how to handle a quilt shop moment
10-04-2010, 03:49 PM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: High Entropy Zone
Posts: 1,247
For a minute I thought you might live near me. I belong to two different BOM's at two different LQS and it is like night and day.
One was very specific and printed rules (which I appreciated) that explained the first block was $5. If we returned every month with the previous month's block completed the new one was free. There was a three day window to pick up without having to pay. No sales pitch, etc. They don't need it. How many people walk into a LQS without browsing just a little? They might be small but are great people.
The other LQS was not quite so straight forward. It too was a $5 block and if you show a completed block the next one is free (sort of). You can only pick up within a couple hour window on the second Saturday of the month. Otherwise you have to pay for the block. You are also supposed to sit through their "informercial" and worthless directions. I call them worthless because the cutting instructions, etc. has only been correct once in 9 months. Personally I think this is part of the marketing plan. Convince people that they made a mistake and have to repurchase the fabric.
One was very specific and printed rules (which I appreciated) that explained the first block was $5. If we returned every month with the previous month's block completed the new one was free. There was a three day window to pick up without having to pay. No sales pitch, etc. They don't need it. How many people walk into a LQS without browsing just a little? They might be small but are great people.
The other LQS was not quite so straight forward. It too was a $5 block and if you show a completed block the next one is free (sort of). You can only pick up within a couple hour window on the second Saturday of the month. Otherwise you have to pay for the block. You are also supposed to sit through their "informercial" and worthless directions. I call them worthless because the cutting instructions, etc. has only been correct once in 9 months. Personally I think this is part of the marketing plan. Convince people that they made a mistake and have to repurchase the fabric.
10-04-2010, 03:54 PM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by niftynickel
Had a embaressing moment at a local shop recently. And am at loss to get over my hurt feelings. I was participating in a monthly group and went to pick my materials but couldn't stay ( i guess you must pay if you don't stay ), I understood that if you didn't make the day and went later in the week you paid a nominal amount. But the clerk came to door and shouted across the parking lot asked ifwas I staying and of course no!!! was my response and she expressed her disappointment and the $$$ issue. I have witnessed others leaving without paying in passed months, I did go in and hand her the $$$. But I am crushed and feel like I was a shoplifter. I have been loyal to the local shops but it seems like everyone it getting a bit testy. Geez , I made a mistake, and others( guild friends seem to come and go as they please). Should I just get over it ???
10-04-2010, 04:00 PM
#53
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: West Roxbury, Ma
Posts: 10,353
That's a shame that you were treated so disrespectfully by an ignorant clerk. She should br reprimanded, if not by the store owner/manager then she shoudl be told by you. She should keep other people's feeling in mind and not embarrass anyone. She could have handled that completely diffrently and still have gotten her point across. I would not stay with the shop.
10-04-2010, 05:08 PM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by MerryQuilter
Occasionally a LQS just does not seem to get the business aspect of running a shop. I took a large quilt in to choose a border and the clerk said "not my colors" there are enough shops around so I will not be shopping there again. Not the first time similar attitude was shown. Don't get it.
10-04-2010, 08:22 PM
#55
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 141
Honestly, I would go back to that shop as soon as possible and talk to the clerk who did this to you. Don't let this grow and grow. You need to make them aware of your feelings and you will have your answer if you want to continue shopping with them.They need to know how YOU feel also ! There isn't any thing wrong in knowing what was going on. This is an important shop to you, so don't feel petty in asking for an explanation.
10-05-2010, 02:06 AM
#56
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 187
I agree with all these posts. It was embarrassing and poorly handled. Take the "high road". I know, you're as sick of the high road as I am. However, forgiving is for you , not the other person. As so many have said here, if you let it eat at you, you're the loser. To kindly let her know how you felt may save someone else from this type of treatment. I had a similar incident in a yarn shop just a week ago. When I left, I swore I'd never be back. I'll chew on it awhile, and may or may not go back. Take heart. Other's there felt your pain and I'm sure discussed it after you left and felt sorry for you. Look up!! And....go back!!
10-05-2010, 07:13 AM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Live in Littleton, CO via Rapid City, SD
Posts: 2,187
I was embarrassed at a local quilt shop in western SD several years ago. Went home and sent a letter to the owner and expressed by disbelief at the clerks behavior. Learned it was the owners wife. I rec'd an apology.
10-05-2010, 09:58 AM
#58
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: East Central IL
Posts: 124
I think I would make a joke of it too the next meeting you attend (yes, you should go back) and say something like, "Gee, I hope the teacher doesn't sit me in the corner for not knowing the rules of paying if you don't stay." You will get your point across to the other ladies that you didn't know you were suppose to pay and they might add too of things that have happened to them with this quilt guild. I wouldn't let one person keep me away. It could have happened to any of us.
10-05-2010, 05:13 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: beautiful Olympic Peninsula
Posts: 626
Originally Posted by raptureready
I reread your post and you say that you really liked the woman that did this. Chances are that she really likes you to and felt at ease yelling across the parking lot to you. She probably didn't mean to cause you any distress. Speak to her about it. Be nice. Just tell her that you didn't realize that you had to pay if you didn't stay but that you wished she'd waited until the next time you came in and said something then because it really embarrassed you the way it was handled. But be nice, be understanding. She may have been having a really bad day.
Please don't drop out. Make a joke of it at the next meeting. Just laugh about there really being quilt police and that they'll chase you down for a couple of bucks.
Other people can only make you feel bad if you allow them too. By not dealing with it you'll only end up full of resentment. Just take a deep breath, hitch up your big girl britches and get it over with so that you can move on.
Please don't drop out. Make a joke of it at the next meeting. Just laugh about there really being quilt police and that they'll chase you down for a couple of bucks.
Other people can only make you feel bad if you allow them too. By not dealing with it you'll only end up full of resentment. Just take a deep breath, hitch up your big girl britches and get it over with so that you can move on.
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