Hobby Lobby Stores
Reviews and Complaints

I discovered Hobby Lobby a few years ago, and have always enjoyed their selection and customer service. However, I recently learned that they were fined $3 million by the DOJ for stealing artifacts from Iraq.

Stealing is one thing, but stealing national treasures from under the feet of widows and orphans in a war-torn country is indescribably upsetting. I explained to our children that we will shop for craft supplies elsewhere from now on.

Tried to return some items we'd bought at the Buford, GA Hobby Lobby to the Gainesville, GSA Hobby Lobby. After many years of having a great experience at the Buford store and others, my first visit to the Gainesville, GA store was very disappointing. They would not accept the items we'd bought at Buford, even saying the items are not sold at Hobby Lobby. The store manager stood there and lied to my face. We did indeed purchase those items at Hobby Lobby.

Hobby Lobby is supposed to use Christian management principles. Well, obviously that is a lie.

After years of shopping at Hobby Lobby, I will never return.

10575 E. Washington Street Indianapolis In. [protected]

Extremely rude customer service manager
I set my return items on the counter while I looked for my receipt I explained I had a receipt for all items except one. She flipped out. I go to that store a lot I never had any problems.
She said i have worked here for six years you expect me to take the stuff out of the bag I not going to. That your responsibility, They don't pay me to do that, that's rude of you and since you want to be rude I give what I get. This was so odd, How did she perceive that as being rude I have no clue. So I proceeded to take items out of the bag, then she got confused as to what item did not have a receipt so she then stared making a screen. The line got long I told her just put the stuff backinwill leave. She said I give what I get they pay be enough to take this. She said I will get a manager to help you. In horrible loud tone she called the manager. I told her did not understand how she could have a badge on that says customer service manager, conduct unbecoming for any manager title. as rude a she was. Then she walked off. If she has been working there 6 years should be fired today. The manager then tried to help by checking me out and then the cash register would not work. It was a big mess. She belittled me. And there should be a write up in her file.
June Williams
[protected]

On Tuesday, May 23rd on 2017, it's like people don't know how to stop taking their problems out on others. We had someone come to do an inspection where I work today, and when ever someone comes to inspect the work place, sure, we all have to keep things good so that way someone doesn't lose their job or so that no one looks bad and I understand that but our co-manager, Debbie, she is on a gigantic Misandristic power trip.

Some of us overheard that the inspector was a bit brutal on some of the things he inspected today and Debbie, our co-manager, took it out on at least four or five of us, she was accusing of some of us sweating from fear just because she was the one who the inspector got on to about one or more things, once the inspector left, she got on to us about not working fast enough when we were doing our best and we were doing just fine and she just got back from a vacation, when I think it was better with her not there. She than began to see us sweating and once she told us we need to work a bit faster, she points fingers at four or five of us and said "Your sweating" as in accusing us of sweating from fear and I told her that "This is just sweat from the summer heat" since it's summer and it's going to be hot outside for a while but she kept on saying "Sweating" or "Your sweating" and she literally pointed the finger at us.

That really made me want to go off on her, I wanted to talk to our new main manager about it but he was busy and he looked busy too and so far, it's tipped me over the edge. Last week, a co-worker of mine named Rick made a cruel joke about my hair and every time I'm around him, he's always telling jokes at my expense, them jokes are not funny, they're cruel, hurtful and mean and I found out it's not just me who had that happen before, in the past, Rick did the same to a few others he works with and they too don't like it either. And every time anyone gets mad at him for it, he thinks we have to indulge him in his humor when we don't have to, he's a verbally abusive bully and he's always making me blow up and I'm tired of his mouth, I want someone to make him stop with his insulting jokes because he tells jokes about things that are not funny, like joking about a person being fat, if someone's fat, you don't poke jokes about their weight.

But even when you try talking to this lame joker about it, he doesn't listen and I'm this close to hurting him physically, he's basically going to get it. But as for our co-manager Debbie, she's an abusive Misandristic power tripping woman, she points fingers for no reason when she's mad about something and plays the blame game on anyone who doesn't take her verbally abusive treatment she lashes out on or she goes on a power trip if anyone finds her being stubborn, unreasonable and refuses to listen, she's like an unstable teenager who is abusing her position of power and I'm sick of it, she's done this before and we all know if someone disagrees with her, than we're at risk of losing our jobs and if that was to happen, that would be wrongful termination and we can sue for it, but even when it comes to suing, not all of us can afford a lawyer and that just makes it that more hurtful and hard on us.

