What makes a shop "worth" going to????
 

I cringe when a quilter asks me this question about a shop that they know that I have been to and that they are not familiar with.....so...clarify for me what makes a shop"worth" going to, in your opinion????

Sandy

I have walked into some beautiful shops but if the people working there are friendly, I probably don't go back.

Quantity ... If I am going to travel to a new shop, I want to see stuff I haven't or can't see at the shops close to home.

Staff ... this is almost as important as the quantity (and variety) of fabric to choose from. There is a very large shop close to my house but I avoid it because the staff is pretty deplorable. I like a friendly staff, a working (not busy chatting) staff, a smiling happy staff, and a knowledgable staff. If I ask "do you have ..." I don't want to hear "somewhere over there" - I want them to SHOW ME. If I am at the cutting table or register I don't want to wait because they're too busy chatting with co-workers, if a staffer has a task of doing computer work or stocking shelves and the rest of the staff is busy with customers - stop and HELP CUSTOMERS as they are the ones paying your salary. And at no time do I want rude comments by the staff (I've had staff tell me "these two fabrics don't go well together" when I had NO intention of putting them in the same quilt (gee ... do you REALLY want to sell fabric??)).

Good supply of notions, books, and patterns

Parking

Well laid out, I should see *some* rhyme or reason to the layout of the fabrics. Most that I know of will keep new fabrics in a given line together for a few months or so, then move each to the area where it fits best color wise. Also, batiks are usually segregated from other cottons, as are flannels and home spuns. Some shops I walk into there is no rhyme or reason and it's easy to miss something.

Manueverability/visibility/lighting ... only one shop comes to mind that I could not manuever in or see what was on the shelves because it was so packed with "stuff". Bolts on the shelves, bolts stacked on the floor in front of the shelves. The place was a downright fire hazard. Aside from that though, other shops that I visit might have a problem with accesabilty to wheelchairs manuevering in and out of the bolt stands etc. Stores that have multiple shelves that face each other across a narrow aisle need to be cautious of the lighting - it's difficult to light those areas well enough - sometimes I have to take the bolt to the front window to see the color.

MarLeClair

I have to giggle... You don't like "friendly" people?

Sandy

Friendly helpful staff that sincerely greet you, ask if you need help, and then give you a little space to shop to your heart's content. Good lighting - natural lighting from windows is best. Fabric arranged nicely to inspire creativity. A little something always on sale.

Interesting, unusual fabric and good prices.
Friendliness is of no interest to me; they are not my friends.
Rudeness, however, is unacceptable.

I agree with "DogHouseMom "totally". If you want my money act like it.

I like to be greeted and helped when I ask for it. Don't really care for being followed around though. Usually the shops are small so it is not hard to tell if someone needs assistance. I do like to be reminded about matching thread and told about items on sale.

And I agree about parking being available. So many quilt shops have limited parking and I won't go very often if I can't park close. I hate those little strip malls that have 10 spots for all the shops.

Must admit, it is nice to be remembered from one visit to the next. I realize they have quite a few customers, but it I come in on a fairly regular basis, it is nice to have some sort of recognition.

Well, I only have one local quilt shop (its still a 55 mile trip to get there) - they are very friendly- have helped tremendously when picking fabric - the shop owner and her husband work there together - I go in so much - they know me when I walk in. Often times, they will give me a 1/4 yd or more for free - if there isn't much left on a bolt that I want. I love my LQS - don't really shop at others except for online shops.

Friendly staff. This is number one for me. If the staff is interested in what I'm making, and eager to share opinions (when asked) or help matching fabric, that is what I want in my quilt shop. There is one locally that I used to really like - but I realize now that it was mostly one of the staff I liked. She ohs and ahs over everything you bring in, and is a wiz at picking fabrics.

I love my local quilt store because, although I am a new quilter, they quickly learned my name and always greet me when I come in the door. They also ask about my 12 year old granddaughter who purchases fabric there. The store is well supplied with quilting materials and the spacious store is well organized. The parking is excellent. When I need help in selecting fabrics, someone is always there to help me. When I travel, I always visit quilt stores. I look for things that my local store does not stock. I always find something to like about the stores I visit even if they are small and crowded with poor parking. The only thing that really turns me off is staff who are talking to each other and ignoring customers.

