QVC vs. HSN

[SnowTiger]

Ok, over on the "Richard Simmons" thread, this centuries old debate kind of came up:
QVC vs. HSN.

What are your opinions here on quality, value, products, customer service, etc. Come on there has to be something good and BAD that need to be stated about each!
I kind of stated some of my own opinions on the previous thread, but I would love to hear about your experiences with each!

[yankee]

Hi, SnowTiger. OK, I'm going to tell you something from my memory, so parts may be a bit off, like dates, for example, but this was my mom's first and last experience with the "original" Home Shopping Network (now HSN). Sorry, but it's a very long story.

Fifteen (give or take) years ago, they were known as the Home Shopping Network -- HSN wasn't borne until several years later. My mom ordered a herringbone chain for $300+ (it looked very heavy), but she never received the item. She mailed them a check for the full amount of her purchase, and four weeks later, she was told the item had sold out. However, they cashed her check.

They told her when additional stock came in, they would fill her order. Three months later, they told her the vendor went bankrupt, and she would have to file a claim with the bankruptcy court, but no paperwork ever came. At the time, we actually suspected that it was the Home Shopping Network who went bankrupt, because they went off the air for a little longer than two years, and we had originally felt they were the ones who should have refunded her money. We couldn't reach them by mail or by phone. We finally received bankruptcy papers listing some parent company, and it indicated one of their subsidiaries was the Home Shopping Network. Two years later, we learned the bankruptcy application was withdrawn.

A little more than a year later, HSN was on the television, and my mom never heard anything of her claim or her order again. Occasionally, they would call themselves the Home Shopping Network, but when we contacted them, they claimed to have no knowledge of or information about her order or her claim. Apparently, they were part of a difference group of companies or something.

Since that time, my mom won't deal with HSN. She's very apprehensive about QVC, too, but just because she's been burned badly. I don't know if the Home Shopping Network and HSN are the same, different, or what, but I would be very careful dealing with them. Regardless of the relationship between the two (or one, as it may be), in my mom's eyes, they're absolutely unethical, to say the least.

I've made three or four small purchases from them, but only because they seem much more reputable and more solid today. So far, so good.

Caveat emptor, everybody.

[Denim&Co.]

I am sooooooo sorry to hear that yankee, maybe since HSN was newer at the time they didn't have any records of your mom purchasing the item and probably nothing even remotely close to "wait list". I have made two purhases from HSN and that is enough for me. I like the products but hte customer service at HSN is horrible. First, I tried to get a membership and was put on the line for longer than they told me it would be. Also, when I received the package my name was spelled wrong. I don't care for some of HSN's products, especially anything that is overlay/created/CZ. Can't the same thing come out of those little quarter machines?

[carly04]

I have personally never ordered anything from HSN.. but it is very entertaining to watch..... some of the items that I have seen are; Those dolls that are the size of 4th graders... lifesize I guess is what you could call them.... The hostess combs the hair and fusses over them as if they are real....I would think that these dolls would be frightening to look at in ones home,Also Suzanne Sommers seems to be selling everything from cookware, to makeup, clothing,and lets not forget her jewelry;some of the gaudiest stuff I have ever seen...most of the clothing is simply trashy looking..
I think that HSN is pretty low-end as far as quality and class...
QVC has many high end items. ( with the exception of Quacker Factory and Susan Graver).. I have ordered from QVC and with the exception of a few things that I had to return, I have been satisfied with them.By the Way.... I happen to like Christa Pitts... she seems like someone with whom you could be friends with... and for Jacque Gonzales, in her early days she was really hard to take with her hyper-- had way too much caffiene--style.. she has quieted down a bit, and I like her as well.
I enjoy reading these threads from everyone

[calgary]

I only purchased one thing from HSN. A ruby bracelet. About 5 minutes after opening the package and wearing it, a stone fell out. I hunted down the stone (found it on the bed, LOL!) and promptly sent it back. Since then I rarely even look at the network. As for QVC...well it used to be a heck of a lot better then it is now. We all know the Quacker Factory and Susan Graver is drek...but thngs that used to be so good has declined a bit. I blame the new owners. I really feel the quality is down, also never cheap, the prices have really gone up. The only other choice on my network is ShopNBC and only their jewelry is wonderful....the rest is overprised and yukky. I am sorry about QVC's decline...hope it gets better in the future..until then, I look at QVC, but don't buy. The funny thing is that my husband (who used to hit the roof when I purchased from QVC) just yesterday ordered somthing from them! We will see (its an atomic alarm clock) Hope it rings on time!

[Denim&Co.]

HSN is a big lier. They are not 26 years old!! HSN is only about 19 years old, it started up in July 1985. Before that they were the Home Shopping Club that did not operate to many viewers. 26 years ago is when a Clearwater, Florida radio station had a bunch of can openers and sold them all out. HSN's origins date back to then but HSN is not 26 years old!!!

[SnowTiger]

yankee,
What a terrible thing for your poor mom! I think I would still be bugging them to this day!!

I think HSN tried to class itself up just a few years ago when it changed from The Home Shopping Network to HSN. Does anyone remember the era before that The Home Shopping Club and Tootie? How utterly embarassing!!
I'm sure the owners of HSN, in their ongoing effort to class up HSN, FINALLY told some of the show hosts to take a valium BEFORE air time! I don't really know the names, but over the years as I whipped past it, I thought one or two of the show hosts were within an inch of having a heart attack!! Geesh! It's just make-up after all!!!

[yankee]

Remember Q-Bird? UG!

