Update 5/22/13: The Mood website is being revamped, as are some of the spaces within the store. Keep your eyes open for more improvements as they move forward!
For some New Yorkers and frequent garment district shoppers, Mood has become the tourist attraction of the the area. Arms crossed, squinting, scowling, people have complained that it is crowded, with inconsistent prices, long waits at the register, overwhelming...
But...
I really enjoy their leather and home dec departments, and ventured in to explore as I work out the design of a bag I'm currently working on. Boy, did I find what I was looking for, and boy, was has the shopping experience vastly improved!
With fresh eyes, I took myself on a bit of a tour around the place. At least 5 different employees must have asked me, in a completely friendly, gentle, and helpful way, if I needed help finding anything. The organization of the space was incredibly neat and inspiring, and appropriate tools could be found near the supplies related to them. Heavy-duty staplers, for example, are hung near the home dec upholstery fabric. Thumbs up!
The
seminar offerings are ever changing, and ever growing. On the Mood website, the link can be found on the lower right, where the (small) word "classes" appears among the horizontal choices. Perfect for the tourist or the local, they are seminars, not hands-on classes, so you can learn without lugging equipment, or dedicating any large amount of time for multiple classes. Often taught by popular "sewlebrities" (like my new word?), they can fill up quickly. The free "Mood School" handouts with instructions for doing things like applying invisible zippers are fabulous. The button selection is amazing, and as always, the home dec section is wonderful.
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| They have what i need for my bag! |
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| Now, look at those wavy stripes! |
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| Textures... colors... |
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| More cool buttons... |
In a nutshell, Mood can be a really great choice for the ambitious creative person who needs additional information or help. I have personally seen that management really listens and responds to the customer service feedback they have received. Mood is particularly great for the creative who craves order and instructions, and yes, it is a really inspiring place to be!
Thank you, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Meg! (Note: Readers, Meg did not know I was writing this, nor did she request it!... Just sayin')
DeleteThe store I work at in Portland,OR carries fabrics from Mood-good to know the store is excellent as well. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI like Mood because everything is labeled and neatly organized, and I trust that I am getting what I pay for. I feel a bit suspicious in some of the "discount" fabric stores where you have to ask what everything is and how much it costs - I'm not always good at telling what a fabric is made from, for example.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky to check out Mood last week on my first visit to NYC in 30 years. I introduced myself to Meg as I had read her blog before her employment at Mood. She was looking chic and was knowledgeable about the store which I found very well marked and organized. I purchased several cuts that I mailed home. Just wish NYC wasn't so far away from my hometown of Houston. We have so few real fabric stores.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Any chance you can put in a good word for international customers? Pretty please? Seriously, SO much I'd love to buy from Mood - but the shipping is beyond obscene.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that they are really working on satisfying international customers. This is not simply a Mood issue, as much as it is a governmental/logistics/paperwork one. It can be frustrating, yes. There are lots layers to shipping issues, but they are doing their best to accommodate every location they can. Have you ever contacted them directly about it?
DeleteIsn't all international shipping obscene? I was considering buying something from an English shop and I think the shipping and tax was at least $20.
DeleteIt is a Mood issue...entirely their choice. Sorry, but it's such a bugbear issue for this international customer that I have to jump in. Obscene is the correct word to use. I feel it is very disrespectful of international customers most of whom would be home sewers, or dismissive, or something. Most other shops in the garment district and elsewhere manage to send parcels through USPS but Mood will only use UPS. The same package will go USPS for $30 and $220 UPS. That's entirely a vendor choice, nothing to do with other external factors. The proposed website changes that are supposed to alleviate this are a very long time coming! I love Mood, love visiting the NYC shop, nearly always have a great time in the store and haven't really understood the criticisms because I've always found the staff great, and of course the selection unparalleled, but the online business is so...not good.
DeleteI should add that Mood people have sought to be helpful, pending any revision of their shipping policies and website. I once wanted a couple of pieces of fabric desperately, and a couple of people swung into action to see how a transaction could be processed directly with the NJ warehouse instead of on the website. Mood still didn't waive their shipping policy/price and I ended up getting the package sent to a US address, and then sent on to me. The double handling still made it an expensive package but at least I avoided the international UPS fee. It was the willingness of a third party to receive and then forward on the package that really made this really work. But, my message is that if someone located outside of the US really wants something, it is worth contacting Mood to see if there is anything that can be done. They are nice people and I don't think they want this problem, but it just seems it is taking a very long time to overhaul everything.
DeleteI hear ya, Liz! Yes, an overhaul of the whole process does take a long time to evaluate and reorganize. Very happy that dedicated and determined customers like you will hang in there, and push to make your voice heard!
DeleteI've noticed that the customer service at Mood has improved, although it still feels hectic sometimes. I've always thought that you should be able to make an appointment if you have a specific need. Maybe you could commit to spending a minimum of $20 and buy a credit if you don't find what you need.
ReplyDeleteI've attended a couple of the lectures, which were interesting. I also appreciate the discount coupon that was distributed. In complete fairness, I probably could have culled much of the information received in the lectures on my own, and once one of the handouts contained a Threads article that I'd already read. But if you want a good overview in a couple of hours, they're fine.
That is just what the seminars are - overviews. And that is why they are so great. The store can be hectic at times, but alas, that is what happens when you attract a crowd, huh? If you are able, go on a weekday and non-lunchtime, and you'll feel more relaxed.
DeleteNow I just wish they's fix the website. It's still terrible.
ReplyDeleteWhich aspects do you find the most troubling, Nancy? Good to say it now, while we have an open line of communication here.
DeleteYou may have noticed that the site is being worked on right now. Check it out. Maybe they are addressing your area(s) of concern?
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