I REALLY don't like shopping at J's (or any other large chain store) for fabric. Partcularly at J's, they usualy hire people who don't sew. They are not aware that if the fabric fold is not on a straight line, they will be cutting crooked, even in the scissor groove. When I nicely ask them to be sure that the fold is on the straight line, they get an attitude. I also don't like the quality of most of their fabrics anymore. I know that the LQS is pricier, but I get better fabric, I KNOW that they know how to cut, I can actually ask quesions and get them answered and I'm suporting local business. Most employees at the big chains act like they are serving a prison sentence and you are only there to make sure that they suffer. Bad service and bad fabric = no patronage from me. I don't need to pay for the privilege of being treated badly, shorted on bad quality fabric and being scammed on their so-called "coupon deals".

Waste of gas or not, go back there. Short-changed like that is the same as stealing. It could be an honest mistake and an opportunity for further training on the companies part. If it happens again, I would write corporate a well documented letter with names and dates.

Does your employer agree to this policy? How do they adjust the inventory?

I used to work at a Joanns about 10 years ago. One thing we were warned about early on was to cut PRECISELY on the line for correct yardage, no more, no less. They said if everyone got 1" over the correct measurement the store would lose a yard of fabric for every 36 customers. That would amount to quite a lot of money each day. So if you count shrinkage when washing, fabric being crooked from all the sizing, you should get 1/4 yard extra each time you get fabric from Joanns. That is why I rarely get fabric there.

what annoys me is that they measure right to the yard mark but sometimes the piece previously cut was not cut straight and when the folded edge is at 1 yard, the other end could not be.

I have asked them to move it or trim it straight.

Rather them give you that smidgen of fabric, they trim it and throw the smidgen away.......

the one cutter in the LQS uses the thumb method.....a thumb's measure for shrinkage..........now that's a quilter at heart!!!!!!!

I always watch to make sure it's cut in the amount I asked for and that if it's been previously cut wrong/on a slant, that they take that into account. I don't mind my fabric being cut exactly on the nose but will not accept it being short cut for whatever reason.

I agree with this fact most of the time the girls do their best and a tad more sometimes. It pays to watch close.

I have complain to the to HQ and I get no responds from them. So its like spitting in the wind!!! they don't care and the next closes joann's is 2 hrs. away. I think we should boycott them until someone responds.

Not only do you have to micro watch them-I went to one where the woman did not know to cut a panel.She argued with me that it was by the yard and a "real quilter" would use the excess for scrap quilts. I had to buy an extra 1/4 yd to get a full panel! Not a happy camper that day!

I have been shorted as well. I needed 1 yard cuts of their Kona which I had coupons for. When I got home I was preparing to cut when I noticed I was short 1 1/2" on every piece Grrrrrrr! The next time I was at the store I mentioned it to the manager and she said they had just hired new people, no excuse though and she would make sure scissors were sharp and the measurements were more accurate. Nothing suggested to make it right!! But it doesn't only happen at Joann's!!

Kathi in PA

I've asked them to square up when the leading edge is really wonky. They usually act like I've asked them to perform a horrible action. They do it but then... the attitude upsets me.

At my LQS if you're standing there, the clerk will look up and confirm the cut with you. I.e., Ma'am you did ask for 2 yards of this?

I watch them measure like a hawk and I don't hesitate to ask for a "generous yard." I also don't hesitate to ask them to remeasure if they are talking and not paying attention. I almost got 1 1/2 yards instead of the 2 1/2 yards I had asked for. I point it out when the yardage for the previous customer was cut crookedly and make them pull the fabric over so that I don't get short changed. It's your yardage and you are paying for it. If they can't do their job properly, tell them what to do and don't feel bad about it.

no I always watch the cutting, usually they give a little more as they are straightening it up, which is a good thing, because when you wash it it shrinks and it also goes back to the straight grain, my rule is to add about 5 inches for these 2 things to end up with what I need.
works so far.:)

I AM the employer. Even still, the markup on fabric is such that the loss of 15 - 22 1/2 inches from a standard 15 yard bolt is neglible.