[carly04]

Yankee is from Pittsburgh?? so was I.. lived t here for 9 years... loved it..... the whole city..... Station Square.... Shadyside, the North Hills.... just 1 great city.. miss it AND KDKA talk radio very much... but I find that Fred Honsberger has been subbing for a Philly talk radio station sometimes.... good to hear his voice

[yankee]

i've lived just outside of pgh. for most of my life. just moved back last year from the harrisburg area. pgh. sports is everything to me, but the people in harrisburg are the greatest. harrisburg is like the outer banks with four distinct seasons. the people are sooooooo friendly, and everything is flat. pgh. is the place to be for its social offerings, though. i'm torn between the two, obviously.

[yankee]

i mean harrisburg is like combining the outer banks with four seasons. (i have loved NC for 16 years, but i'd miss winter too much.)

[yankee]

nice chatting with you carly, but i have to run. i have 7 minutes to get dressed, brush my teeth AND get to work. i think i'm going to be late. i'll look for you again.

[carly04]

Yes, Yankee, I have enjoyed visiting with you as well. I actually have the whole weekend off.... I have two jobs... and usually work 7 days a week..... I will chat with you later...

[Yep2]

Calgary, I agree with you concerning ShopNBC! As a matter of fact, I've said here in the past concerning them. I've purchased much of their jewelry through the years. They have some of the best and cheapest high end jewelry around. Their quality is wonderful!

[Barbi]

QVC Good--customer service
QVC Bad--too many idiot hosts; most of my favorites are gone
HSN Good--ahead of the rest as far as electronics are concerned
HSN Bad--customer service (if you can even call it that!)

[astute]

To follow-up on a previous post, HSN has done it again. And once again, it is with the Italian Bath & Body Products. I ordered the new Olive Oil Body Cream, which was scheduled to ship within 18 days of the date of order. When it did not arrive I called HSN Customer Service? and was informed that they had cancelled my order as the inventory did not arrive. There was no apology and I doubt if HSN would be have contacted me to let me know they had another inventory gliche. This has never happened to me with QVC and if it did, I am sure I would be notified and receive an apology.

This has happened so many times with HSN that regardless of the product, I will not order from them again. I would have better luck SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM in Las SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM than counting on an order from them.

[shopreturn]

Astute.
That is just horrible. Actually, I saw it online a few days after the show, and they were selling it at a higher price. hmmmm!
That would tick me off, seriously. You might have luck getting it on ebay.

[Rick_V]

I've had a similar problem with HSN. Ordered some of the vitamins, which were on the air at the time and still selling, on the website. It took the order and processed my card.... then the next day I looked online and it said it would be delayed by 24 days before shipping. At least QVC tells you it is on waitlist and asks if you want to continue with your order

[astute]

Shopreturn,

Thank you for the information. I cannot believe the unethical tactics of HSN and am surprised that they have not been reported to the Florida Attorney General's Office, the FTC, or at minimum, the BBB. I would probably have better luck receiving it from an eBay seller than from HSN - that is a sad commentary!

I can't imagine any such thing ever happening with QVC. To my knowledge, QVC does not "oversell" their inventory and as Rick V stated, if an item is not available QVC offers waitlist and informs you. I would add QVC offers a legitimate waitlist; I have never been successful putting an item on waitlist with HSN. The graphic will state that waitlist is available, but when you speak to a Customer Service Rep., the response is it is not available!!

[shopreturn]

Astute.
I was on the HSN Web site looking up descriptions for some stuff I'm listing, and I saw that they are still listing thee Perlier Olivarium Olive Oil super nurthruing Body Cream at $19.50. It shows as available (I pretended to check out) Hmmm!

[astute]

Shopreturn,

Thank you for the information. I was told by HSN Customer Service to contact Perlier directly, and was even given the telephone number to purchase directly from them. Interesting.....

[shopreturn]

Astute.
It's a good thing we can order our Hair,Skin,Nails directly from Yourvitamins.com now!

[jillbert2]

I like HSN better, but QVC's delivery is better.

I've had some orders canceled from HSN, and then I rec'd them days later. Don't understand that.

I must say tho', I've had a few items never delivered and they sent a replacement out immediately for free.

BTW, get the Elarria Olive Oil items no matter what the cost! I just rec'd the 5-6 piece kit and absolutely love it!!

[yankee]

thanx, jillbert. i'm actually glad to hear someone who likes HSN better. i want to hear good and bad experiences, and it gives me confidence that HSN is capable of bringing quality products to us. we had to be adventurous to start shopping with QVC all those years ago. we have to be willing to do the same with HSN. after all, your shopping channel will only be as good as its customers expect/demand, or it won't have many customers, will it?

great to hear from you!

[jillbert2]

Thanks Yankee, just love your posts!!

[yankee]

;>

[Delilah]

I received a USA gold bracelet I ordered from HSN about 2 months ago. The quality is inferior to the jewelry I've ordered from QVC and ShopNBC. My jeweler agrees.

HSN offers some unique things like Tatouage. I'm always glued to that show when it's on. Unfortunately, I'm waiting for a design that doesn't have flowers, birds, ivy or fluer de lis. The concept has me intrigued.

ShopNBC offers some great quality stuff, but the hosts drive me insane. They are so over the top and manic in their presentations that I wonder if some unseen producer is poking them with a cattle prod.

[shopreturn]

jillbert.
Hi, I got that same Olive Oil Set! But I'm still using the Elariia Almond oil Shea Butter set..the TS from a few months back! I have enjoyed it very much. Sometimes I have seen Perlier marked down at stores like Ross.

