Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I had posted an earlier topic about selling to different channels (Retail and Catalog) and did receive some great comments.  Appreciate that.  From that discussion I am now trying to determine if selling to home shopping networks like QVC first could be the way to launch a new product and now looking for feedback specifically to this channel.

We feel this problem solver product would be perfect for QVC as it meets all of the requirements listed on their site.

After searching here on the Sun site and others including QVC.com, I have a few questions.

It appears that QVC chooses products that are not yet nationally distributed.  They want to be first.  It also appears that a product that sells on QVC will re-appear on a regular schedule of 8 minutes until the sales fall below their required $/minute.  Then they drop you.

How often do they run your product segment?

I know they require inventory at their warehouse before they run your show.  I read where they only pay you for what sells.  Is this like a consignment deal where they pay monthly for units sold?

What happens to the remaining inventory when they drop you.  Am I expected to pay the freight back?  Other charges?

Is it at this time when they drop a product that the company would move into retail and catalog channels with the logo "As seen on TV"?

How is your product received by the buyers at the Retail and Catalog channels after being sold on the home shopping networks?

QVC broadcasts into 90 million homes.  Does anyone know what percentage of this 90 million buyers typically purchase a product on average.

How is QVC to work with?

Would I sell them at the same wholesale price?

Positve or negative experiences?  Was it worth it?

Greatly appreciate any and all answers or comments.

I won`t be a lot of help, however I presented to QVC three times now.  Everytime we approached them they have got closer to our price.  The first time we approached they told us right away that we are in, until we started to discuss cost.  QVC wanted my $29.99 MSRP product to be sold on QVC for $10.99, as you can imagine I had to turn them down, they are just now getting closer to a realistic price for us.  They seem to be honest and care about their clients, as far as working with them.

Sorry I could not answer more of your questions.

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Trent Rousey
President - 3R Products, Inc.

Trent, every piece of information I can gather helps a lot.

They talked about the desired price point, did they talk about their cost or where you need to be on that?

What is the price point to your other channels?  Is it also $29.99

Thanks for responding.

I can answer one of your questions.  What doesn`t sell, you take back, the shipping charges are yours.  They do want the merchandise in the warehouse far in advance so you have to be ready to have product tied up for conceivably months & months.

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Cookie.  Thanks for the info.  I take it then that you sold your Wedgie on QVC?  If so, how long did they run your product?  And how often?

Thanks

drvag,

QVC wanted our item to be a $10.99 retail plus shipping/Handling.  I found it odd because they state very clearly in other areas that they don`t want any items to be priced that low.  Our MSRP in every location we sell is $29.99-$34.99 and the product does great.  After our second presentation to QVC, they werew willing to budge a little, but they still wouldn`t get close to what we wanted.  There was also of course the guaranteed sale, so I could not take that risk of buying container loads for QVC and have them send me back product, even though I know we would sell out on QVC.

Check out Marketforce Media, I am currently working with them on a 60 sec. spot that will air 3000 times in 60 major cities.

If I can help, you can email me.

tmrousey@uslnet.com

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Trent Rousey
President - 3R Products, Inc.

No, drvag, I haven`t sold on QVC.  Got the info from someone I met who did.  Her product was Petalk.

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I love this SuN forum.  Such usefull information that applies to many.  I would like very much to have some more users reply here as this topic might apply to me too.  I`m really a novice at this market stuff.

Jo Anne

 

You`re right Jo Anne.  This Sun forum is a great resource.

I was wondering if anyone here has any comments / preference about QVC vs HSN?

Thanks again so much for all the helpful information

Doug

Hi Trent.  Can you tell me the website for marketforce media.

Thanks