Fashion pricing

[Brissles]

We all realise that the price of goods increase year on year, but I don't think I'm alone in now refusing to pay the prices that QVC are asking for their fashion ranges - (aside that the 'fashion' is no longer palatable).

They don't profess to be in competition with the High Street, but a lot of the price points are now closer to the £100 mark than not, with the 'justification' that (its a considered purchase' or 'higher end of the market' and/or 'luxury brand'. Well, these prices I'd expect to find in more upmarket department stores with the quality as a given, and not predominantly fabrics in polyester. Marla Wynne, Yong Kim, Join, Paul Costelloe, Helen Berman, Dennis Basso are just a few of the top ends, with Kim & Co / Nina Leonard / Anttony / amongst those brands which have the middle range price point - around the £60 mark and which are steadily creeping up the scale.

On the High Street there are still quality clothes to be found - Bon Marche an example, not an over fashionable shop, but well made lasting garments at reasonable cost. The supermarkets have good 'throwaway' instant bits that will last the year. The housebound still has the internet, and though I don't have restricted mobility, I now buy most of my clothes from internet only stores. Terrific fashion for my plus size status (and no polyester) I buy from a company who specialises in linen and cheesecloth - far cheaper than QVC, and another German based firm - who's designs are terrific and well worth the money.

The American designers and QVC need to up their game, as there are other players in the marketplace who are better and cheaper.

 

[Pick-a-Lily]

Absolutely agree, and actually I buy less and less from Q these days. Since retiring from work I also don't need much in the way of clothing, as I spend all my time doing chores and walking the dog! My mum used to like to shop in Bon Marche and I picked up a couple of nice tops there for myself when I used to take her (she passed away in March). I also buy a quite few things from an American company called LL Bean, they specialize in outdoor/casual/activewear and that's really all I need these days. I use their International website and pay my duties up front, so no nasty surprises and bogus 'handling' charges from RM that way!

 

[Silver Fox]

I do not buy any clothes from QVC a) because the styling rarely appeals to me b)the cost of trying something & possibly returning and c) in general the Price points are way to high for what I believe the quality will be.I don’t mind paying for clothing although not as much now as I did in working life.!I have to say (without bragging!) that I have enough experience to be able to tell quite accurately the quality of fabric & fit & make even from the telly.Styling is down to personal taste.I do buy from the internet— ranges I know and always free delivery & returns, often ordering more that one size to try.That way I can take a chance & am often surprised that something suits & is a keeper.

 

[candycane]

I agree. As someone who has bought clothes from QVC from the start, the prices are now stupid for what you get. I've got dresses from Kim & Co that cost £30 or so and were worth it. Now her dresses are around the £60-70 mark and I sent the last two back as they were poor quality compared to years gone by. Don't buy nearly as much now as an ordinary top costs £40 and you get similar in Asda. Artscapes look reasonably good value and they are cotton which is far better than all that stretchy stuff. Haven't bought any though.

CC

 

[shopperholic]

Yes I agree brissles, the price of the clothes at QVC is ridiculous, and they are clothes, not fashion. They can't have affordable clothing on their channel now because that's not the image they want to portray, which is stupid because anywhere from Ideal World to the high street to catalogues are on line now offering affordable prices, free returns, next day delivery and try before you buy. At one time the 30 day mbg was QVCs one and only selling point, but were as other companies have evolved offering their customer a better, cheaper shopping experience, QVC are still using an abacus to add up and sending out their orders one item at a time.

 

[boffy]

i buy some nice stuff from qvc but i only buy in clearance. mostly the quality is good and the sizes are a good fit for plus sizes. i tend to buy casual stuff from qvc not really going out items

 

[Brissles]

Yes I agree brissles, the price of the clothes at QVC is ridiculous, and they are clothes, not fashion. They can't have affordable clothing on their channel now because that's not the image they want to portray, which is stupid because anywhere from Ideal World to the high street to catalogues are on line now offering affordable prices, free returns, next day delivery and try before you buy. At one time the 30 day mbg was QVCs one and only selling point, but were as other companies have evolved offering their customer a better, cheaper shopping experience, QVC are still using an abacus to add up and sending out their orders one item at a time.

