Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

I like to go to Joann… unfortunately the one closest to me, in Colma, does not have great selections of scrapbooking and stamping stuff. Lots of empty spots… like the Spectrum Noir has only a couple and then they were sold out since 2 weeks ago. Today I went there… still empty. The rubber stamps and ink pads have been the same for months and not enough variety of ink pads. There is only one clear embossing powder. I wish they really replenish their scrapbooking related items weekly and bring items that are new in the market. How ever… Joann​.com is amazing… with thousands of great scrapbooking and rubberstamping items.

Store could really use more staff, because:
1) the check out line is always long
2) hard to find an associate to help you when you are in the aisles
3) fabric cutting area always seems packed
Lighting could also be brighter to offer a more welcoming feeling.
I love that they have coupons pretty often. find it online.

Horrible customer service! We went into the store with a lot of cold stares and no greetings from the employees. We then proceed to find our items and ask an employee if they have any more items in stock. She gave a big sigh and said «that all we got.» We did not feel very welcome at this point and tried to leave quickly out of this store. We then tried to apply for a student card to get a small discount. But apparently we needed a student ID with the current year. As college students, we all know that majority of our IDs don’t show our year. Then an older black women begin to tell us we cannot get it and made us feel even more unwelcome with her tone and attitude toward this problem. We then told her that we could show her our class schedule and she impatiently and rudely said that she’ll give it to us now but next time give me a valid ID or I am not giving you one. I do not recommend going to this store at all!

Horrible customer service from the stores very own manager, Richard.
I walked into a semi empty store & he looked right at me and looked away, no greet. Anyone could tell I had a question to ask but instead of saying hello, how can I help you — he walked right in front of me and darted off! I then said hello can you help me then Richard turned around and let out a big sigh in front of my face and said «yes» & rolled his eyes with pure irritation. I kid you not!
I asked my question and he unfortunately had a bad attitude so I quickly left. I’m really surprised the manager carries himself this way.
He needs to be retrained pronto!

Mean my family have fun looking around the store at all the fabric selections. Usually the customer service is decent. Not horrible but really nothing too outstanding. But for the past few months, one of the cashiers has given me horrible customer. Her name is Flora. I understand that mistakes happen. But Flora has made many mistakes and has been extremely rude about it. She has either over charged me or not applied a coupon. This has happened on 3 separate occasions!!! Everytime she has rung up my order, she has been very rude. She doesn’t even look at me and she doesn’t smile either. And sometimes I have multiple coupons and when I ask her how they would be applied, she would pretend to not hear me and brush me off. When she doesn’t respond, I ask her again and she tells me to be quiet. The reason why I ask her so many questions is because I know she has messed up my order before. And every time I go back to the register with a problem on my receipt, she would give me a very mean look and she makes it seem like I was at fault for her mistakes. She would also pretend that she didn’t make the mistake and almost yell at us. Me, my mom, and my aunt have had horrible customer service from Flora on multiple occasions. Everyone else in that store has been kind and helpful. Richard, the store manager, even recognizes my family when we come in because we are repeat customers. We love coming to Joann’s but if Flora continues to give us rude customer service, we would highly consider not coming back to the Joann’s in Colma. I’m not really looking for an apology, but I would like just for this situation to be dealt with.

What has happened to this store? It used to emplo
y people who knew something about sewing. The sales people who work here now know nothing. I went to buy bobbins for a sewing machine (that I bought from Jo-​Ann on line, no less) and the people in the store never heard of the brand (Janome — it’s popular) and said they had only ever heard of two sewing machine brands. And this purports to be a fabric/​sewing store! It has become more like a schlock shop. I won’t be back.

