OH I feel your frustration ! What a mess. Talk about POOR business! I would report them to BB Bureau! I hate to ask you how much you paid- I know it is not cheap! What goes around comes around- they will have their day. Is there any way you can piece the fabric with some other fabric? I designed a beautiful shower curtain valance with about 5 different fabrics kind of in stripes. What were you going to make with the fabric?

Never heard of them, but that's totally ridiculous. I would take the bolt in to the store to return it. At a busy time with lots of customers around, even better.

What a bummer, it almost feels like robbery when stores are so poorly managed and treat customers that way. If they have a district manager or office, I'd be on the horn with them to report the problem. I've had success in the past going that route. Also, if you look them up under the name/address srch in Yahoo, there is a place to provide a review and lastly if they're a member of the BBB I'd also file a complaint with them as well. If they don't rectify the disbute via the BBB it will be documented with them for a very long time. Will keep fingers crossed for a happy resolve. -- Lukki

Never heard of them (fortunately!).

Are they a local store, or did you find them on the 'net?

That is ridiculous! I could see not refunding your money but not even an exchange? People are so rude. They wouldn't be happy if it were turned around. Sorry you're having to deal with this! Ha did you let them know you spend time on here?

Jeez! With the economy in the toilet the way it is, I doubt there are bus(tt)loads of people flocking to buy decorative fabric, so why would they be so darn crappy to a customer who even suggests a store credit? That's "customer service" at its very worst, and it really doesn't pain me too terribly to see businesses like that go under.

So sorry that happened to you. I'd be livid as well.

Do they label their remnants as "Final Sale" ?; that might be why they are giving you a hard time ; they should warn people that some of the remnants might be defective or stained, that way you would unroll them in the store to check them out....
If you show up in person, you might get more attention than on the phone.

Thanks for the votes of support!

Mitch - Actually, they didn't label this remnant 'Final Sale', though I've been sewing long enough to know that remnants generally are final sale -- But I also know that when defects are found in a bolt, that remnants are cut from that bolt to get around the defects, resulting in the common sight of five 1-2-yard remnants of the same fabric. And had there been any indication of defects or if this was a store that sold 'seconds', I'd have certainly checked the entire 5 yards instead of just the first 1-2.

Gracie & lukkiirish - Thanks for the BBB suggestion. I'll do that too!

And Squirrel - You're probably right about the 'in-person' tactics being more effective. I may try that yet, but at this point, I'm so annoyed with their tactics and poor service than I'd be reluctant to even shop there again! So even if I get the store credit, I'd be limited to something less expensive or to giving them more money...

Luann - High Fashion Fabrics is in Houston, and they're on the Internet, though that's not how I found them.

Sheesharee - I did tell them that I'm active on the Internet and that I regularly post my reviews online, and I did tell the clerk that the manager should Google High Fashion Fabrics in a few days to read all about it...

I'm another in your corner, and I find the "manager"'s behavior esp. preposterous. Can you imagine if you owned that store and found out your manager was a) treating customers that way and b) showing your employees that that's an acceptable / appropriate way to (re)act? As a business owner I'd be LIVID and want to know about that ....

As a customer I'd also be LIVID about it, not because of the effect this ineffectual manager is having on the business, but because that is both an unprofessional and rude way to treat people, esp. people who are customers.

Beside reporting them to the BBB (which I would absolutely do), I'd recommend finding out who the owner of the store is and letting them know. They may be a**holes as well (which means the manager learned it from them!), but what if they're not? Then they should know that their manager is trying to drive their business into the ground during this uncertain time.

I am furious on your behalf!

I would like to inform said manager (whenever they get here) that there are thousands, perhaps millions who only read here and don't post. >:-(

karma!

Not only poor customer service, but they seem to be treading on the illegal with their deceptive business practices.

I second the suggestion to contact the business owner.

I think the place might be kind of a 'trade mart' place? Because the first question they asked on the phone was which floor I found the fabric on - They have 4 floors of interior fabrics.

Any idea how I can find the owner?

I'm with squirrelheaven. Do a return in person and make a fuss, but be polite. :)

Sweeby,
I went into that store about 10 months ago and found a wonderful outdoor fabric that I would have used in my mudroom, had the attitude of the people who worked there been anywhere near acceptable. Being there, looking at trims and fabrics, was close to the worst shopping experience of my life (second only to one shop in Paris during the Vietnam War). I'll never set foot in there again.
Commiserating. . .
KD
P.S. Try googling the business info. on the store.

In my part of Virginia, the county has a Consumer Protection Division, which has an online listing of complaints filed by companies and also intervenes on behalf of customers. You might see if Houston has one. Definitely write a letter to your credit-card company challenging the charge on the grounds of deceptive business practices (did you have the chance to watch them cut the fabric? or did they take the roll somewhere else to do it?) The attitude of the people seems to indicate that they knew they were screwing you over but to them a sale's a sale.

That stinks:(

Some other places to post feedback are
Yahoo.local. com
Citysearch.com
yellowpages.com

I use all 3 of them and would find such feedback very helpful, even though I wouldn't have used this particular store.

Good luck in getting your money back. I hope the in person dealing is MUCH more successful.

I don't think the Better Business Bureaus have much clout any more. I'd let your credit card company slug it out, and also take a look at Consumerist.com and post there.

But you're #2 in a Google search of their name.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google search

Sweeby, why don't you take a picture (need to anyway to dispute credit card!) and post it here?

I would take my fabric back to the store on a very busy day and then talk to them. The coward wouldn't even come to the phone. Cowards respond well in a crowded room.

Absolutely go to the store with the remnant in hand. Make a production of the thing. "I was all excited to finally be able to get this project done and when I unrolled the bolt, I found THIS!" (unrolling as you speak...) Do not mention that you are the Crazie from the phone. Do not mention internet complaining. Just be nice and make sure you have an audience. Give it a shot.

Red

If you purchased this via a credit card, be sure you put a dispute on it so they don't get paid until you are satisfied......lousy customer relations!!!!! Good Luck~~

Unacceptable - tell them that in person.

Call ahead & ask who can make decisions regarding store policy. Don't waste your breath on someone who has to ask the manager above him/her.

If I have a dispute, I will only deal with the person who can make a decision on their own.

Hope you get it resolved.
Smiles:)