As someone who would love to start a business at some point in the future, I almost hate to write this. But, really, the experience was just too much not to mention.
On Saturday my knitting group and I set out to Alexandria to go to the new store, Fibre Space (formerly Knit-a-gogo: http://www.fibrespace.com/blog/). It just opened and we wanted to show our support. We follow the owner’s blog and have even taken a class from her. (I learned to cable in one of these classes!)
Well, the store was super cute. And all four women working were very nice and helpful, UNTIL we paid. After that, nothing. No love. Sometimes when you buy yarn, it is not in a ball, it is in a twist. The yarn needs to be rolled into a ball. This can be time consuming and, well, boring. But it has to be done. At most yarn stores they will do this for you. But all four women continued to chat and order office supplies on the internet while we tried to turn our yarn into balls. You have to use a loom to do it. We were told that they do not ball yarn. Really? You spend $60 at the store that day, and then order more yarn worth at least another $100 and they can’t ball our yarn. Nice. Ok.
Needless to say, we are done with that store. It is not on the metro line, like our favorite, Knit+Stitch=Bliss, and the people were rude. At Knit+Stitch, they are wonderful. They ball your yarn, they help you do the math, and they make you feel good. And really that is all I want in a store where I am spending money.
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7 comments:
Yikes! Definitely not a good review. When I come across a not so friendly store person, I try to be understanding that maybe they are having a bad day, not feeling well, etc. and be patient and understanding. However it is obvious in your situation what their goal is = MONEY. For all four to totally tune out once the register has done its job is shocking! You would think they would be smart enough to realize to KEEP making money, people will want to have to COME BACK. I'm glad you have a good alternative shop to use that you enjoy.
Hi (shop owner at fibre space). I assure you that we absolutely ball yarn. We have a great Strauch ball winder and swift for just this purpose. We will happily show you how to ball the yarn but we don't do it for you. this is because we don't want to damage someone's yarn. We make the buyer responsible for their own purchase. This hasn't been an issue with any of our customers, as most are happy to get a chance to play with the fiber and/or learn how to ball the yarn. I am really sorry that you had a bad experience. I have had such wonderful feedback on our shop, so I am disappointed to see your post. Hope you will give us another chance.
~Danielle
Oh, forgot to mention! we are most definitely on a metro line. We are five blocks from the King Street metro, which is both blue and yellow line.
I was really shocked to read this review. The employees of fibre space and its owner have always been so helpful and friendly when I have shopped there. On many occasions I have been helped with winding my yarn. On one occasion in particular, the owner assisted me for 20 minutes b/c I made a disaster out of one of my balls of yarn (my fault not the store's I wasn't paying attention and let it get tangled). One of my friends was also assisted by another employee when she made a tangled mess of her yarn. The employee helped her sort out the yarn for almost an hour. I hope the readers of this blog post take my comment to heart and visit this wonderful store which has always been inviting, with its comfortable couch and window seat. Not to mention the fabulous selection of fibers. It's really a place that a knitter can't miss out on. I would like to also add that I have no financial affiliation w/ the store or with its owners and I am not an employee.
I was with the blogger at this shop, and I am not any more likely to go back after reading the owner's response that doesn't make sense (you absolutely ball yarn, except that you don't?) and implies that we simply don't like yarn enough to be part of her customer base. The real issue for us was that four or five employees (including the owner who never moved from behind the counter) ignored us while we had obvious trouble with the winder. No other customers were in the store for most of this period. Not one of the employees noticed that half of my purchases didn't even get wound. We were so uncomfortable that winding my yarn by hand was a better option than staying any longer. Lucky for everyone we can all choose where we shop. I choose the place where the employees are excited to continue to help me with my purchase and my project after the register closes. I hope that others are happy at this store and that it is successful.
When it comes to customer service, I can think of nothing more irritating than someone visibly struggling with whatever it is they just bought and the store owner/employees simply ignoring them. I wouldn't go back either.
I was in there recently with my wife. The clerks seemed to know who was in the "knitting club" and who wasn't. My wife's a pure novice and not a regular. We just didn't feel welcomed. I'm sure they do quite well with their usual crowd, but we're not on their level yet.
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