I may be the “Jenny-come-lately” here on this topic, but it seems that there’s been a HUGE shake up with the Michaels craft stores. According to Craftgrrl, they have basically laid off all of the teaching staff, and have canceled all of their craft classes in beading, scrapbooking, knitting, etc. It seems that even the kid’s parties have been suspended indefinitely.
I also belong to a number of Yahoo Groups, and I’m hearing the same thing everywhere: classes are gone (except for Wilton’s cake decorating classes) and “corporate” has decided to homogenize things by dictating that every store will offer the same projects. And they will be taught by the same folks who run the cash register and unload the boxes.
In short, no more “experts.” You’ll have to buy the pre-packaged kits and follow the directions. And from what I found on the Michaels website, it looks like the only thing they are focusing is kids crafts. There’s is branded “the Knack.”
So isn’t that just like Oriental Trading? Where’s the creativity in that?
And what about what the local market wants? Like folks who want polymer clay classes over, say, crocheting?
This is a sad state of affairs for the crafting/arting community. What to do?
Well, two things. One – and the most important – is patronize your local, independent shops. The bead shops, scrapbooking stores, the yarn shops, etc. It’s hard to run and brick-and-mortar business in a virtual world, and dollars to doughnuts those shop owners are happy to run classes that meet your interests. They often struggle and lose a lot of business to online vendors and big box craft stores, so they seek to find an interesting niche. (For example, our local bead shop realized that no one was doing polymer clay classes so she hired me!)
Secondly, ignite your “craftivism!” Time to contact “The Man” and let them know what we think of it…. click here to use their online question form.
For other weigh-ins on the topic, visit ceejay on Etsy, Micheals online message board, The HGTVcraft forum, and the forum for SplitCoastStampers.
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Nancy Link says
The same thing is happening in many venues. Big box stores find it easier to let their stock clerks pretend to be experts. Petsmart is an example. A stock clerk looks at a few videos, takes an open book test, and viola! he is a “certified Petsmart dog trainer” Eventually, they get a bad enough name, do a poor enough job, that fewer and fewer people fall for it. It tends to level out eventually.
Just went to Michael’s and found that JoAnn’s was much better stocked in polymer clay supplies.
Isn’t that extruder fun? Wait till you get the tube attachments!
Nancy Link
Cindy Lietz says
Where I’m from the only place you can get anything polymer clay, is at Michaels. The problem with a big store like Michaels is that it is impossible for the employees to be ‘experts’ at all of the different crafts that they offer.
This is why the Internet has become so important to your crafting education. With a good Google search you can stay on the cutting edge of most craft techniques and materials information, although it can be sometimes quite a difficult search… especially for beginners.
That is partly why I have decided to teach all my polymer clay techniques in video online. When you get excited about learning a new craft like making polymer clay beads, nothing is worse than going into a big box store like Michaels and getting all the wrong information! It can be really discouraging, and worse yet may even cause the newbie to quit trying!
Cindy Lietz
“I learned by making mistakes… Now you don’t have to.”
Lori says
Michaels is overpriced on most items, and it is showing definite signs of a big downturn. In addition to cutting classes, they seem to have reduced the amount of stock they carry overall; I noticed this especially in the beads (which used to be an aisle and a half plus numerous endcaps and a freestanding spinner in my local store but is now reduced to one aisle and half as many endcaps, no spinner) and in the seasonal home decor section (last year you couldn’t move without tripping over a plant stand; I went to look for one last week and couldn’t find a single one). This wouldn’t be a big deal if they had eliminated some of the junk, but they seem to be concentrating on cheap mystery metals and poor-quality Chinese glass. I haven’t purchased anything there in months because they’ve eliminated the few things I did buy there. There’s also a lot less random stuff in the main aisles, but I won’t complain about that — I hate it when stores junk up the aisles and make it hard to move around.
Lori says
Oh, and I’m not a big user of coupons, but I’ve noticed that there hasn’t been a Michaels flyer or coupon in the Sunday paper in the last couple of months.
