Re: Amazon vs QVC--your thoughts

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@Buck-i-Nana wrote:
I've had both good and bad experiences with Amazon. I'm a prime member, don't know how you get prime for just $50.

Not all participating Amazon vendors deliver in 1-2 days and apparently Amazon does not require their participating vendors to even provide a basic level of package tracking. It really all depends on what vendor you are buying from. In addition, many times the Prime price is significantly higher than the price from a non-prime vendor. Again, it really depends on what you're buying and who you're buying from. Amazon isn't a single source.

It depends on how difficult it is to find what you're buying, in the marketplace. Most of what I buy on Amazon I sort by Prime Delivery, and look always for "Fulfilled by Amazon" so I know the item comes directly to me from an Amazon warehouse, packing and shipping controlled by Amazon. There aren't very many things I've bought that I could get only from a vendor directly and when I have to do that I make sure it's a vendor with a high satisfaction rating.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

TY · ‎03-10-2010

Well, QVC does not ship to Canada anymore though they could if they chose to.

The U.S. Amazon is vastly different from the Canadian Amazon. A lot of stuff like clothing and shoes on the U.S. Amazon aren't shipped to Canada and it also depends on those 3rd party vendors as many of them also do not ship to Canada. I also notice that when the U.S. Amazon vendors do ship to Canada that a lot of times their prices have no relation to reality. I suspect that there's a lot of dynamic pricing going on with Amazon if you are logged on from a Canadian IP address.

The Canadian Amazon is basically a watered down version that doesn't really sell clothes except cosplay costumes and the like. I will check it just for pricing but I rarely buy anything from either Amazon except the odd book or DVD.

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@White flowers wrote:
Oh yes and then their is Zappos. Another online retailer that delivers in 1-2 days, no prime membership fees, no shipping or return fees, very good product video, and amazing customer service. Yet another competitor for my money.

Zappos is owned by Amazon.

*Call Tyrone*

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@Silkeej wrote:
I will say when shopping with Amazon you need to be careful and watch their prices on items. I was told Amazon does not set prices the vendors do and Amazon doesn't check to make sure if they are out of line. Example "new" cookbook cost 19.98 plus shipping the same book only now it is " used" selling on Amazon for 49.95 plus shipping. Does that sound like a good buy? and yet there it sits on their website. At least at QVC you are being given fair prices and reasonable shipping and your items are new.

Only items that are shipped and sold by vendors or Amazon fulfillment for a vendor is when what you state is applicable.

Items sold by and shipped by Amazon ~ then it's Amazon setting the price of course.

*Call Tyrone*

Buck-i-Nana · ‎09-28-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
@Buck-i-Nana wrote:
I've had both good and bad experiences with Amazon. I'm a prime member, don't know how you get prime for just $50.

Not all participating Amazon vendors deliver in 1-2 days and apparently Amazon does not require their participating vendors to even provide a basic level of package tracking. It really all depends on what vendor you are buying from. In addition, many times the Prime price is significantly higher than the price from a non-prime vendor. Again, it really depends on what you're buying and who you're buying from. Amazon isn't a single source.

It depends on how difficult it is to find what you're buying, in the marketplace. Most of what I buy on Amazon I sort by Prime Delivery, and look always for "Fulfilled by Amazon" so I know the item comes directly to me from an Amazon warehouse, packing and shipping controlled by Amazon. There aren't very many things I've bought that I could get only from a vendor directly and when I have to do that I make sure it's a vendor with a high satisfaction rating.

@Moonchilde - thanks for the info. Mostly what I'm buying is pool equipment and pool toys. When buying parts, I need specific items that aren't an easy find.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I have prime, but I don't use it enough to justify it. I buy different things at each retailer. If I had to choose one, I'd pick QVC. Sure some things are more than at other stores. Same goes for Amazon. You need to know your prices to shop online.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

I'm not the biggest fan of Amazon. I have had some troubles there with not getting orders, and taking months to get refunds. I don't like that I have to be careful who I'm actually buying from, and I don't want to pay for Prime because I only shop Amazon a couple of times a year, but love the free shipping with such a low minimum. Q needs to do something with the shipping.

While Q isn't perfect by any means, I love the ability to see the videos of the product. The descriptions on Amazon are often very lacking and downright incorrect, and the pictures horrible at best. I like to see 'in person' the items on Q, with the hosts describing and giving ideas.

The reviews on Amazon are better, because there are usually more of them, and you can amend or add to the review over time. Q needs to institute that option.

Day1128 · ‎06-27-2010

Definitely prefer Amazon. They provide immediate status/tracking of your package, and QVC may or may not provide any tracking or confirm the package is on the way (one of my BIG complaints about Q). Q has also doubled (at minimum) shipping costs to Alaska for a regular (not expedited) package. Amazon charges nothing if you have Prime; when there is a charge, it's the same to anywhere in the United States. Return charges may or may not apply with Amazon, depending upon the item, but Q ALWAYS charges for a return.

I have limited what I buy from Q. Only items that aren't avaiable on Amazon or if there is free shipping from Q.

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

I enjoy online shopping and do really like QVC.

However , I also like to save money and with free shipping and no sales tax on Amazon,

that is a big savings.

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@Day1128 wrote:
Definitely prefer Amazon. They provide immediate status/tracking of your package, and QVC may or may not provide any tracking or confirm the package is on the way (one of my BIG complaints about Q). Q has also doubled (at minimum) shipping costs to Alaska for a regular (not expedited) package. Amazon charges nothing if you have Prime; when there is a charge, it's the same to anywhere in the United States. Return charges may or may not apply with Amazon, depending upon the item, but Q ALWAYS charges for a return.
I have limited what I buy from Q. Only items that aren't avaiable on Amazon or if there is free shipping from Q.

The reason for a return is key when returning to Amazon. If you indicate you didn't like it, doesn't fit or something of that nature, you'll pay for the return. If it's a defective product or a product sent with wrong specs, Amazon will not charge you to return your items.

Amazon now allows you to pay for Prime Membership on a monthly basis rather than a year.

*Call Tyrone*