Originally Posted by Gabrielle's Mimi
Originally Posted by arlm4
I am a LQS owner and am disappointed by many of the comments. I would love to have sales every week and give freebies and free classes and free demos, etc. Unfortunately, if iI did this, there would be no LQS.
It is reasonable to expect that you will be treated courteously and with respect! Absolutely! Please realize that LQS owners are just trying to keep their business afloat also.
I think what many people are saying here is what their dream LQS would look like. I encourage all my beginning quilters to shop locally so we don't lose any more of our wonderful LQS.
Oh yes... I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. And also... I wouldn't really expect any particular LQS to do all freebies, %offs, etc. all the time, on everything. You are right, of course they cannot do all those things and survive to pay the rent and put food on the table.
I believe we're listing all the many things that we've experienced (or wished we had!) that would help the original poster of this thread make some decisions about what options she/he can impliment given their particular circumstances. Maybe we've helped some other shop owners on this board, re-think priorities or helped those of us who work in shops to remember the importance of a simple smile.
We did get off on some rants... but then we always do that! LOL :-) Most of those are based on less than steller experiences from our points of view. And actually, this has helped me to realize that I contribute to my own 'worst' experiences sometimes... by simply not communicating my desires in a way that's understood.
Case in point: Today, I was at the sew store... and the person I normally deal with was short with me. I thought... what's up, is he being snooty all of a sudden? Why is he acting like he wants none of my babylock "extra feet" business? So I started to get a bit snooty myself in reaction.
Somebody tell me, What was I thinking!?
Then he turned back towards me and said sheepishly, that he was sorry... but he had about 50 people coming in for the ASG meeting in 20 minutes and the back room hadn't been set up yet. (The place was busy!). Could I come back with him while he set up chairs, and he could talk more about the pros/cons of the feet I was considering to purchase. Ooops, let me tell you, I felt really bad. So I immediately apologized for my own attitude and said... no problem... and also told him to please feel free to tell me when things were crazy, or he had other duties he had to get to... I can wait. (And if I can't, someone else can ring me up.. I'm not picky and they are not on commission!). We set up chairs and I got my answers .... and some fresh coffee, I might add!
I thought of this thread and smiled to myself.
Never too old, or young, to learn - I guess.