Chrystina Swain says
I have heard that the reason for the cut backs was because of the lack of attendance to the classes. The whole reason they started offering the classes was not to bring crafts to crafters but to draw you into the store to buy their products. When only 2-4 people sign up to take the classes it doesn’t bring enough profit in to pay for the wasted space the classroom takes up. I am against the whole mass-produced one-craft-fits-all type just as the rest of you. I just don’t see them changing their minds. China wins again.
Marilyn Parigian says
Michael’s is on my black list. Last month they had a 50% off coupon and I bought a large canvas that I had been looking at previously. Paid for it and arranged to have it picked up as it would not fit in my car. Went back to shop for 37.00 worth of beads and when I presented my 30% off coupon, the cashier said that it was only good “tomorrow”. I paid full price as it was not worth another 17 mile trip the next day. A lady ahead of me in line had the same thing happen. We both walked out the door with a negative feeling toward the store. In addition, there is a Hobby Lobby in town that has coupons that you can print online….and a very sweet cashier who always says Blessings as well as Thank you. I usually drive a bit further to receive those blessing and use those 40% coupons. Thanks for letting me vent!
nasir says
That’s why I hate these silly coupons.
dust says
I saw this this morning and just have to comment. My daughter and I went into Michael’s last night to look for summer crafting supplies, and walked out with nothing. We won’t be returning again.
We looked and looked to find a heat gun and shrink plastic, but couldn’t, and went to find a sales lady.
The first sales lady had never heard of a heat gun, and could not tell us where or even *if* the store carried them (they are a common craft tool used in embossing and stamping).
She really just did not know what we was talking about at all, even after I explained what they were used for.
Then we tried to find “shrinky” plastic sheets and they don’t carry that, either, or maybe they do, but who knows? Because once again, the sales lady (a different one, though) looked at us like we’d grown second heads when we asked for them and said she didn’t think they carried them and went right back to straightening stuff.
Hands empty, we walked down an aisle to leave and lo-and-behold, there was a stack of heat guns, but not on the stamp aisle or anywhere I would have put them or thought to look.
At that point, knowing that they Michael’s either no longer carries basic craft supplies or doesn’t care to help customers find them, we didn’t buy one.
Hobby Lobby had a ton of both, right where they should be, and they ended up with my $55.00+ sale. They also had sales staff to tell me where to find felting supplies.
I like Jo-Ann’s, too; even though the one nearest my house is always packed, they are just as helpful & sweet as can be.
At this point, if it isn’t at Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann’s, I’ll get it online and avoid Michael’s.
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor says
I’m here in Canada and we have the same problem with Michaels staff not knowing anything. I have regularly helped people who were looking for things or needed advice. And have learned to look for things myself, instead of asking for help.
My biggest problem is that there are no other craft stores to go to. All of the little stores have shut down because they couldn’t compete in price. But no other competition has arrived to save the day. Lucky I can answer my own questions and have learned to examine every single aisle, to find where stuff is. They better be careful though, someone will eventually come in and kick their retail butts!
JB says
I work at a Michaels, and honestly a lot of what you’re saying is true, but the sales associates really aren’t to blame. There are some people I work with who know a deal about crafts, knitting, etc but they are the managers or lead sales who have worked there for years. For the come-and-go staff, they don’t teach us anything and they treat us like crap. They throw us in with no training whatsoever and we are ALWAYS understaffed. Add to that a huge portion of the customers being rude/sloppy/inconsiderate/what have you and I think you can understand why the staff you encountered may have been a bit touchy. And no, just because I work at Michaels does not mean I am expert on knitting, beading, and floral arrangements. Please don’t expect me to be and get mad when you realize I’m not.