Worth more to keep a happy RETURNING customer than to lose one - or MORE when word-of-mouth travels and you become known as the "jip shop".

This QB is a prime example of word getting around.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I agree with Crafty Bear - call the store and complain - loudly. Well not too loudly, I did that once in a car dealership and every time we came back in the service manager would see me and go the other way, but he would talk to my husband who thought it was funny.

I too watch them like hawks, they need to pay better attention to what they are doing, our time is our money. I had a gal one time so busy talking to another about her date last nite and not paying attention to what she was doing that my one yard pieces were quarter yard pieces, and i had a lot, i didn't say anything until she was done, then i asked her,"how much did i say i wanted" she said a quater of a yard and i said "no i didn't" i wanted a yard, she cut the same exact amount her fellow employee was cutting for her customer.
I told her i want someone else to cut the fabric over and not her, i said it loud enough that everyone standing around the counter had heard what i said. And she said all she had to do was cut 3/4 of each and she would be done and i yelled and said ABSOLUTELY NOT. She got the message and so did the manager.
You need to get ruff and tuff with them

No longer buy fabric at our local Joanns. They cut short and couldn't care less if is off grain and wonky. If you say anything there is a major attitude problem with the sales help. Worth the couple of extra dollars per yard at the local LQS where they know sewing. You would think upper managment would care as lost customers affects profits.

Tell the local manager and email the headquarter. You may get a better response

As a former Jo-Ann manager, don't cut your fabric, but call the manager explain the situation, and take it back. Make sure you get the correct amount.

I've seen that at JoAnn's more then any other fabric store.

Also if you are buying an unopened bolt make them unwrap and measure it. More times then not a bolt marked 12 yds will only have 11.5 or 11.75 yards on it.

Here's another complaint about JoAnn's. I just replied to another topic. Keep eyes open I guess.

I usually watch as they cut. But, the last time I was there, the guy measured 1 yard and 1 inch, did he give me the extra inch for free?? NO! Was the extra inch the last of the bolt, YES! Needless to say, I don't go there much anymore for fabric or anything that needs cutting. I just buy thread and notions on sale.

I've noticed that "pinch" at our store, too. If they're unsure of how many yds. they measured, they measure again. I do watch though.

I have, and when I brought fabric again from J's I watch the clerk cut my fabric crooked and I refused the fabric. I had the clerk cut me another piece the correct way. Then I went and brought both pieces of fabric.

I just bought fabric at Jo-Anns the other day. It is still in the bag. I'll have to measure it and see I was buying costume fabric so I was just estimating what I would need. When I buy fabric for a quilt I almost always buy more that I need just to be sure I have enough to do what I want to do. I'm always changing my plan for the fabric

And carry a measuring tape, to prevent 'accidental' shortages.

This is such a sore spot with me. The local JoAnn's here has been hiring young guys for a couple years now. I find they are better at giving you the full measure BUT.....someone needs to know how to train ALL their employees how to cut different mediums. This goes for Hancock's Fabrics as well (not to be confused with Hancock's of Paducah). Can't count how many times I've stopped someone with their scissors ready from cutting plaids and panels. One lady even cut a panel as it was folded for the woman in front of me. It was a complete waste. Plaids should be measured so that you will get the full yardage on the shorter side of the cut. The store will lose the amount of fabric on the longer cut according to how warped it is when the bolt was wrapped. Plaids are cut on the line, single thickness. And burlap? I doubt if even the store manager knows how to snip and pull a cord.

Keep your eyes on Walmart also and any place that hires people who can fill out an employment form or pages someone from sporting goods to cut fabric. Many of them are unaware that the position of the fingers/thumb they are using against the measuring line can make a difference of up to an inch per yard. Independent fabric stores and quilt shops tend to hire people who know about what they sell and I've rarely had a problem in those types of stores.

We're the only ones who are going to prevent wasting our own money.

