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I hope you get GOOD news, and quickly! Prayers are on the wing...
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Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics
I hope you get GOOD news, and quickly! Prayers are on the wing...
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Originally Posted by loopywren
Originally Posted by Janebird
Oh, health care isn't an issue I should get started on. Suffice to say that I can't imagine adding the concern of payment to all the stress an illness causes. My sister in Virginia has just been through breast cancer and has extemely good coverage but is still out of pocket for a lot of money. Forget what I said about envy!
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When I started quilting I bought from local quilt shops and thought that was just the price you had to pay for fabric. then a few years ago, I ebay and couldn't believe the deals I was getting. Since that time I have found a few shops in the US that I buy from and I would say that I buy 99% of my fabric online. That is the only way I can afford to do as much quilting as I do. I will buy locally if I need something in a hurry to finish a project or want to start something right away but that is not very often. Just the other day I went to Fabricland (Like Joanns) and purchased some cottons that were $13 metre but they had them at 30% off. For me that is still way too expensive but at least we don't have a sales tax in Alberta. Our Walmarts no longer sell fabric so that isn't an option and I never liked the quality of their fabrics and cottons were selling for $8 metre when they still sold fabric.
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In a perfect world all of us quilters and sewers would live on a deserted island with tons of quilt shops and very reasonably priced fabric. Then we could share fabric and patterns. In a perfect world, of course!
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Not sure about that, I haven't bought woollen fabric for about 40 years.
What about woollen fabric?[/quote] |
Oh I feel guilty now.
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Originally Posted by deltadawn
I have paid over £13-00 per metre which according to todays exchange rate equals about $20.00. So when I read of you picking up bargains at less than $5.00 - I'm a little green with envy.............can you forgive me?!!!
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I'd love to buy locally made, but most of our manufacturing firms have been sold to the US or UK - including our Vegemite and UGG Boots!. The other day I looked at biscuits, and they were manufactured in Indonesia and Fiji. Trying to buy locally made here is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 95% are owned by overseas conglomerates. And don't even mention the call centres which all seem to be operated from India, and staffed by Indians and who can't speak English.
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Originally Posted by 2ursula
It seems a natural assumptions that prices are based on various rational considerations.
Rational considerations are the costs of making the product and all the costs of doing business, from advertising to delivering the product to the doors of people as well as taxes, fees and other ways the government extracts money from unsuspecting people. This is however only the basis for the MINIMUM (break-even) price. The by far more relevant factor in pricing products has absolutely nothing to do with any kind of thought that could appear rational to consumers: Merchants in general charge what the market will bear. No research institute, no university, no think tank has better or more updated demographics than the big merchandizers. Here is what merchants actually do: They use their demographics to determine 'what the market will bear' and then have their cost calculators determine whether this is enough over cost. Enough is a relative term. "The business of business is business."(Adam Smith, Founding Father of the Free Enterprise System, sort of) People are in the business to make as much money as they possibly can. It's the nature of business as we practice it. This system will eat us all, unless we start to be savvy consumers. When I heard what Chinese companies were doing to manipulate their Indian counterparts out of business I startet hording fabrics. I had much fun and now have enough fabric for at least 10 years. There is only one lever to get this system back into balance. Stop buying for a while. Most of the merchants NEED to maintain their cashflow to pay the bankers. That's how we get to see lower prices again - wherever we are. (The price at the product originators is below the relevance threshold. Remember, it is demographics that determines the price. People are more interested in quilting and crafting. So naturally, the craft and quilting store prices are (quite predictably) over the moon.) I learned this via Eve Online. Economics and how to be a sovereign politician and keep you area secure are both hard learned lessons in this game. A online game that mirrors and even goes beyond what the real world does. |
Originally Posted by Aussie Quilter
I'd love to buy locally made, but most of our manufacturing firms have been sold to the US or UK - including our Vegemite and UGG Boots!. The other day I looked at biscuits, and they were manufactured in Indonesia and Fiji. Trying to buy locally made here is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 95% are owned by overseas conglomerates. And don't even mention the call centres which all seem to be operated from India, and staffed by Indians and who can't speak English.
I know there is a few websites in America that state which products are made in America. I know that Companies are feeling some of the pinch from people irritated about CSR. one of the tricks to getting a CSR(Customer Service rep) locally is to keep asking for a supervisor. Eventually you will find someone. |
Not much different in America.
