Customer service, for sure. I want someone that is knowledgeable and willing to help when I request it. When I decided to do my first quilt, I took a picture of the block I wanted to do and and the inspiration fabric I planned to fussy cut for the center of the block. I did not have a clue as to how much of each fabric I needed to buy, but one of the ladies that taught a quilting class came over and figured it all out for me. She also introduced me to a rotary cutter and mat and told me how to cut strips and then gave me a sheet from her class room book that showed me how to make 1/2 sq. triangles without having to deal with the bias. No telling what kind of quilt I would have wound up with had she not helped me. I took a class from her about a year later. She was a very good teacher. Unfortunately she has moved across country, so I am hoping the LQS has someone as good to replace her.
One unfortunate experience I had at the same LQS, was when I was shopping for quilting thread. I hand quilt, but have a hard time finding hand thread in an array of colors. The lady that was helping me that day sold me two spools of a variegated thread that was real pretty. The problem was when I got home, the thread was polyester instead of 100% cotton. I felt she should have known the difference if she was working in a shop that sold 100% cotton fabric for quilting. I have no problem with someone telling me they don't know, but don't bluff your way thru. They also had a young girl cutting fabric. I ask about the quantity needed for a quilt back and gave her the dimensions. She told me the quantity to buy and I did. I have a whole bunch of that fabric left over. I know a lot more now than I did then, so I can figure my own, but for those who are just getting into quilting, I would expect the staff to have that skill.