The people in my JoAnn's are always nice, but so are most of the people in this town. And I'm not biased, because I've only lived here 3 years. I always get a full yard and usually a tad over. They always look at the last cut and make sure the yard is marked so it's a full yard all the way across. Most of them even look for flaws and ask if I want the flawed area with a discount or if I want a different cut. They also offer end of bolt discounts when appropriate. There are some younger college kids that are not as knowledgeable, but in general I'm quite happy shopping there.

I always watch and also make sure the cut isn't crooked. If it is I make them flip it over and measure the other side. I have made them do a recut when it is short.

I would usually stand there and make sure they cut the right amount, but I'm such a regular there that the ladies mostly give me an extra 2-3 inches anyway. They get so involved talking with me about my projects, they often ask me to return to the store to show them the finished piece. They are lovely people to do business with.

I watch very closely and if I think it may be a little short I ask them to measure again before they cut. Sometimes they are more careful if they know they are being watched!

this is a good thread. Newbies like me wouldn't know what to watch for. It would be nice if they hire people who know what to do. My Joann's seems pretty good, they give me what's left of extra yard for example.

everytime i get material cut i stand there and watch !!

Same here.

You can not TRUST anyone! It seems everyone is after the almighty dollar. And IT isn't worth much anymore. When I have to shop I feel as if I am going to battle. Bait and switch, short cutting yardage, not as advertised; the list goes on............ :twisted: :hunf: :thumbdown: :-(

Yes, I bought grey fleece for backing on the OSU quilt I made and when I got the top completed, found that I was 5 inches short on the fleece. I loaded up the fleece, my receipt (never through any receipt away - in a plastic container in my quilt room) and lugged the piece bag to the store. They were very apologetic and replace the material after they measured it and found that yes, it was short (according to the receipt) luckily I only live 10 minutes away.

I have never been shorted-but a few times, if there are a couple of extra inches onthe bolt, they just give it to me. I say something like oh, that last couple of inches isn't really good for anything-it's crooked and will have to be cut off and lost, anyway. The staff at the 2 Joann's I go to, for the most part, are really nice. I think it also helps for you to be over-friendly and smile, as that seems to soften them. Anyway, I am lucky. But, I also watch each measurement and even comment so they know I am watching, but not so they think I am not trusting them. I would keep a close watch and remember which employee shorted you, and report it to the manager of the store-in a nice way-like they just made a mistake. I don't like to make waves unless necessary, as I still would want a pleasant shopping experience everytime I go.

This is good advice, but in THIS case, if it were short, it is the fault of the mfg, not Joann's, but it should be brought to the manager's attention. I would also note the details on the end of the bolt, and report it to their corporate office.

I've been quilting for over thirty years, way before they had lqs. In the beginning I would always wash my fabrics, fold them and put them away. When I would finally get around to using them and needed a FULL yard of fabric, I would notice that the fabric would only be about 33-34" long. At first I thought it was because I had washed the fabric. One day I had a pile of fabric from Joanne's that I didn't wash and decided to use it without washing it. My fabrics were only 34.4" to 35" long. I was really upset about it, but there was nothing I could do because I had had it way too long to take it back.

I started watching them quite closely and there were a number of ways they can short you without them realizing it. If I think that their fabric is short I will measure it out right in front of them. This is a subtle way of letting them know that I am watching them. If they make a comment about me measuring the fabric, I tell them the truth, that often times my fabric doesn't measure a full yard when I get it home.

At my Joanne's the clerks hold the fabric firmly when they measure. I asked several different clerks about this and they say that that is the way they are taught to measure fabric. Fabric like polar fleece and stretchy materials I always measure before I leave the counter. This saves me a trip back to the store.

Yep, and that's why I don't shop at JoAnn's. One thing they do consistently is measure from the long edge of an unevenly cut bolt, so you ultimately get less than your yard. I always asked them to square up the edge, or measure from the short side. It irks them, but that's what I pay them for. Once burned....