* BACKGROUND *
A few years ago we had an on-digital box. Remember those ? It was one of the forerunners to the current Freeview, which is available in the UK. When we were using this box I came across QVC, a home shopping channel. I used to regularly have a look at this channel but never actually ordered anything.
So a couple of years ago when we had purchased a Freeview box, we found that it gave us access to about 30 channels, one of these being QVC.
All I really know about this company is it began in America , where it has been up and running for many years. It stocks over 15,000 products and it is the largest electronic retailer in the UK, but I suppose it could have been overtaken now. QVC is supposed to stand for Quality , Value and Convenience, but does this channel provide any of these? .
* QVC IN ENGLAND *
On our Freeview box, QVC is found on channel 16. On sky it is on channel 630 and on cable channel 740.
I have ordered a variety of things in the last 18 months and up to now have not experienced any problems.
You can watch the programmes on TV or live on their website at : www.qvcuk.com.
On the Internet you can browse stock that is current or from previous shows. Everything is divided so that you can search for, say, shoes in general or a particular item. The pricing is just the same. Without watching the live shows on the Internet you can still search for stock. They also have a clearance section, so really there is more choice online.
However this is the armchair review really aimed at the TV shows.
Each programme runs for one hour but they do sometimes run the same company (e.g. Indigo Moon)at say 7pm and then at 8pm. This would be stock from the same firm or type of show, but it would be different items. Viewing starts at 6am and runs through to the early hours of the morning, seven days a week .
The presenters are all very amiable and professional, which makes for easy viewing. Some of them you may think look a little familiar and you may remember as previously appearing on mainstream TV. This must be their graveyard then I guess. On the downside you could easily be persuaded to buy, get sucked in and overspend. There is usually one presenter and a representative from the manufacturer being shown . Sometimes it is the head of a company, as in "Kim and Co", where it's usually Kim Mendlesonn herself jointly presenting the show.
If the scheduling was for "Winterwear" there would be a range of winter clothes from all different retailers. However if it was for "Winterwear by Centigrade " it would only be Centigrade's stock . Simple?
As you watch for example a "Diamonds" show each product has a thorough review with plenty of time on the screen (too much in some cases as you are waiting for it to move on). On screen you will see the order cod, any relevant colours and sizes, the price and contact telephone number.
Now unlike some shopping channels the telephone number is a free 0800 or you can order via the web. I have done both.
There is also a press red Button on your TV remote option which brings up a choice of Today's Special value, Hot picks, 24 hour review, a QVC TV guide and Help. For Sky viewers this takes you to other options I think. You can also look back at products enabling you to still order.
If the "today's special value" sells out quickly QVC usually put on a "one to watch" offer. This product will be really good value and the price will only last a limited time.
You often find that the price is reduced to a certain amount just for the show but you have no way of knowing how honest this statement is. The price often is broken down into 2 or 3 or 4 easy, monthly, payments. If you use this option you are told when ordering when the payments will come out of your bank account and how much they will be for. Also you do not pay any charges for doing spreading the payments. I have done this and never experienced any problems. However if you are not careful you will soon overspend .
* ORDERING FOR THE FIRST TIME *
So you're watching the show and something takes your fancy. What to do next ?
For your first purchase you need to ring the ordinary free phone number 0800 50 40 30 . The person at the end of the line will take some details - order, name, address etc and allocate you a QVC personal number.(I have ordered without this but you will need your pin number). They will ask you to give them a pin number, preferably something which you can remember but that other people cannot guess. They will ask for your payment details and you must have some sort of debit, switch or credit card and be aged 18 or over to shop here.
They do not try to sell you anything else, by telling you about other offers etc. when you ring, unlike other shopping channels.
They will confirm the amount payable, including any postage, and when they think the delivery will be made. Items are usually delivered within 5 - 7 working days.
The amount of postage and packaging is usually between 2.95 and 7.95. Occasionally they have free or reduced postage offers. Usually if you order two of the same item there is only one p and p but not if you order two different things from same show .
Occasionally they will ask if you want go through to the studio to talk to the presenters live on air . Are they mad!
* ORDERING AGAIN *
Once you have ordered you will receive in the post a confirmation letter about your membership , a membership card of the plastic swipe type and your membership number. When you come to order again you can either ring the aforementioned free phone or the Qcut , in first, line on 0800 52 42 32. For this free phone number you will need your membership number or membership card and your pin number. It is automated and without speaking to anyone you can place your order and pay for it. I have used this once on a sale show, when everything was sold out each time I got through on the ordinary line, and I had no problems.
* THE GOODS *
Your parcel will arrive promptly within the 5-7 days stipulated in a grey plastic bag. Along with the goods there is a QVC TV guide showing all their up and coming shows for the next month There is also your receipt. One side has the return labels if needed and the other your order and goods details, plus your guarantee and information on returning any items.
QVC do offer a no quibble money back guarantee for 30 days. However you do have to pay for the return yourself. The only time I had a return was Christmas 2005. As I tried on a couple of tops that I had bought , as a pair, I thought they were a bit big. Looking at the bag it said medium, as ordered, but the actual item labels said large. I rang the returns number 0800 51 41 31 to arrange collection (another free phone number). I was told that I would have to pay to return the tops. I explained what had happened and it was their error. I received apologies and a free returns label in the post. This was all very hassle free but a bit annoying as they didn't have any more in stock Plus I can only assume that someone else had got the opposite of my order.
At Christmas the 30 day guarantee is extended so that presents are still covered.
* CONCLUSION *
I have ordered and received a variety of products from QVC. As I work full-time, and don't drive, I do find it very convenient. I would imagine for anyone with mobility issues, or the elderly, that it could be a godsend.
If you have any returns they will come to you, saving a trip to the nearly extinct British post office.
Most of the prices are competitive, but you do find that some of the clothes shows can be expensive. The quality has however always been good. You do have to bear in mind that the presenters are salespeople , probably on commission, and pitch their reviews accordingly.
I did think that it would be quite hard judging quality on the screen and sometimes have found it better with the sound turned down, so that you can just have a good look at the product, without listening to the sales pitch. It is still better than just looking in a catalogue, although clothes obviously drape better on the stick thin models. Once you have ordered a few times, you know which manufacturers are the best buys.
You will find on any crafting shows that these are mainly for making birthday or Christmas cards. That sort of thing. To me these look pretty expensive.
The shows vary from clothes > crafting > bed linen > cameras > TV's > DIY > Gardening > food and to many more
Well known brands such as Molten Brown and Butler and Wilson appear regularly with good prices and there are ones such as Indigo Moon and Quacker Factory, which I have only come across on here not the high street. There really must be something for everyone and, if you prefer, the on-line shopping is just as varied and easy.
As of yet I think that QVC lives up to what it stands for quality, value and convenience.
It may be a bit too convenient though if you are a shopaholic, so be careful.
Note:- They do have sales, as one seasons stock changes, but you have to be quick. Also most of the clothes are more for an older market .