Several days before Halloween, I went into your store in Colma, CA, to pick up items for my costume (to wear to work in theme that Friday, Oct. 30).
I’m a teacher, and after waiting 10 – 15 minutes in line because there was only 1 cashier, I finally had my turn at the register. I provided all my items, put them in my own back with items purchased from another store (we have a plastic bag ban), presented my coupons, my expired Jo-Ann’s teacher card, and my current union membership card. The cashier said that since my teacher rewards card was expired, I could not get the discount. I agreed that the card was expired, showing her my current union membership card again, and asking for a new card.
Apparently, they were out, so I was told I was out of luck. Having worked retail management before my career as a teacher, I knew this was an absurd statement. It may require management approval, but I had proper documentation of my current status as a teacher, and I was entitled to my discount. So, I made the cashier walkie her manager. Her manager basically said I was out of luck, and refused to come up to talk to me since she was at the cutting table. After 2 – 3 minutes of this back and forth, I finally caved to going back to talk to her, my documentation still out.
Thus, the cashier suspended my transaction and I stormed back to the cutting table. The manager at the time, Dela, was someone I recognized from my many years of shopping at the store. I went up to the table, showed her my expired teacher card and my current union card, and asked why I was ineligible for the teacher discount when I was obviously a teacher, and it was not my fault her store was out of new cards – I would happily get my free card when they had them in stock, but I had appropriate documentation and it was the store’s responsibility to honor that. Dela snapped at me that she was cutting cloth for a customer «who had waited her turn.» I retorted that so had I, in line and at the register, and that I would happily be finished with the store if she would authorize my discount. She responded that my union card was useless, as it didn’t have a barcode to scan (and it seemed to fall on deaf ears that my staff photo ID, which I keep at school, also has no barcode, not that their system would recognize it if it did – and has the same identification on it that a custodian or secretary would have: STAFF), and I needed an ID card from my school.
Then, she quit talking to me, finished with her cutting client, called me to the side of the counter, and told me that now she’d listen to my problem since I’d «waited» my turn. I once again said what I’d had the cashier say, what I said when I approached her, and she once again told me that without an ID card from my school, she couldn’t authorize a discount. By this time, I’d been trying to pay and get out for over 25 minutes. She said nothing to me, turned, and headed to the register. I followed, unsure what this meant. She had the cashier (who I think was a new hire and not real confident) recall my suspended transaction… but it couldn’t be done. I had to unpack my bag, have her rescan all the items, and then we had to find the coupons. During this time, Dela got annoyed that there were over 20 people in line to check out, and walked over to a register to ring up a waiting customer. At the end of entering coupons, the young cashier looked up at me and asked if I was getting a discount. I responded that I had NO CLUE, as the manager seemed less than helpful and had walked away without saying anything. Dela screamed across the registers what the cashier needed to do, finally authorizing the discount I should have gotten 30 minutes prior.
I called customer service a couple days later and asked for a district or regional manager to contact me in response to this disastrous encounter so I could share it personally. I was told 2 – 3 business days to get a response, but that she was sorry for my experience and notified me that I could order a new teacher rewards card online (which I did). More than a week later, no response. I called again. The agent stated she would once again request a response. Nothing – though apparently the lady didn’t log it, as when I called for the THIRD time the next week, she could find no record of my second call, but once again logged that I wanted a return call.
It’s now been over a month since this wretched experience. I’m still just as angry, if not more so, as I’ve gotten no response AT ALL from my complaint.
When there’s a Michael’s store 2 minutes away, and I don’t have to fight them for a discount (or sign up for a free membership card each year) and a Beverly’s 5 minutes away for fabric – also just as nice as can be and generous with discounts – WHY SHOULD I RETURN TO YOUR STORE?! No one seems to care. Why should I?

Awful !!! Understaffed with no knowledge. I asked specifically for a few items and nobody knows what anything is even thought it’s listed on the website. Best to go to michaels just down the way !

Its an affordable fabric store in the area. I like to sew as a hobby and come here once in a while to pick up fabric. I usually get coupons on the JoAnns app on my phone which helps me save some money.
The service is alright. They are usually under staffed and hence there can be really long lines at check out.
They have a decent selection of items for basic sewing. I have found some really cool home décor pieces for great prices too.

My go to place when I need supplies! Good selection of fabrics, yarns, & craft supplies. Good prices/​sales. Easy parking & friendly, helpful staff. Can I give it a 4.5? Only thing I’d change would be simplification of their coupons/​discounts.

I’ve been calling to get prices over the phone on inventory im not even sure they carry and they’re phone lines seems to be tweaking. I’ve been getting the automated recording then it goes to someone picking up, then a dial tone, then another recording that I’ve reached the number in error. Very frustrating.

