Textile Fabric Store

12/23/2007 Posted by gahgeah

I've been shopping at Textile, literally, for decades, since I was a young child accompanying my grandmother who was a seamstress. In recent years, there has been a huge downward shift in everything about this business. They do have a wonderful selection of fabrics in a beautiful store, but the lighting is poor for this type of business - watch out if you're trying to carefully match something! While the fabric selection is great, the markup is absurd. You can often find the exact same fabrics at other stores or online for several dollars cheaper per yard - for example, I recently paid $12.98 per yard for some cotton fabric at Textile, and came home and found it for $7.99 per yard online. However, I'm someone who has to see and feel fabric before I buy, so I end up buying at Textile fairly often, despite the high prices. I have also found the same fabrics for cheaper at one of the few remaining fabric stores in Nashville/Franklin. So, I usually go to the other stores first, and then go to Textile. They have a great selection of ribbon, but again, it's much more expensive than elsewhere. My main problem with the store is the employees - most of the workers are very helpful and friendly, but a few are rude and act like they're doing you a favor by waiting on you. The store managers (owners?) are particularly rude and occasionally hostile - they obviously do NOT value their customers, if their interactions with them are any indication. I have heard them talk to and about customers in very negative, condescending and hostile tones. One day I was in line and overheard a heated exchange between the owner and a very upset customer - the owner did nothing to diffuse this person's anger or try to retain her as a customer. He was as hostile, rude and unapologetic as anyone I've ever encountered. A simple, "I'm so sorry, but this is our policy" would have potentially toned down a difficult situation! I'm a business owner and I would never treat a customer that way

Pros: Good selection, beautiful store

Cons: Very high prices, poor customer service

11/14/2007 Posted by avs23

I went to Textile because I heard they have a huge variety of fabric, and I needed something great for bridesmaids dresses at my upcoming wedding. They do have a great selection...however, I recommend triple checking that it is in stock before ordering. I was told the fabric I ordered would be delivered in 5-7 days. It got pushed back 2 weeks, then three, then four. Six weeks later they finally said the fabric would never come in and I needed to choose another color. The manager actually reprimanded me for calling the distributor directly. He said I was "out of line." The distributor is a business with a published phone number, so I'm not sure what the issue is there. He never once apologized for making me waste 6 weeks on material that never came. He never offered to help. He never offered any solution other than "pick something else." I will say that one employee there was very sweet and patient, but since the manager has final say I still didn't get the help I needed. Since I was short on time, I chose something that was actually in stock so I wouldn't have to wait anymore. This meant my entire wedding color theme changed. The new fabric was actually $10 more per yard, so I asked if they would honor the original price. Nope. They said that was their firm price and again, it was not their fault my material never came in. Well, technically it was the distributor's fault, but they are the local business offering it. Again, NO customer service. They should have done something to make it right. Their fabric is beautiful...but make sure you have PLENTY of time to wait for it to get here, and be ready to pay very high prices.

Pros: beautiful fabric, location

Cons: poor customer service, fabric not in stock