Q Talk

[They CallMe MRWILKES]

During the second quarter earnings conference call, management discussed food was an exceptionally important and growing category. 

While the Home segment declined overall, food sales revenue increases saved it from greater deterioration. 

Food sales are one of the few bright spots for Qurate now.

To the dismay and consternation of many, I predict that food programming will continue to grow due to the financial benefits accruing to Qurate.  The success of this segment is why it achieves so much airtime. 

I love the food shows and find them informative and enjoyable. 

[AuntG]

What I don't like are all the negative food reviews in which people say it was the worst (fill in the blank) I ever ate! Those people demand a refund which probably increases the cost for those of us who don't complain.

It sounds as though they'll keep selling food since it remains profitable.

[Bookplate]

This explains the new Foodie Travel series.

[Q-Checker]

I also enjoy the food shows, but they are not all "informative," I just watched the presentation of Right Rice and was dismayed to hear the rep give incorrect instructions for preparing the product. The differences were very minor but potentially significant. Her instruction to boil 1-1/4 cups of water differed from the package instruction to boil 1-1/3 cups of water. Similarly, the rep said the rice would be done in 10 minutes when the package direction states that it will take 12 minutes. I mention this because visually  impaired people, such as myself, rely on these on-air directions since the print on the package directions is incredibly tiny and poorly formatted. The "rice" is great and should be properly cooked. And the rep and the host should show their respect for the product and the viewer by presenting accurate directions - not some offhand approximations. Let the cook decide, based on trying out the product, whether the directions are approximations.

[docsgirl]

I just watched a presentation of the Anderson Seafood Shrimp on Skewers.  Rachel said it is important to know your source and asked the vendor what the source was for these shrimp.  He never answered the question.  He emphasized the color and texture of the shrimp and tips on preparing it but completely avoided answering the question as to where the origin of the shrimp was. She never asked the question again.  I'm guessing there was someone in her ear telling her not to ask again.  When vendors are proud of where their products are sourced they tell you over and over again.  Given that, it just seems to me like there was something to hide regarding the source of these shrimp.  I looked at the product online and there was no information there, either.  Seems like a poor business practice and I would definitely not purchase that product even if I were mildly interested in it, which I'm not.

[Spacrazy]

@docsgirl   Yes, I picked up on that as well. "Something" about the skewered shrimp didn't look quite right to me so I was trying to hear details. Hmmm...

[colleena]

@docsgirl Thanks for mentioning that he never answered her question as to where shrimp were sourced from as I mssed it; like you said something seems off w/his lack of answer.  

[layla2450]

RIDICULOUSLY OVERPRICED food. As an example, 12 bottles of ROAR derink is priced ay $33 - almost $3 for each. I have bought it for $1 a botle at my local grocery stores.

[PamHeet]

I am surprised to hear this since, like many others, I often guffaw at the prices QVC charges for food. In all fairness, though, buying food online or through mail order is and has always been expensive. I suppose I can understand specialty food items or giftable snacks/candies, but some of the items leave me chuckling. Like the Chinese dumplings that I can buy a similar version of at my local grocery store for a fraction of the price, or - especially - the Smithfield products. I always laugh when I see how much they’re charging for a ham. Smithfield is a brand that can be found at almost every grocery store around where I live, and it is not an expensive one. BUT, hog farming is a big business in my state, and there is even a Smithfield packing plant in the area I grew up. (It used to be Lundy’s until it was bought out.) So maybe in places where pork products are not in such abundance the price isn’t so outlandish? I don’t really know. Either way, I am still surprised to hear that food is a top seller.

[781Florist]

It isn't surprising to me at all that food has been a big help in propping up the Q.

Pies that cost $70.00 and the recently aired chili hot dogs at only EIGHTY DOLLARS for 2.5 pounds (!!) will go a long way in shoring up the bottom line for the company.

Before we hear from the harrumphing hordes about how 

they can spend their money however they want and how many people prefer the convenience over the cost and how we can just change the channel if it bothers us so much, I want you to know that I not only agree with you on all those points..but I also want to thank you for buying all those Rastelli and Egg Harbor and Kansas City and Grandma's offerings that would be at home in the Hermes shops of Las Vegas!  If you don't mind the prices then I certainly don't mind that you don't mind!

I just look at it as a subsidizing of the shoppers who 

still look for the Value as well as the Quality and Convenience.