Q Talk

[Desertdi]

Kitty LOVES to watch television..........so it's on 24/7

[stevieb]

Sunday... Another six hours of another Dell, with Vitamix, that kitchen, and junque jewelry thrown in for good measure. I'm not watching. Whey would I...? Oh, and let us not forget, another hour of our Lady of the Liquid Knit presenting her fashions, again, whirling dervish style...

[ginirn]

Over 25 years ago the first shopping channel I ever saw was HSN. I bought a few things from them but then received items of such poor quality I stopped watching and buying for 15 years. I have watched QVC since its inception and have bought a lot over the years. Occasionally I watch HSN or ShopHQ fashion shows but buy very little. I find HSN has higher prices on clothing so only buy on clearance and they have real clearance sales not a couple bucks off like the Q.

My buying however has decreased due to the same issues mentioned and that I am retired and don't need certain things anymore. I have enough to last me probably til the end. I have always loved to shop but right now I live about 40 miles from a good shopping area. Watching the Q is shopping but I don't get tempted to buy like I did in the past. I record some fashion shows and zip thru them. Fashionably Early, Quacker, AM Style, and Dooney for the most part and some shoe shows. I used to really like D&Co because they were reasonable and had some cute little detail. Not anymore, they mostly sell plain old basics which I can get for much less.

As for the hosts. I don't think of them as my friends but I do think of them as people. I like 95% of them and think they do a difficult job well. I really despise the host bashing that goes on on some of these boards. Some of the really cruel posters remind me of those Junior High bullies who drive others to suicide. Fortunately the hosts are adults not kids and better able to handle or ignore it. I could not tell you the name of any of the hosts on the other channels. They are just like background noise, not individuals. Maybe because the Q hosts inject their own personalities or lives into their shows which some people seem to hate.

I think the complaints often voiced here fall on deaf ears. And they are honest and valid complaints. The management at the Q is the problem and they don't care to change anything. They would be replaced and surely don't want that. Now there are just too many other shopping choices for the public. Most of the unique offerings have been discontinued. With today's technology it is so easy to price compare. I guess the Q is still profitable but I think that will decrease. If they only updated their thinking I think they could increase sales dramatically with free or reduced shipping, more unique items etc. There are people in power making really poor decisions IMHO.

[stevieb]

On 1/19/2014 ginirn said:

I think the complaints often voiced here fall on deaf ears. And they are honest and valid complaints. The management at the Q is the problem and they don't care to change anything. They would be replaced and surely don't want that. Now there are just too many other shopping choices for the public. Most of the unique offerings have been discontinued. With today's technology it is so easy to price compare. I guess the Q is still profitable but I think that will decrease. If they only updated their thinking I think they could increase sales dramatically with free or reduced shipping, more unique items etc. There are people in power making really poor decisions IMHO.

So true. Fully agree.

[chrystaltree]

I don't really watch the Q tv programming, I do shop with Q a lot. I get a package or two a couple of times a week . I shop the website and yes, much of what I buy are impulse buys. So? Is that bad? I work, I make good money, I love fashion and jewelry. Why I shop, when etc is my business. The original post isn't RESEARCH, it's another attempt to slap at women who are living good lives and not hovering around the poverty line. I don't understand these constant posts from women who feel the need to blather on and and on about shipping charges and prices. If YOU can't buy the things you want, if YOU have financial constraints, that's YOUR problem. Jealousy is a terrible thing....it makes you do RESEARCH in a sad and pathetic attempt to make yourself feel better about your life.

[stevieb]

I too think the OP makes the assumption that those shopping QVC shop based only on the programming... For heaven's sake, if I shopped only based on QVC's programming, I'd probably buy very little from here! Yes, it's that bad! I do occasionally purchase something that captures my interest on-air, but not as often as I once did. The on-air purchases, obviously, tend to be more impulse buys than those ordered based on looking at the website. And by the way, my purchasing here has little to do with what the hosts say to induce me to buy, and certainly nothing to do with perceiving the hosts as my friends.

[Lizzie in San Antonio]

I have a long history with the Q. Many years ago the first channel I shopped with was HSN. I started watching the Q but didn't become a regular shopper until I began working at the San Antonio call center during college. I have shopped off and on with the Q over the last few decades even after I began work in my field of study.

I think a lot of shopping is done on impulse. How many times do you end up with items that weren't on your list at the grocery store? There is something to be said for having the shopping temptation inside your living room. I would imagine many home shoppers go on a cycle of being worried/making the first purchase/over indulging and finally finding a happy middle ground.

