why I pay more for the quilt store fabrics
06-16-2008, 09:55 AM
#11
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: NE Pa.
Posts: 1,738
The last two times I was at JOann's (for batting) the ladies that cut it for me were soooooo nice and viisited the whole time asking what I was making etc. It was a pleasant experience. One lady even told me she made purses to sell and showed me what kind if interfacing she puts in them. I rarely buy fabric there, only buy at my local quilt shop. Sorry gals, I am a fabric snob. Marge
06-16-2008, 10:51 AM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central FL
Posts: 4,829
In my area, there are 3 quilting stores, 2 WalMarts, one Joanne's and one Hancock store within 20 miles. Only ONE of the quilt stores has courteous staff (and the owners work at all of them, so no excuses). At WalMart and Joanne's, the service is of uneven quality, depending on who is working. They are high turnover low-pay jobs, and folks cannot keep pretending to be happy when they work 40 hours and can't feed the kids or pay for car or health insurance.
Hancock's has gone from a similar situation to a sheer joy since new management took over last year. It is rare that I am not greeted and asked about my new projects. Granted, they have seen me bring things in to match, and I stock up when I am working. They never have any job openings (and I ask) because people are making a living wage and have realistic expectations.
Hancock's has gone from a similar situation to a sheer joy since new management took over last year. It is rare that I am not greeted and asked about my new projects. Granted, they have seen me bring things in to match, and I stock up when I am working. They never have any job openings (and I ask) because people are making a living wage and have realistic expectations.
06-16-2008, 11:02 AM
#13
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So. California
Posts: 3,769
We all have a bad day once in a while I suppose...but if I was having an 'iffy' day & ran into that clerk, I probably would have felt the way you did! I find that if I smile first, I do get a better response...usually :wink:
The JoAnn's I go to most is close to work & the ladies there are all great to me. I think I have the most fun with a young lady who has multiple piercings & tatoos, but is always so personable, helpful & fun to talk to! She actually takes an interest in what it is I'm going to make with the fabrics I buy.
There are also several quilt shops near, so I have a choice. I've always had good luck there too.
Really, guess it mostly depends on what I'm making and how close to payday it is! LOL
The JoAnn's I go to most is close to work & the ladies there are all great to me. I think I have the most fun with a young lady who has multiple piercings & tatoos, but is always so personable, helpful & fun to talk to! She actually takes an interest in what it is I'm going to make with the fabrics I buy.
There are also several quilt shops near, so I have a choice. I've always had good luck there too.
Really, guess it mostly depends on what I'm making and how close to payday it is! LOL
06-16-2008, 11:24 AM
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 3,075
I have had similar experiences and all I can say is never be rude back cause then they feel justified in their attitude but kill them with kindness and eventually they will feel guilty for their rudeness.
And I know it is very hard to do sometimes.
And I know it is very hard to do sometimes.
06-16-2008, 11:31 AM
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ohio
Posts: 331
Not to defend the sales girls attitude or opinion but I will tell you that anyone who has ever worked in retail can tell you how rough it can be. All it takes is one person and they can crash your whole day. The girl at our wal-mart has been there since it has opened and is very knowledgeable but because now that they are taking out the department she gets sooo much flack from the customers like it is her fault! It is very hard to smile when the last 5 out of 6 customers may have just ripped your head off over something you can't control. I get it on the front end of the store because I am in managment about the rising cost of milk, bread, eggs and all the other groceries. Like I can do something about it, I buy the stuff at the same price they do and I don't like it either. People need to vent and the sales clerks or the retail people are the punching bag. They know that for the most part we aren't supposed to say anything back out of line and they can get away with it. So maybe that clerk was having a bad day!
06-16-2008, 01:24 PM
#16
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,091
the fabric ladies at our local walmart are sweetie pies. every single one of them. they treat their customers like queens because (1) like i said, they're naturally nice folks; and (2) they know it's the customer traffic that will keep the department open ... we hope. i have also gotten great service in two other wm fab departments. and not-so-great service in one in southern florida.
i'm treated well when i shop at hancock's. i assume it would be the same at joann's if i could ever find anything there i wanted to buy. at least they always say hello and goodbye when i browse there.
and i've had some really great experiences with online vendors, too. and i've found a few i'll never shop with again.
point being ... sales people are ... well ... people. that means some are good folks and some aren't, just like you'll find anywhere else.
i'm treated well when i shop at hancock's. i assume it would be the same at joann's if i could ever find anything there i wanted to buy. at least they always say hello and goodbye when i browse there.
and i've had some really great experiences with online vendors, too. and i've found a few i'll never shop with again.
point being ... sales people are ... well ... people. that means some are good folks and some aren't, just like you'll find anywhere else.
