Throughout our travels to different Quilting establishments
Kerry and I have gained some basic knowledge on what can
make or break a Quilt Shop experience.
There are so many things that people notice and evaluate you on.
And it really only takes one bad experience to ruin a shop for someone.
The rule of thumb is that if you get a bad review from one person you are
potentially losing the patronage of ten or more potential customers.
This is because when a person has a bad experience they are
more likely to share the experience than if they had a good experience
because they EXPECT a GOOD experience every time.
With that said, here are some Do's and Don'ts
we have found to be make it or break it situations for us.
DO
Keep a wide selection of fabric that includes;
Solids, Marbles, Small Prints, Large Prints, and Multiple Color Options.
Be diligent at cutting fabric at correct yardage.
Maybe even spare an extra inch for security.
(An entire bolt cut wouldn't even sacrifice a
yard if an extra inch was given at every cut)
Be consistent on how to properly fold cuts of fabric
Display only Projects that you currently
have the pattern and fabric available for.
Offer Classes!
Offer little tips, tricks, and help without trying to sell said classes.
Have a nice classroom area to teach classes.
Allow customers to come into the shop during non class
hours and craft with friends in your classroom area.
Have current tools and products.
Be able to use those current tools and products that
you are trying to promote to your customer.
Have a good efficient use of your time and skills.
Allow customers to purchase time on your longarm machine.
Allow customers to rent a sewing machine for use in shop.
(Something somewhat basic for classes or if theirs needs maintenance)
Always greet your customers with a smile and courtesy.
Plan to be at your shop and ready for business
during the business hours posted clearly on the door.
(Plan to be there at least a half hour earlier and later)
Have more than one cutting station in the shop area.
(There is nothing worse than waiting in line to cut fabric)
DON'T
Act like your customer is an inconvenience in any way.
Leave bolts of fabric lying around without a
proper home off the floor and out of boxes.
Overcrowd the customers walking space.
(This is asking for an accident to happen)
And also makes customers feel like they are
crowding others space when your store is busy.
Make your customers feel rushed.
(If your store closes at five and they came it at four forty five to purchase
the fabric they absolutely needed to finish a project be understanding)
Don't show up to the shop doors ready to open
them at ten if your shop opens at ten.
Allow animals (specially larger ones) to roam the shop floor.
(They belong pined up behind a counter on in a back room)
Cut fabric short!
Just don't do it. Quilters expect a full 36 inches not 35.
(This could cause someone to loose an entire row of blocks)
Leave bolts of fabric lying around without a
proper home off the floor and out of boxes.
Overcrowd the customers walking space.
(This is asking for an accident to happen)
And also makes customers feel like they are
crowding others space when your store is busy.
Make your customers feel rushed.
(If your store closes at five and they came it at four forty five to purchase
the fabric they absolutely needed to finish a project be understanding)
Don't show up to the shop doors ready to open
them at ten if your shop opens at ten.
Allow animals (specially larger ones) to roam the shop floor.
(They belong pined up behind a counter on in a back room)
Cut fabric short!
Just don't do it. Quilters expect a full 36 inches not 35.
(This could cause someone to loose an entire row of blocks)
Mark up item prices only to discount them and keep a larger profit.
Have so many employees that they flock to a
customer as they come into the shop.
Overprice Fat Quarters
(Or any other fabric for that matter)
~Hugs and Stitches~
