It sounds like this has happened to everyone - here's my latest experience. I was in one of our local quilt shops in Sioux Falls, SD this weekend. I specifically went to buy fabric to bind a quilt. I was not greeted upon entering although an employee was right there. After being in the shop for several minutes, nobody asked if I needed any assistance. I ended up spending less than $10 and if someone would have taken the time to see what I was interested in, I would have easily spent over $100!!! I routinely spend $100-$350 per month with online quilt shops even though I cannot see the fabric in person. This store could have had a much better day of sales if the employee(s) would have "bothered" to see if I needed assistance. Please, quilt shopw owners - if you see this, make the effort to assist customers!! I'm not just speaking for myself!

I actually ran a quilt shop in this city for a friend of mine after she relocated and I would never have ignored customers this way. I don't know of any reason to be this way.

Thanks for letting me vent - I feel like I'm in a 12 step meeting!!! :-)

I hate to hear that-I can honestly say that I have never received less than excellent service at any of my LQS and hate to hear that people have negative experiences.

I'm not sure why so many shop owners and employees don't seem to get it. Maybe since they are usually single-owner or small shops, they don't get the kind of customer service training that the larger businesses provide for all their employees. I would think that if they open up a small business they are aware of the average failure rate for same and would do everything in their power to build and maintain a stable client base, but people never cease to amaze me!

I am fortunate to live in an area with more than 1-2 quilt shops with in a 10-15 mile radius. I did not like shop A, but fell in love with shop B because of the customer service.

Luckily I live in an area with a lot of fabric stores. Hobby Lobby, Hancocks, Joanns and and at least 7 LQS within 45 minutes. All but 2 are extremely friendly and helpful. One of those two is sort of an "elitist" store the other the woman that runs it is just an airhead with no business sense. I tend to stay away from those as much as possible.

If you're ever near Danville Illinois stop in at Threads of Time. I guarantee you'll hear, Good Morning/Afternoon, welcome to our store, is there anything we can help you with? the minute you walk in. You'll also be offered coffee and wonderful cookies. (not the prepackaged kind) If you want you'll be offered a tour of their retreat/conference center, an opportunity to stick a pin in the map to mark where you're from, and be told where the yarn room, pattern room, bargain shelves, etc are located. And it doesn't matter if the owners are there or not, the entire staff is does this. If this doesn't happen, pm me and I'll mail you a yard of fabric from my personal stash. That's how confident I am of their service.

In my business wich is upholstery, im located within a fabric shop and when im not busy i try to be helpful to everyone and anyone regardless as to weather they are there to see me and discuss upholstery or not and i can tell you that goes along way with people for sure. :)

My LQS greats you, helps you and always asks if you found everything you need. They ask what you are making.......help you find fabric!

It is interesting, isn't it? These people need us and then serve us poorly.

I stopped in my LQ last week and was greeted when I entered. I declined the offered help and went to look at fabric, thanking him and telling him I'd let him know when I needed fabric cut. I was the only one in the store and he was the only employee. Just as I was walking to the cutting table, a gentleman came in and said he wanted to purchase a sewing machine for his wife. My 3 bolts of fabric and I were suddenly invisible!! The employee actually turned his back to me and ushered the man to the wall of machines and started his sales pitch. I felt he should have shown the man where to start looking, cut my fabric, and then returned to him. I laid the fabric ON THE FLOOR and left--employee still never turned around.

My LQS always greets folks, then leaves you alone to brouse, which I like. When I've looked around and am ready for help, I go find someone and they are always gracious. The only time I've had an unpleasant experience was witnessing the manager correcting a mistake one of the other ladies had made concerning a gift card. I thought the discussion should have been taken to a private area.