06-16-2008, 08:05 PM
#17
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 1,807
Thanks everyone for your input. I'm over it and won't shop in that department again...quilt shops are nicer and when I know what I need, I can buy online too. Our Hancocks closed, which is a shame because people there seemed to know what they were doing and were always nice. I enjoyed shopping there and will miss that store.
I still think Target should have fabric LOL but I'm not a purchaser, so what can a girl do but keep asking....maybe one of these days if I pester them enough they'll do it. :lol: I still go to JoAnns but it's not that close and with gas prices....I'd rather pay the difference to go to a nice quilt store close by.
Everything happens for a reason.
I still think Target should have fabric LOL but I'm not a purchaser, so what can a girl do but keep asking....maybe one of these days if I pester them enough they'll do it. :lol: I still go to JoAnns but it's not that close and with gas prices....I'd rather pay the difference to go to a nice quilt store close by.
Everything happens for a reason.
06-16-2008, 08:56 PM
#18
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Daytona Beach Shores, FL
Posts: 2,352
I've had really good luck at Walmart and the Joann people are truly nice, but sometimes rushed when a sales is going on. The quilt shop here seems like a private club and I feel like I've just dropped into a party uninvited. When I was looking for a machine they were too busy to take an interest and asked a new girl who didn't know much about the machines. to show them to me. Now I know they have classes etc. but someone could have at least tired to set a time for me to come when they weren't busy. I spent my $ somewhere else and it wasn't cheap.
People are people. The last time I was in the material dept. at Walmart the clerk was helping me and I had about ten bolts of fabric for her to cut and another customer came up and told her she didn't know where to find a certain thing and she told her which aisle it was in and she'd help her in a minute, the gal left and came back and said she couldn't find it and was in a hurry for her to help her find it. I just shook my head and told her to show her I'd wait. The clerk was at a loss. It takes all kinds doesn't it.
People are people. The last time I was in the material dept. at Walmart the clerk was helping me and I had about ten bolts of fabric for her to cut and another customer came up and told her she didn't know where to find a certain thing and she told her which aisle it was in and she'd help her in a minute, the gal left and came back and said she couldn't find it and was in a hurry for her to help her find it. I just shook my head and told her to show her I'd wait. The clerk was at a loss. It takes all kinds doesn't it.
06-17-2008, 05:33 AM
#19
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 12,675
Originally Posted by retrogirl02
OH MY GOSH! I went to Wal-Mart for the first time in months and had to take a quick tour of the fabrics...how could I not? I found a couple pieces of must haves and waited in line to speak to the area assistant, proudly wearing a 10 year badge and I thought it must be my lucky day, someone who knows what they're doing.....
I was talking to the kids about the quilt they'd go in to after I asked for a yard of each. When she handed them to me, she said I don't know who in their right mind would EVER consider putting black in a quilt (one of the two is royal with black and my son's favorite material yet). She rolled her eyes, said it's just not right and ticked me off.
I asked about the interfacing/fusible web thinking well, :roll: everyone has a bad day...she said they're over there and I had to ask specific questions about the location, let her know I've not used it before and then had to guess what kind to get.
I don't care how much I have to pay at the quilt stores, even though they aren't providing the freebie info they used to, I've never been treated like this. Is it just me venting or would this have ticked you off, too? Keep in mind this is 2 days later because I was afraid of how I'd come off a day or two ago LOL....might have been some choice lanuage going on, too!!
PS why doesn't target have fabric???? I love target.
I was talking to the kids about the quilt they'd go in to after I asked for a yard of each. When she handed them to me, she said I don't know who in their right mind would EVER consider putting black in a quilt (one of the two is royal with black and my son's favorite material yet). She rolled her eyes, said it's just not right and ticked me off.
I asked about the interfacing/fusible web thinking well, :roll: everyone has a bad day...she said they're over there and I had to ask specific questions about the location, let her know I've not used it before and then had to guess what kind to get.
I don't care how much I have to pay at the quilt stores, even though they aren't providing the freebie info they used to, I've never been treated like this. Is it just me venting or would this have ticked you off, too? Keep in mind this is 2 days later because I was afraid of how I'd come off a day or two ago LOL....might have been some choice lanuage going on, too!!
PS why doesn't target have fabric???? I love target.
06-17-2008, 06:12 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 1,807
Thanks everyone....I guess not everyone's mamma taught them if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I just need to keep that in mind LOL. :D Maybe I was having a sensitive day, too.... :roll:
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