I know there is a few websites in America that state which products are made in America. I know that Companies are feeling some of the pinch from people irritated about CSR. one of the tricks to getting a CSR(Customer Service rep) locally is to keep asking for a supervisor. Eventually you will find someone.[/quote] Tried that, all they keep saying is "I no understand what you mean". Half an hour later I just hang up, and wonder just how much that one way conversation has cost me. |
By the by....Stampin UP products seem a little pricey but they are worth the price, the results are never disappointing. The same goes with fabric. Like my Mom always said "you are never sorry when you buy quality". I would buy fewer yards or pieces to have a better quality. I just love a true bargain.
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I have written about the average prices in OZ before, but would also like to add that the cheaper prices here, for similar looking fabric, is for the test runs that the manufacturer does on cheap fabric before they iron out all the bugs and start printing it on good quality stuff. The extra price could account for the fact that it often goes to the U.S. from Asia first, gets re - bolted and then sold on to us.
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prices for the new fat quarter fabrics in new zealand are around the $7.50 mark... and materials can range from $25 per metre to about $36.00 per metre... one quilt I made for a granddaughter was just over $500.00 and that includes paying for the quilting... can't do that too often...
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If you have read the previous message, that quilt was a queen size...
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Sometimes we just don't have a choice depending on where you live and what you want. Personally I either do the mail order thing or wait till I get to the city which is a 8 - 14 hr. drive depending on which direction I travel (north or south)
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After reading the first page I feel so humble, and grateful for all I have.
** HUGS ** to all you. Bless you for you creativity, ingenuity, and persistence to continue in your craft, hobby, and quilting. You all share so much. Although you all live so far away. You all inspire me. |
Originally Posted by gale
I don't know about Australia and UK but I know that just recently, the US dollar was right in line with the Canadian dollar. So other than the outrageous taxes they pay I can't imagine why it is SO much higher there. I'm a Stampin' Up demonstrator and the prices in the Canadian catalog are insane compared to the US prices.
When we were in Canada we ate at a McDonalds and for the 5 of us, it was over $30. In the US it's usually around $15-$17. |
Originally Posted by galvestonangel
Originally Posted by Cuilteanna
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I'm just guessing here but it seems that someone overseas could order lots of fabric from say Hancock's of Paducah as a customer sell it for $2 over the cost per yard over what it cost them and sell it out of their home and make a profit. Travel to guilds/groups in the area and sell it to sewers.
Long ago a friend of a friend used to sell fabric her husband would bring her back from business trips to the US. She charged just over her cost, but you had to be a friend and have the same taste in fabrics as herself! Fabric.com does ship internationally, as do many of the other online sites like Fabric Depot, Hancocks of Paducah, Keepsake Quilting, Erica's (those are just some I've used over the years). Global Priority envelopes used to slide through most frequently and I sometimes had an order in less than a week! Those were the good days before money was such an issue, LOL. Now I mainly do mini's, table runners, wallhangings or lap quilts (which are quilted on to a fleece blanket instead of batting and backing, which saves a LOT of money!) We have not decided which country we will be flying into, but do all countries (England, Ireland, France) tax things I, a US citizen, would bring in for my personal use or for gifts for my quilter friends. Is there an amount you can bring in without being taxed. In the US you can bring back $600 worth of merchandie without being taxed. I am asking a lot of questions because I don't see how they can tax me on personal property I'm bringing in. This may be a quilting vacation for me. This upsets me that a few yards are likely to be taxed. Have a wonderful trip |
Loopywren:As does my eldest daughter, and I am waiting to see if I have Kidney cancer. it certainly puts things into perspective. This board helps more than you can all realise. Thank you to all of you.[/quote]
My thoughts are with you and your sister. I'm a 2+ year BC survivor, and support groups were VERY helpful. This board is a support group! And there are probably other support groups near where you live. I hope you won't need either! |
Originally Posted by loopywren
We have to pay in insurance all our working lives but I do not know how it equates to what you pay. We could make this equation for many things, your car fuel is considerably cheaper than ours. but surely it doesn't matter what it all costs we have to pay it anyway, there must be good and bad things on both sides. it feels to me as if what started as a general discussion is getting a little unpleasant, I am very uncomfortable with the way this is going. I do not want to be part of this anymore.
