Okay,

I get it that LQS have a higher quality fabric.

I have a LQS that's about a 1/2 an hour away, and she does carry some great stuff (I treat myself there) There's also a GREAT shop that's about 2 hours away, but it's on the way to my parent's house, so I stop there when I can.

There's a FABRIC store (not a quilt shop) that is literally 2 minutes from my work. The problem - I think it's HORRIBLY overpriced. ($15 for a Moda Charm pack) and most of the fabric is outdated.

Should I just suck it up and deal? I hate that I'm ignoring a locally owned and operated shop, but do I need to overpay for discontinued fabric?

Sorry.... I'm struggling with this one...

I say go to the one you like best. If a business wants to stay in business it does what it needs to please it customers. You are not obligated to shop somewhere just because it's local.

I get what I want from where i want. I will shop at the fabric store,not quilt shop, here in town. the quilt shops are further away and more expensive. If you don't really like it I wouldn't buy it. and If the other places aren't to far away and you like them better, then go there.

go where you want to, no one tells me how or where to spend my money.

i go to LQS's and JoAnns. it is what i can afford at the time, or the project i am working on or looking to make.

i travel 45 minutes to visit 2 different quilt shops, because i love the owner and the shop..

Because of how far away the disireable (but pricey for me) quilt shop is, I tend to shop at the mom and pop one here, Wal-mart, JoAnn's, and Hobby Lobby. I have begun to get fabric off e-bay. Some great folks with great prices if yu watch where you get it from.

$15 for a charm pack???? They are $8.00 around my area.
I travel anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more depending on what I am looking for. For backings I will be traveling 2 hours one way later next week.

That was what did me in!!

I'll continue to treat myself at the two shops I love, but I'll stick to JoAnn's instead of the $$$ lady...

=)

If you are comfortable buying online, you can get some great deals on the same fabric your local shop will have. I spread my business around. I'd like my LQS to stick around, but I can't afford to buy all of my supplies there. If there's a collection you've seen that you like, you will be finding the same quality online. There have been a few recent threads with links to some great places. Check out www.charmpacksplus.com for the one you looked at. Most of them are in the $8 range and I believe are usually free shipping.

I've bought from charm packs plus a few times -- they spoil me!! I highly reccommend them! (even though I can't spell!)

I know and understand your dilemma!! I am in the same position. I would like to support my LQS's (I am lucky in that I have quite a few within 30-45 minutes drive), but, the cost of the fabric and notions is astronomical. My solution? I buy fabric on-line from the States!! Even tho' I live in South Australia, I spend the majority of my quilting money in America - go figure!! Compare the cost: Kaffe Fassett $25/m (yes! $25!!) in Adelaide, and with the shipping and exchange rate - $12-15/m from the States!!

Basically, I pay approximately 1/2 price for the same fabric if I purchase it from America!! Oh yes!! This also includes Australian Aboriginal fabric made in Australia!! How's that work? I can buy it cheaper in America than where it is made!!

So, at the moment, especially since our exchange rate is so great (yipee !!) I will continue to enhance the American economy!!

The best online shops: fabric.com; fabricdepot.com; quilthome.com; virginiaquilter.com; equilter.com & aaaquiltersupplybizland.com. I have had great service from all of these suppliers, but especially fabric.com!! They have gone the extra mile for me several times!!

Spend your money where you want to!! Even tho' you may pay a bit more somewhere else if you get exceptional service and the people are great!!

Kind regards, Dianne

I shop where I can afford to, with occasional splurges here and there :wink: As much as I would love to always support local businesses, it is not always affordable...

If it has what I want and the customer service is excellent with reasonable prices then that's the store I will shop at. I would ask why the high price on the charm packs when they are half that at other quilt shops. Maybe twice the charms in the package? I grew up with Mom and Pop stores, the only ones in town. The selection was limited to what they wanted to sell to you. I have no sentiment toward local M&P stores whatsoever.

Do what you want! This is the USA! :thumbup:

I have a LQS about 5 minutes from my home, but everytime I walk in there, with the exception of one clerk they act like it is a royal inconvenience to wait on me. I've had them totally ignore me, or leave in the middle of a question to go answer the phone. I found another LQS about 20 min from my house and it is like being on another planet. They can't wait to help anyone with any question. (They even make DH feel welcome.) Even some of the other customers will help me if asked. Guess where I spend the majority of my money? I also buy on line, I love charmpacksplus.com. Good prices, great quality and the best service. I've bought off ebay, but have learned to buy known fabric lines. Some of the generic charm packs are not the best quailty fabric. Shops need to understand that consumers vote with their dollars, quilters also share their experiences on line. :-)

I would not give it a second thought. You need to get what YOU like, and pay a nice price.

Have fun looking for fabrics. One of my LQS has fat quarters on sale each month 25 for $30.00.

I'd say go to the one that you like. If people quit going to the LQS, maybe they will decide that their prices are too high and their selection is not that great and they could change things.

I buy a lot of fabric and some notions from my LQS that I purchased my machine at. When I factor in shipping on most stuff, her prices are comparable to what I would get online. But I buy online as well for stuff she doesn't carry. I don't feel quilty about it. I'm supporting someone else's LQS when I buy online. :) I'm a big advocate of small business and try very hard to support them. I try my very hardest NOT to support Walmart.

My LQS has put them on permanent sale 20 for $25.00. They are made with the end of the bolt fabrics so you can not get yardage of any of them. I have gone with my niece and we split the purchase.

TRY SHOPPING ON LINE FOR FABRIC HAVE FOUND SOME REAL BARGINS.