't reviewed it yet (major, major backlog) but hope you'll consider copying your informative product page reviews to the monthly all review thread. Such a unique, outstanding necklace...!

Thanks! I adore that necklace...it is a real bargain in my humble opinion...the pearls are OUTSTANDING and the toggle is so fun. My other new love is the three "pillow" station black spinel cuff...I will look up the item number. ETA item#:J284980. It was a lunchtime special, now on clearance. The finish is rather matte and looks fresh.

Smarty, I got that LTS black Spinel cuff and wore it last week to my doctor's appointment. ITA that it is a beauty and I love it! ~Peach

[LuckyPeach]

On 4/9/2014 samigini said:

Because nothing has changed. Judith Ripka still will be designing/making her jewelry for her own site and for for the Q. She still owns her stores and her website. That part is not going away. You can still order (if you have her recent catalog of items) from her reps or purchase from one of her stores/online at Judithripka.com.

She just sold her "name" to expand her "line". I remember when some Ripkanistas said Judith should make sunglasses, purses etc. This deal is going to let her do just that. That's why she's only getting $22.5 million for this right now plus some more cash down the line. Don't forget she also is receiving 551,000 common shares of Xcel stock.

Not sure why everyone is in such a dither over this. I suppose how this was reported was just very confusing.

Hope this helps everyone relax a bit.

Sami, perfect explanation which makes total sense. ITA that the reporting on the deal was not clear. I know a New Yorker who travels in JR's circle and said that Judith has long wished to become a "lifestyle brand." Hence, her handbag collection for starters. Now she can do just that. Sounds like a good move to me! ~Peach

[samigini]

On 4/15/2014 LuckyPeach said:

On 4/9/2014 samigini said:

Because nothing has changed. Judith Ripka still will be designing/making her jewelry for her own site and for for the Q. She still owns her stores and her website. That part is not going away. You can still order (if you have her recent catalog of items) from her reps or purchase from one of her stores/online at Judithripka.com.

She just sold her "name" to expand her "line". I remember when some Ripkanistas said Judith should make sunglasses, purses etc. This deal is going to let her do just that. That's why she's only getting $22.5 million for this right now plus some more cash down the line. Don't forget she also is receiving 551,000 common shares of Xcel stock.

Not sure why everyone is in such a dither over this. I suppose how this was reported was just very confusing.

Hope this helps everyone relax a bit.

Sami, perfect explanation which makes total sense. ITA that the reporting on the deal was not clear. I know a New Yorker who travels in JR's circle and said that Judith has long wished to become a "lifestyle brand." Hence, her handbag collection for starters. Now she can do just that. Sounds like a good move to me! ~Peach

Thanks Peach! Hope all is well with you!

Sami

[fitnessfreak]

Kind of like Leslie and Bare Minerals?

)))))))))))))))))

and the SPANX inventor.

Remember her showing us her tummy and wiggling her backside? Then next thing you see--her on the cover of FORTUNE magazine world's richest female (or some such!) We ladies helped put her there!

We knew her "when".....

So many Q vendors who sell out--OJON too....wonder if WEN will...and WHEN?? and what about Quaker?

EDIT to add: some of you gave posted that you want to dump out your RIPKA while you can..I am wondering why?

If they are from her earlier years on the Q (just before she started the gold-clad pieces imho)...I remember the very first pieces airing and how she said "her gold clad" had a slight "green tinge" to it--anyone else remember that?

Anyway--I would think that the DEMAND for early Q Ripka can only increase w/time..giving more value to your pieces.

I stopped buying years ago, but still love my Ripka jewelry box which holds the dangling-heart ring....the leather heart-charm bracelet...the toggle-chain..etc.

Remember those heavy chains Lisa loved to sell?