| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 3:03:07 PM
I went in to JoAnn's yesterday...was looking for some military fleece and some light weight net for my son's room....regardless...does anyone else have to deal with inexperienced - uninterested - harried sales help who could care less about their jobs or your shopping? It's always crowded, dirty, and unorganized. There's "stuff" everywhere and it seems to be getting "cheaper"...not in price...just quality. I mean there's cheap (cost) too...but if I want totally cheap, I'll hit the dollar store on purpose. I hate the idea of wading through cluttered isles of cheap to find what I need for my projects. Oh...and, they have locked up the beads?!!! Yep...all the stranded beads are now under lock and key. A whole wall of imprisoned beads. I loved the idea of playing in the strands...handling the beads and comparing them to other beads for a final combo...now you need to call a clerk.
I just don't think I'll be shopping there again. The last few times have been such a disappointment. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| pnickols |
Posted - Feb 28 2011 : 07:10:58 AM
I've pretty much stopped shopping at Joanns because of the prices and ours seems to have less and less fabric to make clothes and just all quilting. I only go and but patterns when they go on sale. am going to try the fabrics.com and buy online. I worked for Joanns some years back and it didn't used to be like that |
| SusanScarlet |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 5:52:27 PM
As I have aged I have decided that no longer will I just walk away from stores, etc. that don't provide good service. I also feel as though in most stores it does absolutely no good to complain to the store personnel - even the manager. A few years ago, I started writing (not emailing) but actually writing a letter to the corporate headquarters of stores when this happened. Believe me, it works. I have even received a gift basket from the corporate office of a restaurant where the service was horrendous along with a request if they could use my letter in training for their management staff. Angela, I'd recommend that you write a letter to the corporate office and explain about the knitting machine gift from your grandparents. Give the details, along with dates and names and copies of any paperwork, etc. they gave you. I am sure that it will get your money back. Let us know what happens. |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 1:47:35 PM
One of the stores close to me is closing. Am I sad? No, because it was a small store and the staff who worked there have been rude. I still have other stores, where I like to go.
www.mycountryapron.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrynmore2
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| nh.farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 11:47:01 AM
Wow, I guess it depends on the store. The Joann's Fabric I go to in Belmont New Hampshire is wonderful!! It's clean, the girls who work there are all so nice, and unlike Michael's (where the sale coupon can always be used "starting tomorrow" [when you no longer need to use it since you just bought the darn thing you were after!]), I always walk out of the store paying nearly half price because of the great sales and coupons. I LOVE the Belmont NH Joann's and it is one of my favorite stores. I am so sorry that the Joann's near you has fallen into such neglect!
Barbara
"If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint."
- Edward Hopper
www.newhampshirefarmgirl.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sister
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| coloquilter |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 11:07:21 AM
Hi ladies,
The JoAnn's that was closest to me was a MESS . It has closed now . My dd lives in Loveland Co and has a beautiful one . Every employee is helpful and I love shopping there. They have demo days for both adults and kids . It almost seems like joAnns is only as good as their competition. The more they have the better they are.
Susan |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 10:59:46 AM
Janie, I also get frustrated when they have the coupon sales, because most of the fabrics are on sale anyways. I think that the purpose of the coupons is to get us in the store, and maybe since we can't use most of the coupons, we will find something else that we need. The quality of fabric is not the same. Most of the fabrics that I sell in my fabric store, I have had for a while and they are a very nice quality. I honestly don't know why I would need to purchase some fabric at Jo-Anns, when I have the fabric selection that I have. Sometimes, though I am looking for fabric that will compliment the fabric for an apron that I want to make.
www.mycountryapron.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrynmore2
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| J.F. Brown |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 10:27:10 AM
Hey, all, I recalled you when my daughter and I went to Jo-Ann's last week. As in most places, it's just about the only game in town. There are a couple of independent stores left, but not really near enough for a short trip on a limited gas tank.
Each of us had a purpose, and LOTS of coupons. She's re-covered a chair, and wanted some trim to finish the back. I needed a cotton print to re-bind an old blanket. (Got it as a wedding present in 1979.) We had already torn through every corner of every box in my house, her house,and I hit three thrift shops in two days before deciding, yes, we had to buy new. And very sad we were, too.
