Suggestion Box

[CalminHeart]

On 2/27/2014 Daysdee said:

If they would have kept their higher standards and higher quality, they wouldn't get so many returns.

ITA

[stevieb]

Their return policy might have been very 'generous' at one time, but almost anywhere I shop these days has a policy that's pretty much as 'generous'. I don't think their narrowed focus has a thing in the world to do with returns. They seem to think this 'model' is a winner but it isn't working for me. Personally, I think it's all about avoiding a large inventory which helps cash flow. This is also possibly why we're seeing more advance sales than ever before since QVC doesn't have to put the money out there to maintain inventory they might or might not be able to sell. And I'd also hazard a guess that this 'model' and the appearance that more and more things are shipping directly from manufactures lead to cost savings in warehousing...

[KYToby]

QVC has changed because electronic retailing changed. MMany people seem to forget that when QVC started, there was no internet nor Amazon around -- nor the countless other retailers available online.

QVC, when it began, was the source for many unique items. No, thanks to online shopping, there are a multitude of places to obtain the same merchandise -- usually at lower prices and with lower shipping. How many people have said -- over and over again -- that if they see something they like, they look online first for the item. QVC, as a result, has to focus primarily on their house brands and special configurations for many items because these cannot be obtained elsewhere.

QVC actually maintains a large inventory, but rarely will we see the items which can be purchased elsewhere on the air. Why? Simple -- anything aired on QVC will ultimately be searched for online and, in many cases, purchased elsewhere if cheaper.

Additionally, because very few people sit and watch QVC all day long (the demographic has changed), they ultimately end up showing items numerous times in order to advertise the items to other viewers.

I remember the days when QVC sold TFal cookware, Capidamonte, Hummel figurines, and Polish stoneware. These days are gone because QVC can no longer compete with these types of items. Besides, on a day when they have something like Vitamix and sell 17,000 or more $400+ blenders, why would they want to go back to selling can openers?

[lovesrecess]

On 2/27/2014 SUHSE39 said:

On 2/27/2014 mercyMe said:

QVC's rate-of-return is 30% on clothing. Surprisingly to me, this is low. It should be 75% because I have NEVER had clothes fit the same ~~ same size/same item # ~~ and using the designer's sizing chart is worthless, at least for me). If QVC would fix this (it's called "First-piece-inspect") to ensure all is correct with vital measurements, then returns would be minimal.

Unfortunately, the sizing problems aren't limited to QVC or any retailer.

Frustrating and annoying as it is, anytime I shop in Department stores, if I want to buy an item in multiple colors, for instance, I make a point to try every piece on. It may be same item, same size, (supposedly), just another color, but, I've had too many times, when I didn't try each piece on, and discovered that the fit was not the same, at all.

It seems to be an industry wide problem.

True...it's called quality control and it seems to be a thing of the past

[Kay SD]

Yes, and even if garments could be all the same measurements, the fit would still not be universal, because so much has to do with the cut and fabric and details. If i go to a physical store, I probably try on ten or more items before I find something that's just right. I really can't expect the odds to be better buying online--worse, if anything, because I can't see it before trying it. I don't hold this against online retailers like QVC; it's just how it is. We're all just a bit different. However, it does keep me from buying much clothing online anymore.

[scotnovel]

On 2/27/2014 KYToby said:

QVC actually maintains a large inventory, but rarely will we see the items which can be purchased elsewhere on the air. Why? Simple -- anything aired on QVC will ultimately be searched for online and, in many cases, purchased elsewhere if cheaper.

QVC has a whole group of items in the AS Seen on TV category so you will in fact see a number of items that can be purchased elsewhere on the air. In addition other products, like Wen, certain cosmetics, Vitamix. some small appliances etc are all sold on air elsewhere often through commercials and certainly, while not on air, through multiple web sites.

[stevieb]

Of course, part of the solution to shoppers using QVC to point them in the direction of another retailer selling items for less and with less costly shipping is to make their own prices and shipping costs more competitive... If they did so, even marginally, shoppers might purchase items here rather than seek information about a product here only to jump ship and order it elsewhere... And really, as noted, many of these items that QVC offers perpetually and sells in volume are not often exclusive to QVC and can also be obtained elsewhere for less. Were I in the market for a Vitamix (Dyson... Dell...) and I'm not, my bet is I could get one home for less, too...

