Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
So today I went to Michaels, Hobby lobby and Joanns in a search to find some kewl stickers and karate papers and hopefully something different! Its been a year or so since I scrapbooked or even made a card. My search at these stores was not a good one!! They had the same stuff as far as stickers, stamps, papers and paper packs as they did a year ago!! The only new thing was martha stewart and her punches (OMG they are expensive) and a few die cutters I never knew existed or even heard of.
They arent making it easy to shop locally - I am going to shop online as the selection is way better and organized!! Hobby Lobby had alot of stickers but they weren't sorted in any understandable way!!
Anyways anyone else having a hard time shopping at these stores?
Location: not too far from the big mountain in n.h.
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't live anywhere near any of those stores and when I do get to go, it's always the same stuff. Must be a full time job for someone just to keep that old stuff dusted off.....
Have you tried a local scrapbook store? When people say shop locally, I take it to mean small businesses run by local people.
That being said, I am all about spreading my money around. I spend some online, some at my LSS and som at the chain stores. They each have different advantage for shopping there and we are helping keep people employed by shopping their business.
Location: not too far from the big mountain in n.h.
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are so right Kelli! I always leave with new bling and that kind of stuff but not usually any stamps or paper. I have 2 really nice LSS's about an hour each away and love when I get to visit one of them!
we have one local Scrapbook store and unfortunately, they are walking distance to Michaels. The LSS has about the same stuff as Michaels for double. I wish I could afford it, but im not able to. I was looking for a martha Stewart Score board, Joanns had it but it was so dusty I couldnt even touch it and it was under a pile of other things. the line was long, there was just one casher. You know the story...I got so frustrated I just left. amazon has it for 14 with free shipping for premier members.
Michaels used to have great scrapbooking supplies, but lately its so much other stuff, that scrapbooking is not as prevalent as it used to be.
LOL...It's been two years since I have papercrafted. I went to the same stores today and didn't spend a dime on papercrafting! Wasn't even tempted. I certainly know what you are talking about!! Sad...
Must be better where we are. I went to AC Moore and found alot of things for 1.00 I can use. Along with a couple of magazines and some 6x6 stencils.
Then to JoAnns where I did find new Fiskars punches and some stamps at half price. Also saw some new Inkadinkado stamps.
I saw those, I have plenty of stamps and plenty of punches. REally dont need anymore. I was overwhelmed by the lack of support there and the lack of uniqueness. It was more or less the same as a year ago.
I am lucky to have 2 great LSSs near me! They have all the good stuff and prices are not horrible. They're not as good as what I find online but sometimes I love shopping and getting the instant gratification!
Location: wishing I was in London but you'll likely find me on my couch
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our Michael's and Joanne's have nothing. I have one LSS that is pretty decent but not cheap. (I always hear people complain about the prices of SU but I can get a whole set from them for cheaper than a couple stamps at my LSS). But they do carry some fun little things and have some great classes and carry Copics. Just a bit of paper so I don't normally buy that there. I wish it was closer (about 40 minutes) but then my pocketbook and my husband are glad it isn't!!!
I have done both and our local Michaels is an hour one way. I orderd on line because I founf what I like and never know with the drive. I feel I save money on gas.
Same ol', same ol' at JoAnn's and Michaels. I've had coupons in my hand and wandered up and down aisles looking for something new to purchase and left empty handed.
I don't really blame them. It's just business. They are chain stores. They buy in bulk and are able to sell for less than small independent stores. As long as there are new crafters or people with very limited funds (like me) there will be people who shop there.
I plan to still shop these stores now and then, but probably will limit the purchases to adhesive and the occasional punch. This year, I promised myself that I would limit my purchases to items that I really want, even if I have to order online and pay shipping. Better to have three really cool items than 30 items I don't really like.
I hear you! I'm sick of the same old stuff in my stores and them not having basics like ink refills and chipboard. I really think they may be cutting back on paper crafting supplies. I won't complain if needlework makes a comeback to fill the void since that's my main hobby.
I don't consider Joanns, Michael's, Archivers or Hobby Lobby "shopping local" either. Those stores are for the occasional scrapper or cardmaker. I have one really great LSS in my town (and luckily I work and teach there so I get a bit of a discount) but I know first-hand that it is a hard business to be in. There are many manufacturers that require a minimum order amount and to keep a store fully stocked with new stuff after each CHA it literally costs 40-50K.. So unless you have a smokin' line-up of classes, great staff, and a lot of NEW product the store will either close or be a home to dusty old paper.
__________________
{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
If you live within driving distance of Wooten Scrapbook stores in Ontario CA or Tustin CA you are in luck! They have all the latest supplies, tools, embellishments, etc!!! A bit more costly than Michael's or Joann's but the selection is worth it! We are just starting to get Hobby Lobby in So. California. A welcome change from Joann or Michael.
I don't consider Joanns, Michael's, Archivers or Hobby Lobby "shopping local" either. Those stores are for the occasional scrapper or cardmaker. I have one really great LSS in my town (and luckily I work and teach there so I get a bit of a discount) but I know first-hand that it is a hard business to be in. There are many manufacturers that require a minimum order amount and to keep a store fully stocked with new stuff after each CHA it literally costs 40-50K.. So unless you have a smokin' line-up of classes, great staff, and a lot of NEW product the store will either close or be a home to dusty old paper.