But such great coupons! 40% off, 50% off, 10% off total purchase. It would have been great if there were more than two bolts in the whole store that were actually not already"on sale" and therefore ineligible to use the coupon! One of those bolts... almost empty and with so many misprints the satff person had to search through it... is not going to bind my blanket. But I still wish I had just bought a sheet at Target and used that. Plus, the staff was the single grumpiest fabric staffer I ever met. I think if she could have chewed the cut off with her teeth shge would have. Of course, the cut she did was almost the same thing! |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Feb 08 2010 : 05:35:35 AM
I think those little half aprons are so cute...but useless. I always seem to splatter my top half. Spaghetti sauce, butter, you know.... the stuff that won't come out? I'm a "full coverage" kinda gal when it comes to aprons! LOL |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 1:53:01 PM
I like to keep my apron on for eating messy lol works better than a napkin. Isn't that redneck? LOL
Linda in Scranton, PA
"WELL BEHAVED WOMEN RARELY MAKE HISTORY"
(The Junk Gypsy) |
| pinkroses |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 12:34:58 PM
Sharon
Since they know me and almost my full name and see me often
I go in there any way
I mean I help pay for their pay checks
I think we all need to go on line and tell them how they are doing
which most of us think not
It is a shame that they let their stores run down
I don't have that much extra money to spend now.
But ,
when I go I expect to have some fabrics that we can afford.
I say we tell them !!
I get frustrated about the fabrics being so high
If I only want to make a apron it will cost about $20.00
as I love the kind of apron that has a wide bodice
I put yards and yards of eye let lace on them ,
and put hearts on the bodice and the pockets
if you go to my no 2 blog you can see a pink apron I made
it take a long time to make it
I like making them; but
I can't stand long , my feet and body get numb
My MIL loves the aprons I make her.
'Need to make another one
Mom never cooks much and doesn't wear them anymore.
I can have an apron on and still make a mess.
My deceased dad's Mom use to say if you don't make mess in the kitchen and don't get flour on it -- it ain't no good, Ha. hugs sheila
http://www.sheilascreativetouches.blogspot.com/
http://www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 12:29:27 PM
I think bonnie had a great idea with fabric.com. I was "shopping" there today for a while, just hunting through their collections and sales. I like the "design wall". You can add a fabric to the design wall and then manipulate the swatches around to see what might look good together. I think I may try them the next time I need something, when I can plan for it. |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 12:01:27 PM
The last time they had the 50 percent off coupon, the novelty fabrics were not on sale. This was rare, so I used the coupon on the novelty fabric. I have seen fabrics priced over $11.00 there. That is outrageous. I think that it was Christmas fabrics. Sometimes, I think that they price the fabric up so high because people won't purchase the fabric at that price, but only with a coupon or when it is on sale. They are making a bundle even when the fabric is on sale.
www.countrynmore.com
www.countrynmore2.etsy.com
http:// www.qualityfabricsandsupplies.ecrater.com
www.countrynmore.blogspot.com
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| yarnmamma |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 11:46:33 AM
I do like the pattern sales too. The patterns are on sale often. I still shop there but I won't pay full price either. Most of the time I go straight to the back at the clearance or over to the fat quarters. The fat quarters are worth the price for me to not stand in a long slow line for cutting.
Linda in Scranton, PA
"WELL BEHAVED WOMEN RARELY MAKE HISTORY"
(The Junk Gypsy) |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 10:14:03 AM
Dear Sheila,
I remember when they were told that the restrooms were for employees only. The women on another sewing forum, which I used to belonged to flooded the home office with letters of complaints and there was even an online petition form. The women refused to shop at Joannes. Now, I can use the restroom without any problems.
I will not pay full price for fabric and I can still find some good fabric, but it isn't like it used to be. The prices are definitely higher for the fabric that is being sold. I won't buy the fabric unless I like the quality and of course if the price is right. I like it when they have the 50 percent off on sewing thread, as I use a lot of thread making aprons and of course the pattern sales are great as well.
www.countrynmore.com
www.countrynmore2.etsy.com
http:// www.qualityfabricsandsupplies.ecrater.com
www.countrynmore.blogspot.com
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| pinkroses |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 09:24:27 AM
Okay since we are ranting on about Jo-Ann's
here is mine
I have brought cloth from them for years since they first opened
they kept going up and up.
I complained to them about that
I know the lady I complained to about it
She said that they had better "Quality" fabric?
Yea . right
I told her I had some material that cost $2.99 a yard
Same 100% cotton same desgin and color
They raised the price to around $7.00 a yard !!
I asked why; she said
" it is quilter's quailty . "
I told her it is the same I had for years.
I hadn't brought material for awhile
I have a Quilt shop
Theirs is about the same price only better
Why pay for that price when you can get better at a quilt shop
We only have JoAnn's ,and Michales and AcMoores
JoAnn's store is in our oldest little mall
They started telling people they couldn't use their rest rooms either
Like it was a beautiful room?
Ugh. NOt.
The place is run down
They keep telling me they are hunting for a better place to move into near there.
They haven't .
I still go in there; as I have no choice when I want thread etc.'