[BTO_1]

I don't buy much from QVC anymore because I was finding that the quality of products had significantly diminished. In addition to that, I've been able to find some of the same products elsewhere for better prices.

[Spurt]

On 2/27/2014 mercyMe said:

QVC's rate-of-return is 30% on clothing. Surprisingly to me, this is low. It should be 75% because I have NEVER had clothes fit the same ~~ same size/same item # ~~ and using the designer's sizing chart is worthless, at least for me). If QVC would fix this (it's called "First-piece-inspect") to ensure all is correct with vital measurements, then returns would be minimal.

Hi mercyMe I totally agree their sizing chart is WORTHLESS because QVC's clothing sizing is so INCONSISTENT!!! It varies with different vendors and even with the SAME vendor. I came back and ordered the exact same top in the same size and I weigh the same, my body is the same and when I receive the clothing the sizing and even the fabric is DIFFERENT! I've had to size down, size up and I frankly buy far less clothing than I did in the past ....instead of using my gasoline to drive to the post office, I just drive to the mall where sizing is CONSISTENT and purchase the items and no high shipping either!!! Funny how I can buy Jones Of New York, Westbound, Karen Scott and I wear my regular size....I've heard QVC host talk about how picky that QVC is with the quality on various items....then why is the quality and sizing so inconsistent with clothing. QVC needs to pay attention to the reason why items are returned!

And if the host/vendor would concentrate on measurements and fabric and merchandise info instead of acting silly and are more concerned with sharing family stories and telling what their Facebook friends think...maybe just maybe they'd have more sales and less returns!

[Spurt]

On 2/27/2014 KYToby said:

QVC has changed because electronic retailing changed. MMany people seem to forget that when QVC started, there was no internet nor Amazon around -- nor the countless other retailers available online.

QVC, when it began, was the source for many unique items. No, thanks to online shopping, there are a multitude of places to obtain the same merchandise -- usually at lower prices and with lower shipping. How many people have said -- over and over again -- that if they see something they like, they look online first for the item. QVC, as a result, has to focus primarily on their house brands and special configurations for many items because these cannot be obtained elsewhere.

QVC actually maintains a large inventory, but rarely will we see the items which can be purchased elsewhere on the air. Why? Simple -- anything aired on QVC will ultimately be searched for online and, in many cases, purchased elsewhere if cheaper.

Additionally, because very few people sit and watch QVC all day long (the demographic has changed), they ultimately end up showing items numerous times in order to advertise the items to other viewers.

I remember the days when QVC sold TFal cookware, Capidamonte, Hummel figurines, and Polish stoneware. These days are gone because QVC can no longer compete with these types of items. Besides, on a day when they have something like Vitamix and sell 17,000 or more $400+ blenders, why would they want to go back to selling can openers?

I don't watch all day long.....I only watch the couple of shows or vendor shows that interest me. I check the program guide and see the same things over and over. And even in the shows I watch (AM Style PM Style as examples) the merchandise is so repetitive that I change the channel or find something else to do.

If they show the same 15 items over and over and over they have to reach a saturation point and certainly won't attract new viewers if every time the potential customer is channel surfing and sees the same thing on air (just like Shop HQ and watches)...and that's why QVC's sales overall have been FLAT for some time now....price increases and high shipping enable them to eek out a small profit.(which is a two edged sword and makes QVC uncompetitive)......so overall what they are doing isn't working too well.

I will give you an example...it looked like Valerie Parr Hill was going to be kicked to the curb....well instead of her shows being aired early in the morning (Im talking 2AM or 3AM) they put a couple of her shows in prime time---people were selling out items on the set that were not even presented....they gave her a TSV of mercury globes they sold 150,000 plus items....all of a sudden the Q got a "brainstorm" that there is a home decor customer out there...imagine that....now we see VPH more frequently....

Its a matter of knowing your customer, having good buyers, and airing in a time when your working customer can watch and buy. QVC is currently FAILING in these aspects..They continuously put the unique shows on during the day when working folks arent watching and save the same qwap for evenings and weekends!

And no matter what QVC says the demographic hasnt changed....will a 20 something buy all these anti-aging creams and lotions and treatments, or hair restorer, do they cook?....or how bout the clothes they refer to as "frumpy"....and the electronics are mostly clearance purchases because the manufacturer is coming out with a new model ---oh yes, sure to attract the younger demographic for sure....