As far as not knowing whether the store carries something or where it is, generally if I do not know I will ask someone else – but then, I have had managers tell me we did not carry something only to then come across it later. Similarly, items are always coming and going and moving around, and the store doesn’t provide a way to keep up. Because I am usually in the memory books/crafts/wood depts, I have a good idea of what we carry there, but as far as the art supplies or kids crafts or whatnot – how am I supposed to know? wander up and down the aisles on my days off?
and to the person complaining about not being able to use a coupon a day early – if we allow customers to use expired or not yet active coupons, we get written up. don’t blame your cashier. though I’m not sure I understand why you expected to be able to use it a day early in the first place. Michaels does the coupons like that to keep you coming back: come in Sunday (or whenever) for the 50% off, then come back later in the week for the 30%. If you live far away then I’m sorry but you’re SOL, and Michaels as a whole does not care.
janie says
I am a worker in Michaels, we we’re all shocked by what corp. did with the classes. We are owned by a new company and they are chaninging a lot of things in the store. We don;t agree with it but we have to follow the policies.
The new company took away the coupon to sign for, took away the classes. We always had customers signing up for the classes, the customers and the instructors were very disappointed when we found out they were canceling everything but the wilton classes.
as for the people that ring on register and “unload the boxes” we are very qualified to help the customers, at least in my store. We, as the workers have to do everything in the store. Unload the truck, put out the stock, so when you come in it’s on the shelves, ring you out when you are in a hurry to leave. let you in at 8:57 pm to get that much needed product for a project.
There are employees that also do crafts, so we help our customers figure out what is best to use and tell them if we’ve used a certain product and it sucks. We go so far as to look at the schedule and tell the customer the employee that can help them and when to call or come in and that employee will be there. So, we the unloader of boxes and cashiers do the crafts that are in our store and if we can’t help the customer we find someone who can.
So, next time you visit a michaels know that the employee is willing to help. Most times, I ignore a register call to stay with my customer and provide the help that is needed and make sure they fully understand what it is they are going to do with the product.
JC says
I’m a framer @ Michaels, and, yes, Michaels has implemented a “no overlap” policy, which means no more than one employee on duty in any department at any time, and no longer allows part timers to work shifts longer than 5 hours (though I’ve noticed a few exceptions). You’ll also see a very unpopular dress code a/o Sep 1.
On Corporate’s behalf though, customers CAN print coupons from the website, and there are coupons at the registers now most of the time. Classes were eliminated b/c of low attendance, but you should see demonstrations closer to the Winter holidays.
I’d like to repeat other employees’ reminders that not every employee should be expected to be an expert in every craft. Use common sense: why would a framer know whether we carry Batman stickers or a Scrapbooking associate know whether we carry self leveling acrylic extenders? And would a real “expert” be working for less than $10/hour anyway? Let’s be a little more realistic in our expectations.
KG says
I had the same problem as some others where you try and go into an isle and there are 6 people working and chit-chatting and look at you as if to say “go into another isle” I have spent thousands in this store and no longer will be shopping there. I spent 215.00 last week and then they throw a coupon in your bag for 20 percent off sale 2 days later. Then they don’t want to give you a refund. Fifty dollars is what I could have used to purchase other items. They gave me a big stink and I will not go back ever again. My MOTTO is Customers first…they are putting food on their plates and we are paying their salaries. Looks like there are not too many happy people here.
Grace Herman says
KG I’m so glad that you don’t shop at the Michael’s store that I work at. I am also sure that the store you describe is glad that you will not enter their doors again. (That’s if you can stay away.)I work at Michael’s because I like the store and the staff that I work with, but if you think that our salary’s can afford steak, you are mistaken.Your MOTTO “Customers first” is fine if the customer, is not angry at ” husband, wife, kids, traffic, etc.” and then comes into our store, and treats us “the messengers” as tho it was all our fault. MY message to you is “Try honey instead of vinegar”
Catherine says
If we don’t like the craft class situation (and I don’t because I was the activities coordinator at a Michaels until several years ago), we need to contact corporate. If enough do this, something might change. When I worked for Michaels 5 years ago, Wilton was making every effort to take over our whole schedule. At that time there was some freedom, and I refused, letting them have only 2 nights. People wanted craft classes, and we offered many different ones. The store made money too, because people always bought stuff. Especially knitters.
