Has anyone ever been short changed on the amount of fabric? I've bought fabric and fusible there and sometimes I only get 32-34 inches. It's too far to waste the gas to take it back.

I would call the store and talk to manager and complain!

I stand right there and make sure it is exactly what I asked for before they cut. If I see the gal starting to snip, I stop her and ask her to check it again... politely saying.. "I really need a full yard for my project". Most of the cutters at the JoAnn's I go to are a little generous when they cut, going just a tad over the 36 inches.

I'll have to pay closer attention from now on!

I like most of the girls at JoAnns here, but NEVER have they over cut a yd by even a tad! I spose I should measure to see if they under cut by any more than a tad. hmmm

Me too I watch them like a hawk, however I will say that most of the cutters at my store are experienced and make sure that the fabric is straight etc.

I used to work there and they made us pinch the fabric so the customer didn't get 1/16th of an inch more.
Yes,you watch them and count with them.

I always watch!

Yes, when the new JoAnn's opened every one of my fabrics was short. When I go now, I make sure I get a clerk that I am familiar with so that I get what I pay for.

it is always a good idea to pay attention- and not let the sales person( person cutting) to be visiting---not payin attention when having product cut-
it's not just joannes=
i've been at lqs' when the clerk was talking away- (chit=chatting) while measuring/cutting to find you only get 2 yards when you asked for 3= or to get 3/4 of a yard when you asked for 1 1/2.
i used to wander away and look at other items while my stack of fabrics were being cut- only to find i did not get any cuts i asked for- even when i had 5 bolts and said-i'd like one yard of each----to me that should be easy---only to find i got anything from 1/2 yard to 1 1/4 yards- she was busy chatting with a different customer while cutting my fabric---now i stand there-and watch the measuring- and even question it before they cut if i don't think it's lined up right - and i watch to see what the fabric looks like as it is being rolled off the bolt- i've seen (at joannes) fabric that is in 2 pieces- put together with a wide zigzag- and the sales person was going to just give me my piece with that (seam) down a section of my cut---i tell them-no i don't want that= please start over beyond the seam....most of the time they will automatically- but once in a while- they don't even seem to see it/pay any attention to it- unless it is brought to their attention.

You have to figure that they don't pay them much (although my boss claims he has college grads who would love my low paying job...) and some of them have never sewn in their lives.

We had a Jo-Ann fabric an hour away at a mall. Below the mall was The Piece Goods shop--knowledgeable, helpful staff and 98% of the merchandise sewing-related. They closed. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

The mall Jo-Ann's was 2/3 sewing related. Staff, mostly, snotty and inclined to gossiping with each other.
For example: I stopped one evening at a silk flower sale outside the door and picked a load for my students to use making Mothers' Day gifts. Their total was way over my total--I pointed out the difference and they said "Oh, that sale was over yesterday." I could have pushed it because of the sale sign on the display but I left the flowers and then I left. Who needs to deal with snippy sales people? They're gone now, too.

I also watch the cutting like a hawk. I really pay attention when it comes to my money.

I haven't had any problems locally.

I'm always 1-2" short. I don't like that they use scissors. Even with the groove in the table, I feel like it's not as straight line accurate as a rotary cutter

my experiences with JoAnn employees have all been very good. I used to live in Akron Oh and the employees at all 3 locations I shopped were customer oriented - never an issue on getting what I paid for. I now live in Las Vegas and only have 1 location to shop but, again, the employees are great.

i think they are instructed to cut to the 36" thread and no more!!

i do understand, i did work for joanns at one time, but let me tell you, most people that work there now DO NOT sew..so they have no clue as to how much a yard is, or 3/4 even, it is a sad state when you have to watch everyone like a hawk, but if you have to, you have to. I would definately call the manager and let them know, this isnt the first time you have been cheated..i wish you luck,
katz

I watch them cutting also. Would it kill them to give an extra inch to make up for any off cut on the other end? Love the way they cut fabrics in Zooks and Sauders in Lancaster area, they use a yard stick and throw in an inch or two .

I don't have problems at Joann's. But at Hancock Fabrics they don't have anything on the table to guide their cuts, and some of their scissors are really dull. Eyeballing a straight line over 22" is difficult! I only buy fabric there if it's a really good sale, and I always get at least an extra 1/8 yd, to make up for the wonkiness of the cut.

I always watch them, whether it's JoAnn's or LQS. One time at Hobby Lobby the clerk told me that she'd never cut fabric and didn't even know how many inches were in a yard...

I always watch when they are cutting but I go early during the week when they are not so busy or inattentive. Guess I'll really have to check next time I buy fabric from them. I read that they are going to build a Joann's store in Glendora, CA, so I can't wait for that store to open. They have a Joann's store in Covina, CA, but it's old, small and not very modern. Hopefully the new store in Glendora will be large and modern and well stocked with better quality fabrics.

I had that happen to me at Hobby Lobby too!

Unforunately Piece Godd Shops went bankrupt which is why they all closed. I worked for them at the time and they tried reorganization but unforunately it didn't work. It was actually wwhen they started imitating Jo-Ann's and carrying more noon sewing related merchandise that they got in trouble. Still miss them not only as an employee but as a customer.