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Originally Posted by judi wess
By the by....Stampin UP products seem a little pricey but they are worth the price, the results are never disappointing. The same goes with fabric. Like my Mom always said "you are never sorry when you buy quality". I would buy fewer yards or pieces to have a better quality. I just love a true bargain.
I learned it the hard way thinking that a beginner can do with the cheapest of materials ... It is hard to work with these low-quality materials, and I almost arrived at the conclusion that I 'did not have the right stuff' for a quilter. Most of the problems disappeared when I came to using up the better materials :D One more lesson learned. More to come. |
Originally Posted by Janebird
Originally Posted by loopywren
Originally Posted by Janebird
Oh, health care isn't an issue I should get started on. Suffice to say that I can't imagine adding the concern of payment to all the stress an illness causes. My sister in Virginia has just been through breast cancer and has extemely good coverage but is still out of pocket for a lot of money. Forget what I said about envy!
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So glad it is good news! What a relief for you. We are all happy for you!
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[quote looopywren] good and bad things on both sides. it feels to me as if what started as a general discussion is getting a little unpleasant, I am very uncomfortable with the way this is going. I do not want to be part of this anymore.[/quote]
I did not take anything unpleasant from anyone's statements. Although there are so overwhelmingly many likenessess between us all no matter where we live, there are indeed still some noteworthy differences, differences that make for very interesting viewpoints from one to another. These discussions provide understanding amongst us all. The comments I see on all kinds of subjects on this board are heartwarming, entertaining, informative, instructive, and thought-provoking. Nothing I've seen has made me uncomfortable. New viewers with comments may not have read all the posts, and may not know that what they have to contribute has already been said, but their viewpoints are valid nonetheless. If the moderators or admins choose to close a topic, that's all good, and: you can rest assured it will pop up again! That's just how us rolls! . |
Well, mloopwren, maybe our prayers came just in time. So glad to here good news like that.
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Originally Posted by Tussymussy
Originally Posted by galvestonangel
Originally Posted by Cuilteanna
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I'm just guessing here but it seems that someone overseas could order lots of fabric from say Hancock's of Paducah as a customer sell it for $2 over the cost per yard over what it cost them and sell it out of their home and make a profit. Travel to guilds/groups in the area and sell it to sewers.
Long ago a friend of a friend used to sell fabric her husband would bring her back from business trips to the US. She charged just over her cost, but you had to be a friend and have the same taste in fabrics as herself! Fabric.com does ship internationally, as do many of the other online sites like Fabric Depot, Hancocks of Paducah, Keepsake Quilting, Erica's (those are just some I've used over the years). Global Priority envelopes used to slide through most frequently and I sometimes had an order in less than a week! Those were the good days before money was such an issue, LOL. Now I mainly do mini's, table runners, wallhangings or lap quilts (which are quilted on to a fleece blanket instead of batting and backing, which saves a LOT of money!) We have not decided which country we will be flying into, but do all countries (England, Ireland, France) tax things I, a US citizen, would bring in for my personal use or for gifts for my quilter friends. Is there an amount you can bring in without being taxed. In the US you can bring back $600 worth of merchandie without being taxed. I am asking a lot of questions because I don't see how they can tax me on personal property I'm bringing in. This may be a quilting vacation for me. This upsets me that a few yards are likely to be taxed. Have a wonderful trip |
Oh thankgoodness it's benign! Keep watch is by far the best of all possible news.
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Originally Posted by tooMuchFabric
[quote looopywren] good and bad things on both sides. it feels to me as if what started as a general discussion is getting a little unpleasant, I am very uncomfortable with the way this is going. I do not want to be part of this anymore.
These discussions provide understanding amongst us all. The comments I see on all kinds of subjects on this board are heartwarming, entertaining, informative, instructive, and thought-provoking. Nothing I've seen has made me uncomfortable. New viewers with comments may not have read all the posts, and may not know that what they have to contribute has already been said, but their viewpoints are valid nonetheless. If the moderators or admins choose to close a topic, that's all good, and: you can rest assured it will pop up again! That's just how us rolls! .[/quote] I was getting uncomfortable because the thread went on to medical charges comparing Uk and USA, this was what made me uncomfortable, as I had a similar medical situation to the lady concerned which was particularly traumatic at the time, the lady did not take offence. I only meant I was not going to watch this thread anymore. Sorry if this was misunderstood. No offence was meant at all, I love this board and read everything I can and participitate too and hope to start doing some of the things I have bookmarked when I have finished my applique.. I am shy and have found it difficult to get involved and am still learning. I see you as my new friends. |
loopy wren that is wonderful news!
