My Walmart Experience

[KerryA]

Tonight while hubby was in the fishing dept., I decided to look at fabric. I have never bought there before. I was going to make a couple of pillow cases with breast cancer awareness fabric, but couldn't find any fabric at JoAnns the other day. Well, Walmart had it. Even though it felt flimsier than I wanted, I thought I would pick it up. Took forever to get a cashier to cut. When she finally did, she couldn't cut straight. Worse cutter I have ever seen. I bought 3 fabrics. A yard and a half, a half yard, and a quarter of a yard. When she tries to input it to get a scanning ticket to take to the register, the only one she knew how to input was the yard and a half. So she hand writes up the other two on tickets, but can't figure out the price. The quarter of a yard was $2.44 a yard so 61 cents. The half yard was $4.99 a yard so $2.49. Needless to say I get up to the cashier to pay and the two that are handwritten out, she couldn't figure out how much to charge either so she just threw them in my bag without even trying to calculate the cost. After that experience and the HORRIBLE cutting job (I will be surprised if it measures close to what I bought), I think that was my one and only time buying there. And the sad part to this is I am a teacher, and to think two people out there in the working world couldn't even take a stab at calculating half of $4.99 or a quarter of $2.44. Ouch!!!!!

[JCY]

Sorry you had a bad experience at WM. I've had pretty good luck with the cutting & labeling, but sometimes have to hunt up someone to help. I know the mgr. of the fabric dept. has several other depts. as well & is over-worked. I bought quite a bit of fabric at WM when I first was starting out b/c I didn't want to ruin full price LQS fabric. Do you have a Hobby Lobby near by? Our store has quite a large selection of fabric, but still isn't quite LQS quality. But with the 40% off coupons, you save quite a bit. JCY

[Genny]

Because our Ben Franklin's store closed this last year my only choice to purchase fabric is at our local Walmart unless I want to make a 90 mile round trip purchase which I don't. I always have to look for a clerk to cut my fabric but at least they can cut straight and know how to figure the prices.

[Grace38]

I bought fabric at Hobby Lobby and it is great.

[Grandma Nan]

I was in Kohl's tonight and the cashier says if I came to work at 3:30 and work til 100, how many hours is that? She was serious. I couldn't believe that she did not have the skill to subtract three and a half from ten. I felt very badly for this young woman, not sure what lies ahead. She also couldn't read the size on the clothing tags as all of her clothes were at least 2-3 sizes too small. Oh well, what can you do. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

That is the problem with Walmart fabric. They have a decent selection but seldom have anyone knowledgeable to cut and price it.

[BobW]

I have only purchased at Wal-Mart once. It was a slow process, but the fabric was cut properly. I went into my LQS a few weeks ago to buy backing for a top I had finished. There was a new clerk in the store and the owner wasn't there (which is unusual). The new clerk measured out the material I asked for and then snipped a small cut in the fabric and tore it. I was 18 inches shorter on one side that the other. I asked her to measure and cut it again. She said there was enough material there so I should just take it. I took the material and went back the next day and spoke with the owner and she cut the fabric correctly and gave me my money back.

I went in the other day and bought some more fabric and the "New" clerk cut the fabric instead of ripping it.

[stationarymom]

I hate when the clerk tears the material,but I guess it is one way to do it I have seen many clerks in quilt stores do this.The problem with shopping at Wally's is they don't train any one person for that dept, so it is up to who ever is free at the moment.
As far as math it is pathetic that kids can't figure out simple math in their heads.I never agreed with a calculator being allowed in class,

[Iris Girl]

I have figured out the day to go to walmart for fabric in my area. I know when the girl that runs the dept works so that is when I go. She does not speak english very well, but she cuts great and loves to help me pick fabrics. She also knows how to measure and use the scan gun properly.

[Lightwriter]

Walmart is my only local source of fabric. Hobby Lobby is a 60 mile round trip, quilting stores range between 90-150 mile round trip. I have to go run down someone to cut the fabric. They usually cut ok, but sometimes the scan gun is an issue. I think they should have a phone to call for service if they refuse to leave anyone back there. I am glad this Walmart still has fabric, some do not.

The whole issue of the lack of ability to do mental math is becoming epidemic. The pacing guides for the schools rush the teacher in presenting material therefore leaving the students without adequate time to really master the material. The teachers hate it, the kids hate it...but the powers that be insist that this is necessary for accountability. Ummm....let us give the students time to master the material....