All the fabric I buy online is not torn. Also the two LQS in my area cut. There is no reason, with the measuring boards and sharp scissors they have, that they can't cut. I think it is just plain lazy. My LQS cuts so accurately that I almost don't have to straighten the edge at all when I start cutting pieces. If I do it may be only 1/8 of an inch at the most and that is not often. I commented to her one day about this. She attributes it to the really good pair of scissor she has which cost $60.