b.zang

With no local LQS, all the quilt shops I go to are out of my easy visiting area so I'm an out-of-towner every time I shop. The one with the fabric selection where I found the most appeal seemed to be staffed by cold, stand-offish women. But, with few choices and good selection, I continued to darken their door. I have learned that sometimes it takes a bit of effort on the part of the customer to receive friendly service.

If I walk in and wander around I may or may not be approached, which can leave me with the impression of unfriendliness if I'm not. But, if I ask for help, it has always been given in spades. One time the owner ran home to bring in fabric from her stash for me because she thought it would be perfect for the quilt I was working on.

I can shop for discount fabric on my own, but won't get the expert help of an LQS. Classes, samples, quality and service are all reasons I hope the shops within driving distance stay open.

tryitall

It is really hard to support my LQS. I have one about 25 miles, one 33 miles, another 45 miles, and then 2 or 3 that are around 60 miles. We travel around alot. Just messing around. Well, my problem is that everyone that I have been in is so neat, and they are so friendly! I can't seem to find one LQs to support

Suzy123

Wow. How rude is that. Sorry, but I bet your local stores love to see you come in. How do shops benefit you? They pay taxes, and help to keep your taxes down (get rid of all your businesses in town and see what happens to your tax rate), they employ people (if the local people will support them and they can grow bigger), they keep local real estate rented or bought, so you don't end up with a lot of ugly empty buildings around. When you buy off the internet, esp. people who don't really have stores but sell from their homes, you are doing nothing to help your local economy.

Tilladare

I support my LQS far more than I should probably LOL. The next closest LQS I "want" to like, but I cant get past their constant "up-sale" mentality. I went in looking for an iron... the owner tried to talk me into a tabletop presser thingie. I was curious about some floor model sewing cabinets they had on sale... instead I'm handed a brochure for the high end custom sewing "furniture".

One thing about ordering online, I always make sure it is either the online portion of a LQS (well, Local to someone anyway) or it is an online only shop run by an individual(s) not BIG BOX, or CORP type places

Minda

This is very true, and I think many of us forget what local businesses do for us. Thanks for adding this post.

brenda21

Fussycut,
I think that you are asking for ways to keep business in the LQS...there are always going to be people that for whatever reason, can't or won't use the LQS..for the rest of the people just remember basics and common sense....great customer service, being friendly and polite, employees that enjoy their job and other people, maybe have a section of your shop that can have discounted fabrics, communicate with emails and newsletters...word of mouth is awesome but remember that it works with negative words as well as positive ones, most of all have fun doing what you do :)

Mattee

The best advice I can give for keeping business in the LQS is to hold great classes with wonderful instructors. I am extremely lucky to have a phenomenal LQS very close by, and I go there several times a week. I take as many classes as possible, and will continue to do so. Classes increase customers' skill levels and help them become more interested in new techniques - which requires purchasing new supplies! Fantastic classes are a must. Too often I see LQS's that have (in my opinion) poorly thought out or designed classes, especially beginner's classes.

That being said, having a friendly attitude also increases business. I, too have experienced poor attitudes as LQS's, though not at the one closest to me (they are always fantastic). I, too, vote with my wallet, and spend my money at the shops that I enjoy, rather than those that make me feel uncomfortable. It was interesting to read people's comments about rudeness at LQS's. I was never sure why I was sometimes treated poorly, but I always thought it might be my age. I started frequenting LQS's and LNS's when I was in my early 20's, and was always the youngest by several decades, and I had to face a lot of comments about me "being in the wrong place," or "not really knowing what the store was for," or my favorite, "are you shopping for your Granny, dear?" It's hard to feel welcome with those comments. I guess it's not just age, though, some stores must just have rude staff or owners.

happy_lady

[quote=fabric=fun]Fussycut and other owners, here is my story. First off, I need to say I live in a Quilter's Paradise in Massachusetts! There are 3 LQS's within 15 mins, 5 more in 30 mins and 8+ more within 45 mins. (Also three Joann Fabric stores within 30 mins). Not all in the same direction, but you get the idea. With one to three other friends, I average at least monthly trips (mini shop hops) to several of them at a time. We never come home empty-handed and make one or more purchases in each store.

I'll be visiting family in Weymouth MA next month. Are any of the LQS near Weymouth? If not, I'm always up for a road trip, would you mind telling me the ones you enjoy visiting. Thanks Kathy

Butterflyblue

I want to take quilting classes, but only one (of three) local quilt stores in my area offers them (and I realize that as a resident of rural TX, I am VERY lucky to have that many within thirty miles). The one time I took a class there, it was called a "Quilt as You Go" class, but she spent all of the time showing us how to machine quilt, and never go to the "as you go" part, which is what I wanted, since I'd already quilted 3 or 4 throw quilts on my machine at that point. It was the first time she'd done the class, and it was obviously not well-planned. She did offer to let us come back and finish the class for free, but it never worked out for my schedule.

So although I love that store, and visit often, I am leary of taking classes there again.

I do appreciate that once when I went in there looking for a quarter inch foot the owner showed me how to use the settings on my machine and a foot I already had to do the same thing, and it cost me nothing. So I try to go in and buy fabric at full price when I can, but often I can't.