Dear JoAnn –
Well, you’ve finally done it. After years of trying to run me out of your “Fabrics and Crafts” store — years while you added more and more junky craft stuff, cheaper and cheaper crummy fabric, and tons and tons of stuff that has nothing whatever to do with either fabrics or crafts — you’ve succeeded.
Sure, I’ll run in for thread, and a zipper if I’m desperate. But for a long time after I’d given up on most of what you stock, when I had a bit of spare time, I’d spend it at the pattern table. I’d take a half an hour or so to look at patterns and plan projects. It was relaxing and refreshing. The best kind of “down” time.
No more. My nearest JoAnn Fabric and Craft store has installed some kind of 24/7 video that looms over the pattern section, screeching out — well, I don’t know what, because if I’m at that pattern table, thinking and planning are what I want to do. What I don’t want is to be assaulted by noise.
Even the video has to compete with the too-loud, ever-present, radio and with the store announcements that attempt to get attention over everything else.
Yeah, JoAnn, the only thing I’ve done in the past year in your store is have a little quiet adult time. Sure, the end result was that I’d buy things that I hadn’t planned to buy. That should look like a big plus to you. Buying more stuff than you meant to is what people do when they get excited and interested in what they’re doing. You take more money out of my pocket when I like being in your store; works every time!
But I’m not getting excited about anything at JoAnn anymore. Because, guess what? I can look at patterns at home. Where it’s quite and pleasant, and no one’s trying to sell me stuff I don’t want in an unending, looping, loud interminable advertisement that I can’t escape.
So, JoAnn, this is it. Good-bye, baby. It’s been a long, slow process, but you finally chased me completely out of your store. Hope that was your plan all along. If that’s the case, it’s win-win for both of us.
Noile
PS — Does ANYONE watch those videos? I’ve never yet seen anyone stop to look at them. But I have seen a lot of people shooting dirty looks at them.
That’s great information, Mike! 10690 is very close; 14524 is the same design, but somehow set a little differently. These were in the inventory when I bought mine, but I was told they were unavailable; it looks as if they’re now back. Thanks for the tip, and happy holidays to you, too.
Sorry I’m too late about this, but the cape buttons you replaced appear to be the state (commonwealth) seal of Pennsylvania. Waterbury still sells them, under two numbers: 10690 and 14524. These may or may not qualify as “exact” replacements, but they have the same design. However, since you’ve invested in replacements, this information may not be helpful.
Have a happy Christmas anyway!
— Mike Cassidy, Oakland CA