7.25.2008

Why I hate the JoAnns by my house (but keep going there)


  • bad fabric selection
  • the worst employees (who have very little knowledge about sewing or fabrics)
  • understaffed (the same person who cuts your fabric is the person who rings you up. Takes FOREVER to get out of there)
  • they ask an obligatory "so what are you making?" when cutting my fabric. When I answer they either don't care what I said or don't understand what I said.
  • you know when you're at a store and you ask a worker where to find something and the second the words leave your mouth you realize they are clueless and you'll spend 5 minutes of courtesy time following them around and you just want to turn and walk away? That happens all the time. Why do I bother asking them questions?
  • the cashier/cutter lady almost didn't let me pay for my $4 purchase today because I had no ID for my debit card. I explained that my wallet was stolen and that I was getting my new Driver's License next week. I showed her checks that matched the debit card and she was still reluctant. IT'S FOUR DOLLARS!
  • of course....they're the closest "quick"-stop for my sewing needs
  • with their %40 off coupons you can get some good deals.
Not all JoAnns are bad. But this one drives me nuts. I hate and continue to go there. I'm done.

14 comments:

Lettie B. said...

The JoAnn's by my house is a mess too. Their newer store much further away are bigger and nicer, but I never go to them. I think ours has a couple of ladies that really know their stuff, several that don't, one gay dude that is also clueless (perhaps taking the job because sewing is "feminine"?). All of the windows in our store are blocked to you can't see out them and from the street it looks like there are sheets in the windows or something. I still go there all the time. I don't have a ton of options, it is super close, and, like you said, I love the 40% off coupons!

lyndsey said...

lol this is funny. i've never been there but have been meaning to go ever since i discovered it like a month ago. do you ever buy fabric downtown? i don't think they have any incredibly fantastic deals but sometimes you can get good stuff. a little more exciting than joanns. but you probably already know that.

Nat said...

Couldn't have said it better!! Not to mention, while I'm shopping I'm constantly worried either my car will get stolen or I'll get shot. (but not as much as when I'm at the fabric district...):) Do you ever go to the one in Glendale? SO much better...I'd venture to say it's ALMOST worth the drive (not much is these days!)

Camille said...

That sound SUPER bugging. I completely know what you mean about asking for help and then following a clueless employee around the store. Such a bugging waste of time! Your Joanns must be small if they cut the fabric and then go ring you up!?

Saunja said...

When we moved to Abilene, the closest Costco was about 3 hours away, so I had to settle for Sam's Club, which was in Abilene. Grrrr.... Every time I shopped there I would come home angry. But then after a LONG time I realized...hey...it's all I got. So I got used to it and continued to shop there, but I completely understand what you mean. You don't want to shop there, but you keep on keepin' on. Like the bug to the light..."I can't help it....It's so beautiful..."

dana said...

Yes, it's a totally small JoAnns. I love the one in Foothill Ranch. But that is the ultimate ideal.
There is one other JoAnns that's about 15 minutes away. So this is the closest one if I need some thread or buttons or something real quick.

dana said...

Good point Saunja. I guess I could have a better attitude about it and just remember not to ask any employees for help (I have the same attitude when I go into any Walmart).
The bug. I forgot about that. What is that Toy Story? funny.

La La Land said...

Amen to that, sister! I hate that JoAnns!!! I switched to the Glendale one. Your post made me miss it, though! I miss Pasadena!!!

Zen Mama said...

I can't stop laughing -- two people commented on how great the Glendale one is and as I read your list I thought "this is just like my JoAnns!!!"

I don't ask questions. I go in knowing what I want and knowing that if I can't find it, it isn't there. As long as I don't ask questions it's usually a quick and fairly non-frustrating day.

Although these days I'm only buying yarn -- not much room for questions!

dana said...

Haha. That's really funny Heather and I totally agree. I've always thought the Glendale one was kinda gross too. If I have the time I go to the Arcadia one. And if I'm in OC, there is a HUGE fabulous one near my parents house (I'm jealous). I love that we all have a JoAnns story that sounds similar.

Jean said...

Yeah, that's lame!! I went one time, and they asked me that same question... "What are you making?" I also tried to describe it, but she just smiled and ignored me.

Did you notice the new fabric store along Washington, across from Lebanese Kitchen? You should check that one out. I've walked by it several times but haven't gone in yet, since I know I'm not going to buy anything (seamstress that I'm NOT), and I hate disappointing small shopkeepers, hahaha.

Miriam Oh Painter said...

i dread going to JoAnns. For many reasons, some of which are included in your bullets.

sounds like you need to write a letter.

Saunja said...

:) Yes, Toy Story.

Amy Jo said...

The Joann's near my mom's house is just like your's! I hate going there because everything is so cramped that it's hard to even get inspired. I am fortunate to have one of those lovely Joann ETC stores 2 miles from my house. I could dwaddle through there for hours, if I had hours that needed to be wasted.