CCQuilter

While purchasing some really neat fabric today at a WalMart, I happen to mention to the clerk that I was so glad to have the fabric department back. I patronize this store which is 30 minutes from my home because our 2 local WalMarts still do not have fabric departments. It's been such a pleasure to see a wonderful display of fabric and how nice the fabric department was arranged and tended. The clerk kind of smiled and complained that they have to keep rearranging the bolts, how they had to move the department, and how they had smaller department. I guess she was having a bad day and just doesn't understand how important it is to have fabrics for quilting. She really put a damper on the rest of my day. Oh, well, I'm still glad that the department is back.

sandilee

I love Wal Marts fabrics. Its so convienent to go there than across town to Joannes. Our Wal mart has the fabrics very dis-organized now. I mentioned that to the clerk and she said its because they needed space for flowers for summertime. So, this fall or late summer it should be back to the way I like it.

leatheflea

Sounds like to me she would rather be unemployed. I mean really isn't that her job to keep the product on the shelf looking good? Every department has to straighten their product. Some people love to complain. Don't let an old fuddy duddy ruin your fabric shopping experience, its just a guess but I bet she doesn't quilt. And also, Walmart has gotten really bad about using and abusing their employees and giving no benifits. Bless her heart for having to work for them in the first place, it would be hard to keep a positive attitude when you know you're not appreciated and that the owners are rich while you still qualify for food stamps.

nygal

My local walmart scaled down their fabric department. The fabrics on the wall are very good quality and not as low priced like they use to be. I prefer Joanns but I do buy from Walmart when I am there. Two other stores got rid of their fabric deptments all together.

Neesie

I've seen customers load bolts of fabric into a cart, walk around and find something they like better, so just stick the first bolts wherever (often onto the Sales! shelf). Then the employees must locate the missing bolts and return everything to the proper spots. Plus those same employees are almost always expected to cover at least two departments, at a time. I've gotten to know a few Fabric Dept. employees and they're constantly having to shuffle between tasks . . . usually while some huffy woman is "Ding! Ding! DING!!!"-ing the fabric counter bell. I can imagine it must be hard to keep smiling, some days.

(This is referring to WalMart.)

Deborahlees

I have a super Walmart about 1.5 miles from my house, love it because I can get everything I need with one shop. They also closed out the department I want to say about 3 years ago, and it just came back less than 12 months ago. everytime I go in the department has gotten a little bigger. The employees do keep it very nice looking, the only problem I have noticed of late is that you really have to hunt down some one to cut your fabric for the longest time she was always in the department........I choose not to shop at Joanns, as I know from expierence THEY really abuse their employees, and my local store is always so dirty....would rather go to Hobby Lobby. And it is now sad that our only local LQS is closing next month....A sign of the times I guess

mtnative

I am soooo spoiled ~ I have two Walmarts with fabric within about 5-10 miles of me. Our Joanns is moving and in fact will be reopening tomorrow in a much larger store- so excited. There is also a Hancock Fabric and Hobby Lobby all in the same vicinity. Along with those we have 6 LQS that all seem to be doing well. Sometimes I just go to these stores to breathe in the fabric pheremones and feel the luscious fabric.

Deborahlees

Are you in by chance Billings ????

SouthPStitches

Seems like store clerks are getting more and more surly. But, if I had to deal with the mostly rude, demanding general public, maybe being surly becomes the mode for survival.

bearisgray

Most of the people I've come across in most stores have been very nice and helpful.

Occasionally I've had to wait for someone to help me for something or other, but I can't blame the associate if corporate insists on keeping the number of employees down.

I have two stores within a 15 mile radius that have - or are getting - their fabric/craft departments back.

I would like the stores to devote more space to fabrics/crafts, but I'm glad they have what they have now.