I would have to disagree. I worked retail for 25 years before having the job I have now. (I was hired because I have excellent customer service skills) I went to work everyday because I had to. It was how I supported my family, but people shopped there by choice. It was my job to make sure they had a wonderful satisfying experience. That included greeting them and helping them in any way I could. Letting them wonder about alone made sure they would shop somewhere else. A simple hello and smile is really easy to do.

I am blessed to live not too far from Mary Jo's in Gastonia, N.C. Her prices beat most everyone around here. And boy does she have a BIG store of fabric!!!

2nd choice is Hobby Lobby with 40% off coupon. Their fabric is very reasonable without the coupon and made very well!

Walmart fabric is junk....sorry if I offend, but it's the truth. You can just about put your finger through most of it.

LQS's are way over priced and I know it's because everything else has gone up, but I am a charity quilter and I can't afford their prices!

We all have our special places to shop. Thank the Lord that some of us can still shop for fabric.

My closest LQS sold me way tooo much fabric for my beginning quilt class there. Guess you could say I don't trust her.

Went back about 1.5 years later. Wanted to talk with her about the situation and basically get it off my chest. She didn't want to listen and went to another customer. Well, unfortunately that made my mind up not to return.

well, i can't say i've ever had a bad experience in an LQS. the sticker shock nearly killed me in one, but they were very nice as i handed over the plastic. :lol: no ... seriously ... i dragged one of them all over the store looking for "just the right thing". "we" didn't give up 'til i found it. :lol:

i hope everybody who loves theirs gets to keep them. :thumbup:

Me too. Those who have a LQS that they love are very lucky. I need to branch out a bit more locally in hopes of finding one that will win my loyalty.

I am fortunate to live in an area where I have 6 LQS within a 15 minute drive. I must agree with many that some are better than others on customer service. I don't usually need help, but a greeting is nice. I visit one at least once a month, but it varies which one. They each have a definite style, so it depends on what I'm looking for. Usually more follows me home than what I started out for.
I truly believe in keeping my neighbors in business and not the big box guys.

I haven't been to my local quilt stores lately. Mostly because I go with friends to Marden's in Sanford, ME. where they sell top quality fabrics at 2.99 to 3.99 a yard. The thing is, though, when you see something you like you better buy it because it won't be there when you go back. I have also been buying fabric on line and even some from this board. One LQS near me is really big, but funny, whenever I have gone, I have left empty handed. I don't know why, just nothing jumps out that says buy me. But the other stores I go to, well, then I can get in trouble!

i dont, i buy online.

Yes, I support my LQS's for the following reasons:

They have friendly and knowledgable staff. :D
I appreciate the quality of the fabric. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
They have large selections (the larger the better) to choose from. :thumbup:
They carry many patterns and books. :thumbup:
They offer classes. :thumbup:
The staff are supportive and encouraging. :-D
I want them to succeed, and I like supporting the individual business owner :thumbup: over the large corporation. :thumbdown:

I shop online only when I can't find what I am looking for locally.

If you need help picking out fabrics, the LQS is the place to go. They seem to have an eye for color & most of the time are willing to be of help. The girls (& guys) in regular fabric stores I find aren't much help.

I don't usually shop at the LQS near me. They usually don't acknowledge me or try to help me. In addition, there is no way I can afford upwards of $10 a yard for fabric. I can get good quality fabric from Walmart or Joanns.

Or buy your DH better quality shirts.

8-)

I don't have a local quilt shop, sure wish I did !

There are four LQS within an hour's drive from me. I have visited three of these several times and have made several purchases of fabric, patterns, or notions from two of them. I have been to many quilt shops all over Michigan and other states as well when traveling. I can think of only three or maybe 4 shops that had really great prices. The one nearest me has fantastic prices, normally about $5 a yard and every month she puts something on sale for $4 or $4.50 - like black and whites one month or flannels one month, etc. One of the other quilt shops that is an hour away has good prices as well, $5, $6, or at the most $7 a yard (even Jinny Beyer's gorgeous fabrics.) The third shop is also an hour away and I have stopped there several times, but the only purchase I've ever made is a couple of fat quarters. Everything else is priced soooo high, I just can't afford it. There is a LQS in Port Huron that is HUGE and I bet at least 1/3 of her fabric is half off the regular price, which makes it either $3 or $4 a yard. Now here's my question. These quilt shops are always busy, and seem to be doing very well in this economy. So, why do other quilt shops charge $10 a yard and up?? It seems like they would make more money if they had lower prices and more sales and sold a lot more! And it would help quilters to keep quilting, keep buying more and they would always come back. Most of us don't have unlimited funds to buy fabric and we want good fabric at reasonable prices! And the woman at the closest shop is so warm and friendly... not only will she greet you, chat with you, help you find fabrics, she will also invite you into her house (attached) for coffee cake or cinnamon rolls!!!

