I imagine the companies whos products get sold pay to have them featured. People do buy from them. People still buy from Betterware, Avon, Body Shop, people still shopped in Woolworths and BHS towards the end. and people still shop in charity shops!

Its really just like a branch of Argos, with a warehouse out the back, and a couple of staff or presenters demonstrating the products to passers by. They don't show blockbuster films, music videos or have requirements to show home grown drama.

now....the religious channels on the other hand......

Yes, yes, all previous comments are all well and good, but the important question is: which channel is Peter Simon currently on? I swear that as one channel closes, he just pops up on another one ! Is he aiming for the big one, do you think? And by that I mean the Grand-daddy of all shopping channels, QVC.

Ideal World right now. They don't look to be going anywhere just yet. Although they are very tawdry compared to QVC. Crossroads compared to Dynasty if you like!

There are actually 8..HSN, HSN2, QVC, Liquidation Channel, Evine Live, American Auction Network, Jewellery Television, and Gemporia..

Not that many more, to my surprise. My favourite it used to be the "Knives Channel" which was only a part-time thing and always seemed to be filmed from some guys Caravan

Some of the Jewelry Channels seemed to be there for individual sellers to come on, book time and sell their wares.

My cat was always fascinated by the carousel of jewelry that was perpetually turning with various stuff bought from Estate Sales and glistened as it turned under the studio lights

There are a few more, ignoring The HSN2/QVC2 channels

http://www.directvdeals.com/my-directv/channel-guide/

"QVC"
"Celebrity Shopping"
"Liquidation Channel"
"Gem Shopping Network"
"HSN"
"Rocks TV"
"Shopping Network"
"Evine"
"Jewelry Television"
"America's Auction Network"
"Sale"

Just looking at my DirectTV Scheduler I also see at this moment broadcasting

"Idea" /* selling Midicare plans at the moment
Home /* "Tree Dazzler"
WOW /* The New Shark Vacuum
SAVE /* Golden Age of Television
VALU /* Bathroom Remodel Secrets
DEALS /* New Ninja Blender
BEST /* Why Use a Pressure Cooker
REAL /* Instant Christmas
FIX /* Copper Chef
GO4IT /* The New Shark Vacuum
CSHP /* BBQ Madness
SHINE /* The New Shark Vacuum (again)
HAPPY /* Bye Bye Foundation (Cosmetics)
TODAY /* Outsmart Power Outages
XTRA /* How to tighten Crepey Skin


There actually seems to be more when I'm building my Favourites List and excluding shopping channels and religious channels

There's far more than that.

There are only 8 actual shopping channels like all the ones in the UK. Celebrity Shopping, SALE, WOW etc are just infomercial channels like ads all the time, like teleshopping in the UK. WOW, SALE etc are not proper channels like QVC, HSN. They are not companies. When you search on the web these 'channels' have no website etc..

Just bought a TSV product today. Yes the postage is silly but I only buy from them if buying there is cheaper than buying elsewhere, including the postage.

Another good thing about it is you can use/try the products and return them if you don't like it. There are no other retailers (as far as I know) that allows you to do that with beauty products or shoes.

I only buy from QVC.

On occasions I have returned items my wife has bought from QVC the postage charged by the post office is about half what QVC charged to send it out so that's one way they make money, don't know about the other channels as she never uses them.

The 30 day money guarantee must cost them a lot of money, they have to claw back some of that spend somehow.

I wouldn't think so. I am sure the majority of people are more than satisfied with the products they purchase and don't return items.. QVC makes a huge amount of money in the UK.

The majority of folks are happy yes, but QVC get a lot of returns, some people take the mick with it. People buy pots of cream use them and return them empty; I'd be too embarrassed to do that personally. Same with the clothes, and jewellery, this is why I don't buy clothes on there.

No one is disputing the fact that QVC are making a lot of money I'm sure they are; but I have saved a fortune on products too.

If you're sensible with the things you buy, search elsewhere for cheaper prices first then you aren't losing anything if you resort to buying on QVC.

How do you know how many returns QVC get? Do you work for them?

No but I know someone who works in their customer services.

Also you only need to read some of the reviews, plenty of people talk about returning stuff. When you have a return system like that rest assured it will be used.

But looking at their accounts, they are making a huge profit. Their returns are likely to be minimal.

They will cancel the membership of those who are seen to be abusing it, so it's never going to get to the state that the return rate is ruining QVC's business.

The craft shopping channels are useful for those who do card making, sewing, knitting, e.t.c. because they do demonstrations of materials and equipment that you wouldn't see elsewhere. Having decided that that there's something I want, I look elsewhere to find it cheaper.