Originally Posted by
paulswalia
so, if 1/8 of an inch short is noticeable, is 1/8 of an inch extra a plus for you? I don't think I would even notice an 1/8th of an inch unless I was buying just exactly what I needed - which I just about never do. I work in a quilt shop and we routinely cut about a quarter inch extra just to avoid a spot that has worn on our cutting mat. But remember - it's not just you that wants the extra. If 12 customers want an extra inch then a third of a yard was "given away" to customers. The shop owner had to pay for that yardage and is either going to have to build it into her pricing or cut into her own profit.
I'd venture to say that the shop owners have a budget for advertising, promotions, etc. Good will brought on by an inch (say, per cut, if it is over a yard) would do a lot for the sales department. Everything cuts into the store owner's profit including salaries and keeping the lights on and stores warm. Without satisfied customers she'd have no business whatsoever. Then what kind of profit would she have?
Plus, I'm reasonably sure that there is a budget for waste, ruined fabrics, quilt samples, etc. that is already worked into the price of fabric.