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Stitching & Crafting Room:  so mad I could spit at Walmart  |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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LauriP
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Laurianne
Hertford
North Carolina
USA
239 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 09:03:51 AM
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I've stayed away from wal mart for all the same reasons..and also because when the husband & I delivered the freight for them, all the store managers were pretty fried..burned out..and exhausted. Corporate Hdqt. would push them to get soo much into their stores, regardless of whether or not they had room on the floor for the product.
The sad and ugly thing about the store, is there is such a violent mentality to their overbearing prescence (sp) in a community. The corporate ideal is to price competition out, at whatever cost is necessary. No if's and's or buts. The distribution centers are horribly overcrowded, and once a tractor trailer arrives, there is usually a wait of up to an hour or more to unload the freight..with the corporate chiefs screaming to get the freight moving faster. A viscious cycle. We had to make 3 back-to-back delieveries up to Maryland in a 2 day time span. We made it, but that was near the end of hauling freight for them. Plus the distribution centers have a clever way of "losing" paperwork the truck company needed in order to pay the drivers..I can't count the weeks we got paid less than $120 for driving over 2200 miles.
I didnt go in a walmart for over 2 or 3 years, an' finally went last spring...I felt sick, an' will sit in the car in the parking lot if tom absolutely has to go into the store. The memory of all the ugllieee with them still gives me the creeps. The chain is the very picture of corporate greed gone into overdrive. Don't ask some truck drivers of their experience hauling freight for them..my reaction is pretty mild compared to some others. Some drivers have crashed trying to get the freight to the stores in their (wal mart's) alloted time frame..some companies that haul their products have stopped carrying their freight because of the time constraints placed on the drivers..it's just getting uglier and uglier.
Answer? -- stop shopping there. Plain and simple. When reading the business page, several articles have stated that some of the stores across the country are recording lower than expected sales. It makes the corporate office go into a tailspin. Good. Keep staying away from them, and they'll have to change the way they do business. The maybe/good thing about walmart closing their fabric departments is that now maybe some of the mom & pop stores can reopen and actually make a go of it. It may be awhile before that's a possibility. but it's something to think about.
This went too long,but the rant is sometimes just needed, know what I mean?!!
Laurianne |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 10:25:48 AM
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I try to shop at locally owned business wherever I can and I specifically avoid Walmart.
I'm lucky in that I live close to a city that has several good independent fabric stores so I try to patronize those. I have found some good websites for fabric and patterns though including sewmamasew, Rubyjane, Cia's Palette, and equilter.com. Hope that helps - I too would rather hold fabric in my hand but when it comes to cotton yardage, if I'm familiar with the designer or fabric company I know what I'm getting.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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MrsDirtDoctor
True Blue Farmgirl
165 Posts
Hallowell
Maine
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 3:14:05 PM
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| GRRRRRR at Wally world!!!! My mother in law came to visit last week and we strolled around the fabric and found some we wanted..we waited about 40 minutes for someone to come help us!!! that's when they also told me that the crafts in most stores are going...such a dumb idea |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 3:41:32 PM
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I live south of Houston and of the Wal-Marts close to my house only one has fabric. We are lucky though because in our area we have a JoAnn's a Hancock and 4 quilt shops where we can get fabric. I try to stay out of there if I can. I have purchased fabric on-line a few times and get alot of it at the International Quilt Fair that comes every year. I was in Wal-Mart for ant poison and decided to check the fabric department for embroidery thread and with 5 aisles of craft and sewing supplies they had none. GRRRRRRR.
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 5:14:16 PM
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I get most of my fabic on-line also, JoAnns.com, and Fabic.com , and I have bought some thru ebay, other wise, the closest fabric store for me in down in L.A. and I refuse to go down there, scary, dirty, way crowded place!!
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 5:46:55 PM
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Sharlet, I buy the majority of my fabric on line. Our Hancocks went out of business. Now our Jo-Ann's has closed their best store. There are only quilt shops to buy fabric in. I don't know what I will do when I really need something special. Internet, here I come.
There is one Jo-Ann's in Lancaster, CA and I do like it because it is so bright and airy. Of course I can only use it when I am visiting my kids.
Betty in Pasco |
Edited by - Betty J. on Jul 20 2009 5:48:43 PM |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1673 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1673 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 8:25:59 PM
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Sharlet, I know exactly what you mean. The Wal-Mart here in Alvin did the same thing ayear or so ago. So livid I was and still am.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 8:38:47 PM
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I am so glad I'm not the only one that's had it with Walmart. I have threatened to stop going there for a long time, but now I really mean it.
I'm going to get a whole new education in ordering on line. I have bought a few things on line, but very few. I have never bought one piece of fabric though. I've been checking out some of the sites posted here and it looks like I will be able get most of what I want. So, my new adventure will start soon. I thought it might be good to start a thread with just the good websites posted for fabric and notions. What does anyone else think? I'm not sure if there are that many though. Could be all the good ones are already posted here. |
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mellaisbella
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
melanie
living on Anne of Green
Gables land
Canada
1862 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 04:59:30 AM
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hubby calls wallmart the devil store
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
farmgal #150 |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 06:44:14 AM
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Here is another place for fabric. www.voguefabricsstore.com I have not bought from them yet, but you can order swatches and they have deals all of the time. They also have a huge selection of fabrics.
