Joann's is my main source for fabric in our town, although there is a quilt shop that sells mostly Moda, which I love, but can't always afford so I go to Joann's. I usually have a great experience in the store and I like the coupons. I've gotten several expensive items with my coupons for great prices. For example, my son gave me a gift card for Christmas last year. I wanted a floor Ott lamp so I waited until they had them for 50% off. I used my gift card and a coupon and got my light for around $20 :) I recently had a similar fabric experience like the original lady that posted this. I wanted what was left on the bolt. When she measured it it was shy of the nearest yard by 2 1/2". She rounded it up to the next yard and charged me for yardage I didn't get. I should have said something but she wasn't the most pleasant person and acted like I was bothering her. Maybe she was just having a bad day but I didn't want to make it worse by complaining about 2 1/2". As it was I was getting 60% off so sometimes you just have to pick your battles and sometimes you just need to let it go.

Oh, dear, what a crock. No, you weren't out of order... SHE was. Given the way business is going in this country, I don't look for things to get any better. Small businesses are being forced to cut back personnel (and any other expenses they can), not knowing what's coming down the pike. So we probably can't look for the service at JoAnn's to get any better in the immediate future. It's getting almost comical to hear the horror stories from visits to JoAnn's. I have one, myself. Just for the devilment of it, I think I'd have got her to cut it off at 3/4 or 7/8 of a yard, and be left with just a few inches of fabric, not even enough left over for an eighth. <G> The ladies behind you would have been clapping and cheering. Don't worry about it - the ladies behind you probably have their very own horror stories.

I'm thinking it has more to do with how businesses of all kinds are being squeezed to death. It's everywhere - in layoffs, in understaffed offices and service centers, in the rude and sometimes surly behavior of clerks or repair people... it seems to be rampant everywhere you look. People are nervous - worried about losing their jobs and being able to cover their business expenses. Frankly, there may have been graft and dishonesty on the part of the managers, but now I think it's fear. Nobody knows quite how the impending taxes are going to affect them, but I suspect we will see a lot of businesses going out of business in the next year or so, including some not-so-small ones, and we all lose when that happens.

you are so right. When I worked retail they were always cutting hours of the employees.

Since you said you shop online. I'm trying to get the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt Book and can't find it online at JoAnn's. I'm really wanting to use my 50% off coupon but can't seem to find this book online. Any tips you can give me I would so appreciate it. Do certain stores have different books than others? I called the closest JoAnn's and the gal said they did not have it. Maybe I'm out on both counts.

I had never been to a Joann's so my friend took me for the first time. The store is about an hour away. Bad idea, they had the coupons at the front of the store so I had to have one. They were busy and the employees were not all that nice. I know what it's like because I used to work at a Ames store when they were around but I was always nice to the customers. When the lady ask me how much fabric I wanted in a very mean voice I said nothing until she looked at me when I said, were you talking to me with that mouth. Her face got really red and she said she was sorry. I told her that was ok and to take one customer at a time and not let anyone upset her. Then she started to cry which made me cry then everyone felt bad and boy did the mood change. I told her to have a great day and she said "God bless you." I ended up spending over $100.

Oh, I like that idea. Wish my Joann's would let you take a number and not stand in line!

I have not had a great experience at Joann's either. Now at Hancocks, I have had very pleasant experience. Even though the people are tired and work hard, they still find time to be pleasant and helpful!So that is where I usually shop of the two stores

Where are the two stores in Spfd, IL? I have only found one, its a small one by the shopko. I would like to find the other one, as I am a 1/2 red tag junkie. I like to shop as many of the stores as possible.

Gail sorry you had such a bad experience. It never ceases to amaze me how with the economy the way it is that a store thinks it is ok to give their customers this kind of hard time. I hear it all the time about JoAnne's. Sad that they are getting such a bad rap but they are creating it themselves. Sad because they have such a great choice of items and when they do have their weekly coupons you can save a lot of money.

My Joann's in Temecula, CA is a superstore, and they too have started cutting corners. Fewer staff, but so far always pleasant, but my pet peeve there is their restrooms. Twice in the past 6 months, there have been no toilet seat covers, and just last week, they had them, but the toilets were filthy, and there was paper on the floor. If you're lucky, they have a bottle of softsoap at the sinks, because they no longer fill their soap dispensers on the walls. Sometimes there is no soap at all. Seems that would be some kind of code violation??

It seems that Joann's is getting worse in every state - unfortunately in Chicago we don't have to many fabric stores anymore - Joann's is the biggest. I have found myself ordering from other stores online instead of going to Joann's.

I went again today and had a great time. Once again, my friend and I went and chatted across the store, talked to other customers, passed around extra coupons that we had and enjoyed visiting with the other customers.

