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.

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.

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 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.

Teresa, I'm sorry you are losing your job. That is disconcerting no matter how you slice it, and I can certainly understand your frustration.

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!

Teresa, I am sorry you are losing your job too. They are hard to come by right now!

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!

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! :)

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. ;-)

Okay, I know, I'm gonna get on my soap box. If we don't shop the LQS, it won't be there when the economy recovers and we're ready, willing and able to spend more $$. I work at a semi-local quilt shop (40 min drive each way) because I want them to succeed! I shopped there before I worked there because it's the right thing to do. Small businesses are the life blood of this country and without them, we'll all be making quilts with fabrics from Wal-Marts and JoAnn's! Nothing wrong with shopping around, but please, please, please, support your LQS! A note to LQS: greet every customer as if you're genuinely glad to see them; remember names; ask questions other than "What can I do for you today?" Our LQS even has coffee, tea & cookies waiting! Ladies can sew in the classroom for free all day any day. Classes are reasonably priced. They use local teachers, but also have nationally recognized experts (Judy Martin, Carol Doak). So, do yourself a favor, quilters, and shop locally - it'll help the tax base and keep a small business around for the long haul.

i'm afraid my position must remain unchanged.

if a business of any type or size wants my loyalty, they must earn it.

sending good thoughts and dollars to those that do. ;-)

Customer service is the biggest thing to me at least.I cannot tell you how many times I've walked out of a shop because I've felt uncomfortable.Anything from not being greeted(not for me to do),nobody to help find something,to the help not even acknowledging you're there.This is the same reason I will not join any sort of group,guild,etc...Some people just size you up and determine that you don't belong in their store and treat you accordingly.We have a newish store local and I refuse to shop there.The owner's wife has mis-ordered items for me,but what broke the camel's back is her telling me they didn't stock sewing machine lube.I know they have it,I've seen it there.I have a budding quilter and was going to buy some fabric for her.No way in Hell am I going back. I get better treatment at my not so local Hancock's.

Shelly
Ft.Lupton,CO

[quote=PatriceJ]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. ;-)[/quote

I totally agree with your summary.

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I again agree with PatriceJ. I will be loyal to a store, but they have to really want it. They aren't Burger King, where they can always have things their way! I am not going to support a store that is only interested in my money. They actually have to work for that money. I am very conservative with my money, and it does not pain me to see companies go under if it was caused by poor management, poor customer service, and just plain bad manners.

My closest LQS is 45 minutes away, long story but I have to depend on my husband to drive and I considered going there IF they had that Fruit Ladies fabric. I just heard of it and thought of a perfect application for it. First, if I called the LQS to see if they had any I'd have to pay long distance charges, not to mention the cost of gas to get there. I just ordered it online, $6 shipping, it was just cjeaper to do it that way. I felt kind of bad doing it that way, I truly believe in helping local businesses, but the situation as it is here made buying online the best choice.
OMG, I just thought, maybe they have mail order? Going to go check

I just checked, they do sell things online too, I'm so glad they don't carry what I wanted. You've just reminded me to check there first!

MOM-6 If you go to Dallas again check out Suzy's in Garland, and Quilters-Connection in east Dallas. If you even get the Paris come by Sew Much More Quilt Shoppe. They are expanding.

Thanks Donna! Best friend & I will have to check these out as time and $ allow...having both at same time...I mean!

I have had so many of my LQS go out of business. When they do I just find another one. Either way, I have to drive at least 30 miles and I don't mind. I hate it that they are having to go out of business tho.

Yes I do try to visit LQS, in fact we had a shop hop recently and there were seven local shops within a 75 -80 mile radius that we (DH & me) visited. Had a great time won prizes and bought something at each shop. All the ladies are wonderful. Prices of fabric range from $2.00 (seconds) on up with large selections so something for everyone. I too would hate to loose our LQS.

I hear your pain and I am saddened by the situation too but there are a variety of reasons why people don't use their local shops. And all of them are valid. For a long time we had only one local shop then all of a sudden we had four. Now we are down to two again. Oddly enough the two shops that are left each have one characteristic that I have difficulty dealing with but I still support them. One can only be accessed by steps and one has a second floor with steep, winding steps where they hold their classes and keep their sale fabric. Definitely a turn off for ladies with mobility issues and in the case of the stairs a liability issue. I have dropped a lot of money at these shops and I have also spent a lot of money on the internet.

