Being out of action for the past 8 weeks has meant that I haven't been able to go shopping. Not at a retail centre anyway, so that has only left an on-line option. There is huge debate here in Australia about how on-line shopping is destroying the retail shops. As I don't shop much on-line I haven't taken a lot of notice of it. But with the arrival of a few parcels my eyes have been opened.
For example I bought this selection of threads from Stef Francis in the UK. The postage was less than $5.00AU and I received 22 hanks of thread for less than $2.00 each. Yes they were on sale so it was a reduced price but I have NEVER seen anything like that here.
The fine perle thread is destined to be used in some blackwork designs I have in mind.
I also purchased some patchwork fabric. I try to support my local patchwork shops but I must say that when you are offered fabric at $4 -$10 a yard and no freight charges, it is difficult. Especially when the same fabric costs around $25 a metre in your local shop.
So why is there such a difference in price? I am not purchasing from 3rd world countries, although I suspect that the fabric and thread were produced in China. It has to be made up of on-costs of middle men and government charges. This, together with the great exchange rate at the moment, no wonder so many people are forsaking the shops.
Not being able to go shopping isn't that much of a hardship sometimes, is it!
Posted by: Rachel | February 03, 2012 at 04:41 AM
My credit card likes it.
Posted by: Carolyn Foley | February 03, 2012 at 10:57 AM