Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

Very nice selection with all too slick business practices. The store is decorated with sale signs (30% OFF, 40% OFF, etc) on the stock bins. Better read the small print, I found out at the cash register. I was informed on the bottom of the sign in small print that the sale begins tomorrow. Why put out the signs, I asked when those aren’t the prices? Does a grocery store display sale prices that they aren’t honoring at that time?
Buyer beware!

Tried buying some arts n crafts supplies but only one cash register open and did not feel like waiting in a line 14 deep. Cashier was fighting with a customer over an expired coupon. What ever happened to the customer is always right. That said I left my shopping cart and went down the road to Michaels. Michaels seems to be better staffed with all the registers open for business

I just went here to pick up some fabric that I have been buying from them for years. I couldn’t locate the fabric in its «usual» section and asked for help. The person who came to «help» said «Well if you don’t see it we don’t have it». Common fabric. Know they have it. Kept looking myself as useless person walked away. Finally I see it. Up on top of a rack of fabrics. Go to ask for someone to help me get it down. 20 minutes later a person with a ladder came and got it down for me. Next stop the «cutting counter» where I took a number and had to wait in line another 20 minutes. The «cutter» then cut my fabric as requested– however when she folded my white fabric there was a big footprint on it. I asked her for a different piece, and she said «I’m sure it will come out when you wash it… next» Whatever. I will never go here again. The people are beyond rude, the prices are not great and they clearly don’t realize that without customers they would all not have jobs.

DO NOT COME HERE FOR FRAMING, unless you have an ungodly amount of patience and a whole day to waste. We had brought five canvas paintings in to be framed on a Saturday afternoon. The store was not busy by any means, but there was a woman waiting at the frame counter. She informed me she had been waiting a while. Within two minutes the frame lady appeared and started to help the other woman. A half hour later and I had walked around the store twice, as well as laid out my paintings on the counter and discussed frames with my boyfriend. I could see that the other customer had her wallet out and was paying, so I assumed it would soon be our turn. Instead, I hear the frame lady start to sell the customer on the glass cleaner behind the counter, talking about how other cleaners will streak the glass. At this point I am a little annoyed because this employee has barely even looked at me, nor has she said anything close to «I’ll be right with you m’am, thanks for being so patient.» I walked a short distance away to ask two other employees if anyone else was available to help us in framing. I am then informed that there is only one person who works in framing. What?! So I return to the framing counter and the frame lady is STILL talking to the customer. I hear her ask the customer where she is going to dinner tonight, and starts to give the customer directions. They discuss traffic and side roads for ten more seconds until I completely lose it and loudly say to my boyfriend that we are leaving. We packed up all our paintings and left the store. We were prepared to spend up to a grand at Jo-Ann’s for framing and now they will never get my business again. I felt completely annoyed and extremely disappointed in the customer service at the Vernon Hills store, and I will NEVER go back.

I dream of Jo-​Ann Fabrics and can’t wait to make the trip, but it seems like every time I go, I can’t wait to get the heck out of there.
Don’t come on a Sunday. I repeat, don’t come on a Sunday! All I can say is I’m really glad I didn’t need any fabric cut, because you basically have to schedule your entire afternoon around the cutting table line.
Prior to coming here, I went online to research a particular upholstery fabric that I wanted to check out at the store. Supposedly they had it in stock, but after searching through the Home Decorator’s aisles, with no one available to ask (because they were all working the cutting table), I gave up and headed to another nearby fabric store.
I really think they’ve cut back on their product here. It seems like they used to carry more home fabrics, especially the special order ones. Simple thread seemed super picked over. I swear they used to carry Dacron wrap for reupholstering chair seats in their foam section, but nope!
This store just felt sad. Kind of cleaned out and not very lively in there. Come on Jo-​Ann! Where did the love go?
Discovery on the way out near check out line: Super cool crafty book section!