I wanted to talk to our new main manager about it but he was busy and things made him busy because we had two trucks coming in today instead of one. Our new main manager we got has been with us for about I think over a year by now and so far, he's been a better main manager than the previous ones we've had. But the problem here is our verbally abusive, Misandristic, power tripping co-manager, Debbie, and a verbally abusive bullying co-worker, Rick. I want someone to do something about this or so help me I will never rest until someone gets these people I'm complaining about fired for workplace abusive. I've been through too much already in life and I'm not losing my job or quitting just because some people make things difficult for someone like me, some people like me may be one of the lowly workers but I'm tired of my voice not being heard or listened to and I'm tired of nobody taking my side and I'm tired of being forced to take this abuse and I'm tired of being ignored no matter how many times I get victimized or complain, well no more, even when you got a slight handicap, that makes it that much harder. Either someone does something about this immediately or I'll never rest until something is done about it, so someone either helps me or they'll learn the hard way, like they always do.

I went to hobby lobby shopping on Saturday April 22, 2017 at approximately 3p.m. i was looking to buy colored pencils. after about 5 minutes a woman asked me if i needed help and i replied no. The woman continued to follow me around the store going down every aisle i did at least 4 to 5 times. She kept walking by me or past me she made some comment about seeing things out of the corner of her eye, i picked out 3 items for purchase i went to checkout and i asked the girl if i needed the online coupon number for the 40% off coupon. She stated yes so i went to my car to retrieve my cell phone which was charging in my car. The same woman came out and said the girl told her why i went to my car and then stated i didn't need the coupon code, she can get it for me. I followed her back into the store and proceeded to pay for my items. Then, as i was leaving the same woman came up and told me that an employee had told her there were things in my purse i didn't pay for. She accused me in front of at least 4 other customers and 4 other employees. I offered to show her my purse i opened it wide and she said no she didn't need to look anymore and she would scold the employee. I have never been so embarrassed and humiliated in my life. I didn't steal anything i spent close to $30.00 I was going to turn around and return my merchandise but i was so embarrassed I didn't want to go back in to the store.

i was in hobby lobby at Batesville ark tues around 1 and a lady was texting on phone instead of helping customers I went to walk up to her she was headed other way texting on phone I just turned and left very aggravated at the fact that phones and jobs don't mix the name on tag said Amy thats all I know but wanted to let you know that I do not think phones should be out while suppose to be at work !Shouldn't customers be before phones

As a soon to be former employee I just want to clarify how the store works, and why you notice that almost every employee is miserable and bitter.

1. Hobby lobby pays decent for part-time, good for full time.

2. Training is non - existent, unless a manager takes a liking to you. This is a serious issue, and its why most people leave the job.

3. You do not get enough time to do any tasks. Managers are put under extreme pressure by upper level people who show off their supreme power over them. I had a manager who was a great guy - started from the bottom - but he still was chewed out all the time - for negligible things like a basket of overstock.

4. This is a christian company. By christian, that means you get a day off on sunday. That is all that means.

5. Employees have stock tests. Employees are only allowed to order a certain amount of an item. At some point randomly during the month, a district/regional manager will show up and have 100 different items, and check if you have them and have the correct amount.
This means that the employee may have to pray that a customer (You) doesn't come and buy the item that may be on the stock test, so he/she doesn't get in trouble. See how it makes no sense? Imagine that an employee orders wooden crates. There is a sale on wood next week, and the truck comes on thursday. Thursday comes, and the crates are received. Friday comes, and 1/3 of the crates are sold. Saturday comes and another 1/3 is sold by noon. At 2, the stock test is done. Employee fails. Employee also would've failed if he had too much on the shelf. Employee also is unable to order past a basic amount. Employee must judge the future to pass most of these.

6. Part time receives 10.23 an hour, full time receives 15.35. However, unless it is during november and december, employees will not make it to 40 hours. Hours are cut and the smart employees come the 5 minutes early each day to get a tiny bit extra. I average 32 each week. This is because...

7. Bonuses are given by payroll. Thus the payroll that is not used, is given to the managers. Thus a serious incentive to cut hours.