You are not going to get people on very tight budgets to buy $10/yd fabrics at their local shop no matter how well you explain the greige goods difference or the helpfulness of shops, etc. They just don't have the money and they have to eat.
You are not going to get people who have had a bad experience at a shop to see the importance of supporting same shop. And what one person sees as important in a shop is not the same to another. I don't give a horses patoot if the employees don't greet me as soon as I walk through the door, I would rather do my own thing. But I do want their help if I ask or when it's time to cut or pay up. Even the thread we had recently on play areas in quilt shops gave me a chuckle. Pretty much everyone thought a play area was a great thing...except me and I had the restraint to stay quiet...til now. Oops.

standing ovation!!!!!!! :thumbup:

I go to our quilt shop often, and the sad thing is they dont talk either but yet youre saying spend our money at one well hello I work with the public also the more you greet them the happier they are and I feel the same way. I dont think it;s up to the buyer to speak first!!! It;s up to the person working to make you feel welcome simple as that!!!

I was at my LQS yesterday for a class in FMQ. I loved the class and the teacher, and I never leave there without buying fabric. I always check on the next class and usually sign up then. It helps that they call me by name and they are VERY friendly. I have met a lot of fellow quilters there that I would not have met otherwise!! I will continue to support mine.

I love my local quilt stores; Quilted Squares managed by Tammy Jones in Kirksville, Mo., who always treats me right and lets me know about any sale coming up...like the one week after the fourth of July when everything in the store will be 40% off. At sidewalk sales, I get 75% off. She alsways says Hello when I open her door.

The neat little shop in Unionville, Mo., Stitch n tyme, is run by a neighor and daughter. Very friendly folks, and I buy when I can, quilt things using material from their store and take the items in for display in their store to encourge more folks to buy that product from them.

When we travel and I spot a quilt store or find them by using the Quilters' Travel Companion, or get recommendations from area people, I seem to find friendly, helpful shop owners/salespersons. And, yes, I do shop on internet a lot. I get regular email from Cabbage Rose in Ft.Worth, Tx., Equilters.com, Fabric Shack in Waynesville, OH., and others like Fabric Warehouse. Its the Land of Opportunity, the best of the best survive by competiting for every dollar spent by the customer...supply and demand.

Shop owners can create the demand with special sales, friendly service, and the right attitude. It is an "attitude" adjustment some need to make, perhaps, to stay in business sometimes.

I love my local shops and buy from them often. I also buy from online fabric places like Thousands of Bolts and Equilter and Hancocks of Paducah when I need something particular that I can't get locally.

Hi,

I have 4 LQSs in my area and one of them is my "HOME away from HOME". I am there very often (sometimes more than once a week) and usually always get some fabric and/or notions. I take many classes/get-togethers there too - not just to learn but also to enjoy the social aspects of quilting. They are super friendly to their regular customers as well as any new quilters that come into their shop. I've heard the owner introduce herself, welcome them to the shop, ask if they need help, ask where they are from ,etc - all to make them feel welcomed - and from the replies I've heard from the newbies, they love the service and friendliness. Hope they NEVER go out of business! I also frequent a second shop for the same friendliness and helpfulness. The other 2 I frequent when I am looking for something specific and can't find it in the 2 favorite shops. Then it's buying online. Only bought fabric at Walmart or Jo-Ann's when I was a real newbie and didn't know about quilt shops and that they have a much better grade of fabric. Going broke but well worth it!

I am wondering if any of the members that have had a bad experience with their LQS, have written a letter to the store owner.

I think the store owner should be aware of how their customers are being treated, but it is possible that the employee(s) shows one face when the owner is around, and another when the owner is away.

I think it would be a shame if the LQS closed due to poor sales because of the employee(s) are not representing the owner well.

I have also been into shops where I have not been acknowledged. I think it is their place to ask me if I need help or am looking for something specific.

I have 3 local shops in my area and I go often,2 of them are great and very nice employees that greet you and very helpful, 1 that is about 3 blocks from my home is only nice if you buy alot,but the owner tends to put down any machines that are not Bernina's since she sells them.If you ask about a certain fabric and she doesnt have it she will say Idont sell that my customers wouldnt buy that.She has alot of fabrics but her additude most of the time is not good.I went in one day to ask her a question about a quilt I was making and she just basically told me to throw it away and start over. needless to say I only go there if I have too.