Something that I really like about the HSN web site that I wish QVC would emulate is their schedule section. You can look at what's coming up in the next week, starting with the current day, with complete information about WHICH HOST will do what show. They also have a "printer friendly" version.

I'm tired of either not getting the QVC program guide in the mail or getting one with my order but it's already old! And I'd like to know who's on when.

just a little pet peeve. : )

[SBTZMom]

ShopReturn...

QVC will e-mail you a program every week, several days in advance of the week starting, if you get on their e-mail request list, which is easily done through their website/customer service page.

Thought this may be helpful :)

[shopreturn]

Thanks SBTZMom..
will try that.
I've tried calling them to get it, but it takes awhile.

How are you doing today? Got your Scott Barnes yet? Sometimes I get cosmetics/skin care in two days!

[shopreturn]

SBTZMom,
oh, I didn't read you carefully enough. I need the printed version, and need to see weeks ahead and look foward to certain programs.....and circle them! Don' want to make a lunch date if a beauty or skin care or Taxco show is on!

Am I the only neurotic one? lol.

[SBTZMom]

ShopReturn...

You are not neurotic, you simply like to plan ahead :)

Yes, I understand about the schedule.

I read in another thread, a month or two ago, that the QVC Insider Magazine has the whole schedule in it, and evidentally it comes in a very timely manner, but I think it costs almost $40 a year to subscribe (this is from memory...may not be right)

Q posts program schedules about a month in advance on their website, and I guess you could print it off...wish I could be of more help!

No Scott Barnes today...will keep you posted :)

[LORETTA]

I was a QVC customer for some time and really like the Susan Lucci hair products, but when she moved over the HSN I decided to try them. At the time I believed that her hair products were the best in the world, since then I have found out that there are others just as good or better. Buying those products for HSN was the worst mistake I have ever made. It took them forever to ship, when I got the statement from them it indicated that I had ordered a double order instead of just one. I went to the web and found that they had put it on an auto delivery system without my consent and to top it off, the second order never arrived. I called customer support and they told me that they would correct the problem but the next statement arrived with yet another shipment listed, to make a long story short, it took me eight months to get the problem solved. I cancelled my card with them and will never use them again. QVC is quickly getting off on the same track. At Christmas I ordered an item that I would have to reship to the recipient who is out of the country so when I ordered the product I chose the fast ship option. This was six weeks before Christmas, several weeks later I emailed customer support about the non delivery of the item and they refunded the fast ship charge but couldn't tell me where the item was and made no offer to try tracking it for me. It finally arrived about a week before Christmas and I had to ship it air express to England and pay more to ship than the item originally cost to buy. So far ShopNBC has been great. Quality jewelry fast shipping, no taxes when I purchase off the web. QVC always charges me tax on web purchases which is very irritating. Just a note....we purchased a car off Ebay and the service was better than any of the so-called shopping channels, so how about that?

[princesskv]

I recently stopped buying from HSN as their customer service sucks! I never received an order and I called to check on it and the customer service reps.were very rude and acted like I was bothering them. I wrote their customer service support and told them that there customer service was terrible and all they wrote back was that I could receive a credit for the item I didn't receive or they could re-ship the item. I thought they may have given me a discount on the item as it was a week late. They never addressed or apologized for their reps. being rude. My reply was that they didn't appreciate my business and it was a shame they were losing a customer. HSN doesn't care and I'll never order from them. I've had nothing but good customer service from QVC and the hosts are a lot more friendly and caring. There not about all trying to sell stuff, they genuinely care and appreciate the business.

[sueb]

HSN is really low end with poor customer service, however, the quality at QVC, in particular the Diamonique has gone down in the last year or so. I've mailed back more than one Diamonique ring because it looks like glass, where my older pieces really look like the real thing.

Sorry to see so many old hosts leaving the sinking ship. There isn't a host left that I like with the exception of Pat, Dan and Lisa Robertson. Don't watch much anymore ---prefer to shop their brands on their own websites--Philosophy, etc. Even my old standby Denim and Co isn't quite as good as it used to be--cheaper fabric I think and a loss of detail.

Get your act together QVC before you lose lots of old time viewers like me.

[aloe]

I came to Florida -- the Tampa Bay area -- to visit family back in the early 80s (think it was 1981/2) and Home Shopping was just a local cable shopping channel. In fact, the locals would purchase items and run down to a store front in Holiday, Florida (about 40 miles south of St. Pete) to pick up their items. At that time, I don't believe mailing the items was even an option.

The show hosts would LITERALLY write down the callers club number while the caller was on the phone. And, you could ONLY order the item while it was on the air...you could not order it once it was presented.

The show hosts were also not very polished and would occassionally get into fights with the callers. I can remember one show host telling the caller that his mother "belonged on Dale Mabry" (referring to a road prostitutes frequented.) There was also no screening of the calls so they were often offensive and surprising.

It was several years later that HSN showed up on my cable station, surprised after what I had witnessed years earlier. So, I guess that have come a long, long way.

[yankee]

ShopNBC only has sales tax licenses in four states--Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Missouri. Eventually, they'll probably get busted by the states they are shipping to and have failed to establish sales tax licenses. Don't hang your hat on no sales tax being a plus. Believe it or not, in many states, sales tax law provisions state that if you purchase a taxable item and no tax is collected, you are liable for payment of the tax. (In PA, it's called 'use tax'.) The problem is, it would be next to impossible for states to enforce that provision against individual taxpayers. How could they? So eventually, as they can, individual states pursue large companies who are not paying tax and seek to rectify the situation going forward. In my opinion, ShopNBC is taking advantage of that fact.

