I have no choice....it's Joann's or the big nada. I'm learning quickly how to shop on line :) To be fair...the folks in the Bangor, ME Joann's are very nice & friendly!

I started buying wholesale because of the bad service and lack of goods!
wasn't as bad a few years ago but since corporate took away the ability of the store to order what they need and staff how they needed things have gone downhill
Right before christmas I needed almost 60yds of black kona
and yes I pay more at Joanns but my wholesale order was on backorder- so I bit the bullet
went to 4 stores in a 100 miles radius and had them search their computers to get what I needed.
computer inventory was wrong for every store!
I ended up getting only 8 yds total!
but the factory inventory said they had over 10,000yds
so why wasn't it at the stores??
also the online store now limits your purchases even if paying full retail- you can only purchase between 5-8 yds of any one fabric
why????
If I have 100 yds to sell and you will pay my price I will sell to you!!!
I think they stay in business because they are the only thing around for most.

THe JoAnn's I usually go to in Durham NC has similar problems -- they always seem to be training new people. I guess they don't pay enough to get people to stay. It's sad, cuz I worked in a So-Fro when I was in high school (oh, so many years ago), and I loved being around all that fabric all the time. I don't think there are many young kids around that would work at the low wages, that know anything about sewing.

Our Joanne's seems to be short staffed all the time. Only 2 employees during week days. I buy Kona, books and notions mostly.

I had a similar weird experience at Ikea a few weeks ago. They now carry some beautiful fabrics, but more suited to home dec or bags. First we had to hunt down someone to cut the fabric. Not a big deal, but took about ten minutes or more. We had what my daughter wanted, then I had her measure a piece I had found. It was so cute and would have made a great bag. There was less then a yard, maybe about 2/3rds of a yard. She said that they don't cut half yards but since it was the last of the bolt, she called it a half yard and called the person in charge of fabric to make sure. It was ok'd and she said that if they have a problem to call her. So I went on my merry way. Of course there was a problem. And the floor manager came over and said if I wanted it I had to pay for a whole yard. WTH? I told her what the little gal in fabrics has said, but she refused to make the phone call to check. The poor clerk was dumbfounded. The floor manager turned and flounced away. And then the clerk turned to me and with wide eyes says " so do you want it?" Again, WTH? Um, no, I am not paying double what it is worth. I did tell her I understood it was not her fault, but good gravy, give some people a little power and they own the world.
I love Ikea and will still go when I can, but I guess I will not look at small pieces of fabric.
the thing is, I know they will send it to the scratch and dent dept and it will be sold for far less as a scrap. Oh well, whatever, I had spent enough there anyway.

There are literally half a dozen JoAnn's within easy shopping distance. Of those six, the only store I don't mind to visit is naturally the furthest.

Bad for JoAnn. Good for the two LQSs nearby.

It's not so much about the wages, but they won't schedule enough hours or they will go over budget, so that leaves those of us who are willing to put up with low wages no hours.

cat-I work at the Durham store...

There is only one close enough to go to for me. I haven't had any major problems but noticed all the employees are not allowed make the simplest of decisions without the permission of the manager, who is always in the back.

I was at one of the super center Joann's today and I have to say my experience was not too great either. Our little Joann's in my area carry extra coupons for the customer by the door but apparently that isn't done at the super centers. I found the cutest coffee mug pincushion I just had to have. Hated to pay full price when if they would have given me a coupon I could have gotten it at 40% off. I knew my joann back home wouldn't have it so I bit the bullet and bought it anyway. Do you think I could take it back to my Joann's and return it and then rebuy it with the coupon??? I know I sound cheap but every penny counts these days.

Nettie

Nettie that should probably be ok. I wuld prbably do the same. I went to a few JA in MI today. They are so under staffed!! The line ups were very long at both the cutting table and check out. DH knows that if I go in to shop that I will be in line for at least 40 min.