I like going to new shops to see things my LQS doesn't stock. Price is also a major factor for me. I'm fortunate that I'm reasonably close (1 1/2 hr) to Lancaster, PA. I only shop for projects - not stash. So I'm usually spending a reasonable amount of $$ when I buy. I like staff that knows their store and their products - yes, that fabric is here; no, sorry, we don't have that...would you like to see this? But as someone else said, I'm not overly concerned if they are particularly friendly - just not rude.

Friendly staff and a good selection. I judge the store by its vibe. Good vibes call me back - negative vibes keep me away.

The shop has to be bright and very clean. Lots of finished projects and quilts displayed. Nice book selection and plenty of pre cuts. All the quilt magazines. A big notion wall of items not found at discount stores. Friendly sales people that know when not to hover but when to direct me to new things. A store that if I spend $5 or $500 I know I'm welcome.

The LQS in Texas I go to in the winter couldn't be more friendly. The owner sure makes you feel Welcome. She is always glad when it's time for us to return. My husband and I sometimes go and sit and visit for an hour or two. She even makes him feel welcome. That's Texas Friendlyness.

You could ask the questioner what they mean by worth going to. What would they consider worth it.

True, I should ask that question back to the people who ask me. Interesting...not one response to my question had anything to do with how large / small the store was, nor how many bolts they might have, etc. Friendly, knowledgeable staff apparently ranks very high. I know that each store offers a unique take on quilting irregardless of the size of the shop. That is what I find to be 'worth" it. Everyones' taste in fabric differs but we all agree, we love fabric! It is always "worth" stopping in a store to see for oneself if it is a place to shop and return to.
sandy

I give them a description of my experience and let them make up their own mind if it’s worth going to. I might say it’s in a bad part of town but the prices and selection are great. The staff are so helpful when I need help coordinating fabrics. They have a large selection of hard to find old Thimbleberries designs. They’ve got great classes. They are a Bernina dealer.

I wouldn't want them to drive 50 miles, be dissatisfied and grumpy because I told them it was “worth it.”

A good selection is great. As long as the staff is professional, they don't have to be super friendly. I tend to like choosing my own fabrics so I don't tend to rely on them to help me with selecting fabric. That being said, a shop that has a more friendly atmosphere will draw me back.

All of the above are factors, but one thing I always remember about a shop is the display quilts. I love to see quilts that are different in design. And I hate to see unquilted tops on display. Come on, get it quilted!

The LQS that I have within driving distance (1 hour) ALL seem to act that if you don't know what pattern you will be using the fabric for, then they have no way to help you and that you are a "hopeless customer". I buy all my fabric on whim as I design my quilts. I've never used a pattern. I don't want someone trying to select fabric for me to buy unless I ask about a particular color or design. I don't want a sales clerk acting as if it is a bother to wait on me, that she has something more important to do. I don't want her comments on my fabric selections. Usually if I buy 4 pieces of fabric they will be for 4 seperate projects. I like a store with a super large selection not just limited to cotton fabrics - sometimes I want texture in my quilt tops beside those that I have stitched into it. And a rude clerk only has one visit from me.

I agree with DogHouseMom, she covered it all. There is a shop like that in our area.

One thing that will drive me away, is a salesperson being dishonest about something. Hate it when one tells me such-and-such is "no good," just because they don't sell it.

Agree with you there ... but not really high on my list. My favorite shop shows primarily unfinished tops. My least favorite shop probably has the best display of quilts (finished) as they have a 2nd floor with balcony that circles most of the main floor so they're draped over the balcony. They also have the largest selection of fabric and books (only so so on notions), but their staff really puts me off. I only go there when I can't find something somewhere else.

large selection of different types of patterns fabric books notions etc , friendly courteous knowledgeable staff always willing to help, lots of different classes with great teachers, good sale, and discounts, flexible hours for those that work

Honest,fair pricing and treatment.

