Michaels — Attraction in American Fork

I have mixed feelings about Michaels, but the last two experiences I had at this store solidified my opinion as negative (but not hatred). See, I have never understood why someone designs a craft store with tiny aisles. It is a craft store! People are going to stop and look at materials. This isn't a grab-n-go type of situation, so it is just poorly organized in a too-small space for the purpose it serves. Then there is the staff. This location is terribly understaffed and it is hard to find someone to help you. They are nice, I'll say that, but there aren't enough and it seems like they aren't around to help you. Then, because there isn't enough staff, the waits are long, even for pick-up orders! It is frustrating.

Recently, I went to get something framed. The man who works the framing counter is lovely, professional, and does great work. When I went to go pick it up, however, the person that finished the frame cracked in when they put in the screws and they were going to give it to me like nothing was wrong! Excuse me, that is just plain bad service. Luckily, the woman who was helping me when I picked it up saw the damage and it got reordered. This is all dandy and all, but I took it the weekend I did to give time to get it in time for a birthday gift and because of their mistake, the frame has to be reordered and it won't be ready on time. That is just unacceptable in my opinion. You would think that someone who is finishing a frame would know how not to crack it, or at least call and say that the frame will be delayed because of it. I was not pleased, so after I get this order, I will not be returning to get anything framed here. It is not a reflection on the main framing employee (I think his name is Victor?) because he is wonderful and professional, but the process after the fact. That, combined with the fact that custom framing is expensive, it should have been done well the first...

Tonight I went to Michael's hoping to find a small gift that I could give to each of my children's specialty teachers and school staff. My husband was unemployed for four months and we're dealing with major medical expenses this year, so my budget is extremely small. I found some small candles that were advertised as 40% off. My kids helped me pick out the scents....pine, frosted cookie, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon. When I went to the checkout, however, the candles rang up at full price. I went and took a picture of the advertised discount, and the cashier spoke to a manager who told her that discount wasn't for those candles, even though it was the exact brand advertised and was right above the bin I got the candles out of. I asked the cashier to ask again, and this time the manager told her it was only on Christmas scents. The signage clearly said "all" and did not designate scents. When I told the cashier that I did pick out Christmas scents, she told me those were not Christmas scents and would not honor the discount. Pine, frosted cookie and pumpkin spice are not holiday scents?! I was so flustered and upset. I left the store unable to purchase the candles because they would not honor the advertised price. I've been a long time customer of Michael's, and during this time of Christmas and hardship, a little goodwill (like just honoring your signage) goes a long way. Not showing good will apparently is going to go a longer way for me, as I'm inclined to choose a different business to patronize from now on. It seems to me that a manager that can't come in person and help a customer and actually see what I was looking at for themselves, and is just spouting off excuses, doesn't really care about maintaining business and good rapport with their customers. Thanks for nothing, Michael's. I...

I have shopped at Michael's and JoAnn's for years in American Fork, Utah. Never Hobby Lobby. Now that JoAnn's is gone, I had hoped Michaels would step up and take advantage of the gap created but no. Instead, yesterday I went for a few items, and they were not available. So, I looked at other things and there was little to no stock. Shelves were not stocked, items no longer available. I had already been disappointed in the art supplies being gradually replaced with Artist Loft which is not high-grade paint or brushes. Then as I found a few items I could use, I was told there were no more cashiers. I had to self-checkout. I never do self-checkout. I used to work as a cashier and got paid to do that job.1. I don't get paid or even a discount for self-checkout. 2. I just kept work from a now laid off employee. The only reason I capitulated was because I would have to wait for an online purchase from a manufacturer and I wanted to finish my project that day. As I complained I was told that Michaels had laid off many and there was no plan to return to hiring cashiers. If Michael's wants to lose business to Hobby Lobby, then this is the way. I personally won't shop at Hobby Lobby for political reasons, but others will feel like they can get more product there than at this Michaels. Oh, and trying to find a corporate email or way to complain officially is not possible. I finally got on their website chat to ask for that and there was no way to directly contact corporate. Not a surprise as this is how corporations avoid floods of customer concerns when they implement bad policy. I foresee Michaels going the...