How many chances do you give a LA before saying no more?
 

This is the third quilt I did not get what I asked for from the LA. The first one I asked for cotton batting, I got poly but the quilting was okay. The second one I asked for cotton batting, and green quilting thread to be used in top and bobbin. I got poly batting and white thread front and back, again the quilting was fine. The third time I sent the batting I wanted and spool of Aurifil thread 40wt of the color she could use or match the color. I got poly batting and cream color thread, quilting was fine. I asked her why she used the poly batting when I wanted cotton. She said poly was thinner and easier to work with and her classes said the customer always ask for things the LA can change. And she didn't like changing thread, it messed up the tension. Ugh!!@!!!! Now to find another LA in the area which is more like find out who bought a LA recently and put up business sign. Even the quilt shop that does LA, the quilting isn't that good, skipped stitches and too many knots on the back for what it cost. Frustrating!

I'd go to someone who did what I asked for or I'd learn to do it myself

I just took my classes on a LA and they said nothing of the sort. You give the customer who is paying you, what they ask for. I do not own a LA but I can rent the one at the shop. I am not up for hiring out, but if I was, I would not use that excuse that "waaaa, it's too hard" I am really sorry that you have had this experience. I can tell you that quilting well is one thing that I'm sure is hard to find, but you may find you have to mail your items out of area to an established and well vetted long armer. it will be worth it. Remember you are the customer and you are paying for what you are paying for and expecting. I think whoever you have been working with has already had their chances.

She should have told you up front that she wouldn't use cotton batting or change thread colors. You are a paying customer. It would be different if she's doing it for free for you as a friend.

But sometimes close enough is better then doing it yourself.

I can't believe you would end up with what you did not ask for. That doesn't sound like very good business sense to me. I hope you find someone who listens better. You might try looking at members of this board. There is probably even a list of them somewhere...I think I remember someone saying that. It would involve mailing your quilt, I think, but it might be a better answer for you.

Good luck on your next quilt, whatever you end up deciding.

Dina

I've never used a LA'er but for me once would be enough. I expect to get what I paid for, any changes should be discussed first.

Well you are more generous than I am I guess. I would not have gone back the third time. I might have gone back a second time, thinking I didn't explain myself well enough. But not ever again. There are some ladies on the board that do amazing quilting and will do what you request.

I would have not gone back after the first time, three times? Run away now and don't go back!

It seems like all of these things should have been discussed with you before the actual quilting was done. Especially if you have specific request that she doesn't want to do. I can't understand why she would not talk to you about these things but just go ahead without your permission. LAQ is expensive and you should get what you ask for or know the reason why it is not feasible before hand. Frustrating but definitely time for a new LA quilter.

After one time I would have very firmly told her that these (batting/thread etc) were requirements, not suggestions.

Taking it to her the third time- well, that's on you. I don't really go with the Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me- because I think people deserve a second chance. However, a third chance (which she failed again) tells me this person is not serious about running a business!

That is not acceptable at all. If your customer wants cotton batting, you use it. I have a LA there really is not alot that you have to change to change the loft of the batting or thread for your tension. it's maybe a 5min process. Did she atleast return your batting to you and your thread? I'd be finding a new person for sure. It almost sounds like she is rushing your quilt to go onto the next. Most quilters go by word of mouth when picking a LA quilter and this would not make her get any additional business.

I did 2 for a friend at christmas and she sent the thread that she wanted me to use so I used it but there wasn't enough so I did as close as I could to the spool that she provided. I wouldn't think of using something that wasn't close to what she wanted or calling to confirm the change before I started.

You've already gone back twice more than I would have! LOL

Once is enough! The LA'ers I know ask you to sign an agreement that list type of batting, thread, etc. everything is in black and white so both parties know what is going to happen . it also states if the LA has a problem and wants to change anything she must contact customer before making those changes.

I'm flabbergasted. If I tell my contractor that I want white grout in my tile and he uses blue, guess what. He's gone. If there was a good reason why he used blue, HE SHOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH ME FIRST, back when I first told him I wanted white! I'm amazed that you told her specifically what you wanted and she totally disregarded your instructions, not once, not twice, but THREE times.

When I take quilts to LA, the quilter and I go over different options and fill out a form. I sign it, and she does too. If she doesn't do what you both agree to, she has to notify me first. No notification, no pay. I might have given her a second chance, but never a third. If you don't want to mail your quilt (and I wouldn't blame you), ask at local guild who they might use....satisfied customers are the best references. I don't know where you live, but if you give that info, somebody on here may be direct you to an excellent quilter.

After the first one, I would have explained that, while the quilting was good, it was NOT what I asked for and told her I would never use her for quilting one of my quilts again.

"The classes" told her that it was ok to DIRECTLY disobey her customers? She went to the wrong classes, or conveniently heard what she wanted to hear to justify what she does.

You change thread ONCE when you're long arming a quilt with the same color throughout. Sooner or later you have to change your thread anyway, so what's the big deal? If you're in business and getting paid for what you do, you really need to do what the customer wants not what's easier for you.

At the very least she should have told you what she planned up front and let you decide whether to leave the quilts with her or not. How hard is that?

That is what my LA does.

It is a business. You are a customer. If she (LA) keeps doing as she pleases and not listening to her customers she will start loosing them . . . then she will no longer have a business.

No more she works for you........regardless of how good the quilting might be

I do know she extended her finances to buy the big LA set up and is having to pay for it with quilting business. The actual quilting is very good, of course the computer does it, but better then I could do. She just won't listen. I told her my guild members would know why I won't use her again. I asked for 50% refund and she gave it to me and she was very angry that I was so 'picky' and giving her a bad rap when I didn't know about LAing. LOL. I think her machine may be reprocessed and I might find a deal (not really).

