Q Talk

[deeva]

QVC used to have a store in the Mall of America. 
since I lived about fifteen minutes from there, I would shop there for the TSV's. 

The store had lots of Jewelry and beauty products. 

[crazycrafter]

As far as I know, Jeff has not passed away.  The latest I read is that he is in a long-term care facility, still recovering from the stroke.

[InStitches49]

What I remember is that the products were better, the hosts were more authentic, and the Today's Special Value was really a value and special.  Now QVC is often boring and repetitve in the items offered, and the hosts sometimes act too self-centered or try to be the highlight of the hour or day.  Even the newer lines  have lost me with their offerings. For example,  Kim Gravel has tried too hard to branch out in other areas while forgetting what made her line attractive to buyers in the first place. I think she's a nice person, but I started buying some of her clothing because it wasn't too glitzy or trendy--just basic items I can't find at the local stores.  I think QVC has lost its appeal to some, and it may be a sign of the times since so much can be bought online now.  

[philom]

Big bold gold, including magnificent pieces that were often presented from Italy. Clothing that was designed by outside creators, including Project Runway winners. Magnificnt Honora pearls and creative jewelry designers such as Barbara Bixby, More focus on products, less ion qvc presenters. 

[lovesallanimals]

There was a huge variety of clothing from actual designers, 18k gold jewelry (Arte d'Oro) as well as gorgeous costume jewelry from so many well known designers.  Miss Kenneth J. Lane, Nolan Miller and Joan Rivers.  Gorgeous Diamonique with simulated emeralds, etc. (stunning).  I agree with many of the posts above. It was just so much better.  I really miss all the "real" designers.  Now it is the same thing over and over.  Miss Fenton, Phyllis George (who had spectacular home products, not the junk they are selling now from China).  Miss the 50/50 tour.  There was no dancing, loud obnoxius hosts, talking about their families all the time, etc. etc.  It was just incredible back in the day.

[Maloyo]

I guess I started regularly watching QVC (& HSN, or Home Shopping Club, IIRC) in the mid-1990s.  In some ways it was better; in some ways worse.  There used to be a lot more jewelry, even Diamonique came set in 14K gold.  Lots of all gold, or all silver, or all jewelry days.  In retrospect, great prices too (not that I could afford them) and I enjoyed watching.  The quantity and quality of jewelry shows isn't as great today.  I guess this is mainly due to the prices of gold & silver.  

Frankly, I didn't pay attention to clothing until they started offering everything in large sizes all the time even when I didn't need large sizes and a lot of the original clothing (especially on HSN) was frightening, I think the clothing is better now for the most part, but it isn't as inexpensive.  No, I don't expect pricing from 25-30 years ago.  Althougn some here would disagree, I think it is better quality than you get at Walmart or Target and IMO it is better quality, although not as contemporary, as clothing from somewhere like Zara.  That's fine now, i'm old. What I like about TV clothes shopping is that they show it on live models.  Yes, I know i can look up the measurements on Amazon, but that doesn't help.  When I see something on a model, especially one with my figure type (and I've been every size from 6 to 2XL, several times) and it looks bad on the model I know it will look bad on me, even if it does fit.  This helps me a lot.  

IMO, the shows around Xmas that feature a lot of different products are a lot like TV shopping used to be.  I still find the occasional quirky item that I can use during these shows, like the ID Guard stamps. Overall, the quality of products is better now.  In the past a lot of the products were--IMO only--stupid.  Obviously, they wouldn't have featured them if they didn't sell but I was glad to see stuff like collectable dolls disappear. 

I used to use the automated phone order system; didn't really order online until I got broadband internet in 2001.  I'd order on occasion from work, but in those days, my job was a little funky about this, so I didn't make it a habit.  My first ever purchase from TV shopping was from HSN when you had to call while it was onair (they didn't have product numbers).  I don't even remember what it was now.  

I still buy stuff, mainly a few things on auto-delivery (I never would have tried Philosphy or Josie Maran or Skechers if it weren't for QVC).  Yeah, I know they were around, but I either wasn't aware of them (the skin care stuff) or didn't feel the need (wore my old Brooks or Saucony running shoes for "sneakers").  Things are different now.

Although I appreciate QVC catering to those of us over 50, I dont think that will help them in the long run.  However, I didn't exactly walk aorund naked for nearly 4 decades before I started watching this and I won't if it goes away in the next few years.  

[Lisa Y]

@lovesallanimals   I also remember "once in a lifetime jewelry" shows. 

[22eyesblue]

Excellent pricing was what drew me to QVC 35 years ago.

That's changed.

[lgfan]

I loved the "old" QVC.  The cosmetics TSVs were a great bargain.  you would get five to six items at a reasonable price.  I remember Holly Mordini of Smashbox.  Now she was a true make-up artist.  She would give great make-up tips without getting ridiculous.  She wouldn't say the blush would make you look like you spent an afternoon with Johnnie Depp and other inappropriate statements. 

 

There also wouldn't be two hosts with one vendor.  One host, one vendor. 

I miss Lisa Mason and her jewelry shows.  She had a calm, soothing voice.  She could sell me anything.

[Sooner]

Back in the dawn of time I loved the morning show while getting ready for work.  It was Pat and Dan seated at a little coffee table, showing us neat stuff to buy and chatting and laughing a little.

You would think, that QVC could have one little offering like that now, just one for folks not into the jumping and clapping and shrieking mess that they air otherwise.