This store is very large and carries most of what anyone needs for most craft projects. There are times where they are very busy and likely even understaffed, but that’s not unusual in many places in this day in age. Rarely have I found someone rude to me in the years they’ve been open as I’ve lived in Vernon Hills before they even opened this location, but they are not perfect; no one is. Sometimes the restrooms could be cleaner.
My last experience was good; I wanted to make a poodle skirt and found the felt, broadcloth, netting, tulle, thread and zipper needed. Plus I found the poodle appliqué and some cool trim for the «leash». I had a pattern at home, but I did pull the McCall’s and Simplicity ones that were like mine to get yardage. 2 of 3 patterns were out of the largest adult size, but hey it is almost Halloween and I’m doing this kind of last minute…
For the area, I choose this location first as Wal-​Mart doesn’t carry any cut to yardage fabric anymore and Hobby Lobby is a joke at the cutting table. There have been times were I have left without getting the fabric I wanted cuz no one even answered the bell I kept ringing to get it cut. If you are looking for something more specific, you may need to try something like Vogue Fabrics in Evanston or a specialty quilt store as I would like to see more calico options. When this location first opened, they did have a lot more calico — or so it seems that way.

I don’t like to complain… But, 40 people in line and the manager is the only person at the checkout. 30 minutes in line and nowhere close to getting out of here.
Someone fire this manager. She is incompetent. 15 people walked out.

Alright, this is going to be a three star review because Sue didn’t give me a receipt thus subjecting to me to a long hassle of getting a refund today. However, the manager handled it so my prior review still kind of stands. I’d give them 3.5 stars but I’m not sure if they deserve a 4 anymore. I’ve been crafting a lot recently and I trust Joann to have its variety. I get some fabric, thread, and clay. Upon check out, I ask to use a 40% off coupon for the clay to which Sue states it’s already on sale for $ 4.89 and she scans it. I wasn’t aware since the labels said $ 5.99/nowhere did it say it was a sale, and it annoyed me that she didn’t even bother to ask if I still wanted it or not. Even Walmart employees do that. I ask about using it on my other items and she chides me about how it wouldn’t even matter to use the coupon since their stuff was so cheap. Excuse me, but my fabric costs $ 5.99/yard and I have a right to ask. I was in a hurry to go home and beat traffic, so I decide not to get her to cancel it (there was a line and only one register). I take my change and go without realizing that she hadn’t put the receipt in my bag since she didn’t give it to me with my change. Hell, I was still fumbling with my purse when she called the next lady up.
Today I realized I wouldn’t need the clay and decided to return it. After going through my bag, car, and purse, I realize that I have no receipt. Ugh. I go back and ask a cashier about returning without a receipt because Sue didn’t give me one. She tells me I have to give her all my personal info and that I can only get it back as store credit. Great, they don’t believe me. I get back $ 3.74 and I’m confused because Sue sold it to me on the basis it cost $ 4.89. I ask the cashier why I’m getting less of my money’s worth back. She says store policy says returns without a receipt means they give back the lowest value within 90 days. I tell her it’s unfair since it’s Sue’s fault for not giving me a receipt. She sighs and calls the manager who also suspects I’m lying. Look ladies, I get I’m not in the granny demographic, but the fact that I can give you the day, time, name of my cashier, and items I purchased should indicate I know what I’m doing. The manager whines about having to look through tapes and receipt records, but I insist I’m telling the truth. She goes back for about fifteen minutes and later comes back with my receipt. Huzzah! She gives me about $ 6 in cash and I am victorious. The only sad part — she still didn’t give me a full receipt from that day. Darn.
This pretty much turned me off from Joann’s for the day but I already drove the distance and decided to shop around for more supplies. I helped a confused woman find the felt section since the fabric cutting employee couldn’t help her besides saying felt was in the back aisles. I was disappointed though because they were out of the leather cord and stretch fabric I was hoping to buy (the site said they had it in stock). Even the fleece section was uselessly barren. I needed plain yellow and green fleece but they only had black, red, and white lying around. Really, Joann? I hope they step it up because it’s pretty bad right now.