[Placentiq]

I have purchased merchandise (jewelry as well as other products)from all 4 shopping networks (HSN/HSC, QVC, Shop NBC, and Shop at Home).

HSN's jewelry is not the high quality of Shop NBC's. Shop at Home HAD the best tanzanite (when Hakimi tanzanite was available on their network). QVC's jewelry is not bad (better han HSN's).

[Zirf]

I have only ordered from HSN twice. Unfortunately one of the times I allowed myself to get wrapped up in the hosts "Hurry, there are only a few left....." nonense and ordered a pair of slacks before I saw a top I liked to go with them. So, I order the pants and never saw a top on the show I liked to go with them (Diane Gillman maybe?). I didn't get around to returning the slacks until after 30 days which was never a problem with QVC, they always gave you a refund anyway. Not HSN, they gave me a merchandise credit. One problem, there is so little that they sell that I'd want to buy and I think over the next year I found one item to purchase that went against the credit. So, after a year the 20 or 30 dollar credit I had left disappeared... I got screwed out of my money. That was absolutely the end of it as far as my purchasing from HSN.

I find most of the HSN hosts to be low class and trashy.... but then I can't say I am too thrilled with some of the new hosts at QVC....

I haven't purchased from from Shop NBC and have even blocked it on my TV's (I can't say that I have ever had any interest in purchasing $1,000 watches or $500 pieces of jewelry.) Other shopping networks, ACN and Shop at Home I only get at odd hours on my cable service and have never seen any items shown on them that I have been remotely interested in ordering.

[yankee]

please please please contact hsn and tell them if they don't either reinstate your credit or issue a refund that you will file a complaint with the better business bureau and the attorney general's office. what they did is illegal. don't let them get away with it. i don't care if it's $20 or $2,000. it's wrong. call them every day if you have to. write letters. call your local consumer advocate. do whatever it takes.

[yankee]

seriously, my mom let them off the hook for over $300 and they changed from HSC to HSN, so now she has no recourse. please don't let them take your money.

[occaseshpr]

Zirf, I'm curious as to which hosts you consider "low class and trashy". ALL of them??? I think Diana Perkovic, Lynn Murphy and Colleen Lopez are representative of what a good and attractive host must be. And I'm sure I (and others) can come up with more. (e.g., Colleen has been with HSN a LONG time; and CVN prior to that! She can't be too trashy or low class.)

[Denim&Co.]

I don't think that the hosts are trashy, Zirf. Yet I think that the merchandise is. Not all of it, but anything "Color Creations in Technibond" is. I have only made two purchase from HSN, both being Sterling Silver.

Also what I don't like about HSN is that I noticed they spelled my name wrong for my membership when I got my package.

[yankee]

mine too! it's annoying. my last name starts with 'sk', but they sent to 'fk'. have you EVER seen or heard a word that starts with 'FK'...yeah, i know there's one that comes close, but geez!

[Zirf]

It was several years ago that HSN screwed me, and I did call them to complain, to no avail and then after a couple years I threw away the paperwork I had to what the actual amount was they owed me because all it did was make me angry whenever I looked at it. I chalked it up to experience. Apparently I made at least three purchases from them total. One was a Black Hills gold item that I didn't care for and returned and the third item was something inexpensive that I had purchased against the credit. Can't remember now what it was.

I like the African American woman on HSN that does the doll shows, other than that, I just find all the hosts to be tacky and low class. I even found Kathy Levine to be like that when she was on the air with them but liked her on QVC. I think it's maybe just something about the whole HSN network overall that reflects on the hosts? Who knows.... I think the whole operation is very low class compared to QVC. I especially find Suzanne Somers to be trailer trashy on their network. And these shows that they hang out in pajamas are just too much!

[SBTZMom]

I was going to refrain from adding my 2 cents to this thread, but I just have to say this (those of you who have gotten to know me realize I lack self restraint when it comes to posting)

I very seldom watch HSN...I just have not found much that interests me there.

One thing I have noticed is that whomever the stylist is, that person is really into BIG hair. Most of the female hosts are very petite (some look almost anorexic to me), and the big hair gives them the appearance of looking like "Bobble-Heads"...their heads simply look too big for their bodies.

[Denim&Co.]

SBTZMom: Calling HSN hosts "bobble heads" is hilarious!

[Sittin'n]

SBTZMom: FOMCL at " ... the big hair gives them the appearance of looking like "Bobble-Heads"... " That's such an accurate description!!!

Despite Suzanne Somers' low-class wares, I find her fascinating to watch. HSN ought to kiss Suzanne's derriere cuz her sales are staggering! Has anyone noticed that the hosts are not that respectful to Suzanne? For instance, once Suzanne was discussing some off-topic, which I find endearing, and the host (don't know her name) bristled, "Okay, enough of that!"

[Belle20200]

I loved qvc. my mother has shopped there for years without any problems.everything she bought was great.so i had no problem shopping there. i had bought her a ring for xmas. i have sent it back 3 times. the first time it was dirty the second and third times the prongs were crooked. we never had any problems before. now i just want my money back. also my mother ordered a watch. she got the wrong one. it was the same brand but not the right one and it was more expensive. qvc put her on wait list for it even though she "claimed" one and payed for it. like i said i LOVED qvc.

[Silverlady]

sueb: I was wondering if anyone else noticed any decline in quality in the Denim & Co. I bought the jeans when they first came out and was happy with them. I needed some new ones a couple of months ago, bought the same style I always did, the material seemed different--a lot thinner than what I remembered. There are holes in the seams after wearing them only a couple of months.

