In this age of AI, businesses are encouraged to answer questions people search for so here’s my answer to one of them.

Who’s the best company to use to have a t-shirt quilt made?

As a business what would the answer be other than the business you own or are connected to!   I don’t think that you’d get an unbiased opinion on who’s the best by asking a business in the same genre to chime in.  Business owners want to being the best.  That’s our purpose, our mission, our goal.  As a business owner,  the answer has to be your own business. Otherwise, why do it. As a business founder and owner, it’s very hard to be unbiased and objective after all that’s been invested in 14 years of being in business. 

If you really want an objective opinion, find someone who has had several quilts made entirely by different providers. I have had customers, for instance:

1) who have had quilts made by someone that they liked, and whose work they were happy with but that person went out of business and could no longer help the. 

2) Several customers have brought by “blankets” that they purchased at a bargain but now want finished as a real quilt with binding, batting, and  quilting, for instance. (Quilting, makes it a quilt!)   

3) We have taken over projects from someone who started the quilt with good intentions, cut the shirts, but felt they were over their head and needed help to completely finish it.

4) We’ve added on to quilts, to add more memories, when the original maker is not around and the person wants to add another 5 race shirts to make the quilt larger for instance.

 If you locate people like this, they would be the best to ask to get an answer to this question.   How was the experience?  What was the cost? What’s the value to you?  What’s the quality? Over time, how is it holding up. Do you have any regrets? Would you buy from them again? Seek out these folks who have worked with more than one company for some truly unbiased options.

If you’re shopping around think of what’s important to you. Style – what’s it going to look like?  Cost – how much is it?  Time – how long will it take. Will it be ready when I need it?   Proximity – Where is the provider in relation to where I am?  Make a list of questions to ask.

There’s so much hyperbole on the internet that can skew the truth. Every business wants attention and to be seen and attract new business.  If you’re shopping for a quilt, look beyond the puff and fluff for the close fit.  Examine pictures, call and talk to the owner; visit in person or online. 

Reviews I think should be last on the list and here’s why.

I have access to, but don’t use, 2 review services that can gather reviews from customers. This is why I don’t use them: 1) they want customers emails and harass them for a review often sending multiple emails. I don’t like that for myself and certainly wouldn’t want customers to experience that either.  I ask once and that’s it. 2) With both of these other services, if the review is negative,  it’s not immediately posted for everyone to see. The business  has an option to not publish it or go back to the customer for feedback to make something right or change their opinion if the review is less than stellar.  

From this I know that reviews and social trust can be manipulated.  For the truth, personally reach out to those who have left reviews to determine their validity and get an opinion that may help with your decision.

The first time I tried one of these services, my customer left their review through the review site, i.e. Glowing Reviews, a made up name, where the review is limited to appearing on that site. Then after submitting their review, Glowing Reviews emailed again thanking my customer for their review, but asking if my customer can submit a positive review also to Google reviews.  That means as a business you’re asking the customer to submit 2 reviews !  As a customer who’s got time for that. As a business I think it makes you look desperate. This happened to me recently after a purchase of a music lesson for my grandson. I took the time to write a positive review using their link that reflected our experience.  I was thanked for this then received a long request asking me to now submit a second Google review about my experience.  No, no and no!   One is enough.

Our way is to ask for a review once by sending an invitation to review once the purchase is complete. That’s it. I truly appreciate when a customer takes time to write a public review. Particularly our clientele. Professionals and high profile people, sports team owners, CEO’s, MD’s,  don’t always want to announce their name or purchases and have them made public.  Many prefer anonymity and value their privacy.  

I can certainly respect that. So after asking once,  in lieu of a public online review, I’ve received thank you cards from customers, handwritten notes, and tips (not expected, the largest being $200!)  Professionals in the public eye do not necessarily want their purchases to be public and that’s okay.

So as far as reviews. Ask around.  Do your research. Reviews can be manipulated; and everyone doesn’t want their purchase to be made public.  

So what can you expect at Just T-Shirt Quilts?  We’re making real quilts without taking shortcuts. There’s more here on what we offer and what you can expect. Let # 1 – 11 here be your shopping list. We’re not for everyone. Challenge potential makers with your vision and questions to come up with the bet fit for you.