cheapfabrics.co.uk

Phil

Hi all,

We were looking to buy some material from this website for my fiance's wedding dress and, as my fiance works in Windsor, she popped down to their offices in Windsor to have a look.

She emailed me: "The address is down the road – on Victoria Street – I walked down there at lunchtime and it’s just a postal address. I never expected a warehouse, but they don’t have offices there and the receptionist said it’s just for post which gets forwarded. There’s no phone number anywhere, and I’m just put off a bit by the link in the top right hand corner that says “misrepresentation of cheap fabrics”."

Slightly worrying!

I did a quick Google search and there seems to be some scam going on with someone saying there is a job at this outfit and then asking people who apply to send all their details (bank account etc) for whatever nefarious purpose.

More worrying!!

I also happened upon this review:
http://www.xomreviews.com/cheapfabrics.co.uk
"I have purchased fabric from this website a few times, I really dont know why I went back to them after the first time. every time I order from them they get the order wrong or the fabric is marked, there fabric is of poor quality and this is why it is so cheap, it is "cheap" fabric! and I dont just mean the cost."

OK so now I am pretty stupid if I go there, surely?

My question: has anyone actually used these people and what was your experience?

The_Good_Fairy

I haven't used them and from reading what you've said, I wouldn't

Do you know which fabric you want? I wouldn't buy fabric for a wedding without seeing/touching it, at least ask for swatches to be sent first.

If you do a google search for 'fabric shops Windsor' there's tons of them

Dusty_Moth

I'm glad you posted this - I was thinking of getting my fabric there but would think twice about it now. I can see why you'd be concerned about it - I would be too!

I know fabricland in Reading often have some decent bargains, perhaps a trip in person somewhere like that might feel more comfortable - after all, you don't want to spend lot and it end up being poor quality. Otherwise, you could try and order swatches and see how that goes?

If you're looking for silk duponi, or something like that, I can thoroughly reccomend http://www.silkbaron.com - though based in the states they send swatches for free and the fabric is fabulous quality - the $ exchange rate means we get quite a lot and the shipping isn't much more than you'd expect from a provider in the UK.

HTH

The_Good_Fairy

Be careful with ordering from The States though, you can get stung with custom charges!

ddh2481

Hi I ordered a sample from these. It came very quickly and appeared to be a nice piece of fabric. So I was quite pleased with them and was going to order a couple of metres of silk but you've made me think twice might give them a miss!!!!

Fourcandles_3

I have purchased from them several times and never had any problems.

The only issue I had was my recorded delivery was left at the post office by the post office:rolleyes: with no note put through my door. This was a large order over £200 and I was in a state as this was for a customer and I'm not insured.

Nic (I think was the name given) guarenteed to replace my package if not recieved.

I know they are insured, but they didn't have to do this. The tracking from the Post people said it had been signed for (by the lady in the post office).

Just my experience.

debcadman

I recently purchased 5 metres of gingham, and the order came promptly, and well packed. No problems at all.

lindaatno9

I use them, a lot, and never had an issue. If you are at all worried, fabricland are great as they do mail order.

lindaatno9

Phil wrote: »

Hi all,

We were looking to buy some material from this website for my fiance's wedding dress and, as my fiance works in Windsor, she popped down to their offices in Windsor to have a look.

She emailed me: "The address is down the road – on Victoria Street – I walked down there at lunchtime and it’s just a postal address. I never expected a warehouse, but they don’t have offices there and the receptionist said it’s just for post which gets forwarded. There’s no phone number anywhere, and I’m just put off a bit by the link in the top right hand corner that says “misrepresentation of cheap fabrics”."

Slightly worrying!

I did a quick Google search and there seems to be some scam going on with someone saying there is a job at this outfit and then asking people who apply to send all their details (bank account etc) for whatever nefarious purpose.

More worrying!!

I also happened upon this review:
http://www.xomreviews.com/cheapfabrics.co.uk
"I have purchased fabric from this website a few times, I really dont know why I went back to them after the first time. every time I order from them they get the order wrong or the fabric is marked, there fabric is of poor quality and this is why it is so cheap, it is "cheap" fabric! and I dont just mean the cost."

OK so now I am pretty stupid if I go there, surely?

My question: has anyone actually used these people and what was your experience?

There was a scam and it was announced on the website advising that they were not part of it and not to respond.
Nic has always been fabulous for me and there are times i've relied heavily on next day delivery!
Can I just say regarding the review, unless you know what you are buying, then you may not get what you thought, ie, I would NEVER use their budget satin for bridal, but then they do say that it's 'economical' for dance projects and such. Their silk is good, their silk organza is good, their slipper satin is good and for a synthetic, their slinky satin is ace!!

Kathie80

I have used this site several times over the last few years, and have found them to be very good on all occasions. There was once that I ordered some striped seersucker in a green colour way that they didn't have enough of to complete my order; I was kept informed via email of what was going on, and was given the option of changing colours or cancelling. I chose to cancel on that occasion and my money was refunded promptly. In 2008, (after ordering samples of course!), I ordered the fabric for my wedding dress from cheap fabrics online. At the time they had in stock a really beautiful beaded tulle that I used as a godet insert on the skirt which was a fraction under £40 per m and was really lovely, easy to sew, and really 'made' my dress. I was really proud of the end result.
Also, after analysing the samples of polyester and silk duchesse satin that cheap fabrics sent me, I found I much preferred the polyester. It creased far less on 'scrunching', had a nice weave and of course was lots cheaper. The silk was nice too, but the money saving meant I could splurge on the beaded tulle, and a silk crepe underlining/lining.

I have just put in another order with Cheap Fabrics, and think I know what is happening with the business address. As someone who has lived in both Windsor and Slough, there is is great 'cache' in having a Windsor address. The towns are not 3 miles apart (you walk from one to the other in half an hour - slowly!), but the difference is amazing. I lived in Windsor for 3 years, and Slough for 5. I had *no* problems living in either place. However, there is a stigma with a Slough address. On completing my order, the payment was to Jaybee Fabrics, which is located in Stoke Poges Lane Slough. I don't think they are doing anything particularly underhanded - lots of companies have a registered address for post and the like, and a warehouse where the orders are actually filled. And have different names for different parts of the business. I am not really worried that something bad is going on. I can only guess they are seeking to reassure customers who have heard bad things about Slough? Slough is great for fabrics - and there is the space for warehousing and the cheap rents that you could *not* get in Windsor.
But this is all by the by - I have ordered from Cheap Fabrics Online, have been very happy with the service and products thus far, and was *very* happy with the price.

Also, if anyone wants to make their own wedding dress, I would recommend taking one of the Craftsy classes on dress making, eg 'The couture dress' (really great, especially when they are having a sale - wish Craftsy was around when I made my dress; it would have fit so much better), and the Mccalls/Butterick/Vogue group of pattern sites are great, especially when they are having a sale as well (I don't think I would buy from them off sale, but their sales seem to come up so often, it doesn't matter).
Hope this helps!
Katherine