I too watch every cut not only to get an acurate measurement but, I want the fabric cut straight as well(I do this at all stores not only JoAnn's). I have never had a problem at JoAnns but, last weekend I caught a male manager to ask for a certain fabric and he couldnt avoid me fast enough...I did catch his name and reported him when I got home via the internet....I've been in there 4 times now (45 miles away) for a 2 yard piece of fabric that is supposed to be in stock at all times..I even had the fabric with me to show them but, still haven't gotten it.
Weird thing is..its a JoAnns fabric and they DON'T carry it for sale online

Same here at our Hancocks. They never get it cut right.

Yep. Just once, many years ago.

That's why I watch with an eagle eye as they lay out and measure my fabric. If it doesn't look right to me, I stop the clerk before they cut and ask (politely) for them to re-measure. I also keep an eye on the fabric for possible flaws and once the fabric has been marked for cutting, ask the clerk to turn it over so I can check the underneath side for flaws as well.

So far, every time I've felt that the length looked short, re-measuring proved me right.

I shop at the Las Vegas Jo-Ann Fabrics Store, and I haven't had such good encounters with their employees. I found them snippy and unwilling to answer questions, even basic ones like: "do the sewing needles fit all machines?" They didn't know, and that was at the desk that sold the Viking machines. And I didn't appreciate the comment about "Whenever I wanted to get rid of my Brother Sewing Machine and get a "real" sewing machine, I should come back and see them." The audacity, really! I was asking about needles for my Brother Sewing Machine, and she treated me like I was a piece of trash.

And the fabric cutting. They were downright put out with me for standing there and making sure I received a yard when I asked for a yard, and making them give me a little more when the end of the bolt was obviously so badly cut it would need to have material cut off to straighten it. So I said "fine, straighten it now, and then cut off a yard." I don't think they knew what I was talking about, so they gave me an extra few inches. And they were very put out when I asked to examine both sides of the fabric for flaws before they made the final cut, even though I asked very nicely and sweetly. I learned that from another post on this Quilting Board, when a fellow was in the middle of a project and found flaws in $18 a yard fabric. He hadn't checked it at the time it was cut, and since he'd pre-washed and further cut it, he couldn't return it. So now I check every bit of fabric I buy. But I do it nicely, sweetly even. I even go when the store is least likely to be busy. But at some stores, it doesn't seem to matter. Asking for any service out of the ordinary seems to make them crabby, and Jo-Ann's is at the top of that list. When I want to buy really nice fabric, and receive nice service, I go to a Quilting Store. Yes, it's more expensive, but also nice to be treated like a person.

Enough with the ranting. With the cost of fabric these days, you just can't be too careful!

My Joanne's employees( the ones at the newest store to me) are usually the nicest! They are generous cutters! And very friendly!
If you have had problems, be sure to get a name, so the manager can address each complaint directly to the individual!
MJ

I just stand there and watch closely..being very nice and friendly at the same time.

I always stand right there when they cut. i do that at all stores. i pay for a yard i want a yard

I've noticed that some tend to pull on the fabric that is being measured. If you are getting several yards for backing there are times mine has come up almost 6" short of what I had requested.

I always watch them do the measuring and cutting. I like to see what the first end off the bolt looks like. If it is lopsided then I ask them to start the measure after that because I'm going to have to square it up when I get home. Our local Joanne's is always a pain to get anyone to help you. Maybe I go at the wrong times, not sure. The other day I was in there, the place was packed, they had one person cutting and one person at the register with long lines at both. I heard one of the ladies waiting ask the clerk if they were the only ones here and she said "yes, and no one else was scheduled to come in". Looking at the line at the cutting table and the number of bolts each customer wanted cut I figured I was going to be there about 30 to 45 minutes. Didn't have that much time so just left.

It would be nice to get an extra few inches thrown in, but you have to remember this is not the five and dime anymore. Everything is computerized and accounted for - if they have a 25 yard bolt and the tags say only 24 yards were cut off it, because everyone got a few extra inches, it throws off their inventory.

No matter where I shop I watch them.

I used to work at Jo Anns a few years ago . then we always gave an extra thumb to make sure you weren't cheated BUT corperate came down hard on thatthey said " they said if they did that for every customer they would loose alot of money". So now there very tight to the ruler.ALWAYS MAKE SURE THEY LAY IT STRAIGHT,because if one side is longer than other you get shorted.

Why are you putting up with this?? I'm sure they're charging you for a yard so you should have a yard. Tell them to double check before they cut.

I've been short because the fabric is not cut straight and by the time you square it up you lose alot of fabric.

Yes, I have. That is why I watch them cut, and then I remeasure once it is given to me (I always carry a tape measure). Recently I was told that I could use either a coupon or my VIP card.... their registers are no longer able to deduct 10% off (I use on non-sale items) if a coupon is used. I usually buy all my notions (batting/books/patterns included) at Joann's, and until recently could use both... coupon on sale items and VIP card on non-sale. Makes me wonder if it is worth the bother since I need to travel 1 to 2 hours just to get to a Joann's. (My nearest Joann's is still closed because of the serious flooding from Irene.)

When I sell fabric, my policy for measurement is based on the following:

I add 1 - 1 1/2 inches extra to the first measurement.

So if the customer has asked for 3 yards, I measure 3 yards + (plus) 1 - 1 1/2 inches extra BEFORE I cut.

This method of measuring takes into account the fabric may not be or is generally NOT cut straight therefore, it may measure as 3 yards at the selvage, but in actuality, measure less in the inside centre.

Make sense? I've NEVER had a customer complain - only comment they received more than what they asked for.