Support your local quilt Shop
06-05-2010, 09:46 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 3,699
Originally Posted by sharon b
Funny you should post this today . I was out of town today and had the chance to stop by a LQS, just not mine. Make sense. It was very pretty and the fabric was yummy :mrgreen: And on some, the prices probably 50 cents cheaper than MY LQS. Maybe they knew I wasn't from around there I don't know , but just not friendly . So as I looked and pondered .... nope walked out without buying even a fat quarter :roll: I will spend my money locally at MY LQS :lol: :thumbup:
And this is not the first time I have stopped by this store , and the first time just not friendly either.
So it does pay to get known at "your" LQS
And this is not the first time I have stopped by this store , and the first time just not friendly either.
So it does pay to get known at "your" LQS
06-05-2010, 09:46 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 3,524
Originally Posted by JanetM
.
. I will never spend $9.99yd at JoAnn's but will at my LQS if I see something I really like.
I will continue to support my LQS's because of all that they offer, plus I like to support the little guy over a corporation any day.
. I will never spend $9.99yd at JoAnn's but will at my LQS if I see something I really like.
I will continue to support my LQS's because of all that they offer, plus I like to support the little guy over a corporation any day.
06-05-2010, 10:17 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 9,268
Originally Posted by weezie
Don't have one; never had one; got along nicely without one and still do. My support of any shop of any sort has to be beneficial to me as well as the shop. Otherwise, I don't see the point.
06-05-2010, 11:03 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: At my LQS
Posts: 2,326
Originally Posted by fabric=fun
Fussycut and other owners, here is my story. First off, I need to say I live in a Quilter's Paradise in Massachusetts! There are 3 LQS's within 15 mins, 5 more in 30 mins and 8+ more within 45 mins. (Also three Joann Fabric stores within 30 mins). Not all in the same direction, but you get the idea. With one to three other friends, I average at least monthly trips (mini shop hops) to several of them at a time. We never come home empty-handed and make one or more purchases in each store.
I belong to two quilt guilds (each has close to 200 members) and these are active quilters who also regularly patronize these LQS's.
The closest LQS store owners make themselves visible by participating and getting to know quilters without overt advertising or commercials at the guild meetings. They gain their business through friendliness and having their customers spread the word about where to get which fabrics.
The LQS's strive to be unique as a destination with their personal touch and selection of fabric categories. The ones that I/we frequent least often are either poorly organized or messy shops, staff that are preoccupied with each other, or too distracted to offer a smile to customers. (This happens rarely since their competition is near by).
Many use e-mail for monthly newsletter or notice of sales or a special limited discount, special events, etc. Again with a personal touch they are friendly.
We do our best to support them and they respond by appreciating us and our business. They even make referrals to each other if you are looking for a particular fabric type.
I belong to two quilt guilds (each has close to 200 members) and these are active quilters who also regularly patronize these LQS's.
The closest LQS store owners make themselves visible by participating and getting to know quilters without overt advertising or commercials at the guild meetings. They gain their business through friendliness and having their customers spread the word about where to get which fabrics.
The LQS's strive to be unique as a destination with their personal touch and selection of fabric categories. The ones that I/we frequent least often are either poorly organized or messy shops, staff that are preoccupied with each other, or too distracted to offer a smile to customers. (This happens rarely since their competition is near by).
Many use e-mail for monthly newsletter or notice of sales or a special limited discount, special events, etc. Again with a personal touch they are friendly.
We do our best to support them and they respond by appreciating us and our business. They even make referrals to each other if you are looking for a particular fabric type.
06-05-2010, 11:53 AM
#25
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 98
Janet M. and others - if you are coming to the New England area, i would be glad to help you locate shops near where you are visiting/staying. I know about and have visited most of the ones in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire - less to the ones in Conn. or R.I. I was helped by people on the board to locate shops on my trip in May to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California. Feel free to PM me and we can chat.
To others about attitude of shop owners and staff - I believe this is a reasonable expectation to be treated in a kind, courteous and respectful manner not because I am spending money but rather that we all should strive to that standard when we meet other people. This means that I need to be careful with their products and fabrics as I browse and not whine, complain or expect special treatment from them when something is out of stock or not available.
The original poster asked for ideas and I am submitting what I believe can make a difference in attracting quilters to their shop.
To others about attitude of shop owners and staff - I believe this is a reasonable expectation to be treated in a kind, courteous and respectful manner not because I am spending money but rather that we all should strive to that standard when we meet other people. This means that I need to be careful with their products and fabrics as I browse and not whine, complain or expect special treatment from them when something is out of stock or not available.
The original poster asked for ideas and I am submitting what I believe can make a difference in attracting quilters to their shop.
06-05-2010, 12:09 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Posts: 383
There is a quilt shop 1 block from my house, and the owner is so rude and nasty that, even though it would save me shipping costs, I buy online rather than give her my business.
Only in an emergency would I give her a penny.
Only in an emergency would I give her a penny.
06-05-2010, 12:26 PM
#27
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 83
Beth I know what you mean, why do they have to be s rude. There is 1 in my town and I will NOT go there because of that problem. I drive about 30 miles or 70 to go to one, they are so nice and encouraging. To bad it is not like that in the town I live.
06-05-2010, 12:27 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine-ly Florida
Posts: 3,917
Like Fabric-Fun, I live in an area with lots of choices. I have three favorites pretty close by - in a kind of triangular pattern, map wise. I consider three of the owners friends, two belong to the same guild as I do. The other I consider a pleasant acquaintance. I love their shop. They each have a little different spin and I really do try not to patronize them as much during a sale since I do want them to stay in business. (But I am not above having my purchases kept track of on a punch card to reap a discount in the future).
I have other favorites that are farther away. There are only two that I avoid because of the atmosphere - mentioned in other posts - unfriendliness. They don't know how much I could have spent had I felt differently but I do this with any kind of shop not just the quilt shops.
It is true that when I go to one of these shops, I am warmly greeted and treated with interest and respect.
I have other favorites that are farther away. There are only two that I avoid because of the atmosphere - mentioned in other posts - unfriendliness. They don't know how much I could have spent had I felt differently but I do this with any kind of shop not just the quilt shops.
It is true that when I go to one of these shops, I am warmly greeted and treated with interest and respect.
06-05-2010, 12:39 PM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Originally Posted by fussycut
What about the time you needed help with a particular technique-local quilt shop to the rescue. What about the time you needed to learn something new-local quilt shop to the rescue. What about the time you just want to escape the day to day stress of everyone's life-quilt shop to the rescue. Who will help you figure out yardage and make pattern modifications?
Shops like that are few and far between from my past experiences.
06-05-2010, 12:42 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 3,025
I support a local quilt shop to the extent that I can financially. I go there for a sit and stitch day out, my only day out during the week, I buy a $10.00 magazine every month, and others as they catch my interest. Have taken FMQ classes because they offered them on Saturday. Would go to other activities if I did not care for an 18 mo old great grandson. I don't however buy very much fabric because of the price. If there is a sale, I buy; if there is something I just have to have for a special quilt, I buy; but to satisfy my fabric addition I go to a Fabric Outlet that has good fabrics but last years designs. That doesn't matter to me. If I can buy moda for $2.50 to $3.50 a yard instead of $9.99 a yard, I will. It just makes sense.
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