What’s the fascination with Wilton anyhow? You make a cake, it gets quickly eaten. You make a craft, your grandchild can enjoy it. Nothing against Wilton, but no contest in my book!!
Peggy says
I would be happy to have a Michael’s in my area! I do yarn-type crafts (crochet, knit), and my only choices are Hobby Lobby and Wal-mart. The selection of yarn at HL is rapidly getting down to their store brand, and don’t even get me started on what WM has done to crafting in general! At least I am able to find a reasonably good selection of major-brand yarn at Michael’s, which I visit when I am in a city that has one. And before you ask, there is not a yarn store anywhere near me.
MH says
I work at Michaels as well. I love all of their products and its a nice place to come back and work for the summer. I must say it is disturbing to hear the people think the employees are not qualified to teach classes. I hope customers do not think we are people off the street that have no intrest in crafts and just needed a job. I sought out Michaels to work because I am such a crafty person. So maybe i’m not an expert at one type of thing but but that does not mean i don’t have an imagination. I once heard the phrase “to truely be creative strict limitations must be applied”. This is the ability to produce results when you have very little to work with. I love when people come in with a project and need to know how to make it possible. I was once with a customer for 45 min. pumping out random crafts for a kids birthday party. I love helping with those kind of things.
a word of advise though. Don’t dismiss the teens. My friend is a costume design major and she works at Jo Anns. Many of the technical sewing questions always go to here because she is fantastic with a sewing machine but people never take her seriously because she is 20 years old. She is going to school to sew, to design costumes for theatre. She has taken sewing classes and yet many of the people don’t take her seriously.
also, please read coupons. The whole thing, not just the big 50% off and disregard the ‘regular priced item’ portion and then get mad because you didn’t read it and expect us to make an exception because your so mad. It doesn’t work people. Also, one coupon per person. I cannot take 8. Other than that, happy crafting.
Judy C says
I think the basic problem is that we are trying to make art and Michaels is trying to make money. It used to be a little ho-dinky mom-n-pop operation, but has gotten too big to be able to care about people’s projects. I used to be the Classroom Coordinator, and am saddened to see the The Knack. The people who brought their children in to do art on Sat mornings liked that their children could make choices, experiment, or make a project go a different direction. The Knack is completely devoid of creativity. A kit is just a kit.
I currently work as a part time floral designer at Michaels, and the Lead Floral Designer and I are wondering if Custom Floral as a whole is “on the bubble”…in the past its goal was 2% of total store sales, the same as the Classroom Program. Not much in the big picture. But now we have been told that we need to produce 24 floral pieces in a 7.5 hr. shift, no exceptions. What kind of quality can that yield? Plus we can’t help but notice the increased volume of pre-made pieces from China that the store gets. As a whole they are of poor design and quality, and frequently smell of chemicals or mold. Are the 24 pieces what we’d have to produce ito compete with the outsourcing to China? Have any other Michaels Floral Designers been having similar thoughts? If we are short-timers, a job hunting heads-up would be good.
stella says
michaels is making job cuts across the board. No more floral designers, event coordinators full time supervisors, assistant managers and have cut cashiers hours to 4 or 5 hours a week! Try surviving on that. So if your michaels employer isn’t jumping for joy or super knowledgable about everything in the store thank the wonderful world of corporate america! Would you bust your fanny and be super excited to make 7.50 an hour for 4 hours minus taxes and gas to get to work? I think not!!!
Manda Link, Jewelry Designer says
What has happened at Michael’s is essentially removing people from the training business to prolong the experimentation process in hopes of getting more money from newbies to the given craft.
They post video tutorials of these classes, knowing people won’t get enough information so they’ll buy the books, knowing they won’t get enough information from that, creating a greater need for more supplies to experiment on, buy more books and repeat this cycle.
Local bead shops have always been one of the best ways to learn about the artistry of jewelry making, but the classes typically take longer, have fewer openings because of limited classrooms and are often more costly.
