The quilt stores couldn’t be more different:
Store 1:
I put out a call on facebook that I was looking for a fat quarter bundle of Alison Glass Sunprints 2020. One of the owners of the quilt store contacted me and said they had it and if I was interested to contact them. A few days later I emailed the store and yes they still had one bundle and they’d happily sell it to me. I was just under the total for free shipping so I found something else on their website to get me over that magic dollar amount. Unfortunately, the yardage I wanted had just been sold but the owner said “oh don’t worry about it”. She then offered me free shipping. I ordered after 3 pm and it was in the mail that evening! Now that’s service above and beyond.
Store 2:
Found the store while out on a drive with hubby. We entered and looked around and I saw some material at a great price that I’d been looking for. I gethered the bolts that I wanted cuts from.
While I was doing my thing, the owner or store employee, was talking to another customer and gave her a face mask pattern. So we asked if we could have a copy and she said yes and prints us a copy.
She cuts my yardage and I start to check out. She indicates that the pattern is $1 which she says is a photocopy fee. Okay, whatever, I’m not going to argue about $1. As she continues to process the order she shows me some elastic for face masks. Having enough elastic at home (and not being sure of the quality of the elastic as it didn’t feel sturdy) I declined to purchase it.
She snatches back the mask pattern and says you can’t have this. No where when we’d discussed about the pattern did she say I had to purchase anything to get the face mask pattern. She give us the total. We asked if she’d removed the charge for the mask pattern. She hadn’t but does so before I pay. I say to her that I wished she’d been upfront about the mask being contingent on buying the elastic. Then we leave the store.
Any doubt which of the quilt stores will be getting my future patronage and which will not?
Wow! I’m surprised the second store does any business. That’s nuts.
I’m sorry to hear of this experience. With bricks and mortar quilt stores closing , I would hope for more friendly service. I shop on-line, but I love shopping in person. I hope your “unhappy” store person sees your post. It’s a reminder that these little human interactions make a difference to business (and personal) success.
Sorry for the way you were treated. do you know if it was an employee or the owner. Would you please share the name of the store? Thanks