Where at in Port Huron? I've been to Sew Elegant; is there another one?

Sew Elegant is the one I was talking about!! So big and so many sale fabrics! I love it there. Wish I still lived close.

Love Sew Elegant! I used to get there a lot because my parents had a trailer at the campground close by and we would go camping a lot. This will be the first summer since they have sold the trailer so now I have no reason to drive the hour to get up there. The only thing I don't really like about the shop is that she has her fabrics sorted by color so it is really hard to find anything if you are looking for something like Civil War reproductions.

The only other problem I've encountered there is all the fabric bolts on the floor in front of other fabrics on the bottom shelf!

I went to a new LQS that just opened up in May last Thursday and before I got in the door both owners said hi to me and one employee, they were very nice and friendly

they were having cake, punch, cookies and muffins for grand opening but I didn't know that before. I was on my way to hear Pat Knoechel, speaker at a local quilt guild meeting. Pat is so funny and she is sister of Eleanor Burns.

She shouldn't have to! When we walk into ANY business, no matter what it is, we're guests, looking to spend money...aka customers. I would no more let someone walk into the store and not greet them than I would let them walk into my home without greeting them...

Customer service is nearly non-existant in today's "all about me" America....I know when I visited Canada several years ago, I was treated MUCH better in every business door I stepped through than I am in the States...

I agree too. It isnt the CUSTOMERS JOB to greet the shop owner or worker, for goodness sakes. The owner wants the customers money...they should make the customer feel welcome, and want to come back.
I waitress and bar tend, if I was grumpy and wouldnt talk to my customers, you think I would get many tips, or they would come back to me??? Nope. I help elderly, cut food up, greet you at the door, and SMILE!!!!!!! My LQSowner is the same way, always willing to help. I wish I had more money to buy stuff!

My community has NO quilting stores, no Joanns/Hancocks, and no Wal-mart. There is absolutely noplace one can buy a spool of thread or piece of fabric. It is a 25 minutes drive to the QS I conside my favorite one. Yes, I visit there at least once a month. Yes, it is where I make the majority of my fabric purchases. I sometimes take classes there, as well. I would like to spend more time/money there but, as with most people, I do have to stay within a budget. I do love the gals who work there...I consider them my friends.

Not too long ago I stopped at a LQS in a different city (again, about 25 minutes away). They were not very friendly/welcoming at all. I may not go back.

I guess I am an equal opportunity shopper. I love going to our LQS's, in fact, was in one this afternoon. Left a bit of money there. Everyone is really helpful and friendly. They are always busy, but still try to take time out to help you. If you are ever in Coeur d'Alene, ID, be sure to
go to the Bear Paw Quilt store.

There are also several in my area, and are always busy, and staff is generally very helpful. Sometimes they just get too busy.

I seem to always buy my notions at Joanns, very little fabric. Today I took advantage of great sale items on-line, with free shipping (after $50.00). But I was in our local Joanns on Tuesday. Generally they are very helpful, but are a bit short staffed. Not their fault.

I also do a lot of shopping on-line. If the LQS don't restock with new fabric on a regular basis, I get tired of looking at the same stuff. I also like to shop when they aren't open so I take advantage of on-line shopping and consistently get it cheaper, same quality. I don't feel it is my responsibility to keep them in business, but I do enjoy going there. It is their responsibility to make it a pleasurable experience, just like any other place I shop or go out to eat.

Exactly Rural City Girl, that IS there job! If they only make a few people feel Welcome, who is going to come?? The small shops NEED the customer service, thats what sets them apart from the box stores! Even though I am not rich, I hardly step foot in our cheapest local grocery store, they are so rude and unfriendly. I pay a few cents more and shop the Piggly Wiggly, where they smile and are mostly pretty nice!

I have to say that I get great service at my local Jo-Ann's - one of my neighbors works in their fabric department :thumbup: I also know the staff in the Viking Gallery there pretty well and they are awesome.

I do visit most of my LQS's on a regular basis also. I am almost spoiled for choice - there are at least seven LQS's within 20 miles of my house! I guess that is one benefit of having a large retirement community :-D

YES! Not only do I frequent my LQS, I frequent many of yours. I travel a lot for both work and pleasure and I always visit the LQS.

And I don't think that I have ever been in an LQS that I wasn't greeted. Usually I am asked if I need help by every employee in the store and I get annoyed. If I need, I'll ask for it. But they always ask anyhow.