This was by far the WORST customer service at Joann Fabrics that I’d ever experienced. I typically shop at the Joann Fabrics in LP however, I decided to shop at this store because I was in the area. The lady at the cutting counter called for back up to assist her, when back up arrived it was the «manager»…I’d really like to know the criteria, skills, knowledge and, or abilities to become a manager at Joann Fabrics, I’m in the Human Resources field for the last 25 years and this manager wouldn’t even made to an interview.
Moreover, I began to check out with the cashier, Sue who was totally rude!!! Her interpersonal skills were horrible, it was like working with a mime. I said hello, she didn’t respond, so I went on to tell her that I had a coupon, she made a sound as if she were a death mute, in which I could then understand so, I asked her, «did you hear me»? Sue responded with that same weird sound. Later upon completing the transaction, I said to her, try to be friendlier with your customers, you’re representing Joann Fabric… well, she responded NEXT to her customer in the loudest tone… that was when I discovered she could talk. I went to speak to her manager, to my dismay, she was the same dry woman who cut my fabric earlier, she showed absolutely NO concern when I explained to her what happened. I tossed my purchased material in the garbage, and will never, ever, under any circumstances shop at Joann Fabric.

Sometimes this store is clean, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes you can find people to assist you, but sometimes not. I think they need more cashier members up at the front to provide quicker service. None the less, the women at the front give me a smile like 80% of the time. I’ll take it.
Word to the wise, just as others have said: «Take a ticket at the cutting counter.» If you don’t some b*tch who is making all the costumes for the schools play will surely put you in your place; At the end of the line. And she won’t do it with a smile on her lips either.
I always find that the products are superior to their competitors in the area. It’s my first go to place. Especially since they are so lenient with their coupons and sales. :)

I enjoy going to Jo-Ann’s, there is always something there to inspire! They do have enough of a selection for the general audience, it is a great store to go to when you are looking for a fabric + craft combination — they do offer a great choice on both. My kids have fun finding little crafty projects in the pretty well stocked kids’s section.
Do make sure you bring as many coupons as you can — they accept multiple coupons! Check the Sunday Chicago Tribune or Sunday Daily Herald, also check their website, install the app, sign up for emails AND sign up at the checkout for mailed offers (if you plan on coming regularly which is hard not to, if you are crafty in some way). You can really bring the price down with a pile of coupons and the ladies at the check-​out not only don’t mind, but seem to be used to it:)
Do make sure you give yourself extra time when you shop there, ESPECIALLY during lunch time or on the weekends. There is usually a line at the fabric cut table and/​or at the checkout. And I agree with other reviewers — customer service does not necessarily come with a smile (although you can come accross one occasionally) and some employees give an impression like if they were doing you a favor by cutting the fabric for you. If you need assistance, it may be difficult to spot someone.
I will come back there (going today for some cardstock for valentine’s cards) because there is no other store like Jo-​Ann in the area… And just put up with the cons.

Well, it’s been awhile since Elisabeth N. has been here. It’s organized — some of the time. It’s clean — some of the time. And, it’s competition is limited so they don’t go out of their way to be helpful.
If you are getting cuts of fabric make sure you grab a number out of the machine on the far left side of the counter. Don’t expect to be greeted with a smile. That’s another «some of the time» thing for this place.
Special ordering fabric and trim can be a bit of a headache. I recently needed to order some trim that they carried but didn’t have enough on hand. It was a ridiculous process with employees not knowing shipping fees, whether or not coupons could be used, and no estimate available on the time of arrival.
They do have a good selection of fabric and notions, but it would be nice if employees were more helpful and eager to greet customers with a smile.

This had to be the cleanest, most organized craft store I’ve ever been in. The staff in the sewing section were super helpful and informative. They have everything from budget sewing machines in the under $ 200 range to $ 9000 embroidery machines.
They also offer a huge range of classes, which, if I lived in the area, would be something I’d definitely do.
I can’t recommend this particular location highly enough.