Why is this Jo-​Ann so poorly rated?
I admit, I’ve always preferred Michael’s and Aaron’s Brothers for my arts and crafts needs in the past, mostly because in my mind Jo-​Ann only sold fabrics. But wow I stepped in this Jo-​Ann and was pleasantly surprised at the variety of crafting supplies they carry.
So I made it in this store after first stopping by Michael’s and finding out the gray felt sheets I was needing were sold out. I was in luck as Jo-​Ann had the same product fully stocked. Score!
Overall, this place is much smaller and does not look as brightly lit and beautifully stocked as Michael’s, however, don’t let that fool you on the awesome variety of things they carry in stock! Most everything I see in Michael’s, I found at Jo-​Ann, some with greater discount. Things that were 40% off at Michael’s are 50% off at Jo-​Ann!
I was able to pick up a couple of baskets and basket fillers, and found a nice circle puncher that was on sale. On top of that, don’t forget to grab their coupons found on their website that you can download onto your phone. I got such a good deal on my purchase I couldn’t help but smile as I headed out the store.
I’ll be stepping in Jo-Ann’s more frequently going forward!

I’m not sure why this Jo-​Anns has only 2.5 stars but I really like this location! I guess you can call it my home base.
It’s not the BIGGEST I’ve been to but it’s definitely not the smallest. If you ask me, it’s on the bigger side of the stores.
They have everything that you need, lots of sewing, beading, quilting, scrapbooking, etc.
A LOT of coupons! You can get on their email list and if you download their app there’s always coupons!
This store is pretty clean and organized, nothing too out of place. And the staff are great! Very friendly, if you have a question, they’ll help you find the answer.
Student, teacher, and some other discounts also.

Although the lines at Joann’s can get quite long, the cashiers always try their very best to be professional; and expedient as possible.
I prefer Joann’s to Michael’s and Beverly’s as the prices and customer service are better. In my experience, Michael’s and Beverly’s cashiers usually cross examine the customer upon presentation of a coupon.
I shop at Joann’s on a regular basis. All of Beverly’s and Michael’s coupons are redeemed at Joann’s! Recently, Flora has been very cordial as a cashier at Joann’s!

Ehhhh… more like a 2.5 stars. However, I’ll give them the little boost to 3 because those 60% coupons in the mail really are tough to ignore.
This Jo-Ann’s is a little crowded, and the line to pay is always hit or miss. It could be two people or twelve — feel like trying your luck?
One tip: if the fabric line is loooong and you generally know what you’re shopping for, then pull a number to cut before going to pick out the fabric.
Another tip: The lighting in the aisles is generally craptastic, so if you’re looking for a particular color, go to the end of the aisle at the perimeter of the store, where the lighting tends to be better. This was essential when I was shopping for a particular shade of yarn because coffee brown is definitely different from chocolate brown. Or at least, it was for my purposes. :)
The staff has been really nice, though, so I’ll come here whenever I have something in mind, am in the area, and have a 50 or 60% coupon in hand. Not that great for browsing, though.

The experience at Joann’s Fabrics is the stuff that movies about retail clerks are made of.
It would be funny if you’re not the customer trying to get some basic items.
Even when I have not gone in for fabric, I usually grab a number for the cutting table. This day, I did have a need for it.
As I grab the number and it’s obvious that I’m two numbers behind the person she just helped, Big Blonde Bubba looks me up and down then proceeds to ask her cutting table mate if she can work the registers.
Bubba gives me an extra up and down as she walks past.
Her cutting table mate was no better. Before she’s done with the person she’s helping, she calls out a number. There are several people waiting but she gives me a steely look and gruffly asks what my number is. Based on the number called out before, now I’m only one number away.
She then proceeds to help a woman who claims she was sent from the front register to pick up an item being held for her. In a busy retail space, any other cashier would have told that woman to take a number. They would have done it in a way that serves everyone instead of letting some entitled whine jump ahead of those who had already been waiting. But no, she ‘helps’ this woman for about 5 minutes looking around for what I’m sure is a large item. I was hoping and praying it wouldn’t be found and sure enough, it wasn’t. Karma, line jumper.
Anyway, Bowl-​Cut Ugly still hasn’t finished helping the other customer. When she finally does finish, she calls out my number. While she eventually lightened up in the course of conversation, it was obvious that she was working hard not to be friendly.
The only reason I describe these women in this review is to illustrate the point that they hire some insecure, ugly types in this store whose only sense of power comes from mistreating customers.

