Michaels

I’m going to give this location one star because of their lack of customer service and selection. I called this store in advance to check if they had a certain product, and I was greeted rudely by an associate. They cut me off, and told me that they didn’t carry my product but would have realized that they did if they let me finish. I asked specifically if they had any «in stock» because the Burnaby location was completely out. She said yes, it was in stock. When I got there, they were completely out.
When actually talking face to face with a sales associate at the location, I had to tour the isles and basically chase someone down to ask them a question.
I’m not the type to give places poor reviews, but this location isn’t at all worth going to.

I sometimes go to this location as I pass by it after work from Cambie Bridge. The only thing I don’t like about this location is I have to feed the meter for parking. This Michaels is newer and just as big as the one in Richmond. The store is clean, tidy and well-​organized. You can pretty much find anything you need for any type of arts & crafts from scrap booking to wood work, leather work, painting, knitting, cross-​stitch, seasonal decorations, DIY’s, books of all sorts, jewelry-​making, candle/​soap-​making, a whole section of Martha Stewart collection, cake-​making and the list goes on endlessly. There are clearance items at the end of certain aisles so keep your eyes open. Their prices are ok so make sure you use your 40% coupon (can be found online weekly on any REGULAR priced items). Their staff are usually around in red vests and they are quite helpful if you need help locating certain items. Carol, the cashier that helped me at checkout was exceptionally wonderfully nice and super helpful. She has certainly made my night and I would give her 5 stars!

I didn’t have much to do on a sad sack Sunday so I dropped by Michael’s to pick up a frame. I took this awesome picture of the Empire Stare Building from high atop Rockefeller Centre and I wanted to print it out and frame it. A little reminder of my trip to New York.
Anyways I love Michael’s! I think it is awesome! Granted the pricing is a little out of whack! I would say they’re 20 percent more expensive than your average crafts store. Still I just love the selection! It doesn’t matter what your passion is Michael’s has something for you.
I could spend 2 hours wandering around here and not get bored! Well I got my frame on sale! Only $ 15! Groove hey?

Having Michaels in Vancouver has been very helpful in supporting my small business. Michaels supplies everything that I needed for my creative projects. I love it because everytime I need something they have it. They also have a big selection of everything.
The only thing I don’t like about them is that they sell everything twice as its regular price in other places and then provide a coupon for 40−50% for you so that after you use the copoun the price of that itdm becomes like the item’s regular price in other places. Yoh can use one coupon per day. That is why if I want two items I have to go there in two different days to be able to use the coupons.
Overal the the coupons are a headache. I wish they just made all their prices reasonable so that we did not need to use any coupons. However their location on Broadway is very nice and l love going there and shopping. The staff are very helpful and knowlgable.

Great selection for everything arts and craft related. I went in to kill some time before an appointment but found a nice calligraphy pen for a reasonable price. I have also previously found great supplies for a bachelorette party. The prices are average, so not as cheap as the dollar store, but great if you need a large variety of supplies in one stop, this is the place to check out!

Disappointed in their lack of selection. I went looking for a Sharpie Black extra fine pen and they only had one type pre-​packaged. For a so-​called craft store I find that their selection is limited not to mention expensive.

I enjoy this location far better than the Burnaby Marine Way location. I don’t know what about it, perhaps they have different items in stock? But that doesn’t make sense right, cause they are the same company of stores. I can spend hours in here, and I have only because I’m just killing time. There is lots of parking for this store which is accessible at the back. This location is great as it is close to transit for all you transit people.
Before entering or purchasing be sure to…
1) Check out their coupons on their app /​website and have them in hand to get the best deals.
2) Don’t expect help from staff (if you can find one). There are days when there are helpful staff there. It’s just that every time I go it’s rare.
3) Pay attention to the coupons in hand, because sometimes it’s only for one item, sometimes it’s for the whole purchase. Sometimes that 40% off deal doesn’t apply to what you have in your basket cause it says so in the fine print.
4) Don’t be surprised if the checkout lines are long.
5) Don’t be surprised if you have to use your imagination to find what you’re looking for. Some of the same items can be found about the store in various locations. Example: Glitter — can be found in 3 – 4 different sections, under different items about the store. Letters (wooden, paper, or what not for various uses). Party Decorations. If you’re looking for something — just think of all the possibilities it can be placed under… Like party decorations just might be under paper crafting area.
6) Don’t be surprised if they’re expensive. Yes, if it wasn’t for their coupons, I really don’t know what this store would do to pull customers in. But to be really honest, crafting stores have closed down over the years and there isn’t really anywhere else you can go. Dollar stores are few around this Broadway location. Art and Framing store survival rates have fallen too. If you don’t need it right away, look online for better deals.
7) Art & Painting Supplies. You may find better deals for these items at Deserres down the street. For thin canvases in bulk packs: there is some competitive comparisons to do here because sometimes you can find them for a better deal at Michaels.
Happy Crafting

Broadway location: staff could be friendlier! Stricter coupon rules than the North Vancouver or Downtown location so with difficult parking, it’s a less desirable location. Good variety because of their size though.
Note: if you need to make a return without a receipt, it understandably goes on a gift card but they take an automatic 20% off your refund because they assume you used a coupon.
Good selection of yarn at the back of the store!

