hThe typical LQS in my experience right now has been trying to keep the head above water. They still offer the best customer service, doing squaring up and color and pattern consultations without charge. Come and sew days and times for a nominal fee to try to cover electrical and rent or no charge for same are still offered. Discounts and classes continue. What is great is that if we ask for particular fabrics the LQS will go to great effort to find the items for us.Add to that those who are able to afford having any sort of a web presence. Do you realize the time and money involved in hiring someone to keep up a website and monitor orders and shipping etc? Ever wonder how many people have tried the website route and ran into brick walls? My vote is buy LQS as often as I can and help out the cause by refering friends who ask if I know where they can locate product a, b, or c. My LQS is tgrying to keep a web presence with a Facebook presence. Guilt, no, I don't buy into any guilt trips. I buy my fabrics and patterns where I choose to. Just that I support my LQS and other LQS along my path as often as I can.
Originally Posted by
UglyCook
I like what you wrote, Jeanne. I think, too, that shop owners need to understand the power of internet shopping and sell their stuff online. Sure, they may need to invest some capital to do it and that's hard. BUT, what if your lqs had kits online that you could browse from home at 11 pm (when I shop!)? Or go online and order something you saw in the shop but didn't buy at the time?
I know that I prefer my lqs and I check out their website regularly, but they don't update their classes often and don't offer any products. I guess I want both - in store and online!