Keep Your LQS in Business
07-06-2011, 12:05 PM
#61
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mid-Michigan
Posts: 196
Originally Posted by plainpat
I love LQS fabrics,along with some goodies not seen in diff shops,but I can't afford to keep them in business,no matter how nice the fabric is.
I only shop good sales & clearaces.....regardless if it's a LQS or on line store.JMO
I only shop good sales & clearaces.....regardless if it's a LQS or on line store.JMO
07-06-2011, 01:03 PM
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,129
Originally Posted by Jennifer22206
I wish I could support my one (not so L) LQS. She charges upwards of $15 a yard for cotton fabric. I just can't afford that, and she won't let my DD who's 2 in her "pristine" shop because she's afraid of sticky fingers.
07-06-2011, 01:09 PM
#63
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: at my sewing machine
Posts: 1,916
i can't afford to support my LQS and most of my guild can't either.
they do not have honest pricing and the only way we can show our disappointment is to not shop with them any longer.
they have fabric on the shelves that are at least 8 years old and every year the price of these bolts go up along with everything in the shop.
they closed the shop for 2-3 days and they raise the price on everything in the store not just new inventory coming in.
a yard of fabric from the 8 year old bolts used to cost me $5 a yard and now its $14 a yard.
i am very happy shopping online for my fabric/notions and see absolutely no need for a LQS.
they do not have honest pricing and the only way we can show our disappointment is to not shop with them any longer.
they have fabric on the shelves that are at least 8 years old and every year the price of these bolts go up along with everything in the shop.
they closed the shop for 2-3 days and they raise the price on everything in the store not just new inventory coming in.
a yard of fabric from the 8 year old bolts used to cost me $5 a yard and now its $14 a yard.
i am very happy shopping online for my fabric/notions and see absolutely no need for a LQS.
07-06-2011, 01:10 PM
#64
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: At my LQS
Posts: 2,326
Originally Posted by Pat and pups
I've read 4 pages of this thread and agree that we need to support locally owned businesses as much as we can. One little thing I try to do when shopping at a locally owned business is to pay cash rather than whipping out my plastic. I know the percentage a store has to pay the credit card company is not very much and probably won't mean the difference between make it or break it, I figure every little bit helps.
07-06-2011, 01:29 PM
#65
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Barnesville GA
Posts: 3,181
Originally Posted by wolph33
I feel bad for them also-but being on soc sec for disability and a fixed income and no increase for 2 yrs in pay.the prices of everything has risen drastically I cannot afford the 15.00 a yd prices either.I have a huge stash and am de stashing to help pay bills.
I will however get what I can when I can there. I just found one here. But needed to get my hair cut. LOL choices choices.
07-06-2011, 01:37 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 323
All of our comments really point out that we need to be careful shoppers. Some quilt shops are good, some are not. We have to get what we can afford. It would be silly to patronize our LQS if they do not do business fairly or if we can not afford their merchandise. Takes all kinds to make the world, and apparently not all LQSs are the best places to shop. Next time I travel I will ask members of this board for advice on where to stop!
07-06-2011, 01:53 PM
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
Originally Posted by AbbyQuilts
I too think its not my responsibly to keep someone in business. I like going to LQS but if they want to stay viable in this tough market with rising commodity prices then they need to maybe find away to broaden their demographic market.
Offer more entry level classes, allow kids and husbands to come in the store or at least not make then feel like outcast for being there. Offer sales and special rewards. Offer some cheap basic level classes to get new people interested. And maybe "gasp" find some cheaper lines to offer those that can not pay 10+ a yard. If they can not get good prices on their own then they need to reach out to other LQS and form a co-op and have buying power together
but those are just my thoughts. Like I said I like going but I cannot afford more then 5$ or so a yard for most of my quilts
Offer more entry level classes, allow kids and husbands to come in the store or at least not make then feel like outcast for being there. Offer sales and special rewards. Offer some cheap basic level classes to get new people interested. And maybe "gasp" find some cheaper lines to offer those that can not pay 10+ a yard. If they can not get good prices on their own then they need to reach out to other LQS and form a co-op and have buying power together
but those are just my thoughts. Like I said I like going but I cannot afford more then 5$ or so a yard for most of my quilts
07-06-2011, 02:12 PM
#68
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mason, Ohio
Posts: 1,465
I definitely do my part...typically a hundred at a time.
Seriously, we are definitely about to lose our small businesses. They cannot carry a reasonable inventory of quality goods without pricing higher than a chain store. Remember as small businesses, they still have expenses like the rest of us: utilities, rent or mortgage, plus personnel, bank services, advertising, cleaning, tax servicing, landscaping, insurances, snow removal (in 50% of the U.S.).
Plus you get personalized service where people try very hard to remember your name, ask about your project, and answer questions about machine quirks, sewing techniques, new products and suggest easier ways to do something, or alternative pallettes for a quilt. Many LQS employees have also been sent to special training (such as "thread school", digitizing, etc.)
Each purchase helps keep them going; so even if you pay 20c more for thread, it will keep an LQS in your area.
Seriously, we are definitely about to lose our small businesses. They cannot carry a reasonable inventory of quality goods without pricing higher than a chain store. Remember as small businesses, they still have expenses like the rest of us: utilities, rent or mortgage, plus personnel, bank services, advertising, cleaning, tax servicing, landscaping, insurances, snow removal (in 50% of the U.S.).
Plus you get personalized service where people try very hard to remember your name, ask about your project, and answer questions about machine quirks, sewing techniques, new products and suggest easier ways to do something, or alternative pallettes for a quilt. Many LQS employees have also been sent to special training (such as "thread school", digitizing, etc.)
Each purchase helps keep them going; so even if you pay 20c more for thread, it will keep an LQS in your area.
07-06-2011, 02:36 PM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Waterloo, IL
Posts: 443
Originally Posted by Pat and pups
I've read 4 pages of this thread and agree that we need to support locally owned businesses as much as we can. One little thing I try to do when shopping at a locally owned business is to pay cash rather than whipping out my plastic. I know the percentage a store has to pay the credit card company is not very much and probably won't mean the difference between make it or break it, I figure every little bit helps.
07-06-2011, 03:40 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 478
I recently had a conversation with a LQS owner about her business. We were chatting, I asked how business was(it's a fairly new shop). She was trying to stay positive but said she has not had a paycheck in over a year. She was considering more sales and other ways to get people into the store. I explained why I purchase on-line and go to sales. I told her I would prefer to shop with her but have to watch every cent. Unfortunately, quilting is a luxury hobby, not a necessity. We parted smiling but her heart wasn't in it. To make things worse, our local Walmart has fabric again.....it is frustrating.
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