Michael's selection getting bigger

Sprue-ce Goose

 

oddmanrush: move quickly and head for extraction?

are the womenfolk now hitting on the guys they see at Michaels?

Well, that's one of the reasons. The wife gives me enough trouble as it is dropping money to build the stash, let alone getting held up in the local craft store by the single ladies.

Otherwise, like I said, getting to the hobby section involves taking a tip toe through the tulip department. Not exactly a browse-friendly environment if you get my drift. Unless I go around the other way, in which case I could peruse the Better Homes and Gardens magazines....

This is, of course, unlike Lowes, Home Depot, DicksSporting Goods, Sports Authority, etc, where every aisle has a potentially attractive buy. Where as, every aisle in Michael's has a potentially attractive female......

oddmanrush

 Bob Ross.

Bob Ross. I didn't know they had his stuff in Michaels. Great painter, I never miss his shows on the local PBS station. So relaxing, painting the little happy clouds and the happy little trees so the squirrels and other little Forrest critters can have a place to live.

Bob Ross has acually proved to be a national treasure in the model railroading department, too. I use his techniques for painting backdrops on layouts (admittedly, they are no more than dioramas with track in them)

Real good man, and real good show.

DoogsATX

If they (and Hobby Lobby) wanted to attract more men to their stores, there are tons of product options they could consider:

 

• Obviously a non-laughable selection of model kits and paints
• R/C kits. I swear my local Hobbytown is 3/4 R/C crap these days. They're close and they stock Tamiya paint, but that's pretty much the only reason I go there.
• Pinewood derby cars. Kites. Fantasy figurines. Father/son bonding-type activities.
• Woodcrafting
• Photo supplies. Paper and maybe some lighting gear.
• Memorabilia storage

 

Have you posted on the Michaels forum or contacted customer service to let them know about your suggestions?

oddmanrush: "When I go in there now, I generally keep to myself and move quickly. I get to the model section, pick whatever one interests me at the moment and then head for extraction."

I fell the same way. It is kind of a check on my manhood to go in there or Hobby Lobby. I try not to look at any of the decorations least people think I am a little light in my loafers.

Apart from Jo-Ann Fabrics, scrapbooking stores and whatnot, I can't think of a less male-friendly retailer than Michaels. It's not just the product - they've stock mostly the same categories as Hobby Lobby - it's the atmosphere, the way the aisles are set up, the fake flowers everywhere. 

I used to hit Michaels all the time when I was a kid for kits, paint, and whatnot. I don't remember it being so bad then - closer to what Hobby Lobby is today, really. 

If they (and Hobby Lobby) wanted to attract more men to their stores, there are tons of product options they could consider:

• Obviously a non-laughable selection of model kits and paints
• R/C kits. I swear my local Hobbytown is 3/4 R/C crap these days. They're close and they stock Tamiya paint, but that's pretty much the only reason I go there.
• Pinewood derby cars. Kites. Fantasy figurines. Father/son bonding-type activities.
• Woodcrafting
• Photo supplies. Paper and maybe some lighting gear.
• Memorabilia storage

Heck, if nothing else, just having stuff on the shelves for the guys to look at while the wives/moms/daughters do their shopping. As it stands, I can't stay in a Michaels longer than about 45 seconds without klaxons going off in my mind.

oddmanrush

Expanding the model section would be a bonus but I really don't think it would attract any more gentlemen than it does already. It's an Arts and Crafts store, The model section at my local Michael's is hidden in a back aisle and I must venture through the floral arrangements to get there...

When I go in there now, I generally keep to myself and move quickly. I get to the model section, pick whatever one interests me at the moment and then head for extraction.

I certainly understand about product.

I shop go inside for kits, glue and paint ( will be trying some of the chrome paint they sell to see if it can substitute for Alclad ).

I am presuming that drawing more males would require a different type of product. 

I already buy power tools at Sears, Berlands , woodworking accessories at Rockler and Woodcraft,  metalworking accessories at Enco tools, KBC Tools, MSC tools, outdoor equipment at DicksSporting Goods, ( Nannybot again ! ) Cabella, REI, Gander Mountain ...... and beer ( Need those cans for fermis style seat scratch building  ) at local food store.

Michaels would be hard pressed to expand into those fields just to attract males

oddmanrush: move quickly and head for extraction?

are the womenfolk now hitting on the guys they see at Michaels?

I used to work at Michael's as a custom framer. The majority of the customers and employees were female, except those of us working in framing. In fact, when I was working there all of us in framing were males. But Michael's is certainly hard pressed to find merchandise that would attract men. Aside from model kits and rockets, they don't have much else. Most of the guys I saw in there tended to be college level art students, purchasing pads, canvases, brushes, and pencils rather than actually feeding their hobby. (I should know, I was one of those art students before I changed my major to History). Expanding the model section would be a bonus but I really don't think it would attract any more gentlemen than it does already. It's an Arts and Crafts store, just a quick glimpse inside and all you see are flowers, stationary, stickers, sewing material, wedding supplies and Bob Ross. The model section at my local Michael's is hidden in a back aisle and I must venture through the floral arrangements to get there...

When I go in there now, I generally keep to myself and move quickly. I get to the model section, pick whatever one interests me at the moment and then head for extraction.

The last time I was in Michaels, the only males in the store was my father, some teen-age guy with his girlfriend, a young kid, and myself.

4 in total, it seems like we are an endangered species when it comes to Michaels

The manager tour I encountered was probably the largest group of males the store had ever contained.

I was just there this weekend and there were only women in there. I think me and my step-dad were the only males in the store.

It's funny you mention them wanting more male customers Sprue, my friend and I were there a few weeks back grabbing some airbrush supplies and I made the comment that we were probably the first 20 something males in the store in weeks

Felt out of place, lol.