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Ladies overseas, let me take your side right now. American quilters are extremely lucky with fabric prices. When I visited my son in England 2 years ago, I was astounded at the price of fabric there and these ladies are right, they have no other choice. If they order from the states, the "Queen" adds on her taxes to the price so she can live in the luxury she is accustomed to. The first box I sent to my son for his first Christmas there cost me over $75.00 to ship and it was not a large box. If I send now, it is in small boxes with a cost below $25 so the Queen cannot put a tax on it. But mostly, my son buys when he visits America and puts it inbetween his clothes in his suitcase to go home. We went to a LQS near him when I was there and the owner and customers could not believe I , an American was buying fabric over there instead of here in the states. Comparable---a $10.00 per yard batik over here is about $22.00 (american money) over there.
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Fascinating. You know American patchwork quilting started because of the high tariffs on imported cloth. Every piece was so precious that innovative colonists saved and piec3ed scraps together!
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Originally Posted by quilter on the eastern edge
Canada reporting in! I can go to my LQS and buy good quality quilting cotton for $12 - $16 a metre (batiks are more expensive). Or I can go to Wally World and buy crapola for $5.00 - $7.00 a metre, which is what they sell here. I feel that if I am going to make a quilt and spend all of that time and energy on it, I want the materials to be of high quality. So I use very good quality fabric, thread (Mettler's silk-finish 100% cotton), batting and backing. I don't mind paying the $$$$ for quality materials but, that being said, I don't make very many large quilts because it is cost-prohibitive.
I also order online quite a bit because I can get good prices, a much wider selection of good quality, brand name fabrics, and I have access to full collections of co-ordinating fabrics (Hancock's of Paducah and Over the Rainbow are my favourites). So I have that option available to me if I choose to use it. I don't feel like I am being gouged or anything - that's just the way it is, with fabric as with anything else. Everything cost more here on the Eastern Edge than it does in the US (actually most things cost more here than in most other parts of Canada :cry: ). So, no, don't send tea bags. I can buy them here ( for about $4.00 for a box of 72!) ;-) |
Originally Posted by Mirabelle
Yes we pay far too much for fabric in Australia, yes we all understand about buying local and all that but I recently wanted to purchase some Robert Kaufmann Fusions from my local quilt shop and the price was $26 per meter
(which is 39 inches). So home I come and get on the ole computer and ordered what I wanted over the internet. Landed in Australia only cost me $11 per yard... Most of us are on limited income or self funded retirees so we have to careful how much we spend on our addiction er sorry hobby :-) |
Originally Posted by galvestonangel
If I came over with fabric for my friends, would that be taxable? If I am bringing it for myself, is that taxable?
We have not decided which country we will be flying into, but do all countries (England, Ireland, France) tax things I, a US citizen, would bring in for my personal use or for gifts for my quilter friends. Is there an amount you can bring in without being taxed. In the US you can bring back $600 worth of merchandie without being taxed. I am asking a lot of questions because I don't see how they can tax me on personal property I'm bringing in. This may be a quilting vacation for me. This upsets me that a few yards are likely to be taxed. You can see from this that there shouldn't be any issues for you at all. Fortunately customs here in Dublin always seemed more concerned with smuggling and money laundering and agricultural issues than purchases/gifts being brought home. The man who had 40 iPhones in his suitcase some years back wasn't so lucky though, LOL!! |
Thanks for the info. I don't think we will have a problem.
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Reading some of this, makes one wonder whether we ought to gripe so much about taxes.
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Originally Posted by 2livesdown7togo
Reading some of this, makes one wonder whether we ought to gripe so much about taxes.
If we don't gripe, then likely they'll raise the taxes more. Griping makes them realize it isn't in there best interest. |
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I'm just guessing here but it seems that someone overseas could order lots of fabric from say Hancock's of Paducah as a customer sell it for $2 over the cost per yard over what it cost them and sell it out of their home and make a profit. Travel to guilds/groups in the area and sell it to sewers.
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