I read an email about Wal Mart stores taking the material out of their stores. Seems this is nation wide practice. A new store opened in my area and I complained, was told to call the 800 number at Wal Mart and compain. Said management will listen to the customer. How about it fellow quilters.
M Murphy

M Murphy,

There are many many posts on this site about Wally World. We have been complaining since the beginning and yet they are still taking the fabric out of alot of Wal-Marts around the U.S. We have countlessly signed the petition, called the 800 number and listened to an automated system, written letters to the CEO's, complained, complained, complained. The ceo's of Wal-Mart just are not listening, or frankly, they don't care. Everyone is out to make a dollar, some just do not go the smartest way about it. I find it ridiculous as do all of the other quilters I know. Luckily, one of the Wal-marts that are keeping their fabric in my state (WV) is not too far away. Also the closest Wal-Mart for me, that was supposed to do away with their fabric in June, is staying open about 5 more years or until they remodel. Then, when they remodel, the fabric will be gone. However, this Wal-Mart is beginning to lack in the choice of material. I guess we could all go "strike" in front of the Ceo's homes. haha...Who's with me? :D

While one fabric dept mgr has told me she can order new fabrics, it appears as though they are trying to empty out their warehouses, and send her boxes of stuff that had not sold for years. There are many bolts of fabrics I sewed in the 60's and 70's and then a lot of just plain junk. These are on the $1. table. And much of that fabric is cheap and thin and certainly not at all suitabe for quilting. What is going on the shelves at specific prices is not very much. There is lots of empty space. I have options but shop at 2 of the Wal-Marts close by and right now it is hardly worth going to look at what they have. I fear, as the od prophet used to say "The end is near!"

June in Cincinnati

Amen to that! It is awful that we actually think it is almost not worth going to even look at their material. I am a, as I am sure alot of you are, fabaholic. I love just touching the material even if I don't buy it. Lately, Wal-mart hasn't had any material that has jumped out at me, that I haven't touched 10 times...lol, and said pick me. I also noticed they are getting some prepackaged fat quarters in. Last time I was there, they had a few Disney prepacked fat quarters, I believe it was like 5 in a pack. They were on sale for 5 dollars. I bought a pack of Mickey Mouse for a diaper bag. I wish there was some way of opening their eyes and pulling at their ears saying We're here, listen to us, we are the reason you have such a profitable business. Grr..makes me mad.

Heather, if I thought it would do any good, I would cobble together a picket sign and hop on the next plane with you to picket in front of the CEO's house!! I jokingly said I would do this the last time I complained when I was at WalMart, and the staff said the CEO lives in Arkansas. That's a long way from California.

My Wal-Mart is in the midst of a remodel. Electronics now take up 4 times the space they did, and there is only 2 small aisles of craft related products, no fabric. I am very upset. I called, emailed, signed petitions... all for nothing.

I don't think it's what Sam Walton had in mind. I loved the old Walmarts, but I really don't like the super centers, and yet if you live in a small town, that's the only place left to shop since they've replaced the small family businesses.

One question I would have about that petition is: who was in charge of making sure Wal-Mart CEO's got to see the sheer numbers of women who poured out their hearts to pleade for saving the fabric department. Would you believe 35,844 women have signed that petition? Are our voices being heard? Like others before us have said, the CEO's have spoken and don't care one whit about their customers. It is really hard to believe. No, I don't think this would make Old Sam Walton happy!

My one opinon is...their minds were made up long before the petition was started and 36,000 women will NOT change their minds. It is a SAD day for those women who cared enough to pour out their hearts in the writings at the signing of the petition.

June in Cincinnati

My one opinon is...their minds were made up long before the petition was started and 36,000 women will NOT change their minds. It is a SAD day for those women who cared enough to pour out their hearts in the writings at the signing of the petition. - June in Cincinnati

I agree with you 100%. Customer loyalty is not nearly as important as the almighty dollar. Just looking at the "expanded" electronics department in our store proves that.

I just found out today that the walmart in Biddeford Maine is pulling there fabric out. I was a little upset about this my self alone with the 5 other people who was at the counter. I did not hear one person there support them in this. I should not be suprised. It seems when ever I find something there that I really like and choose to use they stop selling it. It is really beginning to make me deside not to shop there any more. I guess I will visit my local quilt shop more or make the hour drive to New hampshire to Jo anns