The only quilt shops I have visited that I didn't like was one relatively close, one of the sales women watched me llike I was a thief, never smiled and acted very snobby. I only went back after they moved to a larger location - found out that woman no longer worked there so I will be back, it's a beautiful store. The second was one in Hawaii while on my dream of a life time vacation. DH and I had just finished four wheeling around the wilds of Hawaii on the north end of the island. I stopped in a fabric store across from where we had lunched. There was wall to wall and ceiling to floor bolts of fabric. There was too much, I browsed a little but felt over whelmed at the amount and lack of organization, it was as if they just stuffed bolts whereever, nothing by color, collection or design.

Friendly sales staff make me feel welcome and even though I am not a neat freak, I do like nice displays and organiztion, it looks clean and helps me decide what I can't live without!

A very small LQS that I go to doesn't have a ton of material, books, etc. What it does have tho, is friendly, helpfull owners. If I need something (material or whatever) that they don't have, or can't get for me, they will tell me where I might be able to find it. And more than once, they have "saved my butt" when I've come in with a quilt I'm having a problem with:o

At $12.95 a yard you better be making me feel like you're GLAD I'm there!

When we travel I try and visit the LQS when possible. Of course my favorite one is Keepsake Quilting in NH. That is worth the trip!!

I of course like a big shop since that usually means they have more to offer. But I've gone into some shops that were very small and I always make sure that I leave buying something. Everyone is trying to make money. No fun to just "window shop" in a quilt shop.

Friendly staff who make me feel welcome - helpful but not intrusive. Without that I would rather shop online using sellers I know - and many of them have the personal touch as well!

Doghousemom, you wouldn't be writing about an overstuffed shop in Bloomington, IL would you? If so the shop owner is very knowlegdeable about her fabric. All you have to do is ask and she can tell you if she has it and lead you to where it is. I go there all the time. She gives 20% off for cash. and after you spend a certain amount you get 20% off no matter how you pay. She only carries good quality fabir and has a back side aisle full of 1/2 price fabric. Some of that isn't so good because some it is very old. You have to be careful.

Myson told me a response to unfriendly sales people "Are you under court order to work here?" Haven't tried it.

We have a great little shop that sells used fabrics at $5 a yard. They get it from estate sales, shop closures, etc. You can also take your fabrics in and they will purchase them for a small price. You get some wonderful quality fabrics at a great price. Problem is that one of the gals there is so sour and rude, that I refuse to go in the door anymore. It's worth it to pay retail to not deal with her!

I love the folks at the three shops I patronize. All three are owned and staffed by Mennonites and believe the Mennonites are friendly by nature. Helpful, yes. They all take an interest in me as a person as well as my projects, often calling me by name. They love it when you bring in a completed top using their fabrics. One owner took me into a machine-applique class to show off a hand-appliqued top. I only had this top with me in order to coordinate and select the o/s border fabric. Their selections are very good and fairly priced.

I make approximately one QOV per week and have for over five years. Some shop owners have given me great discounts on the quantities of fabric purchased (usually 6 yard pieces and several pieces at a time).

When I go into a QS I want to see 'good quality' fabrics. And a large selection of fabrics.
Thats why I'm there, to choose fabrics for my quilt. As long as they provide that, who cares about anything else. (?)

Good assortment of quality fabrics and notions. Staff that is knowledgeable and polite. Don't follow me around the store but be aware if I need assistance. I know there are other customers and if the staff sees I need assistance but are busy with someone else - acknowledge me and let me know you'll be available momentarily. Enthusiasm is not a pre requisite for the staff, knowledge about fabric, etc. is.

My friend and I go to a neighboring state for a Shop Hop. Every September. We visit 23-25 shops in 2 days. How the shops display their merchandise and the samples they have made from the fabric lines make a lot of difference in the time we spend in each shop.
The friendliness of the staff and the availability of kits helps us decide what we are going to buy. We are lucky to have so many options and to be able to go and look.
It is amazing that there are so many fabric lines that you can visit that many shops and they all reflect the personality of the owners and the needs of their clientele and are not the same. Happy stitching from Oklahoma.

I'm giggleing too. I thought I was the only one who typed foo-pas. She is right though. It has to be a have to case before I go into the Hancock's store in our area. the people in there are so UNFRIENDLY and seem to be wrapped up in their own little worlds. The prices are too high too. I don't want anybody to hover over me while I'm shopping but I do appreciate a smile and a howdy do when I walk into a place.