Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts

The people leaving negative reviews about this store have a point. This store does seem to be short-​staffed at all times. If I have a question, I almost never find anyone out on the floor to help me, so I have to go to a cashier, or customer service, or the cutting counter, and on busy days, it’s even hard to get help there because there’s always a line everywhere.
That said, I don’t think it’s a problem that’s unique to this store. I’ve experienced the same thing in the Bellevue store, as well as the one in Santa Monica, CA. I’m just so grateful to have a big fabric store within driving distance, that I don’t let it bother me too much.
I have found that if you have a specific question about beading, or scrapbooking, or knitting, or sewing, and you go to a big chain store like Jo-​Ann or Michaels, finding an employee who is actually knowledgeable about that topic is pretty hit or miss. To reliably get employees who know what they’re talking about and can offer real guidance, you usually have to go to the small independent bead, paper, yarn or fabric stores.
If you go to this store a few weeks before Halloween, when everything is on sale and everyone is scrambling to make their costumes, you’ll find that the fabric section (namely the specialty fabrics, the satins, and the tulle) is a complete disaster, help is extremely hard to come by, lines are horrendous, and the employees at the cutting counter are at their wits’ end.
You’ve been warned.
You can circumvent the madness by doing the following:
1. If you need a particular type of fabric for a fairy princess costume, don’t go looking for it at the last minute when they’re likely to be out of stock because everyone else is making fairy princess costumes.
2. Understand their limits. Sewing experience is probably not a requirement for working there, so try not to get frustrated when the person at the cutting counter isn’t more helpful about what type of interfacing would work best for your project. Little independent shops are great for that sort of thing, but they’re also twice the price. It’s a trade off.
3. MOST IMPORTANT: If you’re there for fabric and they’re busy, the minute you walk into the store, go over to the cutting counter and take a number! Never, never, never wait until you’re ready to get your fabric cut to take a number. If you do that, you’re just asking to be irritated. If they’re getting close to calling your number and you’re not done yet, walk over and take another number. I like to give my first number to someone who’s already waiting to get their fabric cut, so they don’t have to wait as long.
4. Never go to the store empty-​handed. They are always putting out coupons. I just used 4 60%-off coupons on my last trip. One from an email, one from a text, one from their website, and one from their app. There is no excuse for paying full price!
So that brings me to the real reason I’m writing this review. I was at this Jo-Ann’s today, and had the pleasure of interacting with one of the managers, both at the cutting counter, and at the register. Her name is Jo, and she was so awesome, I just had to say something. She has really long brown hair, a pretty, chirpy voice like Kristin Chenoweth, and is such a sparkly little ray of sunshine that she took a completely ordinary trip to Jo-Ann’s and turned it into something memorable. She was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable («Never, ever fold velvet — you’ll crease it!»), and a lot of fun to talk to. So the next time you find yourself at this store, seek her out! She will brighten your day.

If you’re walking in to window shop or socialize with friends, it’s fine. But if you need to cut something at the table, stand in the checkout line, or HEAVEN FORBID ask someone in the sewing machine section a question, then you’d better kiss your whole day goodbye.
Viking machine sales: I’ve never met a woman so affrontive and dismissive in a place where they’d like you to give them your money! I will never come to Jo-​Ann when I need a machine, lessons, or accessories. She was blatantly rude, and griping that I was even there. I’m still irritated, and struggling to not use a very strong word to describe her.
And don’t bother sending a customer service email even though it looks so welcomed on the website. She won’t reply, but she WILL gripe about your email when you get there so you are sure that she did read it, but didn’t care to respond or save you the 45 minute drive. For all I know, they do have the part I wanted to buy. She stated that she wasn’t going to assist me, so I’d be waiting a VERY long time. I did wait a long time anyway, but then saw she was serious and left.

Again… this places is on strike two… absolutely no help whatsoever… how nice would it be to sit at a sewing machine and knock on any other brand someone may have if it’s different from what they sell… must be nice sitting all day getting paid to be old

The wait here to get your fabric cut is way too long no matter what season it is. The Port Orchard store isn’t as bad, but in both places it takes a long time to pay also. Wish the management would add more personnel & an express lane cutting table for those wanting just one item cut. Invariably I’m behind someone with a whole cart of fabric. It’s a frustrating experience.

This Joannes is just alright. Their selection is average. Sometimes, they do not have what I need for art projects (e.g. floral paper or certain sized standard frames). My biggest complaint about this Joannes is there are not enough people to help customers. If I am buying fabric, sometimes it takes 15 to 20 minutes just to get it cut. Then I have to go wait in line to buy it. It is hard to shop there because I know I will need at more time then I would like to bargain to check out.

I’m updating the review for the amazing follow up and customer service that the store manager provides. I called sometime ago looking for some washi tape I had previously purchased. They had moved things over and he promised to call me back once he checked with his merchandiser. He kept his word and followed up 2 days later informing me they didn’t have the product but he would email other Joanne’s to see if they had it in stock. A week later I get a follow up call to let me know that the emails had turned up no further stock. I have since found my washi tape– but am over the moon on their customer service. I am so willing to wait a couple extra minutes in line if it means that the managers keep their word and do what they say they will do– something that is lacking in the service industry today. You have won me over and I’ll be choosing you over Michael’s!
I have since also emailed corporate to make sure they do what they can to keep this guy around!