Huge store-you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for here. However, if you don’t need your items urgently you’re better off ordering them online like I will from now on for two reasons:
1. Stuff here is expensive, definitely cheaper online
2. Staff here are RUDE, and most likely will not help you find anything you need. I had a staff member abruptly cut me off, telling me that they did not carry what I was looking for — later on I found it in one of the aisles. This same staff member also raised her voice at me. Also I saw her being downright nasty to someone else whose first language clearly isn’t english. Saw another staff member telling a girl that if she «can’t find it, it’s probably not here», then roll her eyes and walk away.
Shopping here was a very unpleasant experience and i don’t think I’ll return.

Prices are more expensive than the Michaels in the states but probably due to the exchange rate.
HATE it that I can’t use multiple coupons like in the states.

Came here the other day to purchase some supplies to create some swords. Keep in mind that I am a total novice in crafting and have never entered a Michaels prior to this.
Out of excitement of their selection, I spent literally 30 minutes picking out acrylic paints.
BTW there are two different aisles of acrylic paint. One of them is a lot cheaper ($ 0.75-$ 3 per bottle).
It took about 20 minutes til I was approached by their staff for help. She asked me what I needed, if I wanted a basket, and what I am making. Although it took a while to get to me, she was very useful so kudos to the asian girl with the blue (purple?) hair.
A thick foam board was about $ 15 here. If your project permits it, go buy a foam board from the dollar store. They are thin (about 2 cm thick) so you’ll probably have to double stack/​layer it but it’s’ only $ 1.25.
As a first timer customer the cashier gave me 15% off and signed up for their Michaels email subscription. In my first email, I got a 20% coupon for my next purchase!

The inventory at this store is impressive, but as the hapless-​dad-​with-​kindergartener-​in-​tow I’ve never encountered a store of this size so devoid of staff.
Wandered aisle after aisle looking for a glue stick for my daughter, and could not find a *single* person with a name tag to help me. They don’t even have a «Customer Service» counter that could at least direct me to the correct aisle.
Contrast that with my usual hangout, Home Depot, where there are usually at least two people per aisle helping you out.
Was very amused when I reached the till and the cashier said «Did you find everything you need?»
«Nope!» was my reply — Unfortunately they’re only trained to reply with a confused «Oh.»

One stop shop for all your arts and crafts needs!
I tend to go here for a quick grab of card stock, and candle making equipment.
Also, it seems to be the cheapest place you can get framing supplies. There selection may not be as generous as, say, OPUS, but for your standard frame job you should check here first.
Echoing what others mentioned, it is convenient, huge, and cheap.
My girlfriend loves the colorful selection of duck tape.
Sidenote: They also seem to only hire people with foreign accents. Mainly Australian and Irish by my visits.

At least I don’t have to go to Langley for Michael’s anymore… but I still have mixed feeling about this craft giant. I appreciate the selection items (especially the organizational things and boxes and containers). If you want it all in one place and to use your 40% discount coupon, it’s a great place. But if you’re shopping for something specific, consider supporting a local independent store. Or if you don’t want to pay as much for some basic things like snaps or decorative feathers, go to Dressew.
The yarn is cheap acrylic, mass produced wool and dishcloth cotton, similar to what you used to be able to get at Zellers (RIP). This is also available at Dressew, or similar basic wool at a number of yarn stores around town such as Three Bags Full, Wet Coast Wools, or Baaad Anna’s.
The framing stuff is great. I found shadowboxes for my uncle. But if you need pictures framed, you can go to a professional art framing store. I like ArtRyan on West King Edward beside the Safeway.
The beads and jewellery are all low-​quality crap. If you want these types of cheap/​inexpensive beading things, Douglas Trading Post is a good spot. If you actually want something high quality, Country Beads on West 4^th.
The baking and cake decorating supplies can be found in amazing-​amazingness at Gourmet Warehouse.
Scrapbooking supplies can be found at Scrapbook Warehouse. You may not find as much selection, but you’ll find comparable sections (ie: holiday, paper, accessories, lettering, glitter, adhesives, stickers, stamps).
The painting supplies – paint, paintbrushes, canvases, sketchbooks, etc – are available at Opus and DeSerres. I haven’t compared prices, so I don’t know where you’ll pay more, but it’s worth at least checking online.
Michael’s also has other obscure supplies like helium tanks (also available from Bazaar and Novelty but haven’t compared prices) and gimp (aka boondoggle thread /​aka plastic lacing) and fabric paint. Some of these things I would get at Michael’s just for convenience.
If you want it all in one place and don’t mind paying the prices, Michael’s has a great selection. The staff are helpful and generally know where things are within the store, but there are too many types of crafts for them to realistically know which is better than what – and that’s why I like independent stores.

