Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

I’m surprised that I’m the only one reviewing this store today given the unbelievable rude and nasty performance by one of the sales clerks yesterday afternoon in front of at least 20 patrons. Based on the previous comments, the clerk referred to as «a curmudgeonly old woman,» «the crank,» and «grumpy,» has been insulting customers for quite time. That she has not been fired by the corporate office is amazing!
It is holiday time so one expects long lines. I was among the 15 or so customers yesterday afternoon when the curmudgeon and a lovely new clerk were ringing up sales. Suddenly voices were raised and, to my surprise, the curmudgeon was rudely arguing with a customer. While I wondered what sin the customer committed that lead to this venomous exchange, I left the line as I’d remembered something I’d forgotten. It was during this exodus of a few aisles and my entire wait in line that I realized that this clerk argues or finds fault anyone who asks her a question, points out a an error (like a double charge where the customer was right), or requests her name so they can report her abuse. I, for one, will be continuing south on El Camino to Michael’s so this woman’s psychotic behavior doesn’t dampen my spirits.

Jo-​Anns is Jo-​Anns. This one didn’t seem to stand out to me (in neither a positive or negative way) compared to the other ones I’ve been to but it does it’s job. The store is somewhat small and I was disappointed I couldn’t find fake rose/​flower leaves, but I found everything else I was looking for.

The floor helper pointed me toward linen when I asked where polyester was. I waited for help at the checkout line, asked again, and the clerk said, «I don’t know anything about fabric, nor do I ever want to know anything about fabric.» Real go getters here.

I’m sure this place is fine during the week. I was here at 11 am on a Saturday, with about 10 people in line and one cashier! The line got much worse while I waited. People were complaining that they had to wait in line to have fabric cut, then wait at the checkout line. Both people working the lines were calling for help, but no one ever came. So sad. Lesson: even though most of us work on these projects on the weekends, avoid brick and mortars on the weekend.

Joann Fabrics in San Mateo is the most poorly operated and run store I have ever been to EVER. The fabric and craft items are laid out so sloppy. They are understaffed at the register, understaffed at the fabric cutting table and understaffed on the floor. And, the «staff» that is hired are rude. The entire store is inept. I purchased some fabric for a dress, and the fabric on the bolt was put on the bolt 90 degrees incorrectly. There are better fabric and craft stores in the Bay Area. Even if you have to drive a bit farther, it’s worth it to shop somewhere else where the establishment is clean and the staff is helpful and not rude to shoppers who are spending their money and supporting these people. I wish Unilocal had negative stars. I would give thus establishment 5 negative stars. You’re better spending your money, time and energy elsewhere.

The customer service is close to none. Why open such a big store with so little staff?
Everytime I need fabric to be cut there’s either a long line or I need to walk around to find help. Once you do find someone, they are not helpful on suggestions and act grumpy. Just wish I can just cut the fabric myself and get out of there ASAP.
There are many cashier booths but little cashiers. I don’t even remember the last time there were more than one. Good thing this place doesn’t get too busy.
One good thing is that the parking lot never gets full despite sharing with Santa Raman, Nijiya Market and the party supply store.
I get really depressed coming here because of the service. Had it not been for its close proximity to my house, I’d drive to another location. All headquarters need to do is train and hire more staff. Train them to have a smile and be friendly and not grumpy. Two very simple things for big changes.

I happened to be in the store when no customers were at the cutting table. Kayla was so helpful and answered all my questions on tutu making. Excellent customer service.

They have really crappy service.
From the staff who are stocking shelves, ringing up customers, to the cutting fabric staff (especially).
that lucia lady is a real crank. No professionalism at all.
Other than that this place has sales all of the time, I would avoid this place. Yuck.

Did you know if you buy a blue button but want to exchange it for a green button of the identical color and size and product, and you don’t have your receipt, they will not exchange the blue for the green. They will return the blue one but only give you 50% credit on it because there have been 50% coupons off in the past six months. Then they will charge you full price for the green one. Thank God there’s a Michael’s near by. I will not be shopping here anymore. They need to post a sign that says exchanges at only 50% of the products price unless you have your receipt. Or maybe just a bigger sign outside that says don’t shop here, we are unreasonable.

–My review is not for the products. They have a variety of products.
–My review is not about the lack of sales. They always have sales and coupons for you to use.
MY REVIEW IS ABOUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I’m a new sewer. I am NOT crafty. Up until a year ago I could barely sew a button onto a shirt. Since that time I have taken several sewing classes, I got a sewing machine for Christmas, and I’ve made myself several shoddy garments.
After my latest stint of lessons, I was on the hunt for fusible interfacing and a water soluble pen.
I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I tried to ask for some help. Of course I had to come in contact with a curmudgeonly old woman who BARKED at me. «WHADDAYA WANT?!» I told her what I was looking for and she hobbled over to a display, pushed it with her crooked finger and said, «Here!» I looked and saw that they were actual pens, so I explained that I didn’t think those were it. She sighed and said, «Well, we don’t have it!» I pressed a bit more and described in detail what I was looking for, and then she threw up her hands and said, «WELL, THOSE ARE WATER SOLUBLE PENS! YA SHOULDA SAID SO!» OUCH! Whatta rude heifer!
I was so put off that I didn’t buy a thing! I took a picture of what I needed, went to my car, and purchased it right off of Amazon instead.
Way to go, Jo-​Ann Fabrics! You succeeded in allowing an online retailer nab your business.

