I'm with you, I stand there and watch them like a hawk. Then I take the piece and place the folded edge to the selvedge and if it isn't the same width I ask them to remeasure and recut if it isn't 9" at both the fold and selvedge. I also have taken back fabric thay isn't cut properly or shrinks and twists so badly when washed it's not even near 9". JoAnn's is famous for sloppy cutting in my town, plus the gals are a bit rude. My LQS usually overcuts by a few inches or throws in the last few inches on the bolt instead of offering them to me at 50% off.