I like this location for the yarn selection because it is pretty big. However, I have noticed it doesn’t carry as many choices as others. When the other stores are out of a popular type, I notice that this location usually has it. Maybe there aren’t as many knitters in this hood.
They also have a good stock of knitting accessories, such as yarn cutters, needle stoppers, and knitting markers.
I’ve peeked into the paper section too, and it wasn’t too shabby.
I picked up a cool crafting lazy susan contraption here, and it has made my workshop so much more organized!

Ok, so maybe I’m not the world’s expert at reviewing craft stores, but if a craft store knows how to organize its wares and has a high enough quality of service to serve the lowest common denominator of customer (aka me), then it deserves a good rating right?
I walked into the store and was immediately blown away at the sheer size of the store (for an arts & crafts store) and the variety of different kinds of supplies. This also seems to be its downfall as well. Similar to a few previous Unilocalers, the store is not organized in any logical manner AT ALL. I came in looking for a couple of very specific things. I easily wandered into 4 different areas of the store logically thinking it would be in those places only to be disappointed. By the time I hit the 3^rd section, I was grasping at straws and trying to cleverly think, «If I were DISorganized, where would I be in this store?».
Ask for help you say? Well if I saw anyone walking around trying to identify lost puppies like me, I’d would flag them down. Sadly, I didn’t run into a single person with a name tag.
As I meandered through the store, it truly does have everything a crafty person would want. I overheard in a couple places that while the quality of product isn’t as high as other stores (but c’mon, this place is meant to appeal to the masses, not Pablo Picasso), it really does have everything to get you on your way.
Just please please, organize the store so I can find what I need quickly!

Quick! Get me a helium tank, bristle board, a bunch of red and white ribbon, stamps, glitter, and handful of other crappy craft supplies that won’t get too messy when hundreds of semi-​inebriated adults decide to tackle them. This is why I go to a place like Michael’s. It’s not cheap (you can get most of the products found here for waaaay smallah dollah bills at Dressew), and it’s a bit like walking into your best friend’s cousin’s scrap-​booking aunt’s house, BUT it’s convenient when in a pinch.
… like when I find myself needing a helium tank at 8pm on a Wednesday. Totally happens. At least once a month. ahem.

It should NEVER take 20 minutes to wait pay for your craft items only to have a cashier silently ring up your purchases! Not only did she not great me, but when I voiced my dissatisfaction all she could say was that she’s not a cashier (although she was ringing up the purchases). Had she acknowledged me with a «hi», or even insincere apology it would have gone over better… Sad that the two cashiers on the line seem to be people who would rather be elsewhere. :(. I went today Nov ¹⁸⁄₁₁ at 10:30am.

I’ve been to this location twice. The first time was to check it out when I first moved here, and the second was to try and find a button to replace a missing one on a shirt.
The location of this place is great! It’s two blocks away from the Broadway-​City Hall Skytrain Station, and easily accessible by bus. The store is huge and has a ton of stock. They have practically everything you could ever want for your crafting needs.
The great thing about this location is the one line system. No need to guess which line is going to move the fastest. This is my favorite system for purchasing items, and I wish more stores had it.
Michael’s is getting a three star review because of its store organization and its staff. Nothing is organized in a logical manner, and to top it off the aisle numbers don’t say what items can be found down each aisle. I had to wander all over the store in order to find what I was looking for. As for the staff, I went when the store was quiet and all of the staff were either helping someone (which is great and those employees seemed friendly) or completely unapproachable. I finally found one person to ask where the buttons were and he seemed annoyed that I had to ask.
Hopefully when I go back next time I’ll have a much better experience.

I had long forgotten about Michael’s… having not the will nor the desire to drive to other suburban locations for glitter and glue, but there it was, right in front of me in the exact same moment I decided I needed this year’s gift-​crafting supplies.
Armed with a 4hr 15% off coupon (lame, when I see that they also have 50% off coupons), I entered the Walmart-I’m-A-Big-Box store with it’s fluorescent lighting, squeaking white floors and luke warm service.
With ribbon that spews Christmas cheer, wrapping paper, cookie cutters (metal, and the right size) and festive markers I made my way through the «buy me now» crap that tempts us all at the checkout and queued with other crafty ladies.
The one thing that this Michael’s has going for it that other could steal from is the one queue system. I like this about newer big-​box-​stores. Especially on weekends and during the holidays I just can’t stand guessing which line up will be the shortest.