O.K., if you think it's right to just foam at the mouth about it here, insted of going to Michaels with your complaints, fine by me.

Just don't go bashing them in a way that gets this thred unwanted atention from the moderators.

Railfan 233

 

 

Mabe you can request better prices on the Michaels forum. Don't give up yet, if you take your conserns strait to Michaels, they'll probably grant your whishes for cheeper ktis at your local store

I did.  I asked the store managers directly if they would 'price match' a lower, regular price from an independent vendor.  I then sent an e-mail to Corporate HQ about their pricing policies and 'price matching'.  I was told, basically, to pound salt.  They can take a long, hard lick on my hairy, Irish behind.

murph

The Michaels store here in Ottawa blow dead bears.  The regular price for a Revell 1/48 Spitfire, P-51, Me-109, Corsair is $25.  So with Michaels wonderful 40% off coupon, I will pay $15 + taxes; the same that I'd pay at my LHS.  Michaels can kiss my heinie.  Some deal

Mabe you can request better prices on the Michaels forum. Don't give up yet, if you take your conserns strait to Michaels, they'll probably grant your whishes for cheeper ktis at your local store

jetmodeler

 

Hun Hunter:

 

Jetmodeler: Like I said, you get a 50% coupon for the next week with every purchase, at least here. Last I looked the F-14 and F-18 were listed at $15 here, they might have gone up. So $8-9, not bad for a 1/48 to throw in my growing pile.

 

 

Thats true. $8-9 is definately not bad for a 1/48 kit. Especially when the newer releases of jet cost around $40 to almost $80.

The Michaels store here in Ottawa blow dead bears.  The regular price for a Revell 1/48 Spitfire, P-51, Me-109, Corsair is $25.  So with Michaels wonderful 40% off coupon, I will pay $15 + taxes; the same that I'd pay at my LHS.  Michaels can kiss my heinie.  Some deal

jetmodeler

 

Hun Hunter:

 

Jetmodeler: Like I said, you get a 50% coupon for the next week with every purchase, at least here. Last I looked the F-14 and F-18 were listed at $15 here, they might have gone up. So $8-9, not bad for a 1/48 to throw in my growing pile.

 

 

Thats true. $8-9 is definately not bad for a 1/48 kit. Especially when the newer releases of jet cost around $40 to almost $80.

The Michaels store here in Ottawa blow dead bears.  The regular price for a Revell 1/48 Spitfire, P-51, Me-109, Corsair is $25.  So with Michaels wonderful 40% off coupon, I will pay $15 + taxes; the same that I'd pay at my LHS.  Michaels can kiss my heinie.  Some deal

So that may be good new then.

Did a little research-looks like Hobbico will be the Hasegawa distributor in the U.S....and if you go to the Hobbico website, they also distribute Revell....

http://www.modelretailer.com/en/The%20Industry/Industry%20News/2010/03/Hobbico%20exclusive%20distributor%20for%20Hasegawa.aspx

Sorry that the link doesn't post as a hyperlink...

bobbaily

On a secondary note-did I read that the new distributor for Hasegawa is the same company that owns Monogram/Revell or am I imagining it?

I'm not really sure if they are or not.

I might have to look that one up.

I've been following this thread and I really need to get over to the Michael's web site and express my request for them to expand their model selection.  Thanks for getting the ball rolling.

On a secondary note-did I read that the new distributor for Hasegawa is the same company that owns Monogram/Revell or am I imagining it?  If so, then expanding and adding Hasegawa kits should be a little easier....or not....

Thanks Sprue-ce Goose. I just posted my comment.

jetmodeler

I feel kind of dumb because I don't know this. How do I register for the forums there?

Clicking  on this first  link takes you to registration

https://www.michaels.com/art/online/registrationForm

the second link below is the thread I started

http://forums.michaels.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=58339&#Post58339

I feel kind of dumb because I don't know this. How do I register for the forums there?

El Taino

So my vote would go to the Model Master Acryl series.

Please post on the Michaels forum and let them know.

You can acually get these cupons in the Michaels E-newsletter. I've been doing that ever since Michaels discontinued their Sunday print ads in my area. The good thing is you can print out 7 cupons, and go once every week (You could go more often,  but I've never red all of the fine print. It could be possible that you can get enough cupons, and just go and get 1 item at a time, and get 40-50% off each item. I think...

Both Michaels in my area, Apple Valley and Burnsville, MN have been getting new stuff like the USS ARIZONA, MISSOURY etc. The 40% coupon is great, waiting for a week to use it sucks. I just Google Michales print coupons'' and viola! Print the coupon valid to be used instantly. I don't mind they only carry REVELL stuff, I'm pretty sure other lines like Tamiya, Academy etc wouldn't have enough profit for a 40 or 50% discount. What I really love to see at Michales is the Model Master line in both, ½ oz. and spray. They did recently introduced in my local stores the Lacquer line for cars for $1.00 more then the regular spray cans. Of course, with the coupon I pay 40 to 50% less than my local HT. So my vote would go to the Model Master Acryl series.

I just posted my support/request.

Here's to a good turn-out in support from our fellow forum members

Railfan 233 (a.k.a.CSX railfan on Michaels forum)

I just posted in the Michael's forum a few minutes ago. Hopefully we'll be heard.

Thanks, MikeS.

I also posted a separate Do You Want More Kits at Michaels? Please Post

just in case folks bypass this thread without reading our most recent posts.

It costs nothing to join, and takes only a minute or so of your time. We should already have a couple of dozen posts requesting that MICHAEL'S pump up their hobby department. So far we have only the OP's and mine.

Help EVERYONE out by posting your two cents over there people.