Q Talk

[Major Shopper]

I've been watching from the beginng! I was a newlywed in 1985 and in 1986 my husband said, "Look at this new channel on TV. They are calling it QVC. Do you think we should buy stock in it?" 

The hosts were entertaining, but the GOLD JEWELRY was what I was interested in purchasing! I am so glad I did!!!

The hosts now are doing a good job with the products they are given to present. 

For me, there are so many other buying options with better discounts and free shipping. 

I still watch QVC, but I like to shop around for the best deals! 

Thanks to the kind, knowledgeable shoppers on these forums who are willing to share, I have learned much more than shopping tips! 

[KathyM23]

QVC as it was in the beginning was exciting only because it was new.  TV viewing to shop offering products that could not be found in the brick and mortar marketplace.   There is no way that format is relatable in today's world.   I personally don't think the shows were more enjoyable then than they are now.  

I remember when Malls were replacing downtown shopping and that was the exciting way to shop.  Same principle as TV shopping coming along and being the new thing.

I am a QVC shopper from the beginning and am still purchasing but I would be bored silly with the old way.  I like more than just product info (all day commercial)  I especially like the singing and dancing and like hosts interjecting their life and personality.  

Younger shoppers that need to be attracted would never be interested in the old QVC.  I enjoyed the old way then because it was new, but sure would not like that way now.  

I can't imaging QVC remaining if it stayed as it was.  30's and 40's people watching that format - I don't think so!

I

[haddon9]

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@Susan Louise wrote:

@J Town Girl 

I discovered/started watching QVC in 2004 while recovering from lung cancer surgery...almost 20 years ago now.

I'll have to go to youtube to view some old QVC videos from the 80's/90's. When I started watching, Kathy Levine wasn't there anymore, but Bob Bowersox was. I'm not familiar with the other hosts you mentioned.

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I started watching around the same time.  Before that I dismissed watching & buying from the Q.  Once a good friend told that both her mother & sister were Q addicts I had to see why...then I became hooked too!

[rockygems123]

@Susan Louise 

Found it, that was great, they sound wonderful!

Here's a funny clip if you can find it, it's a Newhart (the Vermont Inn show not the one in Chicago)  Season 6 Episode 18 Attention WPIV Shoppers parody of shopping channels.

It was dated 2/15/88 when shopping channels were new.

Have you seen this @J Town Girl?  Worth trying to find it  

[spent2much]

@J Town Girl  I remember some of the hosts you mentioned.  And I enjoyed watching QVC MUCH more back then.  I don't watch nearly as much any more.

[Effie54]

Yup, agreed! They were personable, but didn't interject their life story into every presentation. They gave measurements, specific details and showcased the item. It was about "the item", not about the hosts. I miss those days too! 

[judianne]

The only one l miss is Jean Bice !

[grooms]

I remember those days very well and that's why I get so frustrated with today's QVC.   In those days they had class....girls didn't wear clothing too tight...they didn't h ave a bunch of hosts over-talking each other and they didn[t have hosts that were interest in their careers and not the products they sold.    I remember going to HSN and turning back to QVC because the hosts were so loud and offered horrible items....I considered a cheap replica of QVC and now look.......

[Q-Checker]

@susanlouise and @rockygems123 -- thanks for recommending the utube of the  Bob Newhart show parody on shopping channels. Loved it! I has forgotten how much I enjoyed the dry humor of that show"back in the day."

[Stray]

@judianne - I loved Jean Bice & cute shirts with the button covers; I still have a few covers but not the shirts.

I remember Jill & David doing Looney Tunes merchandise. I bought a Boris & Natasha watch.

I enjoy today’s programming as well. I buy a lot more as I’m retired now. When I worked I wore business suits & worked long hours so I didn’t need a lot of leisure clothing.