Ben Franklin Crafts and Frame Shop | Monroe, WA — Local services in Monroe

I have been in and out of the Monroe Ben Franklin purchasing craft supplies for my Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

I paid the high prices at Ben Franklin because I thought I was getting better customer service, right? WRONG!!!!

I thought that after weeks of shopping and making multiple purchases that the ladies at the store would get to know me and my crafting, right? WRONG!!!!

Instead- while comparing paints, I was crowded with sales ladies hovering in the aisles asking if they could assist me.

I wondered why so many sales ladies in my aisle working (all of a sudden).

Then the other shoe dropped:

I was asked to take my bag to the front. I asked why? No answer. I let the lady know I brought in paint (purchased from Ben Franklin, with receipts), to compare to other paints.

The sales lady asked to see my receipt, to verify.

Once verified, she then told me to take my bag and paint to the front regardless.

When I asked, "how can I match my paints without my paint?" She responded with a shoulder shrug and an "I'm sorry". I was then escorted to the front of the store in front of everyone.

I was humiliated. I was treated like a criminal and the worst part about this: I had done nothing wrong.

I have been witness to a student of mine being treated this way years ago while on break from Harvard. I remembered turning it into a teachable moment and letting her cry for the unjustness of the situation, never thinking once that I would ever...

If I could give it zero. I would. My girlfriend and I were constantly followed and harassed. I probably got asked 17 times if I needed help with anything. These employees would act like they were stocking the shelf (when in painfully obviousness they were just pushing things around) and leer at us. When we would move on to another space to continue shopping we were followed and same thing. At one point four employees were around us chatting amongst themselves. We had no oversize bag. We had a cart with items in it. After about 45 minutes we were asked if we were gonna be paying. I replied we are still shopping. They said we had 5 minutes left in the store. I said that's not very nice. My gf said something. And next thing I know we are being kicked out. Screamed at by the manager to just leave. She would not let us get a word in. And pushing us towards the door. Now mind you, the store is packed. I don't see anyone else being followed. I asked her why this was, no response. I told her how rude and extremely uncomfortable it makes people to be followed and treated like a criminal. No response. We were told never to come back again. I don't want to come back. I tell everyone I know this story and to not go to this place. It's overpriced anyways. I'm not gonna pay to be treated like a criminal.. probably should of took something just because of the principle. But we have more class. I'm shocked this place stays in business. The ageism and profiling is...

What is with this place? Who is training the employees? Unfortunately, this is the only craft store available in Monroe. Every single time I come in here, it's always something. Employees are aggressively "helpful," and I feel like I am being stalked any time I am browsing. It's ridiculous. I am there to spend money, and I know what I want and how to ask for help if I need it. The cashier today was bizarre. I was going to pay with a hundred dollar bill and changed my mind when she informed me she would have to page a manager to approve, so I told her it's not a problem, I have smaller bills. She was going on and on about how it only takes a second even though I told her multiple times, it's all good, I have smaller bills. It felt like she earned commission on every hundred dollar bill she had checked. If you're having high theft or fraud in your store, that isn't my fault. I didn't want to wait for a manager, and I decided I didn't want to use my large bills anyway. It felt like she was harassing me, and I finally asked her if it was a problem that I didn't use my hundred dollar bill?! Super weird behavior. I won't ever come back after so many strange interactions here. Don't pressure people when they clearly state they don't want to wait "a second" for a manager. It's my money, if I want to change my...