8. If you are an average worker, you get closing hours.

9. If you are an above average worker, you get the harder closing hours... This means...

10. When they cut hours, they leave the workers with less than half departments filled. Frame shop covers sewing and home accent covers crafts and cashiers cover seasonal and party and paper crafts etc. This means you are constantly running around, getting asked questions about departments that you don't have a clue on, trying to put things back that you haven't seen before (Its not your department)

11. Lowest employees treated wrongly. Stockmen are the lowest position in the store, and they run the store. They dissect the panels, clean the spills, grab the carts, climb the ladders, unload the truck, sort the truck - yet they get their hours cut first, and are only respected by the full time workers. Stock men usually quit after a month or two.

12. Dumb scheduling. Managers will tell full time workers that their job is their priority and they must be available at all times. They can and usually will disregard your availability.

13. Technology. All items are inputted by hand. Nothing can be scanned except one item in the store (Fabric set pieces 99 cents each). This can lead to long lines, and errors regarding sales. Register errors mean termination.
There is no way to look up stock in the store. Price checks cannot be done at the register, has to be done in the break room in the back of the store.

14. Full time workers are also cashiers. Mandatory, so that they can cut the hours of normal cashiers.

15. 15 minute breaks and 30 minute unpaid lunch breaks. You can't leave a line on the register, and if you miss your 15 minute break you lose it. You cannot go to the break room and grab your car keys and clock out, you must clock out first and then get your things. This is why most hobby lobby employees always look like they are running.

16. Stocking. Customers need help, its retail, what do you expect. However, managers rarely help with the stocking and want it done by a certain time. So every customer you help is potentially getting you closer to termination.
If you go to this store and find a good employee who helped you - please tell management. It can save that employee.

17. Phones cannot be in your pocket. Phones cannot be on your person. This rule does not apply to managers, who can text, and browse when and wherever they feel like it.

18. Managers get 1 hour lunches.

19. Low knowledge of cashiers mean more work for you. Cashiers take back returns from years ago, and you are given flowers or items that no longer exist. Cashiers can't tell what is in the store because they don't get to learn where and what we currently have.

20. Managers will sometimes get upset if you tell about the 40% off coupon.
I only tell people who ask for veterans discount (We don't offer).

21. Rules slow down your progress, and managers want you to follow and not follow them at the same time.

-baler must not be operated by anyone other than a manager
(They then give you the task of cleaning the warehouse - full of boxes)
-all top caps must come down in an hour
(Rule says you have to block off two isles before any top shelf work, but managers will tell you to not do that because it takes too long - which is true - but wrong
-clean your department before leaving
("do this task until 15 minutes left, then clean up and fix your department in the 5 minutes you have left - oh and don't leave until you do - but don't stay over time.

Just hope you guys understand.

Karen and Joe, the store manager treated me very ill and with racial profiling! The humiliated and embarrassed me claiming he had four employees that would say otherwise.

Accused me of trying to return an item that was purchased three years ago and trying to return it when I had paid less money. I provided my receipt. He said he could not use my receipt that you all have monitoring cameras that would tell him whether or not I purchased the item 2 days ago. Implying I was lying. He called the other store to verify though my receipt indicating where I had purchased and that it was purchased two days ago as I had stated. After calling the other store they told him I had indeed purchased two days ago. Then he came back and said sorry for the inconvenience never apologizing for the false accusation. I asked him to apologize for the false accusation and he refused. I have never been so humiliated or embarrassed.

To whom it may concern,
This may not be the correct venue- a friend of mine works at the Hobby Lobby store in Flowood, MS. They receive their freight truck on Wednesday. They commonly work 12-14 hours that day. In order to prevent overtime pay, their scheduled hours are cut on Thursday. The store does not always call the affected employees to notify them of the schedule change resulting in employees arriving at their previously scheduled time only to discover they are 2 or more hours early for work. I've never heard of anything like this. I wondered if A-the cutting of hours after working a grueling 14 hour day is even legal, and B- if it's legal to not notify employees in advance of a schedule change. My friend doesn't complain because they do not want to lose their job, hence my query.

