The Pros and Cons of QVC Shopping
QVC, a most tempting diversion at 3 AM when you can’t sleep and nothing else is on TV. That’s how it all started. One night, a long, long time ago I simply couldn’t sleep and was channel surfing from the comfort of my bed when I came across the dangers of QVC. I remember my first purchase from the brand was at a quarter past 3 AM on a Tuesday night when sleep wouldn’t cometh. The purchase was a company called ABC and it was a trio of products that included a cream blush, a lipgloss, and…something else, I believe a cheek gel.
Somehow, I suddenly became QVC’s biggest fan and supporter.
There are both pros and cons to world of home shopping.
Here’s the deets!
Pros
- New Shiz!
That’s right brand new launches before they hit anywhere else that includes your favorite counter or fav shops such as Sephora. I’ve had the pleasure of trying stuff months or even a year in advance from my favorite beauty brand prior to said item ever appearing at my local Sephora. I love the idea of getting my greedy little hands on stuff early, who doesn’t love trying out new beauty?
- Mortgage on my makeup purchase!
I’ve come across products on QVC I’d never consider as a one time purchase at Sephora. For example, I thought the Philosophy Miracle Worker Pads were way costly at $70 but QVC offered them on an Easy Pay mortgage and instantly (and physiologically) they seemed more affordable.
Let me explain…
On many new beauty products QVC offers the option to pay for an item over 2, 3, or 4 payments. So since the pads were $70 they had a three pay plan which was broken down to $23 over the next three months which they would bill to my credit card. Suddenly, things seemed alot cheaper!
- More Makeup for Less $$!
QVC has specials sets and kits all the time that feature 7 to 10 (or more) full size products bundled together. The great thing is in most cases products end up costing you a heap less as you’re looking at $5-$10 per product.
You’re probably thinking, well, I can get kits and sets from Sephora and my favorite brands. Yes, but NOT full size products in most cases. Most sets include one larger palette or larger product and smaller lipglosses, mascara, or other mini options along with the set. QVC packages their sets with full size products 95% of the time.
- High End Home Shopping? Seriously?
I think some folks automatically assume home shopping networks means that some washed up celebrity from 60 years ago is trying to sell you her makeup warez. Not the case at all. QVC carries big name brands like Tarte, Bare Escentuals, Philosophy, Perricone MD, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, and even house brands from Sephora like their new Hello Kitty and Tokidoki Collections!
Cons
- Everything comes with a price…!
Shipping is tough in the world of home shopping sadly as every single item you buy will cost you shipping which ranges from $3.95 all the way up to $9.95. I can understand charging me shipping on each different brands as QVC doesn’t actually stock product, it’s coming from the company warehouses which accounts for why each brand purchase would need to have shipping attached to it. However, if I’m buying say two Philosophy Shower Gels I do appreciate that QVC discounts shipping by $2-$3 on my next purchase but I’d actually appreciate it if they just charged me a flat rate so I can order all I want from the brand without having to pay shipping on each item from said brand.
- Free Shipping you say?� Nay!
I fantasize what it would be like to have free shipping from QVC but it rarely happens. On a very, very rare occasion items will pop up with free shipping. I find HSN is way more forgiving in this area as many of their makeup items have free shipping when they first premiere.
- Coupons please?
Coupons another rarity at QVC. I get an occasional Easy Pay coupon which allows me to space out payments as explained in the above pros however never any percentage ones. Again, HSN exceeds in this area as I get 15% off coupons quite alot from them.
- Ouch! Is that a finance fee?
Easy pay is an awesome, handy tool but it comes with a price! Finance fees are charged when you’re spacing payments out so be aware that you’re coming out of your Easy Pay aka Makeup Mortgage ahead of the game and not paying $140 for something that retails for $70.
Note: I’m talking about finance fees you’d see on your credit card or Q card not fees attached to each payment on their own but the ones you’ll see accumulating on a credit card. Of course, fees on various credit cards will vary and depending how long you take to pay your credit card off, etc…
Overall, QVC Shopping pros definitely outweigh the cons however a few quirks do exist in the home shopping world and you have to be careful not to step into the potholes when taking advantage of the steals and deals available. I’m a big fan girl of QVC but I think it can definitely rethink it’s shipping methods when it comes to cosmetics but it still won’t stop me from enjoying all the great offerings they have.
Do you shop QVC?
What are some of the Pros and Cons you’ve experienced from home shopping?
Do share!