Michaels — Local services in Huntington Beach

I can't rave enough about this Michaels location. I live closer to the Lakewood Michaels, but always find myself making my way out to Edinger. It's always clean, fully stocked and visually pleasing.

The aisles are large and spacious. Especially during the pandemic, this was a plus. They have a lot more items than other locations. I believe that maybe due to the size of this location. Items are always in stock and there seems to be a lot more versatility between what is offered creating more options. We all know we love options!

I always order online and use the pickup in person option. I do this just to ensure they have what I need before I make the trip. I still spend a couple hours just shopping around prior to going to the corner of the store to pick up my online order.

I do feel like the online pickup inside the store could be more efficiently organized. Although it's not bad, it can be frustrating for somebody who doesn't know how it works. It always feels a bit awkward standing in the corner of the store in front of a closed door pushing a red button for service. There is no counter. I believe this may be the classroom area entrance. I always seem to be waiting a few minutes for somebody to come and help. It seems as if there is no designated employee assisting. Whoever is available will just run over and help when they are able.

I believe there were a few times the button was not working at all, as after a minute or two I would go to the front cashier and ask them to send somebody. I have found it easier to do my shopping first, and at the checkout, let the cashier know that I am now ready to pick up my online order and if they can have somebody meet me at that part of the store. Maybe if they just include online pickup with the cashier section at checkout. I'd rather wait in the checkout line and have them bring my item to me there. That way it cuts the whole portion of having to walk to the corner of the store and wait. Hoping somebody hears the ding or sees you waving around.

This doesn't negatively impact my entire experience, but I will take off a star for this as there is a need for improvement on that procedure. I believe online order pickup could have possibly been something new that was just implemented during the pandemic and needs a little tweaking to make it more effective and efficient and an overall smooth experience. I believe it would make the experience better for the customer but also the employees so they're not scrambling around finding somebody to help when someone shows up to pick up an online order in the corner of the store.

They also have the online order option where they will take your order out to your car, but I have not utilized that. I still like to get out and shop a bit lol!

The cashiers at the front have always been pleasant. Always a two-part greeting and engaging. Something so easy about just getting in and out simply and pleasantly.

They also hold art classes that are free to the public. I have not tried them yet, but hope to.

Parking is abundant. Easy peasy.

I also love the Michael's rewards program. You earn rewards bucks to spend with every large purchase. I definitely take advantage of that in comparison to other arts and crafts stores.

They also have a secret gem clearance section in the back left hand side of the store. I find a lot of good items for my Cricut there!

Overall, my favorite Michaels...

It is a typical Michael's, the store was clean, the shelves were stocked, everything was overpriced and then 40-60% off as usual.

This store was laid out a little odd, though, because they didn't have their featured items directly in front. I expected to see the Christmas stuff in my face right away but no, most of it was in the very back of the store. They also had some things in the aisle but those aisles were on the opposite side of the rest of the stuff. It was just weird but still, I got what I came for and about $100 in stuff I absolutely didn't need.

But this is what got me, though, and why I'm writing a review. It's not a high rating from me because when I got in line, I was asked to use the self check out even though there people at the register. I had a bunch of little items and no cart (because I only came in for one thing), and I needed to pick the UPS package that I actually came in for. So, I asked again if someone could please ring me up. I was told again that if I was paying with a card, that I could just use the self-check out. I said (a third time) that I'd really prefer if someone could help me, because it didn't seem to sink in that I didn't want to use the self checkout. I think she thought I was confused as to whether I could use it, but I wasn't. I finally got the young lady to get me help at the register.

She wasn't particularly rude about it, just ambivalent. And I wasn't rude or demanding, I asked politely as I was raised to do. She ended up warming up and was helpful. Typically Michael's teams are pretty helpful right away, but this young lady really needed to be pushed to assist.

In any case, I believe that service issues are largely on the management. I have managed teams my whole working life and good training is really the heart of a good staff. I think whether seasonal or regular staff, they need to be trained a little better to handle the customer sizes during the holidays.

Otherwise, this Michael's store is a perfectly acceptable store to spend an extra $100 on stuff I really...

This review pertains only to the manager there named Matthew. On April 9, 2020, I came came in a hurry from Joann's - they did not have the vinyl transfer I was looking for - only to be confronted by Matthew who proceeded to yell and scold me for coming in. Looking back, I realized that they were only doing curbside service only unlike Joann's. He explicitly shouted "can't you see thats what all those (the signs and shelves) are for?!" I told him that he did not have to shout at me; however, I ended up getting berated again. I told him again that he did not have to yell at me in which he replied " I want to!". In frustration, I called him an @$$hole (excuse my french) and walked towards my car. He walked after me asking "what did you say?" and tried to taunt me to come back as if he's ready to fight me.

Reflecting back, this is what I make of the situation. Matthew is too aggressively violent and impatient to be in the role of manager at a Michaels store. This is the same store that I have bought vases to put flowers in for my girlfriend on Valentines Day, and I was very well treated by lady who helped me that day. I'm also a doctor who put my life on the line everyday, so I am aware of the stress of dealing with customers or individuals with this pandemic going on. This does not excuse this "manager's" case. Matthew's action and behavior is likely spurred on by his racism towards Asian Americans; this is evident in the way he talked down to me upon meeting me at the entrance. Instead of informing me that they only offered curbside pick up, he decided to yell at me and even pursued after to me seeking a fight.

As I'm writing this review down, I'm seeking legal advice from my peers in the law field. I do not wish another person of color to be walking into this store and be treated like this again...