[Casanova69]

I think QVC has much more attractive hosts than HSN overall. There are a couple of hotties on HSN but they just can't compare to the ones on QVC.

[RubixCube]

I prefer QVC to HSN

HSN has much lower quality of goods. Based on my percentages of goods purchased from each channel, I have returned a greater portion of stuff I have bought from HSN.

I love that HSN always has Flex Pay on particular items (*Instead of just on particular days, like on QVC*).

HSN has TERRIBLE customer service, if you can call it that. I ordered a pair of earrings, and they arrived broken. I called customer service and said I wanted to return them for a refund. Now if QVC sends me something and it's their or the products problem, they pay the shipping for me to return it. So, I expected HSN to do the same. I asked the guy about it, and he was like "You want us to pay the return shipping?" I was like "Uh, YES!" He said that they would mail me a check for $5 to help cover my shipping costs. Needless to say, I NEVER got it, and I returned those earrings AGES ago. Oy!

QVC has the best customer service ever. They fix everything.

I like the hosts on QVC better. QVC in general is a classier operation, and it is especially noticable in their hosts. I wouldn't be so harsh on the newbies - It iwll take time for them to get very well adjusted and develop a good style for themselves, etc...

[platinum]

Experiences with HSN, ShopNBC, QVC:

My first purchase from HSN was Perlier products. I ordered via the phone 2 of the TS...they sent and charged me for 4! When I called them they said to send back the extra 2 TS. I asked if they would pay postage..."yes, after we receive the product back". I tried the product and decided to keep it rather than send it back and go through the hassle. VERY pleased with Perlier products! And I learned from this experience to order via the net. Haven't had a problem when I order via the net. Will not order via phone again. Also like the Terry Lewis line of clothing.

QVC...I sent back a pair of Birkenstocks...but that is because it was my first time ordering Birk's and I ordered the wrong size for my foot. They did not get my size back in and I was given a credit. I ordered Don Aslett door mats (wonderful product) and when I opened my box there was another customer's order inside of my sealed box. I called QVC that I had another customer's order in my box and was told I need to call UPS...there was nothing they could do about it...so I did. "Sally" was waiting in Iowa for her Nick Chavez products! The next day after I arranged for the pick up I wrote QVC that they should have taken care of this problem instead of telling me to. They wrote back...mispelling my last name....saying sorry. I wrote back again and emphasized that it was their responsibility to make sure their shipments went to the right customer. Second time they wrote back they spelled my name correctly and gave me a $7 credit for my time.....so all is forgiven :o)

Shop NBC...ordered several watches from them. Sent them back because of inferior quality. Won't order from them for a long time.

I shop mostly from HSN...Perlier products are my favorite. Each channel has their pluses and minuses. The important thing to me is finding products that will work as stated and are something I need that I cannot find in my rural area.

As far as the hosts are concerned, if I don't like their personality, I don't watch.

[spooie]

I absolutely prefer QVC over HSN a zillion fold. In fact, I stopped doing biz with HSN over 2 years ago. Got tired of receiving low/no quality merchandise and having to foot the bill to return it. Some stuff I didn't even bother to return...just threw it away.
They will tell you that you can get your shipping refunded but they never actually do it. Plus if you return something because it is unacceptable quality or defective you don't even get your initial shipping back. QVC refunds your ENTIRE INVOICE no matter the reason for the return.

The jewelry on HSN is a joke. Low quality gemstones and, yes it is possible, low quality gold. I still have to this day a '14K gold' bracelet that TARNISHES! And that technibond crap...gimme a break! Horrible looking and it tarnishes too. Their Euro Pro line is junk. I have one of those stoopid little vacuums and a $100 iron that are both just taking up room in a closet somewhere. Almost bought one of the steamers and, thank goodness, I checked it out online first and found that there were tons of complaints (not to mention serious safety issues!) about it. But I think my biggest reason for disliking them is their dishonesty. They dramatically mis-represent products on a regular basis. They have shill callers sometimes to boost sales of inferior products. I could go on but I suppose that's enough! :)

As for QVC, while I do still buy things there and 90% of the time they are good products, their quality has come down just a bit of late. I have also encountered some CSRs who seem to have come from HSN. :( Over all their customer service is the best by far in the industry of tele-shopping and they will bend over backwards to make something right.

[CairnGal]

I shop only QVC because I still believe in them. Over about 14 years I have returned many products but never had any problem with any return. I do not trust any of the other home shopping channels and can hardly even watch them because the quality of the products and hosts is clearly inferior to QVC.

I have always wondered why so many vendors leave QVC and go to HSN. Off the top of my head there are: Suzanne Sommers, Randolph Duke, Gloria Vanderbilt (save us from that hair problem). The only reason that makes sense to me is that QVC demands higher quality merchandise and keeps the price on each product fixed sometimes for years. My feeling is that these vendors want to deliver the same quality merchandise or lower quality at higher prices. Anybody have an opinion? I always notice that the truly class acts like Robert Lee Morris stay with QVC, and we're lucky to have them. :-)

I feel the same way about the hosts. Does anyone remember Kendi Klepher (sp?) ??? She was on QVC maybe 10 years ago. I thought she was an adorable girl and a good host. She used to talk about her family, her days as a Camp Fire Girl, etc. She left a few months after she married. I always wondered what happened to her. A few years ago I was channel surfing, and found her on Value Vision which is, I believe, now Shop NBC. I was shocked at the change in her. She was coarse, vulgar, loud, almost crazed. She struck me as screaming trailer trash. (There is nothing wrong with living in a trailer. That's just an expression! ;-) ) What happened? Is this what Shop NBC encourages in their hosts?