Disappointing, but necessary, EVERY TIME.
It’s the same story every time I come in here. Walk in really fast, turn head right.
How many people in line? 0 ok hurry up it won’t stay that way forever, 2 – 3 people? most stores not so bad, here, its a nightmare. after I get what I need, 4 people in line, ok not bad, 25 min later, finally im 2^nd to next, turns behind me, the line is 10 people deep, one more comes in, sales clerk finally calls for backup. sound familiar? you mustve been here before.
I come here because they have great sale prices on random fabrics, and they have large foam which I use a lot. not as big of a spray paint collection as Michaels. But, like I wrote in my Michaels review, most of my projects are a 2 store deal where I need things from both.
The checkout line is soooo long, you can probably run 2 miles and come back before its your turn at the queue.
I don’t think it’s any one persons fault, at this point I feel like its how the place is run. For the most part, people are nice, at the cutting station and even at the checkout line, but man, it takes a long time. seriously.
Usually it’s 1 register open, and even with just 2 – 3 people in line it moves so slow, and they wont add a 2^nd person til the line gets ridiculous. which sucks for the middle of the line who wait the longest.
they have 3 registers, michaels has 7, but they dont use all 3. Yes I understand, utilization, as cost benefit analysis and all of that, but man, they must operate under some really small margins, when they have 2 – 3 people cutting, and 1 checking out, do they not realize that all those people in line for fabric will checkout at the same line.
at the end of the day, they seem to be the only game in town, so can’t do much, i will start bringing a lawn chair and make sure my phone is charged to watch a few youtue videos while I wait, probably will make me less cranky waiting to pay for some material.

Haven’t been to this store in 8 years or so… and it is way more cluttered than I remember. It makes me feel a little claustrophobic trying to walk around the store. The fabrics don’t seem to be organized very well… not by color. It makes me kind of sad that the store looks this way now, but they still seem to have the stuff I need… just not that easy to find.

My girlfriend and I usually so by here whenever she gets here creative juices flowing and seeing as it’s close by to a bunch of other boutiques and stores, we stop by often.
The fabric here is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. If you can make the trip to Fabric Outlet or Discount Fabric in San Francisco, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of money.
They use to have cookbooks and the latest edition of ‘Eat This, Not That’ that I’d read, but they moved everything around twice and I can’t even find a single cookbook. The only books that seem to be available are ones that are for patterns.
Speaking about patterns, they usually have a sale going on for patterns where you can get them for less than 2 bucks. The regular price is around 20 bucks each so that’s a pretty good deal although I always wonder how can a few pieces of paper be so expensive…

I haven’t been back since I got married. I don’t sew so there was really not a reason to come here. I did drop by recently because I was looking for 2.5mm pearl beads for a project. I vaguely remember I got them at Joanns but nope the smallest bead in stock was the 4 mm.
Nevertheless, I did wander around the store because it looks like the remodeled since the last time I was there. Things are more or less more organized this time. I managed to pick up a Martha Stewart template that makes neato ornaments out of origami paper for 40% off and a bunch of hand soaps for $ 1 (it’s $ 1.50 at Michaels so this is a bargain).
There’s a long line up front but it moves fast. Don’t know whether I will come back since this is out of my way and there’s nothing else I need in this shopping center.

Came here the other day and I was reminded why I avoid this place, came to get needles for my sewing machine, they have SOME of what I needed in stock, everything else looked neglected. I decided to check out since I was already there, waited in line for 15 minutes before I gave up and left. I waited in line longer than the time I spent in the actual store. Ended up leaving and getting everything I needed in one dose on Amazon (Prime).
What was I thinking coming back here? Thanks for the reminder, Jo-​Ann.