Returning Fabric???

Yesterday, I bought 8 yards of a fabric DD had chosen for baby quilt/valance/crib skirt. The cost was $9 per yard. They didn't have much of any coordinating fabric, so when I got home I decided to see what I could find online. I found the same fabric online at an online shop at $3.50 per yard.

I have never returned fabric before. Any thoughts?

My big dilemma is that I really shop a lot at the LQS and actually rarely go to any other quilt store at all. I'd feel a little like I was cheating on my friend or something similar. However, I'd save about $35 or $40, which I would actually go back and spend at the LQS anyway.

I have run into that at my friends shop to, but I didn't take it back, just decided next time to check out other places first next time. That was before I got the computer, so not much to chose form. I couldn't do that to my friend, she had the only decent shop in town. Anxious to see what you decide. Norma

I am not sure what policies are on fabric... I guess I would never think of returning because its been cut... but if they have a return policy I would take it back and say DD changed her mind on the colors... oops!

maybe you could 'exchange' it for something else, you said you'd spend the money there anyway?

My LQS has a return policy, but I can't imagine taking it back, although i MIGHT suggest a trade, as Gimpy suggested.

I will note that I have seen the exact same pattern of fabric at $4 and at $9, but found that the $4 fabric was on a inferior weave of fabric, so it was not the same. After the pattern was out of print as the original, it is often reprinted later, I was told.

Ask your shop what is their policy on returns. Usually they'll be glad to take back 8 yards as long as it has not been washed or handled too much. They may give you a store credit for the purchase price instead of a refund.

In todays economy I would be hard pressed NOT to take it back. But I would make real sure the stuff on line is good quality first. As long as you don't make a habit of it, I really do not see the harm.

I called the shop and their policy is no returns on fabric, however, they are making an exception and I can return it for a store credit. Since I shop there a LOT, I am happy with that.

Will be interesting to see if the online fabric is the same quality as LQS. You'll have to let us know. The website too as that is quite a good price.

In my experience, some stores will take back 5+ yards of fabric as they can usually resell it and it is enough to cut should they need to. BUT, the normal rule is that cut yardage can not be returned...so you must have a very nice shop to let you do that. Yes, do let us know how this other fabric is and what web site you got it from.

If you bought 8 yards..in some lines of fabric that's a whole bolt. I think they should be able to resell it? If it were small pieces ..maybe they wouldn't want to take it back? That's a sizeable difference in price?
I've gotten so I do most of my fabric shopping online. It seems like the manufacturers are coming out with new lines once a year or so and the online shops put the fabrics into clearance faster than the stores? If I know the name and manufacturer of a fabric I like..I search around online for it. The stuff I've been getting from Whittles, Thousands of Bolts, Marshall Dry Goods etc. runs in the $3.50-$4.00 range and is top notch quality.

This is the website I discovered with great prices. Ann, please check it out. They have some fabulous sales. AND their prices are good. AND if you spend over $40 and are in the US, it's free shipping.

https://www.deltapatchwork.com/index.php

Wellllll, as one from the other side of the cutting mat I can tell you that we don't get a lot of people asking but I don't think that I'd have a problem exchanging or giving credit for nearly any amount of fabric... I know that we've done it even with fat quarters; someone decided one didn't work for them, so we let them just trade for one they wanted.

Doing a cash refund is a little trickier. Well, to be honest, it's a major pain in the patoot. There's all kinds of jumping through hoops from an accounting standpoint, both short term (the count at the end of the day) and long term (yearly taxes). And speaking of taxes? Oy.

Thank you FB. I did return the fabric for store credit. This shop normally doesn't allow any returns or exchanges at all. I am a long time customer so they made an exception.

FB..it's good to know what it's like from the other side of the cutting mat.

Joann..Thanks for that site! I didn't know about that one.

Anne....this Marshall dry goods is a fantastic site....great prices on quilt backs...and they have these 90" wide "quilt tops" that I think would make really cute backing......kind of like making your quilt reversible!

http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=12

Yikes! CC, they do have some great prices. This one's a keeper.

I got my fabric today and it is wonderful. Just exactly what I wanted.

so happy for your Luv....can hardly wait to see the quilt etc...

Does this happen to you????

I am working on a quilt that I just bought the fabric for about 3 weeks ago. Today, I got the new fabric and I really want to switch over to the quilt I want to make with the new fabric.

I feel like I'm cheating on the other fabric.

Is there such a thing as fabric infidelity?

that is funny... I have done that... just put the quilt aside and start the other .. it really is okay to do that...

Luvsquilting wrote:

I feel like I'm cheating on the other fabric.

Is there such a thing as fabric infidelity?

I know exactly what you're going through, Luvs!

Just remind yourself that you're not cheating, you're extending the time you get to play with the first fabric!

But I can't start on the new fabric because the deadline for the one I'm working on is about the first or 2nd week of March. I need to finish it, quilt and bind by the weekend before Easter. The fabric I bought also has a deadline, but it's the first week of June because it's for DD's new baby who is due on June 9.

I will be so glad when these deadline quilts are done. Of course, then someone else will be pregnant or get married and it will start all over again.

I estimate the time it will take to finish, divide that by the days left to the deadline, and work on that project that much time each day. Of course, I allow a little time for unexpected delays. Then I stick to the schedule, leaving me time to play with other stuff.

See what quilting on the brain will do to your thought processes?

I can relate to that Luvs!
Maybe just iron the new fabric..it's not really cheating..just a little heavy petting?