Q Talk

[ValleyAli]

I found this hilarious the other morning and wanted to share, since many here, including myself, have complained about how ridiculous shipping costs have gotten at QVC: Dan H was discussing at item which cost roughly $19, and the shipping was about $7. The quote that made me laugh out loud was when he said: "not to mention our shipping price is very reasonable", when describing the item's cost.

At this point, I just laugh and shake my head (and subsequently, change the channel).

Just wanted to share the hilarity with everyone!

[KYToby]

While many posters here refuse to accept it, the statement is true.

First off, when was the last time you shipped a package? In many cases, QVC's price is no more (and often less) than it would cost an individual to ship the package. On top of he actual shipping charged by the carrier, QVC has to cover packaging materials, labor (to package it), insurance, be able to cover refunds (from consumers who change their minds and return merchandise), and still make a profit. Can you do that and still pay less than QVC? No!

You seem to be stuck on the price., The cost of the original merchandise has nothing to do with the shipping costs -- absolutely nothing. Shipping is primarily based on the weight and size., For instance, one could ship a $500 ring for a lot less than $5 of gravel. Your complaint, though, indicates you fee that it should be just the opposigte -- since the ring costs more, it should cost more to ship.

Unfortunately, many people have been blinded with "free shipping" offered by other retailers. Shipping is never free. Retailers still must pay the carriers, but instead of spelling out shipping charges, the retailers bury the shipping charges in the base pricing. So many people like to compare QVC with Amazon since Amazon offers numerous free shipping offers, including Prime. In most cases, minimum orders are required to get free shipping. Over and over again, I have seen people talk about the additional purchases they made in order to get "free" shipping.

People need to accept that shipping is part of the cost of purchasing a product,. If one feels the total price is to much, then shop elsewhere or do not buy the product. The constant complaints of shipping charges, though, ring hollow. Unless QVC is hiding the shipping cost, everyone knows full well what the cost is, and to complain about something one willingly pays for nonessential merchandise (unless QVC has begun selling prescription medication), is beyond childish and silly.

[Brooklynny]

I ship my own packages on MyUPS.com. The weight is usually 1-3 lbs, and the regular ground shipping charges are in the neighborhood of $8.00-11.00. If a package is more weighty or if I'm shipping ground to the West coast, it's more expensive. When you take that into account, QVC's shipping charges are quite reasonable.

[september]

The big companies receive discounted shipping rates, due to the volume of the items they ship. So...to compare what they charge, to what we pay(if we're sending similar items to a family member)....doesn't make sense.

The only thing we can do, as consumers, is look for the same item on other websites, and see if we can find it with free or lower priced shipping. That will save us money.

I do this any time I see something sold online. Sometimes, I can get it elsewhere for less...other times it's an item only sold on that website (like QVC), so if I like it enough to pay the cost+shipping, I do.

[september]

And I am so sick of seeing the statement that shipping is never free!

Have none of you ever heard of an online retailer called amazon.com. Not only are their prices the lowest online, but yes...shipping is free. Free, free, free! I ordered a book on Sunday, that was already at a discounted price, received an additional 30% off due to a coupon, and it was delivered to me, Monday morning. And did I mention that shipping was free?

[insomniac]

I think QVC's shipping charges are reasonable. To have a package sent from a distant point to one's own home for 7 bucks is a deal!

[stevieb]

I guess the bottom line for me is what I pay to get an item I want home. Whether other retail entities 'hide' their shipping costs elsewhere ceases to be relevant for me when I can get an item home for less after all costs to me are taken into consideration.

I think what some posters aren't seeing is that many of us are finding the exact same items at the exact same or lower selling prices and 'free' (or reduced) shipping. Under those circumstances, call it whatever you want, but I call it 'sold'.

QVC either can't or won't compete with regard to shipping costs and since the other home shopping outfits at least try, the reasoned assumption is that QVC simply doesn't want to. It's also noteworthy that for many items, taking shipping out of the equation, their asking price also isn't consistently competitive.

[NickConnerLjsmom]

I agree a lot of places give free shipping if you spend over a certain amount for example Old Navy. If you spend 50 the shipping is free and they offer a flat rate of 7 or 8. QVC could do more deals with shipping this time of year it would be great. There have been some products I didn't buy because of the shipping.

[september]

I am fine with some retailers asking me to spend 25 or 35 dollars in order to qualify for free shipping.

Most of my orders are at least this amount, anyway.

[Moonchilde]

On 12/5/2014 stevieb said:

I guess the bottom line for me is what I pay to get an item I want home. Whether other retail entities 'hide' their shipping costs elsewhere ceases to be relevant for me when I can get an item home for less after all costs to me are taken into consideration.

I think what some posters aren't seeing is that many of us are finding the exact same items at the exact same or lower selling prices and 'free' (or reduced) shipping. Under those circumstances, call it whatever you want, but I call it 'sold'.

QVC either can't or won't compete with regard to shipping costs and since the other home shopping outfits at least try, the reasoned assumption is that QVC simply doesn't want to. It's also noteworthy that for many items, taking shipping out of the equation, their asking price also isn't consistently competitive.

Yes, this. If QVC's prices actually *were* competitively low on similar/comparable merchandise, their shipping fees might not seem quite as high as they do. But when the item itself can be had for *less* elsewhere, AND the shipping elsewhere is either free or appreciably lower than at QVC, then as far as I'm concerned that is overpriced. If other retailers can deliver an item that costs less AND has cheaper shipping, then what QVC is charging isn't really necessary, so overpriced.

And everyone has their own tipping point. Last night I was contemplating ordering some baked goods for myself as a treat (not sold on QVC). There was a 20% off coupon, but the shipping fee was more than the 20% off amount (!) so I passed. Tonight I came across a free shipping coupon for the company - and bought.