All I can say is all the employees in your stores need to take a class in customer service. They look like they don’t want to be there, and they just don’t want to be bothered .
I was waiting to get some fabric cut, no one in front me, but I had to stand there and wait while one girl was cleaning up the table and putting fabric away while the other one was on the phone. What happen to the customer comes first?
Great products but customer service stinks. Wish there was another fabric store around closer to me.

Sweet Jesus. They need to learn how to prioritize better. When there’s a long line of customer waiting for your service, cleaning up your table shouldn’t be your priority, and no, she didn’t need to clean up the table. She had plenty of room.

Great products and fun projects.
The staff is just so understaffed!
I left and came back 3 times because the line was so long and there was only 1 person ringing people up. Crazy.

This store is smaller than other locations so it didn’t have the item I was hoping to purchase. :(
Also, it was difficult finding the section where the item I wanted could have been located. I didn’t see any signs noting the contents of each aisle.
Furthermore, customer service could’ve been better. I saw one employee at the cash register and another employee cutting fabric. Both employees were busy with lines of customers. It would’ve been helpful if there were more employees available to help customers.
I’ve been told that the Redwood City and Colma locations are the better stores in San Mateo County…

Great service and great products. I go so many bargains here it was crazy! For example I got something that was regular: 70 $ for 20 $ what a steal!!! I really like this place and all their beautiful fabrics!!:D. Their only down fall is the bathroom it’s kinda nasty. Good place overall this place totally deserves this 5 star rating

Fabric and craft stores. They are what they are. You find what you want, or you don’t. This is kind of the deal, I’ve found.
My main concern is that they are clean. And Jo-​Ann does seem to stay both clean and vaguely orderly, so it’s A-​OK in my book.
Here are a few reasons to come in…
* Lots of ribbons
* Some nice silk flowers
* A few things for weddings and bridal showers
* Good selection of fabrics and usually some good sales
* Not-​so-​bad selection of scrapbooking paper
* OK stamp/​stamping selection
* Lots of crafts for the kids
* Nice yarns
* Tons of duct tape
* Nice seasonal items
* A cheapie section.
Just like any craft or fabric store, you WILL encounter people involved in some incredibly complicated project that either takes a long time to explain to the associate OR requires ten minutes to scan in every pom-​pom, pen, and sheet of scrapbooking paper at the register. I’ve had some odd service at the cut table, but because I’m not there very frequently, I can’t get too riled up. Usually the folks are OK and are as helpful as they can be. That said, here are my…
RULES FOR MAKING YOUR JO-​ANN EXPERIENCE LESS FRUSTRATING
1. Know what you want. Do you need something of a certain size? Be sure you bring that info with you to the store. How about color, or shape, or length, or… etc? Note that down. Think a brand name will help? Note that, too.
2. Take a deep breath. People tend to wander around in a craft-​induced daze. The line gets long. It’s often hard to find what you want (just because there’s so much stuff in here). You WILL (probably) find what you need, and you WILL eventually make it through the line. Which leads me to…
3. Mind your manners. Swearing, pushing, a condescending attitude towards the sales clerks, and otherwise rude behavior does NOT make the line go any faster. If you find yourself ready to blow, see point 2 again.
4. Print out your coupons, or use the one from the paper. Yes, they can scan it off your smartphone, but most of the time they take the phone from you to do so (instead of letting you hold it, and scanning the coupon in place). Maybe you aren’t bugged by this, but it bothers me, and thus I prefer to use the printed one. It also makes things easier because the coupon will scan from the printed page.
So there you have it.
Crafts are enjoyable! (*Unless your kid tells you about their major project the day before it’s due, in which case, I get it). Have fun and be creative!

Super helpful staff. I’m not at all crafty so the advice and expertise from Charles at the cut counter was greatly appreciated!
My just as clueless girlfriend and I had a YouTube video to reference. As soon as we showed him what we were looking to create, Charles grabbed us the right kind of fabric and how much to use.
Five stars for cheerful and helpful staff.
Quick tip:
If you download the Jo-​Ann Fabric App, you can access coupons. They can scan them directly from your phone. I used 2 coupons on this purchase, woohoo!

«She’s crafty.» — The Pick-​up Artist (1987)
On a mission for patterned duct tape for my niece, we stopped by Jo-​Anns after school. We needed a Olfa cutting board and tape. We asked for help after wandering (we found the Olfa board in a weird place). They directed us to the duct tape — in 3 different locations around the store… what?!
Besides this being highly disorganized, they got us to what we needed. However, this is not a way to set up a craft store — at all.
Overall, we spent twice as much time as should have been required in the store to get what we needed. The people were nice, but you need to organize this store more efficiently. And maybe signs would help?

Walked in at store opening looking for something to patch my kid’s favorite t-​shirt. Manager walked up to the front. I told her I had never been to the store and asked if she could help me.
Her answer: «whatever.»
Really.
I did find it and got the heck out of there, never to return.

JoAnns, get it together!
I was asked to find measuring tape, the kind that you use for sewing/​fabrics, not for woodworking. You’d think that it would be easy to find them in a place where half the floorspace is dedicated to sewing… but you’d be wrong.
The organization of this store is unbelievable. I had to ask two people where the measuring tape was… which ended up making a 30 second trip into a 15 minute one… and then when I got to the line to purchase it, it was IN the line! So you’re telling me that the woman at the checkout counter couldn’t tell me it was in the checkout line?
Wonderful. No, it’s okay, I LIKE wasting time, because I have so much of it.