I really don;t have alot of money to spend now any ways. hugs sheila
http://www.sheilascreativetouches.blogspot.com/
http://www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 03:59:11 AM
I decided to order more fabric at fabric.com. I honestly don't need any more. Anyways, there is a site called retailmenot, where you can get discount coupon codes for websites. I used 2WMYP9 for the coupon code and received 25 percent off my order and still received the free shipping, since the original order was $35.00. At least it didn't show any shipping charges on the receipt.
www.countrynmore.com
www.countrynmore2.etsy.com
http:// www.qualityfabricsandsupplies.ecrater.com
www.countrynmore.blogspot.com
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| bbteacher |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 9:32:42 PM
Ladies,
I know that this site has been mentioned before but it's worth repeating. www.fabrics.com. I've had great success dealing with this company and the fabric is both affordable and lovely. They have a money-back guarentee and I've never had a problem. And if there ever is a problem, they have nice, helpful staff you can deal with to resolve the issue. They even offer coupons and great deals. I was looking for some fruit novelty fabric and they are having a superbowl deal this weekend. I got a lot of fabric for $35.40; with free shipping. Another solution may be that some of you ladies might want to consider shopping in a friend's stash. I'm blessed to have a number of friends who quilt and sew and we will "share"/swap fabrics with one another. Those persons swapping predetermine what we all have available and make a master list. We distribute this list and then each person checks off what is desired. The individuals then contact one another to decide the terms of the swap or trade. Sometimes we even throw patterns, magazines, books, or notions into the mix. I also save scraps and have several friends who collect them when the pile gets big enough to make it worth their while. We usually do this quarterly but it really can be done whenever. I know this doesn't fix the JoAnn fabrics problem but it's an alternative, especially in this tight economy.
Hope this helps,
Bonnie |
| HorseLady |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 6:48:26 PM
Too bad Minnesota fabrics went out of business. Joann's is all that is around now. There are 2 near me and they are clean but the one I won't go in. They keep moving the lines and it makes no sense--you are up near the door in a long line, then you have to make your way back to where you came from to get to the registers. What frustrates me to no end is that everytime I pick up a bolt of fabric I like, it has only a few yards on it so if you want more than about 3 yards for anything, forget it. I don't like being asked , "What are you making?" everytime I buy something, the cutters don't know what they are doing and half the store is fleece, even in summer. I think sewing is becoming such a lost art that very little effort goes into it anymore. And patterns are made so small these days, they don't fit right. It's almost like the industry is discouraging women from sewing. I think one reason JoAnn's is so bad is that every store I've been in, is run by a MAN. They don't sew , as a rule, and have no clue.
Hug a horse or a dog today! |
| kluckingbear |
Posted - Feb 06 2010 : 12:33:18 PM
If I never have to go to Joann's again I'll be happier for it. I've had the same awful experiences and I don't even end up taking home decent fabric. I have better luck finding variety, friendly customer service, value and quality at Goodwill! My little town is opening a little fabric shop soon--I'm so excited! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 05:42:09 AM
And I thought it was just the store in my city! All this sounds just like our store here. Messy, long lines....we even have a take a number machine at the cutting table because it was getting to the point where folks were cutting in line, ro spending a half hour waiting. With a number you can go do other shopping as long as you hear your number called.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 05:33:32 AM
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/home.html?kw=quilting%20fabric
I hear that the Farmgirls like this site.
Linda in Scranton, PA
Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! www.tut.com |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 05:14:39 AM
I have had good experience getting fabrics at ebay....just be sure to look for a long time specialist in fabrics...if it says quilting fabric then I am happy....but then again I am not into quilting alot and I don't use the best quality anyway.
just a thought. There are some speciaiity quilting online shops....this is a good place for us to share the links.
Linda in Scranton, PA
Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! www.tut.com |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 04:51:15 AM
Wow! We are all over the place! My hobby lobby doesn't have as much fabric as I'd like. I don't think I've ever found what I'm looking for there.
I say we shop at Sharon's or Diane's. At least we know we'll get quality service with a smile...some good conversation, and maybe even a cup of coffee/tea! ;-) |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 04:29:36 AM
Our Hancock Fabrics closed so now I have to go to JoAnne's. The one here is pretty clean and organized, but I went to one in South Carolina while visiting my daughter that was a disgrace! I also go to Hobby Lobby and get fabric and notions, they have a pretty good selection. I have bought fabric on-line only to be disapointed in the actual quality when it arrived.
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| countrynmore |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 4:39:08 PM
Debi. All the places I know are resale. The customer has to have a resale number and there is not only a minimum order, but all sites sell by the bolt. I like Haiks-inc. and usually purchase when bolts are on clearance. Otherwise, it can be costly, Some fabrics, are heavier in weight than others. Sometimes when I use a 50 % coupon at Jo-Anns, it is cheaper than what I can pay through the distributor (regular price, not clearance price).
www.countrynmore.com
www.countrynmore2.etsy.com
http:// www.qualityfabricsandsupplies.ecrater.com
www.countrynmore.blogspot.com
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