I have a fabulous local store Pictures In Time. They work really hard, always have the newest stuff in stock, order for you if they don't and have some amazing classes. After 15 years in business , they just moved to a LARGER store (even nearer to me ) so you know they are doing it right.
I know I can get some of the items for less online, but I can't get their store, their classes or their expertise, so I don't mind paying a little more to support them.
If I need something like the newest patterned paper pack, I go to Archivers. Otherwise, I purchase most of my crafting supplies online. While they aren't local, they are small businesses, many of them run by women, and they fill a void for those folks who don't have brick and mortar stores nearby. We do shop local in my small town. We hit the farmer's market every Saturday in the nice weather months. We eat at small non-chain restaurants. We make purchases from the local merchants. We have a nice historic downtown filled with cute shops, and we try to show them the love.
If you live within driving distance of Wooten Scrapbook stores in Ontario CA or Tustin CA you are in luck! They have all the latest supplies, tools, embellishments, etc!!! A bit more costly than Michael's or Joann's but the selection is worth it! We are just starting to get Hobby Lobby in So. California. A welcome change from Joann or Michael.
I'm in Riverside County. I've heard good things about Wootens but have never been there. The closest LSS is about a 40-minute drive. So-so selection, different from the big chains, but costly. I might visit once a year. It's not worth the drive just to shop. There's a new Hobby Lobby about 40 minutes the opposite direction. Haven't been there yet. Are their selections the same as their Website, or are they like JoAnns, some things in the store but the "good" stuff online only?
If I need something like the newest patterned paper pack, I go to Archivers. Otherwise, I purchase most of my crafting supplies online. While they aren't local, they are small businesses, many of them run by women, and they fill a void for those folks who don't have brick and mortar stores nearby. We do shop local in my small town. We hit the farmer's market every Saturday in the nice weather months. We eat at small non-chain restaurants. We make purchases from the local merchants. We have a nice historic downtown filled with cute shops, and we try to show them the love.
Same here, Mary Rose - we have a small old downtown as well and maybe it's not filled with cute shops ;) .... but we shop there as often as possible.
There used to be a scrapbook store there that had miles of 12 x 12 paper and stickers... but every now and then I could find some fun embellishments tucked in here and there. Now that it's gone, the nearest reliable stamp store I've found is 2 hours away; HL and M's are an hour away; and there's a small Joann's 20 min. on the highway but offerings are skimpy there. Love Archiver's but at 2 and 2+ hours away, the two here in MI are a treat maybe 2 or 3 times a year for me.
You are spot on about so many online stores that are run by just a few who provide excellent service, and while they are not 'local' to me, I'm still supporting "the little guy."
I can't even find Copic markers near me. The Michaels are supposed to have them in their stores, but they don't even have their shipments from 2 month ago.
No local store anywhere near where I live and Michaels and Joannes are about an hour from where I live. I too have found the same old stuff as far as paper and stamps and yarn too for that matter! So I look for BST or swaps and I throw nothing away I keep all my scraps!! And shop online!
My husband and I have discussed this several times related to our hobbies (he's into model trains, and I'm into lots of crafty stuff). For instance, he prefers to shop at a local independent hobby shop but many times they order 1 or 2 new items and he misses out. Or they may not order it at all, so he has no choice but to search online.
Most of our LSS have closed in recent years, so it's either chain stores or ordering online. I try to choose independent online stores when I can (Papertrey Ink, Crafty Secrets, etc.) if I can't buy locally.
So, my point is, that this is happening to a lot of different kinds of hobbies, not just papercrafting.
I am fortunate to have the best LSS near me (giant shout out to The Inspiration Station in Stafford, CT!!!!!!). Obviously they can't carry everything so I do some shopping online but a lot of times if Deb doesn't have it at the store she can order it for me and yes I might pay a bit more than online but it makes me so happy to walk into her store and it's such a nicer experience than ordering online I don't mind.
We had a family owned store downtown for a short time and I loved going in there and getting my paper...she had the BEST selection of paper! Then we got a Joann's and I guess the little shop went back to online only. I think she must have been a paper crafter because she had the coolest stuff in there! I was just starting out though and figured I would pace myself; figured she would always be around. :( Our Joann's does not have a great selection and I think they are overpriced. Now I am back to online shopping. Hard for paper though, I am one of those who likes to SEE and TOUCH the paper first.
__________________ "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack" ~Rudyard Kipling my gallery
So, my local 'big box' stores are just as boring as you described. They have been carrying the same stamps, papers, etc., for years.
My locally owned shop is not too bad. They carry a lot more current/trending brands than the big box retailers. They don't do 40-50% off deals, but they do have a frequent buyer card that will get you 5% off. Not too bad. I still find that they don't get a lot of what I want. They might carry a manufacturer that I really like, but not the specific stamp sets I want. It gets very frustrating!
They arent making it easy to shop locally!
