The leading televised shopping networks, QVC and HSN, generate healthy incomes from their websites, and customers are not shy about sharing their thoughts about the products and customer service with both companies. Like any other competing businesses, there are customers on each side of the fence. QVC was created back in 1986, and has accumulated a fair amount of loyal customers along the way.
The HSN forerunner, then-known as “the Home Shopping Club,” came to fruition the year prior to QVC’s creation. Similarly, HSN’s following consists of consumers who remember the early days in televised home shopping. QVC and HSN are the leading home shopping networks, but how do the two compare?
One of the most recognizable differences between QVC and HSN are their product lines. As DifferenceBetween.com notes, QVC places emphasis on beauty and fitness products with brands like Bobbi Brown, Philosophy, and Bare Essentials.
HSN also carries an array of beauty products, but are not considered as well known as the brands carried by QVC. Customers describe QVC’s beauty products as more mainstream and even more high-end than HSN’s beauty products. However, HSN proponents are satisfied with brands like Faith and Zoe, Signature Club A, and Wei East.
A common thread throughout customer reviews is that QVC tends to have higher shipping prices. HSN often offers lower shipping and an option called Flex Pay, allowing the shopper to divide a purchase into monthly payments.
QVC also offers this layaway-type option, but calls it Easy Pay. Both networks offer regular sales and clearance sections that are known for offering great deals.
Customer service is a little harder to gauge objectively, since every customer may have a different customer service experience and service expectations.
According to online review site SiteJabber.com, both QVC and HSN offer reasonable return policies and staff friendly, knowledgeable employees according to most customer reviews considered by recomparison.com. See: QVC’s return policy compared to HSN’s return policy.
QVC’s goal is to build long-term relationships with its existing customers by offering outstanding customer service and more subtle marketing strategies than its competitors. HSN’s strategy is more focused on expanding its customer base by offering products that appeal to both men and women.
This approach is in contrast to QVC’s model, which appeals more to women due to its emphasis on fitness and beauty products. HSN is focused on creating a fun shopping experience for the customer, while not only focusing on television and internet sales.
HSN plans to further explore other routes, like mail orders and infomercials. While HSN plans to broaden its exposure to all customers, QVC explains that it allows the customer to choose them over competitors.
QVC heavily relies on word of mouth and customer satisfaction in the products it sells. It’s interesting to note that QVC also opened a store in the Mall of America. QVC prides itself in abstaining from outbound marketing. They pride themselves in not “pestering” their customers for additional sales.
HSN, however, is not shy about admitting they use outbound marketing strategies. HSN contacts customers who buy certain products, and will send them a “when to watch call.” These calls basically remind the customer when their favorite products will be on air again.
This leads to the initial question – who is better, QVC or HSN? If this answer is based on sales alone, QVC takes the cake. However, the answer ultimately depends on what the customer values most. Women may be more drawn to QVC for its beauty and fitness products, while men may prefer HSN for its sports memorabilia.
Additionally, the different marketing strategies may be a major factor in the customer’s decision. While some customers despise marketing calls, others might prefer to know when their favorite products are airing next.
