Disney on QVC (US) Alert!

[tajainaz]

QVC has a Disney merchandise programme scheduled for Sunday, December 12, 2004 at 1:00 a.m. ET. Saw a promo featuring a Mickey toaster and waffle iron this morning while tying my exercise shoes. Could be interesting!

Check QVC.com if you're interested, although they usually don't have new programme merchandise listed until a few hours before it's scheduled to air, as it tends to sell out before the scheduled programme!

Interesting that, almost as soon as they officially divested the Disney Store chain, Disney merchandise is in a number of alternative markets!

[OKWTink]

You know? I've never watched, or "done" the QVC thing. I've surfed past the channel and have some inkling of how it works, I think.

You call and say I'll take the item for the amount advertized, yes?

How complicated is it? How do you pay, credit card?

Have you ever purchased anything from QVC and were you happy with it?

There is a Home Shopping Channel outlet sort of store near here (north east on 50). I went in it once and it is just blucky. Super blucky as a matter of fact. I'm imagining the quality of QVC items to be similar to the HSN?

But if the items are Disney, then they are licensed Disney, yes? Not knock offs? :unsure:

[tajainaz]

I've been shopping with QVC for about 15 years. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the merchandise I've received, 'Tink. I've always been a catalog shopper rather than brick-and-mortar shopper, so switching to electronic shopping wasn't much of a stretch! :lol:

They have very high quality control standards, although the odd thing does slip through. For example, they require that garment manufacturers use their standardized sizing (occasional exceptions, but not many), so when you find a size that fits, it's likely to fit over all manufacturers' lines. Style and fabrication will affect the fit, so you do have to pay attention to the descriptions and how clothing fits the models (usually tall and thin, but it gives you an idea of fit).

They also have a 30-day, money-back guarantee. Shipping costs are not refunded when you return an item unless it is a manufacturing defect or shipping error, and then you have to request both outgoing and return shipping reimbursement. The same as most catalogs.

If you think you might be interested in shopping on QVC, particularly live broadcasts where the merchandise can move quickly, call in advance and set up a member account. Your name, address, telephone number, etc. You will receive a member number. It takes about 2 or 3 minutes to set up a membership "account." It really isn't an account, just a database. Everything you do from this point on will require your member number.

You don't need to provide credit/debit card or other payment information at this time unless you are ordering. You also can pay via personal check or money order, but you're better off paying by credit/debit card if it's for popular merchandise. They are much better than HSN at holding items being paid by personal check, although they need to receive payment within 10 days or the item is released if there are wait list orders. HSN fills credit/debit card orders first, then payment by personal check if quantity is still available.

When you see an item on air or on the internet, call the toll-free number and follow the prompts. Be sure to have your payment information readily available. The main number (lines jam for popular merchandise) will direct you to a live customer service representative who will walk you through the process. As you become more comfortable with the company and process, you can move to automated ordering (another toll-free number that utilizes the telephone keypad for data entry).

You'll want to have an idea of the retail cost of similar items in your area, and factor shipping into the total to determine if the item is a good value. Many things are, some things aren't, depending on your local market. They do charge and remit sales tax appropriate for your area--they would have been out of business long ago if they didn't!

Most of the items sold on QVC by major manufacturers or product distributors that sell in traditional retail formats are made or packaged specifically for QVC. If the products are the same as those sold in stores, they are packaged or bundled differently so they don't compete directly with the store merchandise. The quality of the items made specifically for QVC typically equals or exceeds that of those in the stores. They have dropped manufacturers/purveyors due to quality control issues, and some manufacturers/purveyors decide not to continue selling through QVC because of the high standards.

Types of merchandise I've ordered for myself and as gifts: Clothing & accessories, kitchenware, linens, jewelry, personal care & cosmetics (yeah, I do wear a little make-up when I'm working--love Bare Minerals, which I purchased in San Francisco before it became available on QVC at a much better price!). Also craft kits (learned how to use Gallery Glass from one of their kits) and home improvement items (PaintStick paint roller, a mitre gauge for use with a circular saw, etc.). It's my primary source for Birkenstocks these days--much less expensive than stores, even with shipping! I usually buy one or two pair of Birks each year.

QVC has a traditional store in Mall of America (Minnesota) and a few outlet stores throughout the country. I would tend to think the outlet stores are returned merchandise, out of date merchandise or seconds that could not be returned to the manufacturer/purveyor for some reason. As with any outlet store, it's probably buyer beware!

To get an idea of the lines they carry, log on to qvc.com and browse a bit. Not all items are available at all times. Some are available only one time, or a couple of times during a season. They try to keep their merchandise fresh and incorporate trends in fashion and housewares without going over the top. Just poke around and check things out at your convenience.

Let me know if you have any other questions. :)

[tajainaz]

I tend to think that if they advertised Disney merchandise, it is licensed Disney merchandise. Their legal department is very strict about those things!

Some or all of the merchandise may be made for QVC. I've never seen Disney on QVC before (it may have been sold, but I don't get to watch that much television, so my exposure is quite limited!), so I don't know what to expect. Basing it on other merchandise sold, the quality should be as good or better than that sold by Disney merchants (not discount merchants). But I'm guessing you won't see items sold in the parks or DTD merchants on QVC. You never know, though. It just depends on the agreement between Disney and QVC! :)

[OKWTink]

Wow! Thanks for the extensive information Tajainaz! It really helps me understand the entire process better. So then, it's nice to learn that I don't have to sit glued to a television screen to get something from this venue.

I'll check out the website. Take care! :hug: