A few of you took the time to let us know the ways in which you enjoy buying things online. We appreciate it and I'm going to integrate as many useful features into the new site as possible. I don't see many limitations with the new host.
SEARCH.
Yes, we will definitely have a search feature. I'm more of a "browser" myself, when it comes to clothing and textiles, but I appreciate the Amazon-like experience of being able to find specific things easily.
MORE FABRICS.
Yes. We will be adding woolens first (because it's the season), but please feel free to request other things. The squeaky wheel definitely gets attention.
MORE BUTTONS.
This will be my pet project. More on that later.
SMALLER PICTURES ON THE PARENT PAGES.
Check. I get it. That gives a better overview.
FEWER CATEGORIES.
Well, there's no getting around it. I'll do my best, but there are a lot of things waiting to "nest" under every category. When you consider the search feature, it should be easier to find what you want.
SAMPLES.
I've got "clearance" to sample many fabrics, but not all! I think samples are important for offsite color matching, but for many other attributes of fabric like drape, weight, texture, and overall appreciation, it's probably smarter to go with the minimum yardage. We're lowering the minimum purchase to 1/8 yard on most but not all things. Of course some things like panels cannot be sampled.
We will have a limited number of samples, when available, at a modest cost.
COMMENTS/ISSUES ABOUT ONLINE SHOPPING IN GENERAL WHICH DESERVE TO BE ADDRESSED.
Shipping charges. UPS has become just too expensive and the USPS is very reliable (with insurance) so we are making our default shipper the good ole USPS. With their recent (like yesterday) changes to their priority mail service, insurance is included up to $50.00 value. That means our shipping charges are going to be very modest (we are aiming for a default rate of $5.88), which makes all of us happy! Another feature that I feel is very important is that the shipping charge shows as soon as you enter your zip code in the shopping cart--no signing in or any other silliness before you can see the shipping charge. (Free shipping on purchases $100 and up too!)
Partial orders. Did you know that it is our policy not to ship partial orders? Sometimes your project depends on the very thing the supplier is out of....and it is very annoying to get everything but (that happens to us too)...we are going to continue our policy of checking with our customer first if we are out of anything, before releasing the order. This comes from a sewing person's point of view (mine).
Crooked cuts/short yardage. If you've ever shopped with us "live" or online, you know that's never been an issue here. We cut straight or tear, and on some fabrics pull a thread. Will continue this practice.
OTHER NEWS.
You may have heard that Google Checkout/Wallet is no longer going to be available to merchants who sell "real stuff" (only downloads and such). This is one of the main reasons we are updating our e-commerce...we have to re-enter everything into a different database anyway, so it's one of those blessings in disguise. You can still place orders on anything that remains on our existing site until November.
Finally, you might be interested in Amtrak's current southbound "Cardinal" schedule, which is timed right on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to bring shoppers to Culpeper at noontime for an afternoon of shopping, dining, and maybe a glass of wine...departing at about 4:00 pm...and this makes me smile...we're having an "End of Summer Choo-Choo" promotion....all aboard!
