Is QVC reselling used cosmetics?

Getty Images
Getty Images

Have you ever purchased cosmetics from QVC? If so, was there anything suspicious about your products when they arrived? One QVC customer created a big stir on the site's online forum when she complained about receiving used makeup in the mail.

After writing about how she returned a used Dr. Perricone kit, many other customers chimed in, saying that similar incidents had occurred when they ordered from QVC. "I just had this happen to me," one buyer wrote. "Mine was a LG blush I received that was not in the original packaging and upon checking the compact it looked as though someone had brushed across the top." Another shopper said, "There have been many, many reports of people receiving used items here on the boards for years so I definitely believe it." One convinced buyer said, "I check my cosmetics over very carefully to make sure it doesn't look like someone else's return."

Some users on the community message boards are very upset by this news, and some claim that they won't purchase makeup or personal items from QVC. One user said they witnessed similar incidents in the past. "About a year and a half ago, this was happening very frequently on here," the user wrote. "Some people were getting face creams with finger marks in them and hairs in the cream and there were tons of posts on the boards about it. So a lot of us on the boards decided to start emptying the containers and marking a big black 'X' on the jars when they were sent back so that people processing the returns wouldn't re-send them to others. Yuck."

On the other hand, many devoted customers feel the brand is known for their "quality, value and convenience," and refuse to believe that QVC would intentionally resell used products. These consumers believe that if any such incident occurred, it must have been human error. One doubtful shopper thought the story must be completely made up. "My guess is that a 'complainer' uses the product and wants to return it and get their shipping and handling refunded -- claiming they received a 'used' product," the QVC fan wrote.

The idea of a company deliberately selling used goods is horrifying and disgusting. (Remember when Macy's, Gap, Victoria's Secret, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom were caught re-selling used underwear?) Though we may never know for sure if QVC has been selling used makeup, there is one thing we have learned recently: Used makeup can give you herpes, pink eye, E. coli, and other gross problems you probably don't want. So if you do receive a used makeup item from any company, return it immediately. [The Frisky]