I always watch them cut fabric also. The last time I bought a lot of fabric at JoAnns they had the 50% off red label fabric I got about 10 kinds of fabric. One kind I only wanted 1/2 yard ($2 a yard), Instead of half a yard he charged me for 50 yards ($100), I caught it before going to checkout.But then, he messed up something else that I didn't catch until I got home, had to go back and have it fixed. You really have to watch everything.

Joann is a huge store, with fabric sales in the millions. If they shorted even a tiny percentage of their customers by an inch or two their annual sales would climb dramatically. This is only possible, because customers don't return unsatisfactory purchases. If enough fabric came back to the store and the company had to pay staff for listening to dissatified customers, writing refund tickets, and restocking merchandise when they could be racking up sales - things would change.
Use the gas to voice your discontent and let them know that online stores more convenient and have a much better customer service policy. A couple of times have gotten mixed orders from online stores and they sent the correct order and told me to keep the incorrect fabric.

No, I do not know about that store, what street is it on? Thank you!!!!!

That makes sense... but they could use them in quilting shops. Their fabrics don't stretch.

I always buy 1/4 yd. more than I need at Joann's because they cut with scissors, not rotary cutters, so often cut less than they should AND at an angle. Very annoying! Now that their fabric costs as much as the LQS, I don't buy fabric there much. Just go for batting and rotary cutter blades with coupons. I also buy Mettler thread at Joann.com.

Or use them in JoAnns and other such fabric stores---for non stretch type fabrics. I for one do not purchase polar fleece and other stretchy fabrics (it's just too darn hot to use those types of fabrics here). So cottons, and home dec fabric would be perfect for using those meters.

Sibyl

Let them know might save someone else from having that problem

Raising my hand. I live in Northeast Fl and I've had it happen. I would think if the employees who are at the cutting table would cut correctly. Go figure

At my Joanns I have learned not to go at the "off" times - it is totally horrible to TRY get one of the two people working to check you out. For two spools of thread I really needed I waited almost 15 minutes for someone to show up. Went looking but couldn't find a soul. It was tempting to walk out without paying but I couldn't do that. Next time I am going to stand there and yell for someone to come!

Cutting of fabric: I agree that fabric should be cut accurately. But I don't expect to get "something for nothing" either. If I wanted an inch or two extra every time I would ask for that to be cut and would expect to pay for it. If a yard is needed and you know the fabric will shrink get a yard and 1/8. Businesses big and small run on something called "margins" and whatever they give away in one place they have to make it up somewhere else.

My LQS always cuts generously but their prices are high on everything so they make up for it somewhere. I admire the LQS owner here who cuts generously and expects increased sales and nothing else. Her margins must be outstanding!

I've had fabrics cut "short" at LQS also.

Like six out of eight pieces. It was only 1/8 to 1/4 inch short, but still - - - - It was $9.80/yard - at that price, I wanted every thread of it I was entitled to.

I like "extra" as much as the next person - but I won't complain if I "only" get what I asked for.

The associate was trying to stretch the fabric before cutting it.

I don't expect 2 ounces extra of hamburger for free when all I requested is one pound of the product.

In fairness to that shop, they did make up for the problem - BUT the store was 30 miles from my home and not on my usual routes.

I have to say I've had good and bad experiences at the cutting table at the 3 JoAnns within 75 miles. I try to go during off hours so I can take the time to watch how things are cut. Many of the cutters are inexperienced, and some truly have no idea how to measure or use scissors so are grateful for the help. Those who know about sewing tend to ask what I'm going to make. On a few occasions I've had them "suggest " I ask for a lesser amount of clearance fabric than planned for a charity quilt just so they can give me the final partial yard of the bolt for 50% off the clearance price- very thoughtful! They've even pulled smaller bolts of the same fabric from the cart behind the cutting counter to do this, which is so much appreciated. On the other hand there have been times when a cutter slashes through the middle of a panel, or insists on cutting a crooked piece and I will quietly refuse it- necessitating a discussion with the manager who is called over. JoAnns has good and bad employees and policies, and there is very little consistency. Their fabric and all seasonal merchandise prices are swinging higher, and I don't shop without a good sale or coupons. Seems like they are chasing away customers who aren't "in the know" about the flyers. I have severe arthritis and do miss the scattered seating benches tremendously, but the managers just blame Corporate.

Haven't there been studies saying that the longer a person is in a store, the more they are apt to buy?

If my feet or back are hurting - I'm out of there - but if I can get a rest break - I mightl continue to look. And possibly spend more.

