We no longer have fabric in the WM's around here ... what you described WAS very typical of ours ! I know many stores have good help, but ours was the pits for years, despite complaints to mgmt
The 2 women who "worked" there were always quite bothered when they had to stop reading a mag or something, and actually HELP CUSTOMERS or answer a QUESTION. They used to hide the bell too !!
My girls used to call them the "Stone Face Ladies" ... I KID YOU NOT ... They would not even smile, or talk to cute kids !