I remember them. Because I went many years without sewing, I didn't even notice they weren't there when I started buying fabric again. They kind of went the way of the x-ray machines they used in the shoe stores to see your feet inside the shoes. As a kid, I thought that was kinda cool too. I guess that's why my feet glow in the dark
My LQS still tears the fabric. I was told by the lady that taught my quilting class that you wound up with straighter fabric that way.