Michaels — Local services in Toms River

Well, I'm just torn about Michaels. On one hand, the inventory is unique &, somewhat, innovative. Yet, on the other hand, their pricing is, somewhat * 3, unreasonable & impractical.

The most likely shopper at a hobby-focused Superstore AKA Michaels, is very much concerned w/cost (EG their, very obvious, do-it-yourself ideology; production-cost ratio VS product-cost ratio) as, I'm sure, a large majority (at least 30% based on annual sales, location of their larger stores) of Michael's shoppers are crafters whom reproduct their one-of-a-kind item(s) strictly intended for resale @ retail pricing (e.g. flea markets, bazaars, locally-owned boutiques).

Seriously, how on Earth is the Crafter expected to make any decent kickback on their creation(s) when it cost anywhere between $10-$25 to even make an inventory of 1? The do-it-yourselfer COULD, ultimately, very easily increase their bottom line, which ultimately, WOULD, increase Michael's Annual Dollar if Michael's just followed through on what they, ultimately, SHOULD be doing.

With the irreversible life-changing SuperStorm history will one day refer too (depending who you ask) as the "Age of Technology" or the "Aftermath of T...", it's very likely the days of the overtlyhyper scrapbooker will either relocate to the USB drive (based largely on the very real fact doing so is much more cost-effective & it wil open the overtlyhyper scrapbooker's reachability to aware on the planet (&, at this point, the Moon & Mars) or, quite possibly (& realistically) there exists (based strictly on average age alone) the very likelihood history will refer to the overtlyhyper scrapbook enthusiast as extinct. This, of course, would definitely change the Michael's consumer demographic.

My message to Michaels: drop your pricing, by at least 10% but more likely 15% or reinvent the idea of whom the Michael's shopper is... Otherwise, your days reigning over the hobby-focused Superstore market you've since monopolied (Rag Shop who?) are numbered....

Took my kids to the kids craft class the past two Saturday mornings. The lady who gives the class not only had me do all the work that she was supposed to be doing with the kids, so that she could just sit there. She was very put out with the kids. She didn't seem to like any of the kids in her craft class. She didn't even talk to mine except to snap directions at them. She made them feel like she didn't want them there and they didn't do anything wrong. When we left they all told me how she was mean and made them feel bad. I felt it as well, she was very cold. If she wanted them to do something with the class she immediately snapped the order at them like they were not listening. I had to hover to make sure we got out of there without her getting any nastier. I could do a craft with them at home no problem this is supposed to be a fun little outing and she ruined it. I only went back twice cause I thought maybe she was substituting or just having a bad day, apparently the first time I went that was her good mood! It is literally a 10 to 15 minute class, would it kill her to smile at the kids or attempt to be friendly! I am not a confrontational person or a complainer, but the way she acted I felt the need...

I am not a frequent customer of Michael's. This is more of a review of an individual employee, rather than the store as a whole. I was wandering around the store, looking for a specific item. John, the manager of customer experience, noticed that I needed assistance. I explained to him what I was looking for and he explained to me that they may not have exactly what I wanted.

He showed me to the area where the relevant items would be, but alas it was not quite what I needed. Instead of me leaving empty-handed, John took it upon himself to think outside of the "box" and helped me come up with a solution to my problem.

He could have easily said "have a nice day" and been done with the situation, but he is clearly an employee/person who goes the extra mile to help his customers. John clearly is well-suited for his title and I hope he is given consideration for additional career opportunities in the future, given his pleasant demeanor and commitment to customer service.

Because of John, I will now consider Michael's when I need to make...