oksewglad

Just wondering what qualities of a LQS makes you go back again and again? :lol: Conversely what turns you off? :evil:

LucyInTheSky

Well, the one shop I go to all the time in town is owned by my friend's mom, so that's a factor :). Convenience is an issue. There's a shop slightly closer to me but it's off of a really busy street, tiny parking lot, really congested, hard to get back onto the street (almost get hit every other time I'm there). So I drive a few extra miles to a different shop that costs a little more but has an easy parking lot with tons of parking.

And then obviously fabric selection. There are 3 main shops by me: a bright, a brights and browns, and a brown shop. I like brights, hence I go to the bright shop most, brights and browns less often, and brown during a shop hop :mrgreen:

Oh, and then also free stuff. The shop I love likes giveaways and a free strippers club (a new quilt every month using 2.5" strips. Show up, you get a free pattern), 2nd Sunday bees, etc. It's kinda like... if they're willing to give me some free stuff, I'm happier to be there, and willing to spend money there. It feels more like they're doing this because they all love fabric and quilting rather then focusing on nickeling and diming everyone. Does that make sense?

Esqmommy

My OCD sends me back again.

What made me pick that particular one? How nice and sweet the women working there are - they know my name, they always greet me, ask about my daughter, ask what I'm working on, etc.

There's another LQS same driving distance with an equally good selection of fabrics. Not as friendly, so I don't go as much...

gaigai

There is only one LQS within a reasonable distance to me here, and I'll never darken their doors again. I signed up for a class that was forming. They had a list, but no firm date yet. I was about the fifth name on the list. They never called. I also requested to join a Civil War Block class. They said they would have to ask the instructor, but was never called. If they had even called and said, "sorry, the class is cancelled; the other instructor said no" or whatever I would have been ok, but I never heard a thing.

grammy Dwynn

I have the choice of two shops, both 30 minutes away.

:mrgreen: always friendly
:? barely acknowledge you
:mrgreen: great parking lot
:? street parking or across the street lot
:mrgreen: large fabric selection
:? okay selection
:mrgreen: 30,40& 50% sale rack
:? 30% sale (not always quilt fabric,??)
:mrgreen: large class room
:? squeeze play
:mrgreen: two potty rooms
:? have to get a key and go two doors down ??

Okay you get the picture. Sometime the simple things can make a great shop. MY LQS has clubs, BOM, class for beginners to advanced. Wool, Jackets, totes (of course quilts) classes. Late night sewing once a month, for your own projects and just getting together with the 'girls'.

barnbum

There are two Menonite shops I go in all the time. They don't have anything even $7--all under. In the other LQSs nothing is under $7 unless it's on sale.

One Mennonite shop is run by a wonderful woman who can help anyone with any color question. She's funny and I always stay longer to chat. She has a wall of flannels!!! And she just added on and now has rows of batiks! I have taken so many friends there who have spent $100s. I think Ada likes to see me coming. :wink: It's out in the middle of nowhere, so parking is never an issue. There's even a rack to tie your horse, if needed. :D

The other M shop doesn't have as much selection, but the price is even lower. They have a row of buy one yard get one free! They aren't as friendly, but they're not unfriendly, just business like. They speak to each other in German, so that's kind of weird, but they speak to me in perfect English.

IN the LQS where I had been getting my quilting done, the owner folllows everyone around like she thinks you'll steal something. She's breathes down your neck! I've heard many don't shop there because of that. The prices are so high too. She has pretty bags though. :wink:

JulieM

There are three shops that are within 30 minutes of where I live. The one that is the longest drive for me is the nicest, very friendly staff, a huge selection of fabric, lots of extra wide backing, not enough notions, but they carry the best of the best of thread and fabric. Price per yard is $9.50. On your birthday they offer a discount of half of your age, my discount was 27.5%, okay I am 55. Parking is easy.

The next closest shop is very nice prices are a little cheaper than the one above, nice selection of notions and threads. Parking is easy.

The third shop is the closest to me, about 12 miles has adequate parking, a nice selection of books and patterns (I do not buy many books or patterns). A nice selection of clearance fabric, but they do not discount all of the fabric in a particular design. They are an authorized Janome dealer, however they do not sell the 1600P line, which is the machine that I have. Lots of fabric displayed by color, which is not necessary for me.

All and all, I love these shops and will always shop one of these first. We do have a Joann's that is a half hour from my home, I know lots of people shop there, but I have to grit my teeth :roll: to go in there. The sales people are just plain rude. I do like their notions.

JulieM

gaigai

Hey barnbum,

If I ever make it up that way, you'll have to take me there! :shock: :D :D

mimisharon

My very favorite and mostly the only one I shop is the furthest away from me but worth the drive. She's wonderfully helpful and one of the ladies that works for her is a joy to be around and she and I have become good friends. The owner and I are dear dear friends, she's a fellow Blue Star Mom, she came to help me at the end of Roy's life and her presense made me calmer and more appreciate of the love we sahare, she's the most helpful to everyone that goes in the store and has the BEST fabrics. I became friends with her after ordering a walking foot and taking one of her classes in her old shop. It's the very best selection of really good fabrics and there's no mold or mildew smell.

There are two others between my house and her shop. Both are unfriendly, 'cheap' fabrics at higher prices, they are cluttered, smell moldy, and have no time to talk, work with you on fabrics or color choices because they are to busy being snooty.

When I visit other areas I try to make time to visit any quilt shop I can find, I know it's easy to order online, but I like touch, smell, and friendly people. Being the people person I used to be and hope to get back to being soon, that's important to me. Unfriendly "attitude" folks never get a dime of my business whether they have something I'd really like or not.

Cathy M

We have lots of shops in the area and my favorite is because:
1. Always greeted with a smile.
2. Always am asked if I need help.
3. Always send out emails alerting customers on sales.
4. Have high quality fabric.
5. Great sales.
6. Free pretzels, patterns, etc.
7. My fabric is cut very accurately.
8. Fabric and patterns are rotated routinely.
9. Brightly lite so I can see what I'm looking at.
10. Great parking, flat surfaces so no tripping.
11. Shop is open and airy, customers are not in danger of
bumping into bolts and pattern racks.
12. Lots of examples hanging in shop to give us inspiration.
13. Great classes for all skill and interest levels.
14. Bathroom is handy, very clean and well lit.
15. If you call and declare you have a fabric emergency, they
will hold the fabric for you until you can come in.
16. When you come in for your fabric emergency, the clerks
don't comment on the fact you're wearing pajama bottoms
and your hair isn't brushed :) :)
17. And to give them a plug- Quilter's Quarry in Missoula, Montana
is the gem I am talking about.