Sorry you had such a rotten experience. I would have left the book behind too.
Now don't shoot me for saying this:shock: , but my experience has been just the opposite. I get Joanns circulars with the coupons and sometimes get extras online. I don't usually buy fabric, but notions, books, tools, etc. The folks at our Joanns are wonderful...helpful, always interested in your current project, even the 2 gentlemen. We joke that it is part of our weekly grocery shopping excursion, cause most weeks we stop in. Hubby likes to check out the damaged and clearance items (got a $100 cutting table for $25, a sewing machine rolling case for $8 and an Ott light for $10). I don't always buy anything, usually only if I have a coupon, but sometimes they have their better material for 50% additional of the 50% stuff (once it was additional 75%). The girls have gotten to know us, always welcome us. They just hired a young girl who says she is having a great time and learning so much. She is always very helpful because if she doesn't know the answer, she finds it out. This Christmas season I had one of their employees greet me by name in a mall store when we were both shopping.
So, all in all, my Joann's is great! Just don't go in on your lunch hour, because it seems everyone else does and it can take a while to get your fabric cut.
Sorry so many of you have problems with your Joanns. I guess I am really lucky.