And now, Kathy Levine. I was always a fan of Kathy's, but I thought other QVC hosts were better and less annoying. I did not consider her a Diva and wondered what in the world QVC was thinking when they gave her such a huge send off. As many of you have mentioned, Jane and Judy, and so many others have deserved at least as big a send off. I honestly feel that QVC doesn't give long-term hosts a bigger good-bye because Levine burned them so badly. I was a big enough fan of Kathy's to read both of her books. Anyone who knows her story this well knows that QVC gave Levine the only good things that ever happened to her in her entire mediocre life. Why in the world did she betray QVC so badly. I understand that QVC would not have her back after her post-retirement actions, but to go to HSN? I bear Levine no ill will, but I do consider her the ultimate traitor.

[SnowTiger]

Cairn
I'm absolutely fomclmao over here! Regarding MZ Levine:

"Anyone who knows her story this well knows that QVC gave Levine
the only good things that ever happened to her in her entire
mediocre life."

Entire mediocre life! lol!
I just love folks that have opinions and just state them ! You go!

I'm also not a huge fan of Kathy's. I used to love to watch Joan when she was on. Can't really explain why and hey this isn't a part of my past about which I'm proud, but I truly did. Anyway, I NEVER thought Kathy was as nearly the laugh riot that she thought she was. She had a sense of humor and could qualify as being about as funny as the funny one at work that we all know. BUT, in NOOO way was she just "I deserve-my-own-show-funny!" NO FREAKIN WAY!
When she discussed getting her own show, I just couldn't wait to see that train wreck, but alas, twas never to be!

[CairnGal]

SnowTiger,
Nice to meet you. Glad to give you a laugh.

"BUT, in NOOO way was she just "I deserve-my-own-show-funny!" NO FREAKIN WAY!
When she discussed getting her own show, I just couldn't wait to see that train wreck, but alas, twas never to be!"


About Ms. Levine. I always kind of thought that her NOT getting her own show was the train wreck! LOL

Thanks for your reply.

[Celestia]

Zirf...

All I can say is it's your loss to have ShopNBC blocked from your TV. I for one would rather have 1 high quality, heavy gram weight $500 piece of jewelry than 10 $50 pieces of junk.

[spooie]

Alrighty then. I'll try this post again! ACK! Sometimes I make a post here and it just disappears. Anyway ...

I agree with Celestia. I miss ShopNBC (Valuevision) but I was spending entirely too much money there anyway!

Cairngirl - I totally agree with you about the products that left QVC for HSN. QVC does have much higher quality standards. The only good product I ever saw leave QVC for HSN was Tantowel. I love those! Been using them for years. But since I refuse to do biz with HSN I get mine on ebay now. Had a standing auto-delivery order from when I used to buy from HSN and it just stopped all of a sudden after over 2 years. (?) Whatever...I can get them elsewhere just as cheap.

BTW, anybody see this HIDEOUS 'diamond' ring hsn has for their value of the day today? OMG! I'm laughing my butt off!

[Celestia]

Wow Cairngal...

You certainly developed quite a nasty opinion of Kendi K. while "channel surfing". I think I'll forward that post to her so maybe she can class her act up for you.

Remember what they say about glass houses?

[Curvigirl]

The only thing I remember about Kendi is she seemed to have some kind of saliva problem. My girls were little then and they used to laugh because she'd have to stop mid-sentence and "swallow her spit," as my daughter so charmingly put it.

[RubixCube]

I thought of yet another thing that irks me about HSN... They charge WAY to much for shipping! The cheaest shipping on jewelry is $5 (*Compared to $3.47 on QVC*). I hate over paying for shipping!

One good thing, though, that I have to say about HSN, is that you do not pay tax when shopping online, even though you do when calling it. QVC charges you tax either way.

So, depending on what you are ordering, sometimes with HSN the lack of tax online eases the pain of the high S&H costs. Sometimes...

Oh, and that "diamond" ring is AWEFUL! It looks like cheap costume jewelry! Can those stones be any milkier and cloudier? OY WITH THE CRAP!

[spooie]

Rubix - Yeah, tell me about it! I can't believe all the thousands of people who are 'supposedly' buying that nasty 'diamond' ring! A LONG time ago when I still bought stuff from hsn I bought a couple of pieces with diamonds in them. The stones weren't even gem quality AT ALL! So bad!

I wish QVC didn't charge sales tax on internet orders. that is a bummer!

[RubixCube]

Spooie - Did you see the thing that someone posted about MrRebates? I am already a member of Ebates.com. It is a site that you join for free, and you go to the site first, and then click through to tons and tons and tons of shopping sites. If you click through to a site and buy something, Ebates keeps track of how much you earn (*It varies by website*). Once you earn at least $5, they mil you a check every quarter. I have been with them less than a year, and I have already earned well over $75 in Ebates rebates! Anyway, Ebates never offered a rebate for QVC.com. Well, MRrebates DOES - 2.5%. That really adds up. I wish I had know about it forever ago! Anyway, so I joined MrRebates a day or two ago (*It works the same as Ebates*), and I am already earning money! If I'm going to be shopping anyway, I may as well be getting a little dough back!

[spooie]

Rubix - Oh wow! I've never heard about that. Is it just MRrebates.com? I spend a LOT of money out there (mostly on the internet cuz I HATE shopping in stores!) so it would be advantageous! (sp?)