Being a longarmer myself, I am shocked! I write up a sales ticket for each customer, there are 3 carbon copies, on it I write everything they request and that is what I do. What is the matter with this person. I would have a chat with her and tell her she either honors the customer's requests or you will find someone who will. I cannot BELIEVE this!

I quilt for others, and would never ignore a customers request without discussion. There is very, very little difference for the machine when using poly or cotton. Maybe change foot height if high loft and a MAYBE a tiny tweek of tension. I don't understand why you also didn't get the color thread you wanted. Sounds like she needs to find a different teacher and get a lot more CORRECT information IMHO.

There are a lot of us here on the board, there is even a list of us. I believe it is a sticky on the sale forum. Remember to get things in writing and ask for a prices sheet.

One chance. You do not change what the customer asks for without a discussion. Period. If after that discussion, the customer still wants it her way, do it. Even if it is ugly. If the professional feels it can't be done the way the customer wants it done, the professional should refuse the commission.

Your quilt -- your way.

I think you will have to find a new LA. It is hard to believe that she would just do what she wants when the quilts are yours. Good luck!

Once would be enough for me to know I need to find somebody else, you put a lot of work into your quilt and it's yours to decide what you wanted unless you specifically said it was up to the la'er to choose.

I do LAing for other people and that's just wrong! I spent $100.00 trying to get the right lavender thread for a customer. I didn't charge extra....but that' s just me. A happy customer is a returning customer with a friend. Find someone that'll give you what you want.

Well it's going to be very hard to pay for that LA if she doesn't give the customer what she wants. I have never heard of anyone who uses only Poly batting - most of the LAs around here don't like to use it but will if that is what the customer wants. One color of thread - never heard of that, the only thing I have heard is that most like to use the same color top & bottom due to pokies. I understand that tension on the LA is a little trickier than a DM, so I can understand the same color top & bottom.

My LA is awesome! I take my quilts to my LQS and the owner of the shop and I figure out what we want. She writes my phone number down for the LA. The LA calls me and will discuss with me everything I want. She will tell me what she thinks will work better and I can say yes or no. Usually I say yes, but I have said no and had her do it my way and she has said she was surprised at how well it turned out. But usually she is right and I do what she says and it turns out beautifully. She's talked me out of quite a few custom jobs where she would make a lot more money and the end results are just perfect - found out I didn't need a custom job afterall - she was right - and I saved $75! That's the kind of LA you want.

So sorry! I would have to make sure I got what I asked for or I would not have gone back again.

I can't believe she said "they" told her it's OK to change what a customer wants.
What I want to know is what she did with the batting & thread you sent with the 3rd quilt. You got it back, didn't you?

Screw me once - shame on you. I might have gone back a second time but there would have been some very direct communication as to my expectation. Three times - no way.

Unbelievable! Any longarmer should be able to deal with different battings, and different threads. This LA seems to have poor communication skills as well. I wouldn't have paid for the first quilt and would have been tempted to tell her to pick out the stitches and do it again with the correct batting. If she does that even once she will learn that the customer is always right. You absolutely should warn your guild friends, and the LQS if she does business through them.

wow--REALLY???? i've been quilting for people for 10 years now---i would NEVER be so presumptious!
if a customer comes in with a batt i use their batt- or if checking the packaging it does not (work) with the quilting the customer wants we talk about that-the reason (like if the quilting needs to be every 2" and they want a design that will leave too much space between quilting lines) if the customer asks for a batt i do not have- i go get the one she wants! if the thread she chooses turns out to be a problem we talk about that--- i always get my threads out & let the customer choose (we spread threads out & decide together---and if i wind up having some problem with that thread i call & talk to her about it-before making any changes...I would not have given this person 3 chances---if it's not done right the first time (unless there's a good reason & communication has been open & honest) i would never go back- or give a referral- i'm quite amazed this person has customers.

Send them to one of the amazing quilters on this board???

Uh no. No LA - regardless of how fabulous, well-known, whatever - should change a customer's instructions without discussing and getting the OK of the customer.

Run in the opposite direction and find someone else!

If you like her quilting I would ask her if I insisted that that is what I want would she do it. Depends on her answer. My LA priced me right out of the market. I sent mine out and was happy. Except for my first quilt I sent out and this woman charged me way toooooo much for what she did.

I hate to break this to you Bellaboo, but you never had a Longarm quilter in this person. What you had was a computer operator. IMHO that is the problem with people who go out and invest in a computer operated longarm setup, they never really learn how to LA quilt. They learn how to load a quilt, Input the proper data into the program the computer operates on and let her rip. If faced with just one teeny tiny obstacle that isn't normal for their computer run setup they don't have the foggiest idea how to proceed. It is obvious from her responses to you about using only one kind of batting and stating the classes told her to change what the customer wants to what is best for her CG setup, same with the thread. I am sure there are CG quilters out there who are sensitive to their client's needs. Rose Maynes on this board comes to mind. Quilted Dove may be another to consider. You want the perfection of CG quilting I think you need to find someone who learned howto LA quilt before they learned how to digitize a design into a computer. Makes all the difference in the world.

she would get one chance remeber you are the paying customer

You have been more than tolerant of bad business behavior, no matter what the service the customer should get what they paid for... any deviations should have been discussed. Drop her ! There are plenty who do very nice work, are a pleasure to work with and are members of this board.

My thoughts exactly!

Did she return the batt and thread you supplied since she don't use them? :mad:The third time would be the charm for me to start looking for another longarmer!