Just have lots of fabric choices - that's all I ask. :)

I just can't support all the LQS here. There are over 30!! But I do try to spread myself around. However, I do have a favorite. About a year ago I signed up for a techniques quilting class that met once a month. First class there were like 9 of us. Each month there were fewer and fewer people until finally it was just me and my BFF. So, they quit offering the class. I'm so bummed because I was learning so much and had so much fun. I have to drive pretty far but it is so worth it. A few months ago the new owner took over and she is wonderful. Always a great Hi to me. I feel like she is a friend. She always seems glad to see me, gives me free items some times. I love this shop. It is called Thimble and Threads in Draper, UT.

Just had to give a shout out for them! :thumbup:

Oh, and I do buy a lot at Joann's too. Usually backing. But I just found out that my fav LQS gives 25% off your backing fabric if you bring in your finished quilt top! So, I guess you know where I am getting my backing fabric from now on!

The Sew Oregon Shop Hop is in process. On Monday will get to 10 LQS in the area and give them a chance to hook me as a customer. Can't wait to get started. Am expecting them to be unique with their own personalities.

I've never been in a quilt shop.

Wow, do I ever disagree with you on this. It is up to the folks working in a business to offer the best customer service possible, even if it is the last day they are open. I alway's taught my people to greet or acknowledge everyone who came in the front door within the first 30 seconds with either a nod and a smile or a "Hello, I'll be with you shortly. Please feel free to look around".
If I am the customer and I have to look for or say the first words to a clerk (only acception is if their is an emergency going on or I see they are dealing with a rather rude customer) I walk out. Customer service will keep em coming back again and again even if they don't shop. Word of mouth gets around too.
My LQS is run by a gentleman and every customer is greeted accordingly. His business is booming. His classes have waiting lists. People go in to just say, "Hi".
Customer service is a number one prioroty IMHO.

It's like being in a quilters candy store!!!! :-)

I just found a quilt shop within a 30 min. drive from here. I plan on shopping there more. Our Wal-Mart does not have fabric anymore. We don't have a Joann's either. I do buy a lot of my fabric at Hobby Lobby and I do find some great pieces at the thrift store. By far the fabric I got at the quilt shop has the truest grain in it. It cuts the straightest and am having the least problem with. I know I will buy more at the quilt shop and just have less fabric stash it will be worth it.

I go to my LQS every 7 - 10 days. Sometimes it's for a class sometimes to buy and sometimes just for advice. I've never been in there more than 5 minutes before someone acknowledges my presence. They make me feel like I'm their favorite customer. They treat everyone that way. I would be lost without my LQS. Sorry for those of you who have had bad expierences or are loosing your shop.

I don't like being followed around but I do think that it is the owner's or employees' place to greet the customer and tell them that they are there for assistance if needed.

I also have gone into a LQS and felt not that welcome. A small smile goes a long way.

[quote=craftybear]was in another town and hadn't been in there for a long time, the owner was on the phone and she never looked up at me, 1 of them was behind the counter reading a book and the other one was sewing

almost the same thing happened to me. One was sitting in a chair talking to another nearby...the one sitting asked what I needed and said that she didn't think they had it but that the owner would know...she was on the phone.
I didn't expect her to stop her conversion but she could have given some indication that she would be with me soon..I finally just left.........and haven't gone back again.

I go to my LQS quite often as it is about 5-10 minutes from my house. I have even made samples for the shop. Just finished the new Civil War Tribute BOM for the shop and as soon as the new Aunt Grace Circle of Friends shop kit arrives, I will make it. For doing all this sometimes I get to keep the quilts plus I get a good discount on my purchases.
I have not and will not use Wal-Mart/Joanns/Hobby Lobby fabric. Because for all the hard work I put in on a quilt, I want it to last. Yes, I go to other shops anywhere from 1-2 hours drive. In fact I am driving 100 miles (one way) next Saturday to a shop for an applique class. You may say that is nuts, but last year I flew to Hawaii for an applique class.
Well, since I have probably upset several of you I will stop writing.

I took my stepdaughters to our LQS for them to choose fabrics for their quilts. Later they told their dad they thought they'd walked into Cheers - where eveybody knows your name!! :) Our LQS is WONDERFUL! I go there as often as my budget allows - I want them to stay in business...

I understand that Walmart is doing away with material.

I spend a lot of time in my LQS. That is where I took my first quilting class and the ladies there are so friendly and helpful. Will help me solve a problem with a pattern or pick fabric whatever I need at the time. Also are very encouraging and give me a little push sometimes to try something new. I don't ever shop for fabric anywhere else. Course I am very fortunate to live a couple minutes away from mine in a small town.