[RubixCube]

Yes, it is:
SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMwww.mrrebates.com/
Earn back some money, Honey!

[platinum]

Yes, I posted that article about Mr. Rebates. There are coupons there for all you first time shoppers that want to try ShopNBC jewelry. There are LOTS of good coupons there. And if you are planning on purchasing the products anyway...you might as well get 2-3% or even more depending on the "coupon".

Glad that post was helpful :o)
www.mrrebates.com

[spooie]

Thanks a BUNCH, Rubix & Platinum!!

[RubixCube]

Yes, thanks Platinum! You are saving me mula! :D

[spooie]

I'm in! Bummer that, just this afternoon, I ordered something from Overstock.com. Oh well, it was a pretty small order anyway.

So ya just enter the site you are buying on THROUGH the Mr Rebates site?

[CairnGal]

Celestia....

"You certainly developed quite a nasty opinion of Kendi K. while "channel surfing". I think I'll forward that post to her so maybe she can class her act up for you.

Remember what they say about glass houses?"

I'm sure you're right. Kendy is probably still the same sweet person she always was. My comment was more regarding the way the hosts on ShopNBC sell. Someone else on this board mentioned that they were so "over the top." I thought that my feelings about Kendy were more about the way she had been encouraged to behave on Shop NBC than about her real personality...Unless she has been possessed.

[RubixCube]

Yes. Go to MrRebates first. I like to go to the account information page to make sure they "see" me - I don't know if I have to do that, but I do. Then, in the search bar, I search for QVC, it pops right up, and I click on through.

Yes, I noticed that they also offer a rebate for Overstock.com - No other rebate site does that, I believe.

I must say, though, that for the majority of other websites, meaning not QVC or Overstock, Ebates.com offers a larger rebate. Just passing that information along...

[TV watcher]

I prefer QVC over HSN. I will check out HSN if they have a cooking TSV which is not often. I have not purchased much of their cooking products ie Ultrex which looks like crap. but I did buy their Bravetti Oven which I like. I got really pissed off at them a year ago because they had a nightlight that I wanted but it sold out. I inquired and they said it take awhile for a product to return. It has been over a year. I had to find something else from another vendor.

What is really annoying is that they only feature 4 items in a show whereas QVC will present double that amount or more. HSN presentations last 15 mins each. QVC is between 5 and 10 minutes. And QVC does not repeat the same product over and over again.

Shannon Smith annoys me the most!

[spooie]

Hi TV Watcher! Yeah, stay away from that Ultrex! It IS crap plus they have had a few pretty scary recalls in the recent past. Like problems with exploding and having the 'nonstick' surface remove itself from the cookware with enough force to cause serious injury! Scary stuff!!

I agree about Shannon Smith. She just grates on me. Lynn Murphy is truly the one I simply cannot stand to see or hear, however.

[calgary]

Thanks for the comment about ShopNBC's (so far) tax free, and shipping free offers on everything over $100.00 with vaulue payments. I can't stress enough what a great deal you get with them.

I can't comment on HSN, simply because I never tried anything from them. All those compaint stories have steered me away from them. Thanks for that comment about HSN online being tax free. If only QVC did that!

[lancaster]

I had a truly terrifying experience with HSN. I ordered
a rug and they sent me the wrong one. I called them
and they told me to return it. I had to leave town for
a family emergency. When I got back there were numerous
messages on my voice mail from the vendor. HSN might be
in Fla but this vendor was 60 miles from me in Ma. and had my number
and address.
He said he was going to come to my apt and get the rug
personally.He was very angry.It was only in the $150 range. I called
Ma state police and the attorney general's office. I called HSN and
told them I was getting a restraining order and asked for their
legal dept. They told me to keep the rug but refused to give me
a refund. I would never order anything from them again. Ironically,
the rug has held up quite well.

[occaseshpr]

Geez, Louise, what a bizarre incident you experienced, Lancaster!!! I've never heard of such an occurrence! That should NEVER have happened to you! Calling the attorney general's office as you did was essential. I can imagine that you were disgusted enough to want to END the whole deal, but you should always try to endure until you get the resolution you want and deserve. (Like a refund, an apology, the assurance that they won't use that vendor again and payment for you to send the rug back if you wanted to.)

Now here's the odd thing, according to just about every other poster at this bb: I've ordered things from HSN several times (granted, rarely) over the past 3 or 4 yrs. with fine results! No problems with them per se; although I was disappointed with the much-touted "tech support' that was promised when we bought the Compaq by which I'm posting right now. It was one of those crossover things where HSN, Compaq, and HP kept rerouting me around in circles. One item I sent back was a "Storybook Knits" sweater that looked much more garish in color than it did on TV, and also was huge on me. I got my refund with no hassles. BTW, I've even started to order (again, only a few items) from their "sister" station, America's Store. So far, so good. And they were from "clearance warehouse" shows! Wish some shoppers would consider giving HSN another chance; especially the folks who say that they haven't purchased from there and the hosts bother them. There have been some really AWFUL things written here about HSN. In my opinion, some of it must be from a time when the level of professionalism wasn't there. Honestly, they wouldn't have me as a customer (EVER) if they behaved as badly as some of the posters have complained about and criticized them for. If I'm the ONLY one having been pleased, well then, I guess I'm on an extended lucky streak!

[beekeeper]

Hi there! I'm new to HSN ... my cable just switched (about a month ago) to Comcast so I now get both QVC and HSN. I was very excited at first ... I've been so happy watching and ordering from QVC, and thought HSN would be another great shopping outlet for me.