If you KNOW you want to commit to a new craft, local bead shops are the logical choice, but what if you’re trying to test the waters?
JoAnn’s is stepping in where Michael’s left off and is offering more and more classes during this challenging economy. They are recruiting proven local artisans and they’re selection is about as good. Keep in mind learning a new craft with lower cost materials like those offered at JoAnn’s is a smart way to determine if you like a craft well enough to truly invest in it.
Another great resource as are taking classes directly from local artisans. I’m in central Ohio and been creating artisan jewelry for over 20 years. I’m networked with hundreds of jewelry artisans around the world who are just as passionate about jewelry creation as I am, most of whom (myself included) offer one-on-one and small group training on a wide variety of skills. Many bead shops are not zoned to teach some of the skill-sets or the class rooms can be too large to really get the instruction you could in a smaller setting.
Consider what you personally want and need from a craft class to choose the right option for you.
Happy Beading!
Manda
Jenny says
Manda– thanks for your well-articulated insight! I agree that bead shops/ specialty stores are the best venues for learning…small store owners know that if they offer the knowledge with a personal touch, they’ll build loyalty and the sales will happen. As for teaching locally in small groups, I DO see a market for this…but it is hard to know who to contact if you want to get started. Wouldn’t a state-wide database be nice? Hmmmm….
K says
I work at michaels and the craft events and in store examples we have are less than easy and you don’t need an expert.
also, the ignorance of the people writing this is awful. I have read that we are going out of business because everything is on sale all the time. Its called a sales ad, just like Kohls and other stores have.
There are still floral designers at every store. Maybe your local store is currently looking for one.
For the 20 percent off coupons that you cant refund, its because ITS OUR POLICY. Every store has a policy and the 20 percent off of everything says in plain print on it, that you cannot use for prior purchases. Thats the policy, thats why its a 4 hour sale. Its for those 4 hours, thats it.
Charon says
I walked into a Michael’s a couple weeks ago, the entire beading and jewellery section was taken apart, reportedly for expansion into another two aisles. I guess that’s encouraging news.
I’ve not yet been offended or angered by an employee, but I don’t tend to hold a company responsible for an individual’s behaviour. It’s assanine and immature to blame someone else for an employee being a jerk.
That said, noone expects every employee to be an expert on every craft, but take some pride in your work and be an expert in your store. If you don’t know how to do something, that’s fine, but if you can’t begin to guess where to look for something you might or might not have, stop texting from the register and try to know something about your job.
Debra O'Connor says
Your blog was really well worded, and very thoughtful. I have noticed a huge decline in the ‘creative’ factor of the goods Michael’s carries, and have often left the store empty-handed, but I was not aware that they had also cancelled their classes by trained professionals.
I appreciate your ‘call-to-arms’ – your encouragement to shop smaller stores. These stores often carry better, or more unique supplies anyway, but it seems to be ingrained to go to a big box store like Michael’s. I hope that things change for the better, and I just wanted to say that I really do appreciate your comments.
Chris says
My local Michaels is pretty good. They recently expanded the beading section a lot, which is very nice. I don’t get the complaining about the coupons – it says right there what you can and can’t use them for. It’s called “reading the fine print.”
I do have a complaint though, and this goes for not just Michaels but also Jo-Ann’s and AC Moore, which I also have nearby. They never carry full product lines. For example, Michaels carries about twenty different Tim Holtz products. Of the alcohol inks they carry about a quarter of the colors available. It’s not like they don’t have room… it’s a huge store… and when I find a product I like I tend to buy all its colors or variations so I have it in my “collection.” But as is I have to go to Michaels for this color and ACM for that color… it’s silly. Carry them all or don’t carry any!
And I will say too that not allowing coupons to be used on Cricut accessories is ridiculous. I can see the machines and the cartridges but not the mats and blades. At first I thought it was a requirement of Provo Craft and then I found out that Jo-Ann’s DOES allow coupons on these items.
