QVC recalls toys

This week the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced two recalls on Chinese-produced toys that violate the U.S. lead paint standard. One of the recalls involves the Q.

Approximately 198,000 puzzle sets sold exclusively by QVC violated the standard. The 16-piece Puzzle Track Play has QVC item number T16876 printed on the packaging. The sets should be returned to QVC for a full refund. When the Q makes a mistake, they own it. Spread the word to fellow Q shoppers with children.

(The item pictured, though similar, does not depict the product that was recalled.)

Thoughts from a Q hater...

The Smart Set deems itself "an online publication covering culture and ideas, arts and sciences, global and national affairs." So what? Well, The Smart Set published an article about one woman's experience working at the Q. And, friends, her portrayal reads less than rosy. Here is a snippet of her interaction with a woman who works in global sourcing:

I look up at her, surprised. I know that getting goods made in other countries is necessary if QVC wants to stay competitive and keep its prices low. I’m not that naive. But what I realize I don’t know is how ethical or unethical QVC is in getting those goods made. I imagine this lady haggling over cost at a factory where women are paid $1 a day to sew pants for 16 hours. I don’t know what to say to her...I stare at her, amazed that she can do that. That she can send her daughter to college and wear her pink sweaters and eat oily pasta salad while also traveling to countries and essentially taking advantage of people – staring their living conditions in the face and telling factory owners if they can’t make a particular Sport Savvy warm-up set for $2 less, QVC will take its business elsewhere.

I don't know about you Q Factor readers, but I have a thing about high horses. And I think Miss Favreau might need to take a little step down off of her stallion. Everyone has to make a living. But, wait, she has an epiphany:

That’s when I realize: QVC does have ethics. It’s like Christianity for me: I might not agree with the belief system or the advertising methods. I might not trust Jesus or QVC host Lisa Robertson as my prophet. But at the same time, we can agree on some basic rules in life: Don’t kill people. Don’t sell furs.

QVC picked the wrong girl for the job. Favreau failed in her essay and in her job to grasp the true beauty of the Q. QVC succeeds in its ability to bring new, innovative ideas and designs to large markets, the opportunities the company presents to new vendors, and the unbeatable quality of the merchandise they sell. Favreau, clearly, does not understand the Q value.

Wheel of QVC

From March 17-21, Wheel of Fortune viewers will experience a wheel devoted to the Q. The uber-successful syndicated series will team up with QVC and offer a myriad of Q prizes to contestants. In the bonus round, if a contestant solves the puzzle he/she will win the Q prize which consists of every item that airs on QVC on that particular contestant's birthday. With everything QVC sells this could include anything in beauty, home, fashion, jewelry, or electronic products.

A "Q wedge" will also appear on the wheel, and the lucky contestant who lands on Q and solves the puzzle will win a $5,000 QVC shopping spree.

"We jumped at the chance to work with QVC. We know that many of our viewers shop on QVC and this gives us a unique opportunity where two brands have come together to reach their fan base," says Wheel of Fortune Executive Producer Harry Friedman.

The Q Factor could not agree with you more, Harry. And we are so looking forward to the pre-recorded spots by Q personalities like Marie Osmond, Carson Kressley, Joan Rivers, and Finola Hughes. If only The Q Factor could be a contestant...

An Inside look at the Q

The Celebrity Apprentice will feature QVC on tonight's episode at 8 p.m. The contestants have to create a 10-minute sales pitch to be aired on QVC. Reality shows have been to the Q before, but if you missed those here's your chance to check out the Q studio.

Oh and if you're staying in tonight, Heidi Klum will be on Jay Leno. Maybe she'll talk about her lawsuit. Probably not. Enjoy.

Trouble for Klum

Parisian jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels is suing Heidi Klum. Van Cleef claims Klum has ripped off their trademark Alhambra (clover shape) design. The New York Post reported that the suit claims Klum and her jewelry manufacturer "appropriated this design and incorporated it into their jewelry line, attempting to appropriate the good will built by Van Cleef & Arpels to create their own 'symbol.' " Van Cleef & Arpels are seeking damages of $75,000+ for copyright infringement and unfair competition.

Judge for yourself. I have posted pictures of Klum with her designs, and Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra design. I think Klum has no case. I loved her designs so much because they looked like the VCA designs - at a cheaper price. Klum might be saying auf wiedersehen to her jewels soon.

Straight up, now tell me

Paula Adbul is pissed at QVC. According to The Sun, Abdul promised her American Idol co-hosts items from her new QVC jewelry line. Her rep forgot to set these aside for her, and now poor Paula has to pay for her own designs like the rest of us. Boo hoo.

QVC Buyer Offers Q-Insight

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Yesterday, The Q Factor had the opportunity to interview a QVC buyer. Although she wishes to remain anonymous because of the power of Q execs, she offered great knowledge of all things Q.

QueenofQ: Why are QVC shoppers so loyal to the company?

QBuyer: Because we offer great quality at great prices. They trust the hosts and find them credible on many subjects. And the hosts are actually very credible, they're trained. For example, Lisa Robertson [sells jewelry] goes to Italy and tours the gold manufacturers place of business.

QueenofQ: Why is shopping at QVC kept secret? Why does it seem taboo to say, "I Q"?

QBuyer: People have a negative perception - they think our shopper is a woman who sits around all day and shops at home, an old woman. But really our shopper shops so much, she even shops at home. She knows a good value when she sees it because she knows the market. The QVC shopper is more affluent and educated than people think. She's a soccer mom.

QueenofQ: What is the mindset behind the iQdoU? campaign?

QBuyer: In the 21 years QVC has been around, we turn 21 on Friday, the company has never done an ad campaign. The reasoning behind that was that we're already in 90 million homes. But out of that 90 million, QVC is only reaching 30 million people. I hope the campaign changes people's perceptions of what we are, and what we're about. I hope it can also bring in new names [vendors].

QueenofQ: I've noticed QVC ads in magazines like US Weekly and Vogue. Is QVC trying to reach a younger audience?

QBuyer: I think that, sure, they want to attract a younger audience. But QVC would never rely on a younger audience to comprise the customer base. A younger person would never say she shops on QVC.

QueenofQ: How do you think QVC could improve?

QBuyer: I would first like to state that QVC is an incredible force in "home shopping." QVC is bigger than all competitors combined. With that being said, I think they could definitely try to bring in more brand names. For example HSN had Scoop NYC and Sephora on this year. We have big names, but we'd like to get more. And we're making progress, this year we featured Bobbi Brown, Paula Deen and Tacori.

QueenofQ: What percentage of the business do online sales constitute?

QBuyer: 30% of general business comes from online sales. QVC just updated the website. This was to generate sales, but also to keep up with the times, the website was looking a little old!

The Q Factor extends thanks to our anonymous Q Buyer. And remember, even though it's Thanksgiving and the stores are closed...Q is still on!