One other thing about Walmart is that they don't always have the best prices. I shop a lot at a local grocery store and quite often their prices are better. Besides that so much of what you get at Walmart is chap quality so the money you save isn't really a savings at all!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
Edited by - oldfashioned girl on Jul 21 2009 07:09:28 AM |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 09:39:42 AM
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Monica
Now your getting me into trouble - I thought we where to destash and now I am finding more great fabric - Shame on you!!!
Just kidding - I do not think we can break our habits of fabric stashing but it is better then some habits... I am going to keep telling myself that to feel better.
Thanks for the new site.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 10:50:52 AM
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It's funny, I am a 'tactile' kinda person when it comes to shopping for fabric...I need to look at & feel the fabric befor I buy it. But living out here in the country is not always simple, & our local Wally World doesn't sell fabric and I can't just hope in the car & run down the road to Joanns or other local fabric shop, so I find myself planning my "fabric shopping" trips bundled up with in town errands....I now am venturing out of my comfort zone & starting to buy fabric on line from both Frabric.com & e-quilter.com. In fact my latest order just arrived yesterday...I ordered some "I Love Lucy" print fabric for an I Love Lucy themed apron swap.
e-quilter's is wonderful! they communicate with you, ship promptly and even wrap the fabric up nicely in tissue paper. I am very pleased with them.
Well speaking of fabric, better get out side & water my garden so I can spend the rest of the afternoon sewing...
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Claude09647
True Blue Farmgirl
761 Posts
Claudia
Our Dairy Farm
Pennsylvania
USA
761 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 11:14:45 AM
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I was not all too happy about them shutting down the fabric dept either. Its on my way home from work and i would love to stop sometimes and just look at things to get some ideas... now its an hour and fifteen minute drive to fine something good, and even then their prices are high
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." |
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Tanna
True Blue Farmgirl
195 Posts
Tanna
Fort Worth
TX
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 12:43:46 PM
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Sharlet,
Let me know when you're up this way if you want to have tea, or coffee, or even lunch!
Tanna |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 12:57:19 PM
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Tanna,
I sent you an email. |
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Amy Warwick
True Blue Farmgirl
102 Posts
Amy
Oakesdale
WA
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 1:04:48 PM
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My husband and I made a vow on our wedding day never to shop at walmart again since they are putting our little shops out of business. We thought we would end up spending more money, but in fact we ended up saving more money by not being enticed by all of the end cap items that they have in Walmart. I have never been happier!
Amy
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it ~Aristotle
please visit www.amywarwick.com. |
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AmethystRose
True Blue Farmgirl
254 Posts
Rosemary
Huntingdon
PA
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 1:18:26 PM
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Claudia, there are two fabric stores in Belleville, and the Peight's store there has some fabric. The Lewistown Walmart still has a fabric department because of the Amish and Mennonites in the area, but it's been drastically downsized.
The availability of fabric has changed in the past thirty years. There is a generation or two of women who no longer make their clothing, because styles of dressing has changed. The fabric manufacturers are no longer here, and those remaining are making specialty cottons for quiltmakers. At my local JoAnn's (twenty five miles away) only half of the floorspace has fabrics, and most of that is devoted to quilting, novelty prints and bridal.
I'm not a fan of Walmart either. As my knees aged and their store expanded, I found myself worn out by the time that I reached the back of the store. My time is worth more than the fifty cents that I might save.
Rosemary |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 5:55:48 PM
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Grace, I think you have gotten me into enough trouble so maybe now we are even!! hehe!! I actually have only found about 3 pieces of fabric that I am able to easily part with! I am trying to destash, but it's just not going that well because every time I start looking through boxed to sort stuff out, I am like a kid in a candy shop and I find things I had forgotten I had!
I am going to keep telling myself the same thing!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 6:41:15 PM
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Oh My - I went to equilter.com and I must have spent an hour looking at all the fabric I should not get. I think it is good bye to stores and HELLO to on line fabric - I am now going to a site called Sew Mama Sew - it is another site someone gave me. Bad, Bad, Bad Grace
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 6:52:56 PM
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| I just looked at Sew Mama Sew and it has the cutest patterns. I haven't looked at the fabric yet, but will in a few minutes. Thanks, this is a really cool site. The aprons are great too. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 6:58:30 PM
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Betty J., they closed the JoAnns fabrics in Lancaster about 2 years ago, Hancock fabrics in Lancaster is also gone, for at least 3 years, Micheals is gone too.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 9:34:57 PM
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Grace, I checked out Sew Mama Sew and all I can say is that it's probably a good thing I can't afford most of it! I did remember another site that I looked at and I know it's not helping matters to post this, but they have TONS of fabric!!!!! http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Task=Custom&Step=Home I am not sure if someone has already posted this or not! I have never ordered from them though!
Sharlet, I think it would be a great idea to start a thread about online fabric sites! It would be good to know if others have bought from places and how the service was!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: so mad I could spit at Walmart |
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so mad I could spit at Walmart
