As an avid dabbler in all kinds of crafts, I'm constantly shopping at Michael's. I'm usually at the one in Brick which is organized and pristine with friendly, bright employees. Due to my recent relocation, I've more recently been shopping at the Toms River store. It's an entirely opposite experience. The store is rundown, frequently looks like it was hit by a tornado, and the employees can be less than friendly. Shoppers are basically forced to use self-checkout unless they have a return. This is a practice I'm sick of in all stores. I don't work at the store. Why am I doing your job? And, if I am doing your job, don't you now have the time to straighten up the store? My current hobby is drawing with colored pencils and I like to buy single pencils to supplement my set that I already own. The display is always a wreck and consistently missing the colors I want. It's disappointing. I've literally never seen an indigo colored pencil in there. Which is extremely frustrating. That's a basic color of the rainbow. In a pinch, the store works for my basics: erasers, pencils, paper. When it comes to more specific items, I defer to Brick. Fifteen minutes out of the way. Give or take. And I'm thankful I get to be at the Brick store which is neatly organized and well stocked. Such a better experience. It's like going to Target instead of Walmart. I've worked in retail management with ordering being my responsibility. It seems to me that if Brick is able to keep their stock in check, Toms River is perhaps unable or unwilling to anticipate the needs of their customers when making their orders. There is also the possibility that Michael's just ships whatever they feel like. In which case, I apologize. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say maybe they're short staffed for whatever reason. But just make an effort. It's dismal in there. I'm giving three stars because they're able to meet my basic needs. But seriously can I just go into the pen display and find a black Staedtler fineliner once in my life? Ha. read more

I just had the worst experience of my entire life at this god forsaken store. I took a trip here to grab a couple cans of spray paint for my husband's project in our garage (painting a mural for our baby due in April!) I requested for someone to come help me since they are locked away. Fine. 5 minutes go by. My patience is decreasing by the second. Then 10 minutes pass. I decided to take matters into my own hands; I find the nearest employee and politely ask her to open the spray paint. Turns out her name was Jen and she is a manager. She RUDELY said "Fine, I will grab someone for you", then turned away in a huff, AND CALLED ME A BITCH UNDER HER BREATH. I was too stunned to say anything! NEVER AGAIN WILL I COME BACK. read more

I just departed the store. I called Vicky, the Store Manager, to let her know that I requested to say hi, introduce myself, give a signed reference, and that's it. Instead, her associate, who looked unshaven & unshowered, radio called her, whereas she basically raised her voice and declined to let me show my signed certificates. So I said to her on the phone, that retail requires kindness. You should make better going forward. Sad experience. read more

Skip this one. It's December 12, they've put most of the Christmas stuff away, and are packing up the rest. 2 weeks till Christmas. Seriously?!? Greedy - they're avoiding selling the nicer items at sale prices, and will put them up next year. Guess what? I'm not coming next year, so you'll be packing it up again. Neener-neener-neener. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra few miles (about 7 minutes) to the Brick Plaza store. Everything's still up, great selection, everyone very helpful. Amazing stock. read more

This review is not about the shopping area of Michaels, Toms River. It pertains to the women's rest room. I walked in and turned around immediately and walked out. Filthy, stinky, splattered & stained toilets from top to bottom, dirty floor, dirty mirrors. No air flow. I gagged. I told the store manager the condition of the restroom was disgusting and had never been cleaned. She assured me it was cleaned nightly. I asked if she had been in the women's room that day. She said not yet. Another employee claimed to not use it. I wonder why!! Management: get your act together and take care of your work place, protect your employees and customers. I cannot believe you are paying a cleaning service and allow these unsanitary, unhealthy conditions to exist. Further, note to customer: do not take your children into the women's room. Ironically , there was a changing table/shelf in the large stall! read more

I wanted to order from the Michaels Toms River, NJ website, but it is NOT a secure website! Beware on using a "not secure" website....always! read more

One star for allowing a company to have a table in the store asking you if you want to enter a raffle for a$100 Michael's gift card. The sign indicates it's the store taking your info when it's actually Fantasea Resorts. Let them advertise it's Fantasea not Michael s. Sounds like switch and bait to me. Shame on you Michael's!!! read more

Kevin was very pleasant today trying to help me find some items. He made it a pleasant experience until the manager came over. I think her name was Demara. She was tall and had dark hair. She told him the items were in isle 44 and they were in 42. She was very nasty to him. She did apologize but if you're working in a public place you should have a nicer attitude. Terrible attitude read more

I decided to utilize there curbside pick up, I placed my order and paid for my 2 items. Pick up was advertised within an hour. I had not received the email about pick up being ready, I went to the web site which was a joke if you hit the customer service tab or corporate tab it just booted you out and you were unable to leave a message. So I called the store twice I was hung up on the 3 rd time I got someone who told me my order wouldn't be ready until close to 6pm. This teenager felt the need to educate me on the pandemic their lack of staff and the fact they had 40 orders that day. I said forget it refund my order why would I wait for 2 items when I can order them anywhere else and have them delivered to my home. Really some teenager is going to educate me on the pandemic I am a nurse and my mother just died of Covid who does Michaels think they are. I will never utilize you or any of your stores again and will share my experience with as many people as I can. Your associate was so professional she laughed at the fact my mother had died pull the call and listen for yourself. You are not an essential business nor are you empathetic or caring. It's not about my order it's about the way I was spoken too and treated. I will check to make sure my card is refunded, before I call in a fraudulent charge for items I did not receive. read more

Not a wide selection of craft supplies and no employees to be found on the floor for help.

Took my kids to the kids craft class the past two Saturday mornings. The lady who gives the class not only had me do all the work that she was supposed to be doing with the kids, so that she could just sit there. She was very put out with the kids. She didn't seem to like any of the kids in her craft class. She didn't even talk to mine except to snap directions at them. She made them feel like she didn't want them there and they didn't do anything wrong. When we left they all told me how she was mean and made them feel bad. I felt it as well, she was very cold. If she wanted them to do something with the class she immediately snapped the order at them like they were not listening. I had to hover to make sure we got out of there without her getting any nastier. I could do a craft with them at home no problem this is supposed to be a fun little outing and she ruined it. I only went back twice cause I thought maybe she was substituting or just having a bad day, apparently the first time I went that was her good mood! It is literally a 10 to 15 minute class, would it kill her to smile at the kids or attempt to be friendly! I am not a confrontational person or a complainer, but the way she acted I felt the need to post this. On a side note used to take my kids to the class at the Hazlet, NJ location and it was wonderful, so I know what this class is supposed to be like. She is doing an awful job! read more