Over the years I feel like the Q has taught me a lot about jewelry and make up. It is interesting to me to see the designers of the jewelry lines they carry come on air and discuss the items. The Or Paz and Adi Paz lines are great. The southwest shows are neat too. I feel like I learn cool tips from Mally and Laura G.

I tend to tune into specific programs. I often "watch" a show on mute while reading a book. There really isn't a phrase or word a host could use to make me reach for the phone. I like the presentation style of certain hosts- I enjoy Lisa R. She is my favorite for jewelry presentations because she is a world traveler and she is a fan of history. When she says a piece is good- I pay attention. Easy pay helps on big ticket items. For a few years, if I wanted a Dooney handbag, I had to get it on easy pay in order to budget. I live in a community about 30 minutes outside a large city. Because I commute to work each week, for an hour each way, I don't like travel to the city to shop in the stores much on the weekend. The Q has high shipping but the ease of returns has always been a solid plus. Amazon is my go to for quite a bit but the Q carries a few brands I like. I turn to Denim & Co. for what I consider clothing basics. The quality has been quite good and the sizing is normally great. I buy most of my jewelry from the Q, again because I am comfortable returning things I don't love. I also like the make up kits and super size items.

I don't consider the hosts my friends. I think, as a viewer, you just come to know the image they present and you either enjoy it or you don't. I think viewers have similar feelings toward their favorite nightly news anchors or talk show hosts- i.e. faces you see in your living room on a regular basis.

In summary I would say that I watch the live Q programs to learn about products I am interested in or to see what's new for a season. I have probably impulse purchased more jewelry than most people but I have a love for jewelry. Shopping can be an addiction but I don't feel like being a regular viewer of the Q has turned me into a shopaholic. I feel like the Q has made me a more educated buyer of jewelry and make up. As with all things, moderation is key.

[curlywhitedog]

My viewing habit has changed dramatically over the years. I went from having QVC on as background throughout the day to practically never watching at all anymore. That's not to say I don't buy anymore because I do but, sadly enough, most of my purchases are made through product review after the show or from the lunchtime specials. In fact, I bought two of the D&C Gauze skirts (A23262) that were $13 and change today, bought one in navy and one in olive, both to take away to Puerta Villarta with me next month.

I'm sure I would buy lots more, like I used to do, if I was able to watch more often but I'm just not and the why of it is best left unsaid.

Maria

[Yardlie]

I don't "watch" QVC anymore, but I do shop at their online site...only when I need something. Watching leads to too much impulse buying for me. However, QVC is just one of the sites I check out when I buy something.

I bought a new pair of boots over the weekend. I found them on QVC and then Googled them. I purchased them for over $30 less at DSW...and free shipping. I shop like this all the time, as we have very little shopping in my town.

If I find something unique to QVC, I might buy it, but generally I find their prices and shipping are very high. I wish they had a shipping plan like Amazon Prime.

I like that QVC provides this bulletin board and the review section for their products. The reviews are very helpful. The ladies on the bulletin board are also helpful when trying to decide on whether or not to purchase a product.

[sonnysky]

I LOVE to shop! My mom and Aunt have been home shoppers from the beginning...I admit I thought it was crazy back then but, I got married and started my family young and didn't have time to be out at the stores as much, so I started checking out home shopping myself.

Back then I thought most of the programming was horrible, but was interested in the occasional kitchen show, housewares, and a bit of jewelry. I would order occasionally, and probably on impulse.

I love make up, clothes, purses, and shoes, I find QVC features these types of items frequently now. I think HSN has nicer shoes, and look, but rarely purchase anything from HSN, I haven't been happy with the quality of many of the items they sell, but I will flip to them and Shop HQ occasionally too.

I prefer QVC, and I mainly have it on in the background as I am online, cleaning, cooking etc....also often flip on if I am having trouble sleeping. I only have it on if I have some interest in that particular show. I don't impulse buy anymore. I check around, read reviews, and try to make an informed decision. I love to learn about new products, and get ideas from hosts and vendors.

So OP, fess up, what's your story? Do you enjoy watching home shopping? Do you have an image in your mind of what the typical home shopper looks like...lives like? Oh I almost forgot, no the host's are not my friends....LOL! I have MANY other things in my life besides shopping, I am not a hoarder, not in debt, do not know my UPS man personally...I know you didn't ask some of that, just thought I would cover it just in case.