I do not feel it is the responsibility of the shopper to educate the owner of the store. She or he should know what is going on, and be paying better attention to what is going on in the store. If they can't be bothered to make it their business, then maybe they shouldn't be in business.

I say, shop the stores you like, avoid the ones you don't. I certainly am not going to feel guilty about a shop going out of business.

Yes, I visit my LQS's. Probably too often for my pocket book. I visit 2 monthly as I am doing a BOM and a mystery quilt. Lost one in our town just recently due to death of the owner - lovely lady. But we have 7 that are with half an hour or less - 4 about 15/20 minutes - one is a mile away and also a JoAnn's less than a mile. I use JoAnns for wall hangings as they don't get the wear of a quilt. Most of ours are very helpful. Good thing as I need lots of help sometimes. Did just find a new shop to me - didn't know it existed but has been there for 9 years. About 20 minutes away. Neat shop.

There are not many quilting shops in the uk, but the ones there are are doing pretty well. There are about 5 or 6 in Lancashire about an hour away and two very local. One is a quilting shop and sells this for that,which is expensive for most fabric, the other sells lots of other things, a section on fabrics wadding ect not very much very expensive boring fat quarters £2.50 and between £5-£12 per meter not much choice. The only thing I buy there is thread by the cone,which is what they used to sell,they had a large winding section but sadly that has gone they still sell threads. When ever I go there (not very often )] as I always fell as if I've been over charged for what I've bought. There is a lot of choice at very reasonable prices so I shop around as much as possible. Different shops different choice

I went once to the LQS by me, it is an hour away, wish it was closer. I love the feel of a LQS I feel like they are fellow sisters and we already have something in common. I shop Joannes and there is nothing wrong with them they just don't quilt like I do. SO sorry to hear about this shop closing, what a shame. Hope everything works out and they can stay in business.

That is the store I go to every time I am home. They all know me by name and they are truly the best people. I always buy something. Did you get some of that new Fleur De Lis fabric, I saw it before it went on the floor,they were waiting on an invoice to be able to put it on the floor so I pre-ordered 3 yards of each before it even hit the floor, they called me when it was in the system. I just love it, now if they could get it in red we'd be in business.
I also go to Gingers Needleworks which is across the street from me. They also know be by name and I enjoy talking to them when I go in. I always find something there as well.

You are so right!! My store buys new collections, but if the collections are good, I'm always on the lookout for "leftovers" that do make it to the closeout sellers. And guess what? The best prints, the "feature designs", almost *never* have goods left over. It's the coordinates that are left, and usually the ones that didn't work well in the first place.

daniellern76- I agree....it's a dying deal to bake, quilt, can food anymore...also gardening is not that common among my co-workers! Good for you passing that onto your children.

As for the post....I agree we should support the small shops..but like mentioned above...the cost of the fabric is between $9-14 yd. If they offered coupons like Jo-Anns does I would shop more there! But..I do buy some when I can afford to splurge I guess..the last time I was in there I spent approx $130 and that wasn't enough fabric to make a quilt...only complete what I have already in my stash to finish the quilt. Please understand that alot of folks are still without jobs and the splurging just can't happen sometimes! I would love to only shop my LQS and keep them in business...but as a single person I just can't do it all the time!

Are there no quilters from the uk here

One of our LQS recently closed - she is going to begin selling online only soon. This turned out to be my favorite (local) shop in the last year. I went in several years ago and wasn't acknowledged at all, so I browsed for about 10 minutes and left. Last year, she had a sale I couldn't pass up and I was treated very warmly by the whole staff, even with the sale crowd, so I went back and left $$ every 3 - 4 weeks!

The other 2 shops are okay. I'm known by name in one, tho I don't go often, and the other I quit going to several years ago after being told I was cheap (the fabric I was specifically looking for happened to be on sale and I only needed 2 yards). The last shop is for sale - owner's DH has taken a job on the west coast - and I hope someone buys it, keeps it open, and learns what customer service is all about!

When I was in Ohio in Feb., I got to visit 2 shops that were wonderful! I can't remember the name of the one in Enon, but they were so helpful and friendly. And I wish I could express how wonderful the staff and selection at Fabric Shack in Waynesville was! I'm so jealous that I don't live closer and the very best scraps and remnants!