One Reason Local Quilt Shops do not have Booming Business
07-16-2010, 10:32 AM
#171
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Texas
Posts: 3,021
07-16-2010, 01:57 PM
#172
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 37
I live in Memphis and 'my' Hancock burned but has re-opened. Every time I go in the door I am greeted like a long lost friend. I have help if I ask and everyone is so nice and Southernly polite that I cannot wait to go back. Too bad everyone does not have the same experience. Sad commentary on the manners of today's clerks.
07-17-2010, 06:36 AM
#174
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 6,442
Originally Posted by JudyG
The local stores around me(all at least 45 minutes away) are great. But --- I was in Redmond, Oregon last week with my quilting group and we all went to a quilt store there and I was less than happy with them. I have a hard time picking out fabrics to go together and want to make a bargello that takes 20 different fabrics, 10 lights and 10 darks, and I want them all to be shades of blue. I have a good portion of them, but still needed a couple more. I asked the gal at the counter (there were, I believe, 4 employees working) if anyone there was good with color and could help me with selecting a couple more fabrics to go with what I already had. Her answer was, "No." Period. No offer to at least try to help me or anything. I was absolutely floored. One of my friends and I were selecting fabrics, and one of the gals did come over and give an opinion on the ones we were looking at, but I left that place less than enthusiastic about returning again.
My sis in law just started quilting this past winter...her first project was a set of placemats, and she wanted a solid green for the border. Went into that shop and inquired about a solid and was told, "We are a REAL quilt shop, we don't carry solids!" Peggy was shocked, but went onto ask where she'd find a solid green, Hancocks or Joannes? Was told, "I don't have the slightest idea, I haven't been in one of those stores in years."
I don't give that woman money when I can avoid it!!
The other place I won't part with money in is the Stitchin' Post in Sisters. They either ignore you totally or are just plain rude. Figure they don't much care whether I spend money there or not, so I don't!
The store in Prineville ROCKS tho!! Rhonda is the sweetest thing...helpful and cheerful.
07-17-2010, 08:12 AM
#175
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 692
Originally Posted by Charlee
Originally Posted by JudyG
The local stores around me(all at least 45 minutes away) are great. But --- I was in Redmond, Oregon last week with my quilting group and we all went to a quilt store there and I was less than happy with them. I have a hard time picking out fabrics to go together and want to make a bargello that takes 20 different fabrics, 10 lights and 10 darks, and I want them all to be shades of blue. I have a good portion of them, but still needed a couple more. I asked the gal at the counter (there were, I believe, 4 employees working) if anyone there was good with color and could help me with selecting a couple more fabrics to go with what I already had. Her answer was, "No." Period. No offer to at least try to help me or anything. I was absolutely floored. One of my friends and I were selecting fabrics, and one of the gals did come over and give an opinion on the ones we were looking at, but I left that place less than enthusiastic about returning again.
My sis in law just started quilting this past winter...her first project was a set of placemats, and she wanted a solid green for the border. Went into that shop and inquired about a solid and was told, "We are a REAL quilt shop, we don't carry solids!" Peggy was shocked, but went onto ask where she'd find a solid green, Hancocks or Joannes? Was told, "I don't have the slightest idea, I haven't been in one of those stores in years."
I don't give that woman money when I can avoid it!!
The other place I won't part with money in is the Stitchin' Post in Sisters. They either ignore you totally or are just plain rude. Figure they don't much care whether I spend money there or not, so I don't!
The store in Prineville ROCKS tho!! Rhonda is the sweetest thing...helpful and cheerful.
07-17-2010, 09:50 AM
#176
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
Originally Posted by Old man- New quilter
If you want to be ignored and seemingly invisible, try being a male quilter in a shop you've never been in. Especially true if you are there with your wife.
07-17-2010, 09:57 AM
#177
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
It is my opinion that most shops are working as "business as usual" and not working to offset the economy and the way customers have changed their buying practices. I know some who say "i can't afford to have sales" yet the merchandise sits on the shelves taking up space and earning no money.
Another has hunderd's of bolts of one type of fabric but the style trend has moved away from that style/pattern. Yet there it sits taking up rent space. Another has walls of notions of every kind because the praceice is when anyone comes in and asks for a specific ruler, it is ordered and two hang on the rack never to be sold. Many are mom and pop type stores but they should be operated business wize like a big box store.
Another has hunderd's of bolts of one type of fabric but the style trend has moved away from that style/pattern. Yet there it sits taking up rent space. Another has walls of notions of every kind because the praceice is when anyone comes in and asks for a specific ruler, it is ordered and two hang on the rack never to be sold. Many are mom and pop type stores but they should be operated business wize like a big box store.
07-17-2010, 06:35 PM
#178
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 23
I'm a new quilter and was so excited to visit a fairly new quilt shop. As I walked in I was so impressed with how beautiful it was. I probably looked around for about 10 minutes while the attendant was behind the counter. Finally I approached her with a question. It seemed that I had really interrupted her. I explained that I was a new quilter and had some questions. When I said this another employee actually laughed at me! And I don't mean a friendly "I've been there and know what you mean" laugh. It was a very put down laugh. Guess who won't be back in that shop?
07-17-2010, 07:12 PM
#179
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Blackwood, New Jersey
Posts: 147
Good for you!
Originally Posted by Ellasgran
I'm a new quilter and was so excited to visit a fairly new quilt shop. As I walked in I was so impressed with how beautiful it was. I probably looked around for about 10 minutes while the attendant was behind the counter. Finally I approached her with a question. It seemed that I had really interrupted her. I explained that I was a new quilter and had some questions. When I said this another employee actually laughed at me! And I don't mean a friendly "I've been there and know what you mean" laugh. It was a very put down laugh. Guess who won't be back in that shop?
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