Does Your Local Quilt Store.....
 

Does your local quilt store charge you for shipping fees? I mean when you take a class from them, buy your fabric there from them and also purchase the book for the class from them? Ours charges for the price of the book the pattern is in plus shipping costs for the book. Just curious. I was a little surprised but already was taking the class, bought the fabric and just paid what they asked which was full price for the book plus shipping.

Have never been charged a shipping fee.

Usually when I take a class from my LQS they give me 20% off of everything. I've never heard of them charging shipping costs, especially when it's for a class they are giving.

You've been ripped off.
Several years ago I took a class at a major quilt show in NH; the instructor sold us thread and insisted we pay sales tax. NH has no sales tax. She didn't care.
Unfortunately, even the quilt world has rip-off artists

I'd also find another quilt shop to patronize or shop on-line

no have never been chargd for shipping

I have not been charged the shipping either. Usually you would think the shipping was figured in to the price they needed to charge for the book. Most of the classes I took had something on sale. If not the fabric a special tool or ruler that made it easier, hence the reason for the class as well.

Every class I have taken, the LQS gives a 20% discount when you buy the supplies there. I think you were ripped off. If the class was free, then maybe, but I would think shipping is included in the cost of the book or pattern.
Sue

I would think that would be included in the price of the book...just as if you went to the bookstore and ordered it. That is, unless they are actually selling it to you at THEIR price and then they wanted the shipping so they weren't losing money on each book.

What? talk about wanting to re-coup all their costs!! no never heard of that altough a store near me has classes and the instructor charged an extra $15.00 per block taught. one reason i didn't sign up for that class.

Book sellers, such as a quilt shop, pay publishers or distributors 50% of the retail cost for the books they sell.
The retail cost of a book is usually printed on the back cover, any addition to that is sales tax (in states that have them)
You don't pay shipping unless it's shipped to you, not hand delivered.

No, and where I work, anything purchased for the class, including the book, is 10% off. Granted this is an open studio, not a local quilt shop. We stock only basic notions and blender fabrics.

If the shop paid full retail for the books for everyone in the class and shipping too, then I could see them charging for the total that they spent. However if they are making a profit on the books, I don't think they should charge for shipping. In any case, I think the full price of the class should have been made available at the time you signed up, and you should have been given the opportunity to buy the book elsewhere. Most quilt books are available at a discount somewhere on the internet, and shipping is often free with a minimum purchase.

My LQS allows us to bring any fabric we want to class. Other shops in the general area give discounts if you buy the fabric from them, but they don't insist on it. If a pattern or book is being used in the class, we are expected to own that book or pattern, although we don't necessarily have to have bought it from that shop.

How much shipping are you talking about? Surely the LQS didn't have all the books for the class shipped individually, so if there are 10 people in the class, your share would be one tenth of the media rate on 10 books. Sure seems to me that they could eat that in the name of customer service or include it in the class fee. The bad publicity is costing them more than the shipping did. If she doesn't add shipping to the price of non-class books, I wonder why she thinks it's okay for class books.

So what if I went in and bought the book used in the class for personal use? Otherwise, do they charge shipping for all the books they sell? Just does not sound right.

Oh for heaven's sake... your kidding. I would be upset too.

I would never pay shipping to my LQS considering all the money I spend there! I also get 15% off the fabric, backing and batting for a class project.

This is all our LQS charges: Sewing Class Fee: $45 + fabric & pattern.

The price for the class does range from $25 to $45, depending on what you are making. I have never taken one of their classes but they are super nice ladies.

My LQS usually will give 20% off material when you take a class from them. In fact they have some classes this summer that the pattern will be free. Not one to be shy I would say something to the quilt shop about charging for the shipping fee.

Pat in MN

shipping charges on a book not shipped?!?!?! that is illegal - they have stolen your money!! my 2½ cents...

That's ridiculous! When I've taken classes at my LQS, I, too, have gotten a discount re that class, no surcharge, no shipping, no nothing. Seriously... you need to take your classes elsewhere. That's not cool!

That's nuts!!

No they just order supplies for their classes and keep them in stock prior to the classes but you don't have to buy it from them, and most places discount stuff you buy for their classes.

My LQS charges full price for the books, then discounts any needed supplies that are purchased if you sign up for the classes at the meet the teacher day. Ohterwise no discount, but she only charges shipping if you ask her to special order something and she can't combine it with her order.

sounds strange to me. I have had shops "special order" patterns for me. They only charge for the item, never the shipping.

My shop gives a discount if we buy there, but I usually get the book on eBay for several dollars cheaper. I buy fabric from the quilting store though and have never been charged shipping. I would not go back to them!

Isn't it standard practice to charge enough for the book to pay for the book, fees etc. and some to make a profit? I'd be interested in knowing if the price she charged for the book included profit.

NO!!!!! You should never have to pay for shipping if you're buying it n the store. Does she charge shipping on her fabrics and notions that you buy? I don't think so. I would let her know that you've never heard of this before and in the future you'll probably be buying the books you need on Amazon where they are probably much cheaper....even if you do have to pay postage.

Shipping cost no but the sales a tax maybe. If the teacher was from a state that collects sales tax and she has to report sales she would be responsible for the sales tax. I bet if you went to a quilt show and made a purchase from an out of state vendor you are paying their state percentage of tax.

Talk to the owner of the store tell them you feel like you're being ripped off, and this may be your last class with them. Remember money talks.

Joanns charges shipping

I don't do too much with the LQS but when book are involved I've never paid a shipping fee. I agree, I think you're being ripped off. IMO, the LQS is making their money on their fabric and class fee and should absorb any book shipping fees. Most time it's a book that they are planning to or already do stock so you should not be expected to pay those charges.

what???? that is just nuts....I would call her out on that because as a shop she does NOT pay shipping charges on her merchandise, unless it is large "freight" items...books, NO shipping charges!

I would have told her to keep it, you could get it cheaper with NO shipping on Amazon!

I know everyone wants to keep their LQS open and all, but honestly, if that is her practice, let her close!

I agree, everyone pays the shipping , you may not notice it because it is included in the price of the book.

They handed you the book but charged shipping????? Rip off.

Not mine... if the book says $9.95 that is what I am charged. However, with fabric now upwards of $12.00 I know that part of that is the cost for shipping. You can't blame them... they are in business to make money.

Anita in Northfield, MN

Shops pay shipping, why wouldn't they? I know our LQS does. why do you think they don't pay shipping?

I have never heard of such a thing. As a former quilt shop owner we never charged shipping on anything unless we were selling something at our cost then we would add shipping. The shipping was figured into the cost of the item being sold. Some shops are out to make as much money as they possibly can, however they can. If possible I would take my business elsewhere.

You pay the price of the cover price , but, the shop only pay half of that and with the shipping they pay,they can make some profit.

Not the one in Keene, NH