Not too big a deal--mostly frustrating. I have three tops to take to the quilter. I called the shop (someone else owns the shop--my quilter just uses the long-arm there)--quilter wasn't in. I left a message with the owner. Quilter left a message at home and said she had a meeting today, but would be back by 1:00 and to call the owner. I called the owner said I'd be there today--but would leave home at 1:00 to give the quilter some breathing room.

It's a 40 min drive. And you guessed it--the quilter wasn't there. So--no big deal if she's 15, even 20 min late, I'll look around. But the owner called her and she was just finishing up with a meeting and was over an hour away! She suggested I discuss what I wanted with the owner, but that wasn't possible since some of the tops need her free hand work and she and I needed to talk face to face. I was NOT happy. I went upstairs to get my quilts, and left.

She called later to apologize, said there was nothing she could do if the meeting went longer than expected. She was very willing to set up a time for me to come in. She even asked if I was still bringing them to her (that surprised me), so I admitted I had emailed some other quilters when I got home. I told her I'd call Tues or Wed if I was bringing them after working in my room. I thanked her for calling.

When I got home, on a whim, I had emailed my former quilter to ask if she was taking any outside work... and she said no, but she'd do mine! Yay!! :D :D She's only 8 minutes away! I used this gal for years before she stopped due to back issues. The awkward part is the quilters are good friends, so the one doing my quilts said she'll probably mention it to the other--but she knew she'd understand. They are both reasonable and kind women. She also knows I'll keep taking quilts to the one who was late today... I told her I had two in the works...

How frustrating to make the drive, in the pouring rain--not to mention the cold water splash on my excitement to finally talk to her about how to quilt these tops! I feel a bit childish about being so frustrated, but this was a summer goal and summer is just about over--I'm in my classroom Tues-Fri next week. I'm meeting my former quilter Wed at 8:30 AM to fit this in.

So--Wednesday I'll know what's happening with them. I can't wait!!

I would be really frustrated too!

Yeap, I'd be really frustrated too! My inner child is very much alive and well too. :wink: I get excited, anticipating something that I expect to happen, then something/someone deflates my balloons. Grrrr. lol!!!! A foot stomp or two is allowed. :wink:
Too bad she couldn't have snuck out of her meeting a minute to give you call.... But at least you know it won't be much longer, and they'll be done!
:-)

Communication is the biggest problem we have. Too much sometimes, and too little at others. A Simple phone call that the meeting was running longer BEFORE you left home would have been much better. Prevention of a BIG problem , but hindsight is alwasy 20/20. Sorry for all your distress.

I'd be frustrated along with you.
You'd think that if her meeting was running THAT late, she could have excused herself for a moment to make a quick call.

I sure hope you get those beauties done exactly the way you want them. You put alot of hard work and love into them. They are just beautiful!
Don't feel bad for having a little tantrum. We all do it! :)

Oh I don't think I threw a tantrum--technically. :D I was just not going to sweetly say "Oh, that's okay." I felt bad--when I left the wind blew the door shut in a slam. I didn't want her to think it happened in anger, so I opened it quietly and re-closed it. :roll: :lol:

You took the tantrum "inside yourself". I do it alot when things don't go my way, which has happened alot lately. Can I leave this island now? PALEEZE???

I'm just glad you have someone to finish off those beauties!

Now, I need to get there and love on a certain beauty! :) :)

taking it inside yourself....story of my life!
So, you seem to be handling it well, in spite of the frustration it caused you...and don't you just hate it, when it has to pour down rain, on top of everything else?
Now, I am wondering...how are you supposed to know, what to do, next time?
Maybe she should leave messages that convey: in a meeting...no telling when I'll be able to get back to you! That is putting it right up front.
Can't wait to see, how they turn out! :P

quiltncrazy--yeah--the older we get the more we learn it doesn't do any good to rant about something, eh? I think the strongest feeling was disappointment. I've waited months to get these tops done--then the backs done--to be ready to go.

Hey Terri--Rosie learned to jump today!! (As in over elevated poles). :D :D :D

WOOHOO!!! Yeah!!
6 more months, 6 more months.........

I'd be frustrated, too Karla. Especially after driving in the rain. I try to smile, count to 10 and take long slow deep breaths. I said TRY! But I don't always take my own advice. Then I'm apt to take it out on DH if he's unlucky enough to be around the house when I have a mad on :evil: As Diana said, we all still have that inner child in us trying to creep out - usually at the wrong time :?

I'd be frustrated too. Glad that it will work out for you. Hopefully you really like the work of the woman who lives closer.

well i hope you get them back soon an let us see when you get them.

i don't think your feelings are childish at all. you are the customer. you had an appointment. it's a business transaction. she wasn't offering to do you a favor for free.

we are slowly being trained to believe that service providers are doing US a favor by taking our money. YOU did the smart thing by looking for another provider. good for you. ;-)

I know exactly what you mean Karla. I'd have been disappointed too and the rain just makes it worse. Glad your old quilter can do them...you always got excellent work from her! The original quilter should have offered to come to you and pick up the quilts....at your convenience! I could really get on a rant about poor customer service...but won't.

Now, go smooch on a horse and enjoy what is left of your summer! :D

Oh, Karla, I feel your frustration! How many times do we make the appointments and then not even get a courtesy call. Whether they are friends or not doesn't really matter, you've selected the person you choose to do the quilting and she will lose. That's not a tantrum, that's good business practice. When a provider can't provide, move on to the one that can.

Our world has become all 'ME ME ME,' maybe she will think twice before scheduling an appointment when she has meetings from now on.

Hugs,
Sharon

i'd be frustrated as well. i hope it all works out for you. :D

I understand your frustration, Karla.

In fact, my greatest interest in learning how to FMQ is based on your frustration.

I haven't had the best luck finding a reliable long arm quilter who "does" what I ask them to do on my quilt tops. Or, one who is able to show up with my finished quilt at a specified time has been a problem as well. I could tell you stories.......

We put so much time into the planning and piecing of our quilts, you just think "paying" someone to put the finishing touches on the quilt would be easy but it just doesn't seem to work like that.

That would be so frustrating. Did she have your number so she could call. Or at least contact the quilt store so they could let you know. What a waste of time for you. I can understand your frustration.

Karla, I think you have every right to be frustrated, I would be too if that happened to me.

Kyia

I'm with the others, you shouldn't feel bad about being frustrated! AND you shouldn't feel bad about going to another quilter. After all, it's a BUSINESS....and if you can't provide good customer service then you have to expect to lose a customer or two.

Now - on the other side. The job I had just before retiring required lots of meetings...and yes, some ran over a long time. I worked 4 hours on Friday -- never could figure out why the meetings had to run thru lunch hour and over my time to leave. I also had a boss that FORBID us to go out and make calls....boy, he'd have a fit. So that may be what happened to her. Can you people understand why I retired early???? :mrgreen: