Q Talk

[Black Cat Back]

I always check the Lunchtime Specials each day. Sometimes, I'll find a real bargain. I am noticing; however, that a lot of times an item will be sold out during the times of the Lunchtime Special offers at that lower price. But a few hours later, it will be back up and available at the higher price. It can be one certain item or a certain color of an item. It happened again on Tuesday (6/17) when the Steel by Design Watch was sold out in all colors but gold, but now, all the colors are available.

I guess they have the right to hold back inventory, but it's a shame that they don't honor the price it was offered at in the Lunchtime Special offer.

[okiebug]

It may be people put things in their cart then don't finish checking out, so it goes back in inventory. Or people buy something then cancel.

[happygolfcartrider]

On 6/18/2014 okiebug said:

It may be people put things in their cart then don't finish checking out, so it goes back in inventory. Or people buy something then cancel.

I am thinking that maybe they allot say maybe 2000 for the Lunch time special but they actually have many more for later shows. So if the 2000 sell out than it is stamped sold for that show.

[Clover29]

I don't think they have many left of anything in LTS (which is why there are limited sizes and colors available) so if even a dozen people put, say, a size XL in black in their cart and don't check out, that's the whole inventory in that size/color tied up.

Lunchtime specials aren't regular inventory that QVC offers at a bargain price for a few hours, they're clearance items (most of which have been on "secret" limited quantity pricing for a few days or weeks prior).

And considering how many threads are started by people complaining that they got a letter asking them to please cancel less, apparently a lot of people do fully check out the items in their cart, only to cancel the order(s) hours later.

[Black Cat Back]

Good thoughts. A lot of what you wrote makes sense. It's frustrating sometimes when you want something and it's gone and then shows up again at higher price.

[SHOPR]

I think it happens because of the things Clover29 wrote. I've gotten frustrated at times when something I would've bought at LTS price wasn't there in my size or color, etc., but shows back up at a $5-10 higher clearance price later the same day or the next day.

I have read where CS, depending on the individual you are dealing with, sometimes allows the lower LTS price in these cases, if you call them. I haven't actually tried it.

[culebra]

I think the purpose of the lunchtime specials is to get rid of stuff. I think there are plenty of people who put stuff in their cart, but do not check out.

[Clover29]

You can get a sneak peak of some upcoming Lunchtime Specials here:

https://www.facebook.com/theqcuts

It's a Facebook page, but you don't have to be on Facebook to view it. It's there to let us know about the "secret" Limited Quantity price items, because you can't search them in regular inventory, you have to have them in your wishlist to see them.

I just picked up an Isaac Mizrahi scarf from there today; originally available in four colors, now down to two, at less than half price.

[katiescarlett]

On 6/18/2014 okiebug said:

It may be people put things in their cart then don't finish checking out, so it goes back in inventory. Or people buy something then cancel.

I think this may be the case. Sometimes I see something and it is sold out when I try to put it in my cart, but if I refresh every so often, it becomes available again. I think that is because someone put it in their cart and never purchased it. Or else QVC dribbles out the quantity over the 4 hours.

[Pook]

It's because selfish people order then go back and cancel - thus denying others who really want to purchase the item to miss out on the bargain price. When they have the lunchtime specials, cancelling should not be allowed.