I'm noticing more and more - especially at big box stores (target, walmart) that it's the CUSTOMERS that are creating havoc. Angry because other people are in line in front of them, angry because they are not the only one to receive attention, angry because the world doesn't revolve around their schedule.

Huffing and puffing and complaining about the wait. (Just today, SIX people got in line and out of line behind us at walmart -- and we didn't have much stuff in our cart). Snapping at the girls at the cutting counter because the girls took the time to straighten the edge of a fabric before cutting the requested yardage (and thereby wasting time)

My friend and I went to Crafts2000, JoAnn's, Walmart, Sam's, and Staples today. We had a great time, got everything on both of our lists and enjoyed the day.

Sometimes I'm in a hurry, and I want to dash in and get one thing -- other times *I'm* the girl at the cutting counter with 20 different bolts to cut. I think other people forget that every once in a while, they are the needy ones...

I shop at the Joann's in Poway and Escondido, and I have never been treated badly or waited too long, except maybe over the July 4th weekend when they had a hugh sale, but I expected it, wasn't in a hurry myself, so waiting to get my fabric cut wasn't a problem. I struck up a conversation with a couple of ladies waiting and before I knew it, my number was being called. At least they have a number system! Only once when I had a question, did the girl who was cutting my fabric tell me she wasn't a quilter, but said if I waited until another lady was free, I could ask her. Further, I had a large order for a couple of fabrics which they didn't have enough of, and the manager (Jean, I think) at the Escondido store couldn't have been more helpful, spent all the time calling the warehouse and got the fabric sent. She then saw how long the line was to pay, so she took me to another register to ring me up herself. I hear all these horror stories, and think how lucky I am to be able to shop at those two stores. I hope it continues!

The Jo Anns I use to go to in Tyler closed & is now a kidney doctor office.but I liked it. Hancocks is about the same unless Dorothy is cutting. She is fast. Some are slower than christmas. There is one checker that is so slow you can see the dead lice falling off her.

Gail, that is sad and downright terrible!

Here is a trick that even clerks at Joanns have told me...take your bolt to be cut and if you have an idea how much is on there, by the number of folds, tell them you want 8 yds, then when they get to that last 38 inches or whatever they are supposed to ask you if you would like that too at 50% off.

Ok, I cannot tell how much is on a bolt by the number of folds, but apparently some people can.

I'm going to guess that the clerk that waited on you was new and had no idea how to figure out what to charge for less than a yd. But I would report them to the manager.

bad business.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Joann's will offer the end of bolt to you at half price. I usually take it, especially if I like the fabric allot, I know I can use it for applique or scrap/fq friendly quilts. My joann's usually has a couple employees floating around, putting back bolts, etc-a young boy working at our Poway shop always asks if I am finding everything I want. They can tell you how to count the folds to estimate how much is left-they have done it for me several times (saves waiting in line to cut and finding out there isn't enough-so you'd have to go back and start over). I should ask them to show me how to do it!

i dont have a problem when i go to jo anns they usually have extra help on big sale days , yes i have had to wait in line sometimes but never for a long time i i have never been shorted on my material as far as price goes , i usually stand there and watch as it is being cut , but if it ever happens to me i would sure say something!!

i worked in retail for 20+ years i was taught when i first started out at the ripe young age of 18 now 45 that in retail the customer is not a bother the customer is the reason we are there without the customers we wouldnt have jobs. i guess they dont need customers anymore

be thankful they have a restroom my large one in canton has nice ones but the small one closer to home says no restroom not allowed to let public use it sorry!

Big mistake on their part

I have had to use the restroom on occasion at Joann's-it isn't for the public (no signs etc), but they keep a key at the cutting table and you only need to ask. My DH was with me last week during the big sale, and needed to use it while we were waiting in line to get my fabric cut-no problem.

thank you very much for reminding us. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Hey Penny, I sent a PM.

the same thing happens every time somebody starts a thread like this.

one person has a bad experience in one location of a chain operation. she automatically assumes the every location is the same. she posts to vent her dissatisfaction. other individuals who are less than 100% thrilled with their experience(s) in their local chain store will pile on with their own horror stories.

since most people don't have the time or patience to slog through obviously negative topics, we don't hear equally from people who've had good experiences. it's only those who are willing to "go the extra mile" to support truth, accuracy and fair play who try their best to provide some balance.

how many hundreds or thousands of walmarts are there in the world? how many departments, managers and employees within each store? there's no way they can all be perfect. like anything that involves human beings, you'll find a mixture of good and bad. my joann's is a good example of that. i usually walk out satisfied, but not always.

the same can be said of most places we shop nowadays.

anybody looking at this topic during their first visit to our board will likely think we're just a bunch of cranky old broads with nothing better to do than complain, complain, complain. (and to encourage each other to resort to all sorts of bad behavior to get what they want.)

if the pattern holds true to its history, this comment will now be followed by a few dozen more negative comments about joann's in general and my addition in particular.

that's how we roll. :roll: :lol:?

