Do you Visit your Local Quilt Shops regularly?
06-26-2010, 06:27 AM
#81
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Waterford, Ohio
Posts: 193
Yes, I have been to two just in the last week. Spent way too much at both. I have 5 LQS within 50 miles and I try to support all of them. Each little shop has their own specialty for fabrics and I love them all. I do think it is important to support the LQS because they supply the best fabrics and best inspiration. They always smile and greet me like an old friend.
06-26-2010, 06:46 AM
#82
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 1,627
I am a firm believer in "shop local." We have 2 great quilt shops here & several within 30 minutes. I always check my LQS first for the fabrics I need for a project, then if they don't have it, I shop the bigger shops. I appreciate having the shops here & want to help them stay in business. Both shops give friendly helpful customer service.
06-26-2010, 06:50 AM
#83
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 109
Well, here we go again! I will drive over fifty miles to my favorite quilt shop located in LaPlata, Maryland because of the friendly (I repeat friendly) and helpful staff. Like some of the others have posted, I too will not leave that store without purchasing something. I do want the good quilt shops to stay in business. But here's my complaint.
We have had a local quilt shop that has changed hands three times. With each new owner I am so hopeful that we get a friendly place, with staff who not only acknowledge your presence but are helpful. The customer of course should say hello, but the shop owner and staff should automatically greet folks. The customer is doing the shop a favor too whenever she/he walk in there. When we first moved to this area, I sent my husband with a list of items I needed for a quilt. The owner was seated in her back room the entire time, along with some of her friends. Not once did they greet my husband or ask if he needed help which he did need, not being familiar with all the stuff I wanted. Finally, he walked up to this person and asked if she ran a shop or a museum?
During the annual Tour de Quilt a friend asked if I would take her to the local quilt shop. We entered at the same time an elderly couple did. None of us were greeted, even though they were not busy. When I asked about the free pattern you could pick up that usually is located near the registers, the clerk said it's over against the wall. No offer to help us locate the pattern, no nothing. Another time when a friend asked me to take her to this same shop, we found a table stacked with the shop samples that were on sale. No prices or tags were attached and no one knew anything about this. We asked if one of the clerks could call the owner to inquire about the prices because my friend was ready to purchase several items. Again, no one wanted to call. A cash sale walked out the door.
Mention has been made of the tough economic times we are in. Most elderly on fixed incomes cannot afford quilt shop prices. Doesn't it seem a good business practice to pay attention to those of us who do purchase at your shop? I do not belittle those who buy at Jo-Ann's or at Hancocks, because that's the "snob" factor at work. In these tough times, good businesses will indeed remain open often due to what's called "good will"--their reputation in the community.
This post is too long, but it's my opinion and one that I've written about before. Yes, I will support the good quilt shops...and I will purchase on-line or anyplace where I find a bargain. :-D
We have had a local quilt shop that has changed hands three times. With each new owner I am so hopeful that we get a friendly place, with staff who not only acknowledge your presence but are helpful. The customer of course should say hello, but the shop owner and staff should automatically greet folks. The customer is doing the shop a favor too whenever she/he walk in there. When we first moved to this area, I sent my husband with a list of items I needed for a quilt. The owner was seated in her back room the entire time, along with some of her friends. Not once did they greet my husband or ask if he needed help which he did need, not being familiar with all the stuff I wanted. Finally, he walked up to this person and asked if she ran a shop or a museum?
During the annual Tour de Quilt a friend asked if I would take her to the local quilt shop. We entered at the same time an elderly couple did. None of us were greeted, even though they were not busy. When I asked about the free pattern you could pick up that usually is located near the registers, the clerk said it's over against the wall. No offer to help us locate the pattern, no nothing. Another time when a friend asked me to take her to this same shop, we found a table stacked with the shop samples that were on sale. No prices or tags were attached and no one knew anything about this. We asked if one of the clerks could call the owner to inquire about the prices because my friend was ready to purchase several items. Again, no one wanted to call. A cash sale walked out the door.
