Aunt Sue

Some of the stores are better than others....our local store is 3 miles away and it is terrible! There is a Joann Etc. (super store) about 30 miles away and they have a fantastic selection of everything but unless there is a sale, a bit pricey....

lots2do

I do like Joann's for notions, yarn, needles etc. I went yesterday with two coupons and got some great stuff including two squeeze balls things for when my hands get stiff from knitting etc. I don't usually buy fabric there but do buy interfacing - especially when it's on sale.

Ours is expanding over the summer. I've been to some of the big stores in Florida - wow.

Having said all of that, I do agree with the poster that said if you can find what you need without Joann's, you shouldn't worry about what you are missing.

I think the site can be confusing. My store is convenient - drive by it on my way to and from work. I usually do projects with my schoolkids and it's a great place to find that stuff and I get a small educator's discount.
:)

Krystyna

I wouldn't bother with the site. The inventory online and in the store are quite different. Do sign up for their mailing list. You'll get coupons to print out sent to your email address and also sign up for the one to be mailed to your home. If you are a reseller or non-profit you can also sign up for their card which entitles you to an additional 10% off.

I completely disagree with the opinions on the quality of the fabric. I am a professional veil maker and do purchase a lot of my lace there - but ONLY with a coupon. (Retail is a dirty word in this house!) I've gotten lots of gorgeous Indonesian batiks, silks, prints of all sorts, and I purchase my machine embroidery stabilizer there by the bolt. Look for their red dot section - fabrics marked down 50%. I shop at several Joann's because their inventory is different at each -- even though two of them are quite far away. It was well worth the trip. I filled the trunk of my car with absolutely adorable prints which I'll use for making fun summertime aprons for resale -- for under $100!

I also shop in the home decorating section for heavy natural cotton which is great for making tea towels and aprons.

The only way to know if Joann's is for you is to go there and take a look.

Darlene

I think Joann's is okay. I like my closest one because the people who work there are great. They do have good sales but I think their quilting dept. could be bigger and better. They advertise panels but never have them LOL.

AlwaysQuilting

I think it depends on the store. The one closest to me I don't care for. But the one 10miles away is has more fabric selections, notions, etc.
I also shop at LQS, but we don't have Hancocks or anything other than Joanns anymore.
I used to love our Hancocks and never went to Joanns at that time.

Candy Apple Quilts

There is a vast difference between Joann stores and the online version --- the customer service reps will even tell you that they aren't the same company! I'm not sure exactly how that works, but..... the coupons I receive in the mail and the newspaper for my local store are also good online, and the email coupons are also good in the store. Confusing, but a good coupon is a good coupon, right? :D

I'm very fortunate to live near a Joann "ETC", and it's a very large store with lots of wonderful fabric, crafts galore, and decorating items. I can spend hours in there just wandering around. Admittedly though, I do buy more online. I usually know what I want (like scrap-booking items for making cards and projects) and I can just go to the site when it's 40% off, get an additional 15% off for my teacher discount, or free shipping. You just can't beat that kind of price! They also put their quilting notions on sale for 50% off, and I stock up for my customers so I can save them a trip!

I have to say that it's one of my favorite stores to shop in, and one of my favorite online experiences too! :thumbup:

hobbykat1955

oH MY...Crafts, fabrics, threads...you name it...you must go

eastermarie

It seems the JoAnns near me has downsized their fabric side of the store quite a bit. The crafts part is taking over, especially all the seasonal plastic stuff.

featherweight

I just love our JoAnns. I have never had a problem with the clerks or anything else. They have ok fabric. Great for wallhangings, table runners, baby quilts etc. If I am making a larger quilt I prefer the LQS fabric. They have awesome sales a good coupons. Our clerks are very knowledgable and very friendly. I guess it depends on the store.

Krystyna

I forgot one more thing - if you REALLY want to save at Joann's sign up to be a mystery shopper at www.mysteryshops.com. Depending on how desperate they are for someone to cover the shop, you'll get paid between $10-20 to shop and be reimbursed about $5 for a purchase! If you're traveling a distance to shop there, it'll cover your gas money!