I guess I should be lucky. We have a Joann Etc. and they do a pretty good job. When it gets busy, they pull people off the floor to man the registers or cutting tables. There ARE times when they have a huge sale like the fleece and flannel at 50% that all the employees in the store couldn't handle.

Getting to know the ladies at the cutting table helps. They are all very friendly and helpful when I'm there.

Other than that, I have no complaints. I tend to shop before noon so that might be a factor.

JoAnn's is not my first choice for fabrics. I usually go to a lqs or order online. When threads are 50% off I usually stock up on the better brands. I went the other day to buy sewing machine oil with my coupon - browsed the reduced fabrics when I realized they were an additional 50% off. Left with oil and 5 different fabrics perfect for baby quilts. I have to admit, I prefer the smaller JoAnn's near me (rather than the super store which is the same distance) for quick trips - it is usually not crowded. All of the fabrics had little on the bolts and I bought it all; she reduced the price of everything for the last measurement for each. (anything less than a yard or the last yard) This was a positive experience - which does not happen often. I lucked out at $1.50 and $2.00 a yard or less.

At our JoAnns, if there is a small amount of material left on the bolt they are cutting from, they will give that to you at half price. Some of them will offer, sometimes you have to ask for it. What they do is charge you for half the amount of material, which comes out to half price. It would be worth it to see if other JoAnn stores do that.

The store I worked at in Birminhgam, AL would offer the end of the bolt to sell it instead of making a remnant. It had to be less than a yard and offered if over the amount you were wanting. Ex:you wanted 2 yards and there was 2 1/2 yards on the bolt-the clerk was to ask if you were interested in the 1/2 yard at half price. Only the additional amount is offered at 1/2 price.

I agree with every one about Joann's. Here in Phoenix they have put other fabric stores out of business and have closed all their stores except 1 which is a ways away from me. Their service it terrible and they are not friendly or helpful. They are under staffed and let you stand in line for 35-45 minutes at least. They also have cut back on their material from what they use to carry. I do not go there unless absolutely have no other choice. My other alternative it go over to Mesa AZ 50 miles away. I go to quilting stores here when they have sales, like Mulqueen Sewing Centers, Sew and Vac, Quilt Z,etc. Also Hobby Lobbie has fabrics also.

I only go into JoAnne's when I really need something. I've run into long lines as well and it's so frustrating. However, one of the sales girls used to go to high school with my son so if she sees me in line, and if she's working that day, she will take me to another register. I know it's prejudiced but..........
I usually go to a local fabric store even though her fabric may be a little higher in cost, I really prefer going there because she only carries the best fabrics and I feel it's worth it.

Just like Wal Mart, you need to contact the home office---the only way things will change is if you let them know you are not happy. In this day and age, if we don't inform them, they are going to think that all is well and never try to make it any better. Please ladies, everyone contact home office especially if you had a bad experience, but also if you had a good one. Those ladies work hard and the ones who truly love their job and the customers deserve some praise.

I just went to Joann's today at lunch and got some notions with a 50% off coupon I received in an email-they gave me a sheet of 12 coupons-all 40% off called "Make your own sale"-they are good for notions, crafts, or a single cut of fabric for the week of 7/18 thru 7/24---if you are close and need something-now is the time!

Guess its time to put this one to bed!

Joann's sometimes trains people with disabilities,usually LD, however, if this was the case, the gal on the cutting table should be monitored. I hope you mentioned it to the cashier. If the person cannot add, that is not the job for her-she should be stocking shelves or cleaning. The manager should know or be informed of her problem so they can put the person in the appropriate job suited for her. Someone probably panicked and put her there cuz they were so busy. They have strict rules they must follow as an employee and are told this at the time of hire.
marla

Hey Crafty-chick,
I went to that Joann's website and it is now closed due to the tremendous volume of requests. didn't get mine.

they are not listening. :lol:

The thing at Joann's I hate is you have to take a number for the cutting counter even if there is noone in line!? What is that about?!

if i go on the weekend, i take a number for the cutting table b4 i go shopping... all the fabric is right there & it probably saves me some $!

I seldom go into JoAnn's without a long line to wait in.
i think they simply don't want to pay for more employees to work. I was completely shocked when I stopped on Sat as I only wanted some glue. The first employee actually took me over to get it. An then, no one was in line. She did tell me that they had been very busy all day which means lots of lines.
I seldom go when there are sales. When I need something, I use a 40% off coupon.