Obstructionists to my DIY groove

**Shug** · 10-01-2009, 00:29

I have no problem at Jo-Anns but only shop for incidentals these days.
Plus they carry Wonka Bars.
Shug

**oldgringo** · 10-01-2009, 04:08

Originally Posted by avalonmorn

So sorry, can't resist this......

http://www.rockywoods.com/Customer-Photos/Prom-Dress_3

Underwear to match, no doubt.

Somewhere out there, there's a very proud bubba.

**bdpalace** · 10-01-2009, 06:59

Disclaimer: The original post was in no means an outward assault on the JoAnn's establishments across the lower 48, but rather a humorous anectdote for others to appreciate if ever they have found themselves in a similar, awkward customer service conundrum.

Now, back to our originally scheduled programming...

I have definitely learned a phrase or two I can fall back on if the Rainman routine is in order..."polyester taffeta, ripstop nylon, Judge Wapner at 4:00". Which was my secondary goal with the post.

Thanks again for all the good info (and the prom dress splinter thread), but I think I'll stick to those that brung me to the dance and use HF suppliers. This is, by far, the best collection of folks I've encountered on any forum.

**Perkolady** · 10-01-2009, 08:31

I find I'm better off just wandering around the store until I spot outdoor type fabrics (often by the fleece). I never 'ask'.

I have to remind myself that many of the folks working at these stores are only there for the 'job', and it's not a 'career' for them. Most don't know what fabrics are what, and they don't WANT to know.

**sclittlefield** · 10-02-2009, 12:59

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Somewhere out there, there's a very proud bubba.

Took me 5 minutes at least to stop laughing.

**Exploriment** · 10-02-2009, 16:21

It’s even better when you’re a gigantic tattooed guy.

I rarely bother going into any brick and mortar sewing shops anymore. Most of them seem to cater only to women who make curtains, cushion covers and halloween costumes.

“Hi do you have any Cordura?”
“Cordura? Do you mean corduroy?”

“Hi do you have any rip stop nylon?”
“Never heard of that before.”

”Hello do you have any sil-nylon?”
”What’s that?”

The webbing is cheap crap, the hardware inevitably tends to be flimsy garbage.

I might go in for Coats upholstery thread or one place I know has lots of different colours and sizes of genuine Velcro. But by and large I get everything I need from mail order places that specialize in tactical and outdoor stuff. I enjoy dealing with people who actually know what they’re talking about.

**obinella** · 10-12-2009, 02:20

very entertaining thread. it's not just men in a predominately womens store. go into any lumber yard, hardware, paint or big box like Lowe's or home and ask for the location of any thing, and you get, what are you using it for? i usually say, i haven't decided yet, where is it?

**MacEntyre** · 10-12-2009, 06:00

You go to a store with a specific request, and you get, "What are you going to do with it?"

Translation: "I don't have a clue."

**gargoyle** · 10-12-2009, 06:30

I remember when we were remodeling the house years ago, and I would send Mrs. G into town to fetch up some things I needed. She would walk into the big box store, stand near the entrance, with a confused look on her face, and soon a young man would run to her aid and she would show him the list. He would run thru the store in record-time, grabbing everything on the list, while she waited by the cash register. Very fast, Very convenient, very funny.

She came home with exactly what I needed, to my surprise, and in about a tenth of the time I had figured. When I said I was shocked at how good she did, she told me the story of her very own personal shopper-boy.

Being gorgeous and blonde has its advantages.

Now we need a service person at JoAnns to do the same for the guys.