Mention has been made of the tough economic times we are in. Most elderly on fixed incomes cannot afford quilt shop prices. Doesn't it seem a good business practice to pay attention to those of us who do purchase at your shop? I do not belittle those who buy at Jo-Ann's or at Hancocks, because that's the "snob" factor at work. In these tough times, good businesses will indeed remain open often due to what's called "good will"--their reputation in the community.
This post is too long, but it's my opinion and one that I've written about before. Yes, I will support the good quilt shops...and I will purchase on-line or anyplace where I find a bargain. :-D
06-26-2010, 07:05 AM
#84
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 69
We have a good number of LQS in our area and I used to go all the time. With the last price hick, I am going less and purchasing the same fabric on line for less. All of our LQS have great selection and great quality. I go just when I want something very special.
06-26-2010, 07:15 AM
#86
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 16,515
Yes I do! I went this last week to Windy Moon Quilt shop and bought a pattern for slippers by the frayed edge and four moda authentic yards of fabric for a quilt I have been wanting to make.
It seems to me that some of the quilt stores could make more money if they went on line and ran some daily sales and had some cute tutorials. (Like one place we all go to...)
There is one store I don't go to anymore because they are so dang snotty I want to spit up when I leave there. Come on ... What is up with that? We are fun loving quilter's!
It seems to me that some of the quilt stores could make more money if they went on line and ran some daily sales and had some cute tutorials. (Like one place we all go to...)
There is one store I don't go to anymore because they are so dang snotty I want to spit up when I leave there. Come on ... What is up with that? We are fun loving quilter's!
06-26-2010, 07:50 AM
#88
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,395
Nearest LQS is 30-45 min in any direction. Have checked out one in Waco. Liked it, but just don't go that often. Do buy when I go tho! Need to find out if they have an e-mail list. Need to check out the one in Waxahachie and find out if there are any in Cleburne or Corsicana.
Just went yesterday to Golden D'or in Dallas for their big semiannual sale. Got mostly home decor fabrics for totes and fabric for costuming. Was worth the two hours spent in traffic, but glad they only have two big sales a year!
Only one of their quilting fabrics 'spoke' to me LOL!
Just went yesterday to Golden D'or in Dallas for their big semiannual sale. Got mostly home decor fabrics for totes and fabric for costuming. Was worth the two hours spent in traffic, but glad they only have two big sales a year!
Only one of their quilting fabrics 'spoke' to me LOL!
06-26-2010, 07:51 AM
#89
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,183
Is your LQS up for sale? Maybe someone will snatch it up and you could apply again with them. Sometimes it just takes fresh owners to make a shop go. I've seen this a few times in other businesses.
This has turned into a very negative thread!! Lets start thinking of positive things. I'd buy the store if I had money, good health, and lived anywhere near there! :)
This has turned into a very negative thread!! Lets start thinking of positive things. I'd buy the store if I had money, good health, and lived anywhere near there! :)
06-26-2010, 08:10 AM
#90
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,091
i see a balance of positive and negative running from the top of the topic to the last word so far.
some of us may not agree about price points and target markets, but overall the consensus seems to be that LQS offering friendly, helpful service will maintain a fairly loyal customer base. those that keep the selection fresh and that have good sales and specials also seem to get rave reviews. (that translates to $$$ in the register.) throw in fun classes and other goodies and their dedicated customers sound willing to spend as much as they can afford.
hope springs eternal. ;-)
some of us may not agree about price points and target markets, but overall the consensus seems to be that LQS offering friendly, helpful service will maintain a fairly loyal customer base. those that keep the selection fresh and that have good sales and specials also seem to get rave reviews. (that translates to $$$ in the register.) throw in fun classes and other goodies and their dedicated customers sound willing to spend as much as they can afford.
hope springs eternal. ;-)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gramma nancy
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
12-04-2018 05:35 AM
koko
Main
60
04-01-2012 07:24 AM
craftybear
Main
84
11-20-2011 01:56 PM
