Must be your particular local store. The one near me is very well run and everything clearly priced.
The one I use to have a huge problem with was Northwest Fabric but they've gone out of business. The prices in their ads never matched what was rung up. You had to watch them like a hawk!

The one nearest to me is small, crammed too full, even though they do keep the fabric fairly neat and in place, the clerks are fairly friendly though not enough of them. The big store about 40 miles away is huge, roomy, has more inventory, the stock is kept well in order, but the clerks are so nasty you hate to even go up to the counter to get your fabrics cut, and Lord help you if you need to ask a question! But I've noticed that in the past 3 years there isn't as much variety and less inventory in the quilting fabrics in both stores as there used to be. There is a specialty shop here but very limited inventory, although what's there is nice, but pricey. Then there is one about 60 miles away in Dunedin, FL that is a quilter's paradise, though I haven't been there in about 5 years, so who knows, it might be a disappointment now, too. That's the kind of place where you need to get up at daylight, drive there, and plan to stay for hours, plus it would be nice to have LOTS of money! We have no Hancock's any more around here, and Walmart stopped carrying fabric. It's pitiful!

Rita, you must be talking about Rainbow's End. I was there several months ago with friends...I live near Orlando, so it was a day trip for us. The store is huge, and the employees were very friendly and helpful. We had lunch at a kitchy little place nearby, then hit 2 more shops on the way home!

I dislike shopping at JoAnn's, too. We have the big stores in the Orlando area, but I hate having to take a number at the cutting counter, then stand in one line again at the checkout. There is no express line...everyone waits in one line. I really get aggravated by the customers who obviously have never stepped foot in a fabric store before and they tie up one of the cutting clerks trying to figure out how much fabric they need then tell them how to make cushion covers or some such thing. They really should have someone other than the cutting people help customers with questions.

Donna

Yes! Rainbow's End! Isn't it wonderful??? I wonder if you ate at Bon Appetit? Anyway, glad you had a chance to go there, I wonder if it is as yummy as 5 years ago?? The first time I walked in there my tongue almost rolled across the floor, I was drooling all over the place.

I have a choice of 2 Joann's within 15 mins in opposite directions. Both are the same size, and the quilting sections are similar, but different fabrics usually. Both stores are frustrating as he!!. I try never to go there if I am either in a hurry, or in a great mood! Joann's is a necessary evil, but if I ever win the lottery, I am never - ever shopping there again!

We have a decent, well-run JoAnnes here, thank God. The gal who manages it is good and obviously keeps reigns on the employees. They usually have enough help, as well. If there is a line at the cutting bench, someone always comes to help out.

That being said, the prices have seemed to have doubled in the last year for the identical quality and lots of quilting and sewing stuff has been discontinued to make room for doo-dads and novelty items. That leaves me cold.

Our W-mart still has a fabric section, but I'd have to be pretty desperate to buy anything there. What I have bought was printed off-grain, thin and curled when pressed like tissue paper. The clerks hide and if you can get somebody to help you have to listen to them complain about having to work there. That's a real positive experience.

I found a LQS closer than any of them and plan to drop some dollars there when I need more material. It's not cheap, but most of it is priced competitively with the chain stores 'better' stuff.

I really miss all the fabric stores our nearby town use to have. They finally all went bye-bye when the *Marts moved in. There is a common misconception with people who don't sew that nobody sews anymore.

ritaweeda, can you tell me the name of the store in Dunedin?
When we return in Oct., I'd like to look it up. DH says it isn't too far. Sounds interesting.

It's Rainbow's End. You can Google it for address, etc. I haven't been there in a few years but sounds like it's still going strong. Maybe I'll give myself a treat and go soon. And it is a treat.

I was really frustrated with the 2 JoAnnes when I lived in Longwood. They both had really bad customer service. Here in rural America I have 3 Wally Worlds by me (all about an hour drive away) and only 1 has fabric an not a good selection.
I buy online from Connecting Threads or E Burns and I have been pleased with their selections.
JoAnne online, you never know what the condition of the fabric will be so I don't bother!!!
Rosa

I agree its a pain. My Joanne's is an hour away. Walmart is closing their dept. When I go visit my daughters in Wichita I stock up on my quilting supplies. And the service in their quilt shops are great.

I've got a Joann near me and 2 huge super stores within a 20 minute drive (in opposite directions, of course). The staff are spread thin but they do a decent job.

The problem with Joann, I think, is that they sell an inferior quality of cottons with a lower thread count, a rougher hand and probably, cheaper dyes. If Joann is what you've got, then that's that. But quilting stores sell cottons with tighter weave and much nicer hand for about the same price. Think about it. If you're making something that you hope gets handed down, don't you want it to feel as good as it can and wear as well as it can even if you pay 50¢ more a yard? Besides, you might even avoid the sales tax.

If I didn't have access to good quilting stores -- I'm blessed; there are 3 -- I'd order from Hancock's of Paducah. They carry almost everything that's distributed. Their catalogue has excellent clear pictures and if you're not sure of the scale, you can call them up and ask them to compare the motif to a quarter or a dinner plate or whatever to get clear about it. They sell the Moda Bakery Shop line and fat quarter bundles as well as yard goods (in .5 yard increments). Their prices are the going rate that I find in my local quilts shops. And their delivery is quick.

There are lots of other online resources too. I'd avoid E-Quilter. I think they sell seconds. At least I have gotten marked fabric and fabric with pulled threads on a number of occasions before I figured out that they're unreliable.

PS Did you know that for things like rulers, rotary blades and mats that Joann online has consistently better prices than the retail stores?

I agree that LQS are the way to go or a trusted on line store but there are occassions when you need something in a hurry so JO is there. I was please with one find that they had, a Fairfield batt the measured 45"X 5 yards. with the 40% off coupon it wasn't a bad price. It was rolled, 20/80 and has a great hand. Perfect for small items. Jayne