Grrrr I HATE company buyouts and takeovers!!! Just hate hate HATE them!!! Yes, they do mess up a LOT of stuff when that happens and if they claim 'nothing is going to change!' don't ever believe them. >_< Something ALWAYS does and NOT for the better!

Listening DMC??? :)

I hear you. That is why DH and I are going to learn how to frame our own. Yes, the initial output may be somewhat high but once the equipment is bought, then find a supplier for glass and framing material. I found a hardware store that will cut plain glass very inexpensive and a framing store we found will sell us a variety of different frame stock that we like by the foot. DH and I will add the manual labor and come out ahead of the prices that are being charged for framing.

Then there is always we wont raise prices, yea but the size of what ever is smaller. Cant win for loosing.

I agree--don't like take overs buy outs, the "change" is always for PROFITS never customer(s) Then "they "wonder why sales are down. Whithout customers you got no sales. Guess that's too simple an explanation for the C E O's and those who profit most from buy outs take overs. Guess if that happens we stop buying from the "new"store.

I agree--don't like take overs buy outs, the "change" is always for PROFITS never customer(s) Then "they "wonder why sales are down. Whithout customers you got no sales. Guess that's too simple an explanation for the C E O's and those who profit most from buy outs take overs. Guess if that happens we stop buying from the "new"store.

I hate this too! I buy mostly online because they have the inventory and good service! I am in a rural area near a city of about 36,000. Both Michaels and Joamns do not have too much cross stitch stuff and it never fails that, if I just need one color one skein, they do not stock it! Sales on floss make a lot of it run out, but they could try to re-stock better.

I also don't like the drive and all the walking!

Online shopping gets a lot of my business now even though I live near Mpls and have all the biggie craft stores within 1/2 hour. We even have a humongous Craft Direct an hour away in St. Cloud which is a delight to visit.

p.s. has anyone noticed that a lot of "Buy It Now" on ebay are full retail and more expensive than Amazon, Walmart online etc??

Love, love on line buying, especially since I don't drive. On line shopping= no long cash register lines. Tired feet and legs from having to walk on those darn hard floors. And best of all finding everything you need without having to "hunt" for a sales clerk--heaven.

I certainly have noticed a lot of both designs and kits that are current are more expensive than online or local shops! Watch out for this, especially when the shiping is often high, too!

However, for OOP ( out of print), vintage or other hard to find items, it can be a godsend. I even had onevwoman who noticed that I was looking for a pattern that summarized my dad's love for me (Paula Vaughn's "Through a Father's Eyes") that she found it on ebay, bought it and sent it to me as an RAK (random act of kindness), refusing any payment from me. She asked onky that I do the same. Since lthen, I have sent many RAKs to other stitchers, using my very ancient research skills to get what they want. Please don't ask, I like it to be a surprise.