Not many people know, but QVC is an acronym for “Quantity Value Convenience”. Joseph Segel is the bright mind behind it. Since 1986, with its headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania, QVC has broadcast to millions of people worldwide. They are a free-to-air television network and the company’s premier shopping channel, specializing in televised home shopping. Since gaining prominence in the shopping market, they have never backed down. Let’s know about QVC Alternatives.
Over the years, competitors have arisen as alternatives to this global powerhouse. From Fingerhut to Stoneberry, tons of online shopping sites similar to QVC have begun to take shape and gain a hold, taking with them loyal customers. Others include Shop LC, Home Shopping Network (HSN), Ginny’s, Monroe and Main, Zebit, Little Woods, Seventh Avenue, FlexShopper, etc. Some are discussed in this article.
QVC Alternatives
- Littlewoods
- Stoneberry
- Home Shopping Network (HSN)
- Zebit
- Shop LC
- Littlewoods: From 1923, Littlewoods was known as a sales and soccer betting organization, with John Moores as its founder, based in Liverpool, England. At some point, it became the largest private company in Europe and was eventually bought by ‘The Very Group’ and transformed into the full-on online retail store we all know and love. Its website was launched in 1990 and now, with Henry Birch as the CEO and over 40,000 products to choose from, Littlewoods serves as an online store for clothes, home accessories, toys, and games. They also provide in-depth product information for you to know and understand that a product is the right one for you.
In comparison with QVC:
- Senior discount unavailable.
- It does not offer a veteran discount.
- They both offer coupons and gift cards.
- It does not support PayPal payments.
- It does not accept Zip financing support.
- Stoneberry: Probably one of the most popular alternatives on this list, Stoneberry serves as another online retail store with lots of ideas to help you “Live Better Now”. From electronics to jewelry, personal care products to furnishings, Stoneberry may have it all. An advantage is that you have the opportunity to buy products on credit, and then pay the balance in installments for as low as $5.99 per month. At Stoneberry, you can get quality products at low prices. There is no such thing as a membership fee or an over-limit fee. Getting a Stoneberry credit plan is easy without having to worry about your credit score being impacted.
In comparison with QVC:
- It offers more discounts and promotions than QVC.
- They both offer coupons, but Stoneberry does not offer gift card options.
- It does not offer refurbished products.
- It does not support PayPal payments.
- It does not offer a senior discount.
- HSN: Founded by Lowell Paxson and Roy Speer in 1982, the Home Shopping Network officially changed its name to HSN in September 2000. It took center stage before any other national shopping network existed in the United States. It offers a variety of ways for you to purchase items wherever you are, including streaming, broadcast, mobile, and social media platforms. Payments can also be made in installments, as cheaper things have smaller payments and a shorter payment time, while more expensive items would have higher installments and longer payment periods. It has other “sister channels” like HSN2 and “America’s Store”, which have ceased broadcasting.
In comparison with QVC:
- It doesn’t cater to a younger demographic.
- They both have excellent customer service.
- It provides free shipping on all items ordered.
- The website is user-friendly.
- Payment plans are related to the price of the purchased goods.
- Zebit: For kitchen supplies, home decor, electronics, and lifestyle things. Zebit carries over 1,500 well-known brands like KitchenAid, Samsung, Apple, Macy’s, Ashley Homestore, and others, ensuring that you receive high-quality, long-lasting goods. With a buy now, pay later option, customers can choose to pay a 20% to 30% down payment on the products, and then pay the balance in installments. You must be of legal age, and your identification, employment, or income must be verified to qualify for Zebit credit. It offers a credit of up to $2,500 with a $20 minimum monthly payment spread out over six months.
In comparison with QVC:
- A Zebit credit account doesn’t depend on your credit score.
- The website is user-friendly.
- It has a buy now, pay later payment plan.
- Credit offers can be as high as $2,500.
- It includes well-known brands.
- Shop LC: Founded in 2007 as ‘The Jewelry Channel’, then ‘Liquidation Channel’, and eventually as ‘Shop LC’ in 2017 to emphasize the company’s commitment to assisting people with low-cost shopping, ShopLC has a wide selection of beautiful jewelry, home decor, skincare needs, fashion accessories, and other lifestyle products at reasonable rates. They pay keen attention to consumer education and service and provide product descriptions and customer stories for their featured items to help their customers make informed purchasing decisions, which are also supported by the various payment options available. ShopLC allows you to return an item within 30 days for a refund, as long as the item has not been used. It also regularly hosts online auctions where you can bid on and purchase products at bargain prices.
In comparison with QVC:
- It offers more discounts than QVC.
- Gift cards are not available.
- Senior discounts are not available.
- It does not offer a veteran discount.
- It does not offer refurbished products.
Advantages of alternatives to QVC
QVC is pretty strong on its own, the alternatives only function as competitors and offer the customers more options for specific perks like disregarding credit scores, buy now pay later options, return policies, etc. If you’re searching for a specific cost-cutting avenue, then these alternatives do come in handy.
Disadvantages of alternatives to QVC
QVC is a very popular and well-known store. If problems arise, you can be sure that there will be a customer service agent on the other end of the line to answer your questions. This may not be an option for other online retail stores.
Conclusion
Online stores, like QVC, have grown significantly in recent times. Anything you want is now at your fingertips, no matter where you are or what time it is. These alternatives can be useful if you want to try a new shopping platform, or if you’re looking for specific items or flexible payment methods that you can’t find on QVC.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I decide what alternative to pick?
Factors that could be considered include cost, customer support, payment options, return policy, shipping, etc.
- How does “buy now, pay later” work?
Users are made to pay a certain percentage, of the item(s) they wish to purchase, and then give details on how they would refund the rest over a specific period.
- How can I buy what I’m watching on TV immediately?
Most websites have a link to watch the live feed, and the products being displayed on live television (TV) will have a specific bar dedicated to the program.
- What is the best alternative to QVC?
No, all alternatives have their pros and cons. Select an alternative depending on what option you need and the factors mentioned above.
