Michaels — Local services in West Fargo

Before I begin, I want to highlight that my seemingly straightforward transaction at Michaels quickly turned into quite a complex situation, and I ask you to keep that in mind as you read. Furthermore, I'm typically a bit chaotic anyway—so imagine me barely steering a cart tipping with florals and coming in hot.

To make matters worse, the afternoon manager was visibly void of patience, likely exacerbated by an emotional strain, which I inferred from the lack of front-end support. Why? Because that’s how retail goes sometimes—a perfect trifecta of stress. It must have been a day to remember because I hadn't seen this manager so frazzled on previous visits.

I flew through self-checkout, doing a stellar job—or so I thought—until I needed to apply my rewards. "Uh, shoot. Can you help me, please?" I called out, desperately looking back for Laurel, who was standing nearby. She seemed a bit unfamiliar with the new system and needed some assistance to solve my rewards issue.

Next: cue a disgruntled manager approaching and stating, "Well, you're going to have to wait."

Despite the challenge, Laurel put in her best effort to complete the transaction. Left without support during a tricky situation—an upgraded POS system, other customers waiting, and me watching her closely—she handled everything with grace and kindness. She didn’t get flustered, even when she was sidelined in front of me. Laurel deserves Employee of the Month every month because she embodies the kindness this world needs.

Often, people with strong personalities can overlook the feelings of more reserved individuals, as if they lack the ability to recognize disrespect. But of course, they do—they’re human. I know I’ve taken this review a bit deeper, but I imagine Laurel leaving work and reflecting on her day as an "okay day." I hope she (and everyone in her position) leaves work feeling supported and excited to come back. People like her deserve as many good days as the universe can offer, and they deserve to know that when a day has been less than fair, that they...

Michaels is a huge weakness for me and I could get lost for hours if I was allowed to. I hadn't been there in about a year and needed some specific paint colors for furniture upcycle and some other doodads. Friendly and engaging employees who are knowledgeable and willing to go the extra way to help locate a product that would be better or to use in addition. The young man who helped me beat the metallic paint was super helpful and gave me a few tips to make sure paint would get the best effect usage for a metallic fade. Clearance aisles are marked especially if you don't see that one item you usually get or if something is being discontinued it may be there. Wish there were more in person classes especially for crochet, knitting, needlework, cake decorating, and wreath making. I have a hard time learning online and learning in person is best for me. Please let me know if this changes. Prices matched at the register, free coupons for products on various aisles which were new and all I had to do was scan a QR code (loved this especially since I can't always access my email codes). I wish they had a few more varying sized Shadow boxes, and supplies for collecting things like postage stamps (mounts, hinges, cases etc, stamp book), coin collecting things, etc would be so useful especially to grab on a whim. Bathroom was clean. Checking out was fast and I will be back for additional paints. Would love to see more furniture decal transfers from Redesign by Prima, Mint by Michelle, Stamperia along with Moulds for steampunk gears, and cogs. Decent parking right in front of the store along with...

I had a good and bad experience today. First the good. I called in this morning confirming a product was in the store on the shelf. I know websites can be wrong. It was found and put up front. Later today, when I picked it up, I needed to get x stitching floss. The pic I want to start has 99 colors. It is 500x500 stitches as well, so good size. I don't have any idea who created the floss wall, but they should be fired. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason how it was placed, the number order. It took me a half hour to find 10 colors. I gave up. I got my saved product and left. This is not my first x stitch product, so know how and what to do. Totally unacceptable! And I don't like to order online so that is...