Terrie says
Here is a copy of the email I sent Michaels and scroll down for the auto reply… do I really feel like they read my email — what do you think?
Not all customers and coworkers are rude but the overall vibe at Michaels is not fun. Support the local small retailers if you want the service you are willing to pay for. I know going in that when I shop with the 40 or 50 percent coupon I will get a bag, receipt and coupon and maybe a thank you, but rarely a come again if the coupon does not auto print.
Thanks for reading.
_——
This is a notification from the Michaels Customer Care Department.
Your Ticket Number 02279789 has been updated.
Call Description:
My email text:
When will you install self-serve price scanners in your stores? The ones at Target, Wal-Mart and Sears are very handy and if they were available tension would be eased in the register lines. I frequently have had items scanned at the register and the scanned price does not match the sticker price.
I have asked the associates, who are on the sales floor with hand held price guns, to scan items for me and while one person did scan for me, the majority of the time I have been told to go to the register and have a cashier do it. This is an example of consistently poor service in my opinion.
I have mentioned the installation of customer use scanners to more than one cashier, at more than one San Diego county location, and found they tell me to “tell corporate” “they make all the decisions.” The attitude I perceive is the associates in the Michaels retail stores have no real decision making input and are not encouraged to find better ways to help customers.
I am especially frustrated by the one-cent scans and the overall inconsistent practices at your stores in San Diego County regarding selling these items. This has happened in Chula Vista 91911, Point Loma 92110, El Cajon/La Mesa near 92020, and Poway.
Michaels is a convenient source of craft supplies for me. I regularly spend money on rubberstamps, inks, tools, Martha Stewart and Fiskars punches, adhesives, paper and much more. (Averaging $100+ per month as a single person with no children and I spend more during the holidays.) However, the frustrations I have experienced push me to shopping at JoAnnżs, Big Lots, Target, my local scrapbook retailers where service is a top priority… even though I pay a premium for things like Stickles and adhesives, and art supply stores such as Dick Blick. I now buy most of my dies directly from Sizzix and on line retailers. I have found that I do less browsing at Michaels and now look for specific items to buy only with your coupons.
I worked in the retail world for 16+ years, managed a 24/7 business, and know that service work is hard. What are you, as corporate, district and regional leaders, doing to empower your team members and make a more pleasurable-seeming work environment? Year-round the team at the Point Loma store seems the most cheerful and the Chula Vista team seems the most haggard and least happy.
Start by getting self-use customer scanners. Secondly, empower your team members to let the customers have the one-cent scanned items at one-cent. Find a way to record that product and then get it off the floor and fix the price in the computer. Change your website to reflect ways to submit all feedback not just complaints. Michaels should be a happy place to work and shop. Crafting is suppose to be fun right?
Thank you for reading and I hope to see personal scanners arrive soon. Check out my YouTube post and read what your other customers are saying:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWpyt3…
———-
New Entry: Thank you for E-mail
We will forward your comments to our buyers for their consideration.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Michaels Customer Relations
CCCallID: 02279789
km says
For the part-time floral designer who is complaining about having to produce 24 arrangements in 7.5 hours…..What’s your problem?? Are you NOT a professional. Michaels requires 2.5 arrangements per hour on average. My average is approximately 5 per hour. That’s just my average, as any truly professional floral designer can produce the inexpensive arrangements at a pace of at least 12 per hour. I only have a goal of 325 arrangements from Jan thru May….I finished my goal in february and am now currently working on refills and special projects to showcase the floral department to bring in more sales. If you cannot keep up a reasonable pace, you shouldnt even have a job as a floral designer. I have taught floral design for a over a decade. I teach fresh and silk and worked in a very high traffic flower shop for many years. With experience comes professionalism. I also hope that you are well enough informed to know that the pre-made arrangements are also there for your benefit. Take a pre-made which has mostly greenery in it, and within ten minutes, you can turn it into a beautiful arrangement. And you are very lucky to work in a store that allows two designers at all. I am only part-time, 28.5 hours per week and I can keep up….even surpass what is expected of me. The only designer in my michaels store. I also have brought sales up in my department by over 50 percent since I started. I had no problem creating over 700 arrangements on my own between september and december 25. Everyone naturally worries about their jobs, it’s only human. But if you actually do your job well, then you have no problems.