I've ordered 3 things from HSN, all jewelry ... and all 3 have gone back due to poor quality and workmanship. I probably will not order any more jewelry from HSN due to this. I have returned some pieces from QVC, but in general have been extremely satisfied with them. Plus, I have to note that in my opinion, the HSN shipping charges are simply too high.

I do enjoy watching Colleen Lopez ... she seems genuine and is very entertaining. I heard her say her son is here in Colorado going to school ... anybody know where?

HSN does seem to have a lot of colored diamonds ... green, red, blue ... THAT I enjoy! Anybody have any experience with ordering them? Are they good quality?

One comment regarding Adrienne (I hope I'm spelling her name right). In the packages I received, they all had inserts promoting the Adrienne product line (cosmetics). When I actually saw her on the show ... I literally cringed! I'm not one to criticize, but she was SO annoying and looked 20 years older than the picture on the inserts! lol ... I think there is a reason she has all that hair hanging in her face!

[shopping]

I wanted to add in my 2 cents too. I ordered a pair of Betula Birkenstocks a year ago or so from HSN. (I still don't really understand the difference between Birkenstocks and Betula by Chrisian Birkenstock). According to their size chart, I was supposed to order a 38. I have always worn a 37 in Birkenstocks, but figured that they must be right. Of course, it showed up and they were too big and now out of stock. They wouldn't even let me reuse my $25.00 coupon even though I didn't keep the order. I will go to their website occasionally, but I never see anything of interest. They don't ever seem to have anything new, or on the cutting edge. It always seems like they are keeping their stock of items very low, almost like they are planning to shut down. Why Kathy Levine went there, I will never know. I also agree with what was said earlier...I couldn't imagine Kathy with her own talk show and was not surprised that it didn't work out.

[occaseshpr]

beekeeper, FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!!! A good laugh for me today----it's been a rough one, I assure you.

Your observations about good ol' Adrienne at HSN created a visual for me, reminding me of how "constructed" she is! Way back, in a thread from another time zone (LOL) she was discussed at length. Lots of chuckles, lots of agreement about her shouting, lots of amazement at her attempts to look younger every year! In a year or two, maybe we'll be seeing her in a diaper and selling "pheromone" powder!!! HA!

[beekeeper]

Occaseshpr ... don't you mean good "OLD" Adrienne?!?

I'm glad that I could provide a laugh ... I'm really not the type to criticize or judge people, but man ... that woman looks rough!

Pheromone powder ... lol ...

[sunshine12]

I remember HSN when they wouldn't tell you the price of the item right away. BTW, Hakimi tanzanite is now on QVC. I had bought a loose tanzanite stone from Shop at Home and had it made into a ring. It's very high quality. I never cared for any of their hosts or customer service as they were liars. I'm glad that Shop at Home isn't being shown in our area anymore. I find myself not watching QVC as much anymore since most of the good hosts have left.

[Cassi]

I did order a couple of things from HSN but overall, I wasn't happy with the quality or the service. I ordered a "technibond" ring with diamonds in it and the technibond wore off the back. I ordered another sterling silver ring that held up a little better. I've found (and I've only ordered maybe 3-4 items, mostly jewelry) that their products are a hit or miss situation. Their customer service is horrendous and it can take every bit of two weeks for the item to arrive. With QVC, I've never had a problem. I ordered a stretch 14K bracelette that after probably a year and a half, it broke. I called QVC, explained the situation. Because they didn't carry that item any longer (and I had my receipt), they credited my account once they received the broken item - not only that but they paid for the S&H. At that point, they had me. People might complain about the S&H but to me, it's an SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM policy. I rarely return anything so maybe that had something to do with it - who knows. The only thing with QVC that you have to watch is the clothing. I'm a hard size to fit (XS)and I find that their clothing is sized way too big. I've sent Sports Savvy things back - their small is really a medium. The one thing I get continuous compliments on, however, is the Lee Sands Angora blend sweater coat that I purchased two years ago - it's beautiful and I've never seen anything like it in the stores. Well worth the $100+ price tag I paid for it. You know, HSN just doesn't present like QVC does - it looks second rate.

[lancaster]

Re the rug--I didn't push for a refund because their
"legal dept" sent me a check for $50 more than the
cost of rug, and I liked it. I am sure there was no
"legal dept" but I did call the FCC and Fla. BBB also.
I'm sure it was "shut up" money from whoever wised up.
This was 1999--and I saved the tapes from my answering
machine from the angry vendor. A friend of mine who
was on the Harvard wrestling team at the time called
him and told him if he didn't stop bothering me he'd
be one sorry limping rugdealer.

[Katie]

I never bought jewlery from HSN but I do buy a lot of Signature Club A products. I am very pleased with Adriennes cremes, makeup etc. I never had a problem with customer service. I ordered one of her kits and the eye makeup was crumbled I called, they said they did not sell the eyemakeup serperately so they sent me a whole new kit and did not ask to have the other returned. I would not buy clothes, or jewlery from HSN the clothes are tacky and most the jewlery is hilarious especially Suzanne Somers.

[Iniseire]

Does anyone notice how Adrienne runs the show whenever she's on? She doesn't even need a host with her. She just runs them over with her mouth. Hey! Maybe she and Susan Graver could do something together. Or maybe not. I'd have such a headache after the first five minutes.

[TV watcher]

What I also hate about HSN is that when they have the flex pay option, it really is not a true flex amount each time. They make you pay the full shipping and tax on the first flex pay. Whereas, QVC really breaks it up evenly.