Yes, this is yet another bugbear with QVC, the single posting of one item even if several are ordered- thus costing us more for each item requested. Catalogues, the internet (and even IW) send out orders combined in one parcel, so another reason to ditch them. The 30 day mbg was a huge plus point in the beginning, even 10 years ago, but really ? I think most of their customers know immediately its been tried on whether its a keeper or not. I know I do, so mostly I have returned garments sometimes within a day, but most definitely within a week; and funny how it costs me less to return than the postage I'm charged to receive it.

 

[Moth]

[mum writes]

I'm always confused at QVC "fashion" and the sort of age range they're aiming for. I'm guessing that most of us aren't in our teens anymore (me included!) and certainly the people you see commenting on FB and Twitter aren't but they seem to want to market themselves to the young market. I don't see the point in paying designer prices for mass produced every-day germents. And, as said, the quality just isn't there anymore. I'm also fed up with their sneaky two-faced gurantees - presenters are constantly telling you to buy what you like and return what you don't, without any mention that you'll be told off for it if you do! It annoys me no end that they don't tell you anything about the products being sold, other than the fact the presenter wore it round the pool somewhere or it was comfy on the plane, but they blame you the customer when it has to go back because it didn't fit. So many moan about this on FB but QVC don't seem to want to listen.

 

[Brissles]

The fashion offered is all over the place for a particular 'target' audience. Yong Kim is fine for the stick thin and the hippy aged, Joe Brown for those who wish to be 20 again but aren't, and the rest is a hotchpotch for the mainly middle aged.

The youth market wouldn't be seen dead in clothes off the tele, but sadly the Presenters ARE middle aged but dress like they're down with the kids. Kabler wearing white trainers with a frock, Franks in killer heels which are a bit naff now, Chuntley cant make her mind up, Fangs Pullinger trying to be achingly on-trend - None of these would wear QVC fashion, but possible Flint would cos she hasn't got taste.

 

[Julius]

We all realise that the price of goods increase year on year, but I don't think I'm alone in now refusing to pay the prices that QVC are asking for their fashion ranges - (aside that the 'fashion' is no longer palatable).

They don't profess to be in competition with the High Street, but a lot of the price points are now closer to the £100 mark than not, with the 'justification' that (its a considered purchase' or 'higher end of the market' and/or 'luxury brand'. Well, these prices I'd expect to find in more upmarket department stores with the quality as a given, and not predominantly fabrics in polyester. Marla Wynne, Yong Kim, Join, Paul Costelloe, Helen Berman, Dennis Basso are just a few of the top ends, with Kim & Co / Nina Leonard / Anttony / amongst those brands which have the middle range price point - around the £60 mark and which are steadily creeping up the scale.

On the High Street there are still quality clothes to be found - Bon Marche an example, not an over fashionable shop, but well made lasting garments at reasonable cost. The supermarkets have good 'throwaway' instant bits that will last the year. The housebound still has the internet, and though I don't have restricted mobility, I now buy most of my clothes from internet only stores. Terrific fashion for my plus size status (and no polyester) I buy from a company who specialises in linen and cheesecloth - far cheaper than QVC, and another German based firm - who's designs are terrific and well worth the money.

The American designers and QVC need to up their game, as there are other players in the marketplace who are better and cheaper.

Some of the fashion on QVC is OK, but it seems very geared up towards the American market. Some of it puts me in mind of a shop my grandmother used to by clothes from in the late 80s / early 90s. It was called Damart, I think. There was one in Queens Road, Brighton, just up the road from the Clock Tower. They sold fleeces, flannel and tracksuits in pastel shades. My grandmother used to be a fan of a brand called "Dash," which made things in the colours Michele Hope favours.

I quite like Kim Mendelson's voice - and Michele Hope's too, for that matter. I always find them quite relaxing to listen to.

They must be doing something right as they've been going a fair while and appear to have garnered a following.