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The problem with Joanns coupons are they usually are for "not on sale" items and most of their normal fabric is "on sale" all the time. I joined Quilters Club of America and get a 10% off on anything sale or not. I also get coupons e-mailed to me..usually 40-50% off.
I feel Blessed. I have a shop not far from where I work that sell great quality 100% cotton quilting fabrics for AUD$5.95 metre on sale (usually AUD$7.95) (minimum half metre cut). They also have some more expensive ones at AUD$9.95. These are great fabrics, they may be less expensive but quality is fantastic. I use them all the time. They also have great prices on batting and backing fabrics.
I intend to stock up before the sale ends. I should say stock up some more, because I have already built up the stach somewhat.
Cloud 9 fabrics are organic cotton. That's why they're so expensive.Quote:
Originally Posted by MayinJerset
l think that " $11.24 .... $14.99 " is cheap it would be $25 upwards in Australia ....
I'm lucky to shop at a discount store that doesn't charge so much. Most of their fabric on the bolt is less than $8 a yard. They have a huge table of off-the-bolt fabric that is $3 a yard. It may not be the designer's most current fabric line, but most of it is high quality fabric from companies like Free Spirit, RJR, Red Rooster, etc. I've gotten some excellent fabric for $3.00.
You would be surprised how much the shipping DOES cost. It's quite a bummer! Shipping from the US to Europe costs a fortune. But there are ways to save (a bit). Also do not underestimate the customs and the taxes you have to pay once you import. For example, here in Finland, I pay 20% taxes for larger orders (worth above 50 EUR, so I always have to check the dollar rate), and if I am once brave and order much more, I have to check that I don't spend more than 150 EUR because then I would have to pay additionally customs! Do not forget that shipping fees are to be calculated also into the taxes. So if you pay 50 USD for shipping, the great Finnish state will happily charge 20% of the shipping costs as well (if you're above the 50 EUR items value.)
I once looked into importing fabrics to the EU to perhaps offer a small online shop with competitive pricing but it seems to be close to impossible. The shipping fees, the taxing and the customs make it very very difficult!
Oh, and couponing is not very popular here, for a reason I do not know. I know that in some parts of the EU it's even frowned upon. If I order in the US from a store, I never had the idea that there might be coupons until someone told me. Well, now I have used some and it saved me money already! :)
I am lucky enough that I have enough in my stash to 'shop at home' so I only shop at Joann's if I have a coupon or if it's already at 40 - 50% off, even for quilting supplies - like Ott lights, rulers, etc. Of course there is Lancaster - so many places there with great prices and the high quality fabric. One day - every summer - I get the itchin' to go. Just myself and spend the day be-bopping from one store to the next. I get up (and I swear - by no conscious action of my own), announce to my DH - 'this is the day, see ya tonight!' and he knows it is MY Lancaster day. I have 3 or 4 friends that I could call up at a moments notice who would gladly go with me - but I have explained to them - but it's a ME day. They all get that. Plus they all can have their own ME day since they know how to get there. I don't always come home with bunches and bunches of fabric but I have spent the day for ME - once a year - gazing at the slower pace of life in the Amish while driving through the countryside and I am refreshed and ready to tackle another year until the next time.
Hugs,
Hancocks (not the Paducah one) jumped their priced up at the first of the year on their Kona solids - I can buy better quality with a much better color selection at any of the LQS around here, on line - anywhere really. The majority of their quilting fabric, in my opinion, is not very good quality. Sadly, there is a Hancock store literally 4 houses down the road and I can walk over there in about a minute. I will stop in for various notions, but not quilting fabric. I also find JoAnn to be a huge store full of nothing I want (fabric wise). I always find better prices, even with shipping , often free, at a variety of on-line shops.
Wow, OK thats craziness. But when the country provides health insurance, long term care, education, secondary education and pension, I guess thats where the trade off lies. In the US, tax cannot be added to shipping costs - it is added after the tax calculation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Evilynn
I got an e-mail from them today stating all their quilting cotton is 40% off. Their fabric is getting to be just as expensive as the "good" stuff, I only go there when I really need something to finish a project and occasionally for notions.