ziggy says
The the last post about the floral arrangement times: I personally have never done so but I have seen my co workers in the floral department and random stuff in the media (tv, movies etc.) and I have notice a vast difference in the time it takes to put together an arrangement of REAL flowers and FAKE ones. At michaels they can only work with fake flowers. This requires cutting thick wires, working with glue and fake water. Also people don’t want to buy something they can make themselves “Take a pre-made which has mostly greenery in it, and within ten minutes, you can turn it into a beautiful arrangement.” Most people in this location/store like to buy original made from many parts arrangements. The stuff these guys makes are wonderful but they can only make like five a day. You also have to consider that they don’t have the luxury (at least in my location) to just stand at their station and work with the flowers. They are CONSTANTLY being bothered by costumers because there are NO other associates on the floor (under staffed). If you were really such the professional you’d have not blown such a load like that, you sound like ten year old trying to show off. The “I’m so great and better then you” act is not looked upon as nice.
Sally says
I was a fulltime employee at Michaels over 10 years and all the fulltimers were cut to parttime and their benefits taken away. Yes they quit the classes, even the few that made money like beading and jewelry making. The ladies came each week and bought new beads. They became Cookie-cutter, generic, one size fits all piece of junk. The floral designers are punished if their sales are low.They cut hours to make employees leave. This is a corporation run by men who no nothing about crafts. Jusy Pu$h $ale$ The ol mighty dollar. I never shop there coupon or no coupon. Shope some where else where they take care of their staff. They would have happier friendlier employees then.
Linda says
I’m in Ma .. The Michaels here this saturday is having a open house for classes , they have cake decorating , knitting , crocheting, Painting , Jewerly making , scrapbooking , Kids classes . We have a Michaels close to us and a ACMOORE … ACMOORE is HORRABAL in this area, no classes , everything always a MESS , they have about 4 scrabooking Isles, 4 Painting isles , professanal painting and craft paint canvas and wood items . about an Isle and a half of beads , and there pretty CRAPPY selection then the rest is random , kids stuff, ribbon , wedding etc … my Michaels has about 5 Beading Isles , with so much sellection from tools, findings , seed beads , crystals , glass , a few isals of scrapbooking , and stampping floral , kids crafts , a whole isal of tiedye with Tshirts and other fabric to paint and use Iron ons with , and TONS of REALLY AWESOME clearance ,I always walk out of Michael’s with about 30~50$ and up depending if i’m just going in cuz i have a coupon and need something for a project and end up finding allot of GOOD stuff on clearance .. I’m not sure what some people are talking about , this Artical was written in 08 maybe things have changed now , and changed for the better at least where i’m from , as for employees , they’ve always been great , from helping me find something , asking about what project i’m working on , just chatting at the check out , I have tattoos on my arm and have been complemented or asked about them . i’m sorry so many people have had bad experances , possibaly you had a pissy look on your face , or where short with them first , possibaly it’s not THERE fault , people ALWAYS rember to SMILE when your out , even if your bf, husband , kids , have you in a bad mood , smile when your talking , even if they dont say anything Greet them , maybe THERE bf , husband or kids are giving them issues , Make there day !!! Say good afternoon , how are you , nice day , Thank you , and SMILE … Just saying !!!!
and I LOVE MICHAELS .. i’m going saturday to sign up for a class or two , my kid just started school and i need something to do !!!
Have a good day everyone *smiles* see is that so hard people ..
Jenny says
I decided to publish the comment from Ivygoddess, even though there are some negative remarks. However, I thought she had good feedback about the current state of Michael’s Craft stores…and YES, this was published in “08…. lots has changed since then!