Oh my goodness, you are in for a treat! Going north on 23, get off on Marion Williamsport going east. Then I think it is the first left (north) on Cascade Drive. You will see the big painted barn quilt on the side of the building. It's in an industrial park type area. Prices have always been very reasonable. They carry tons of reproduction material.

Also, have you been to Serendipity south of Waldo on old Route 23? It's about maybe a mile south of Waldo, if that far. It's a cute little quilt shop also.

I also like the little qult shop on the way to Kenton on Rt 30, I think--whatever that route is that is a direct shot from Marion to Kenton. It's on the north side of the road, closer to Kenton. It's run by a wonderful Mennonite family.

Where are you located? I'm originally from the Waldo-Ashley area, now in Illinois. Relatives all over the place.

Absolutely, I had forgotten about those - but yes, they were great!!

They combined 2 Joann's stores into a large one in town and have a system for waiting on you - "take a number" - while I still think they need another person behind the counter, it was at least fair and you could continue shopping until they called your number over the PA. Another thing they had was a big automatic/electronic measuring and cutting machine for larger cuts of material - she was still learning to use it but it looked pretty neat!!

Marysewfun

I always watch them when they measure my fabric. However ordering online is a different story. It drives me crazy when I order 3 yards of fabric and they only send me 2. Granted, they only charged me for 2, but I needed 3 for my project. What a pain.

My Joann's also has the take a number system - I like it - if I take and number and get distracted and my number is called and I am not ready yet, I simply give my number to someone else or just have what I gathered so far and get it cut. Sometimes I find more after, so I just start over and get two receipts. If I don't want to shop more, I enjoy chatting with others waiting.

I just back from a trip and had fabric cut in a LQS and wondered around while she cut the fabric. I think I need to measure it. In JoAnn's I always watch because new staff sometimes aren't acurate.

Hi, I'm from Florida and new to the board, but I read it all the time. I just had to put in my 2 cents worth on this subject. At my local Joann store they don't give any extra at all and I watch to make sure they are cutting the fabric straight. Makes me think that when they are cutting fabric they don't really pay attention to what they are doing at all. That sure doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Happens to me alot. I was even charged for 2 yards when I only got 1/2 yard.

With all the people in this country unemployed, why can't these stores hire people who want a job and want to keep it? How many college grads are looking for any kind of employment?

The employees in my JoAnn's are generous - they measure thoughtfully, and then add an inch at no charge.

grayma what is the pattern for your picture? :?:

I would watch the employee who is cutting and make sure that you get what you are paying for.

Many years ago I frequented a local chain store and the lady who cut fabric said they had "secret" shopping happening all of the time on any goods that could be subject to inaccuracies on the part of an employee. She lived in fear it would be someone who shopped regularly. Appartently that had happened. Anyway the point is she (and everyone in the fabric department) did not give a 1/4" more. Sometimes you got home short because of using scissors and the fabric not being square.
With the economy as it is, many people are in fear for their jobs...others just don't know...then there are those who simply don't care.

I usually watch them as they cut and if I feel I might be shorted I question the fabric before I accept it. I have on occassion been shorted and they will recut.

I usually have pretty good service, but maybe I should pay a bit more attention!

I watch - correct as needed and and point out if one end is short so they measure from shortest side.

Recently bought at J's and on several of the pieces there was some leftover after what we wanted, like 1/4yard or and 8th when asked if we wanted it we said "OK". The employee then discounted the extra the same as the remnant prices. I thought that was pretty good idea.

Same here. :twisted:

I'm not complaining here, just letting ya'all know what happened at the JA's I visited recently in Bluefield, WV.
The clerk was a very nice young girl. Helpwas short, but she kept her cool and time helping each customer with their cuts.
However, as she was cutting the ladies fabric in front of me, she cut off the first 1/2" - 2 1/2" saying it was company policy to straighten the fabric before cutting the customers piece for them.
The lady was aghast as was I. As politely as I could, I stated that no matter how much she cut off, if the selvedge was not straight all the way across the whole bolt, the customer was still not going to get a straight cut of fabric. As sewers, we all know (I am assuming we do and you all know what that word means), that we straighten and square up our own fabric when we get it home before we cut it up. The clerk understood and I stated to her I did not want her 'straightening' my fabric as I would do it after I washed it and before I used it. She understood and left it the way it was. I told her as long as I am giving her permission, it was ok.
After I got it home, I washed, and then I went ahead and straightened and squared it up. I had to cut a piece from each end as was that went from 1/4" up to 1 1/2".
I took pics to show you the difference. Can you imagine if JA's has 100 cusotmers on an average day and each blot of fabric before teh piece is curt for the customer, how much is wasted by the company? Boggles my mind the higher ups and their thinking.