I watch as they cut if the cut is uneven I will ask for her to even it out before my cut. especially as you say if it is off. What a waste for us the buyer. I told the gal it should not be my waste. She cut even for me. No, I wasn't nasty.:) Thank you all for the info

All of my local shops, including Keepsake Quilting, cut generously. Hancock's of Paducah has, more than once, sent me an extra 12". The only place I have ever received a less than 36" usable yard is JoAnn's.