After visiting your store for the first time I was very impressed until my wife and I left and she mentioned there was a 40% off one item sale this evening which was never mentioned to me by the cashier or any other employee during the purchase of several items one of which totaled over $125 spending in total over $200. Needless to say this had left an incredibly horrible fowl taste in my mouth not to mention the increasingly uncomfortable burning sensation in the seat of my pants. I would like to have said I left your store elated feeling like a valued and important customer just having had an incredible Lucky and helpful shopping experience. Unfortunately this is not the case and at this point not sure it will be as far as I and all of my associates are concerned.
Discearningly,
Chris Rowe

I started working for hobby lobby in 2008, in mesa, az. Store set, I was recognized by the head of the hobby lobby head of construction right away as being a hard working and he commented that I would be a manager someday, made me feel confident that I would be chosen for full time position and I was, 3 months later a was promoted to assistant manager. My passion was interior design so I loved working in the home accent department everything in az. Was going great, I started doing more store sets for the company and learning everything I needed to become successful at my job. After 3 yrs. My son and his wife started having children in another state, so becoming a grandmother I wanted to be closer, so I transferred to WI. The transition was hard due to the fact I had become so close to my former co-workers and they were a joy to work with. After a yr. In WI. I started doing store sets again and making connections with co-workers. The district manager, regional manager and store set manager were fantastic managers, kind, understanding informative leaders. My son moved to FL. So I transferred again, this is where my living hell started, a employee in wi. That had worked in fl. Warned me about how dysfunctional the management was in fl. But I thought with the 7 yrs. I had with the company and my knowledge about how things are suppose to be done in every store, no problem, boy was I wrong ! The manager, Michael Shoemaker, I was assigned to is a mean, intimidating bully ! And the assistant manager, wow, really ! She runs around the store yelling at employees, even after the employee is trying to run away from her, SO UNPROFESIONAL, NO WORDS TO DISCRIPE THEIR ACTIONS ! When I resisted their ways, I was written up, and in the 7yrs. I worked for the company had never been written up before. They DID NOT follow hobby lobby policy on anything, they do what they want no matter what they are told. I was so bullied by the assistant manager, and the few people in their little click that it lead to my health and mental health being in jeopardy, I hung in there for a year, being written up multiple times, I LOVED MY JOB and didn't want to give up, but when the stress of it all started effecting my health I became withdrawn, depressed, sad, many side effects that I had were from the bullying that was going on there, and I wasn't the only one being treated this way, if you spoke up about the way you were treated they made sure you were set up for failure. I was fired 2 weeks ago, the best thing that ever happened to me, all my medical issues have started to subside and my mental health is on the ment. The only thing I want to accomplish by writing this is that the others that work there and feel the way I did in the yr. I worked there, is for someone to please help them, please look into whats going on there at store 368. I did not complain to HR because I was so afraid to lose the job I had once loved so much and I was intimidated by management, I wish now I had, just so the others would not have to go through what I did.

I work for HL part time and I do love my job but some of the people are just wrong. I have seen an employee (Emily Bowman) take seasonal items and "hide" them then after the holiday(Christmas) was marked to 90% off she would take them out of "hiding" and purchase them for her self all in front of our Manger (Chris Campbell). Chris is also a womanizing hateful person. He talks to the women as if they are sub-human. He is a terrible manger we never work the same hours week to week, to make things worse the next weeks schedule does not even come out till Saturday or sometimes even Monday morning! So we can not plan anything with our family because we don't even know our days off for next week! If it's Friday I can't make plans for Monday because I don't know what hours I will be working. The schedule should come out two weeks in advance. I have heard him yell and berate female employee's over the smallest things. I wish he were gone.

I am a part time employee of HL and in my short time I have notice an employee(Emily Bowmen) "hide" Christmas items, then after the holiday when holiday items become 90% off she got the items out of "hiding" and purchased them all in full view of store manger (Chris Campbell). Chris also berates most every female with the exception of a few "favorites". He is unpredictable, Bi-polar, womanizing, hateful person. I love my job and the people I work with. When I become fulltime I will put in for a transfer.

I was in there on [protected] and they refused my tax exempt card of which I have used in this store many times since before November 216. It is a VA exempt tax number issued in Oklahoma. I am assuming that Texas must not be a part of this country that we live in. My husband served in Vet Nam and died recently due to his injuries. He was serving his country which last time I knew Texas was a state in this country. You are based in Oklahoma and should have no trouble taking my tax exempt card. I love Hobby Lobby's Christian background but now I am not so sure of it. There are several business in Sherman that take this card. Needless to say I am very disappointed in how this is handled.

Sincerely
Connie Carter

I am a serious knitter & bought 5 skeins of the stonewash "I Love This Yarn" yarn. I found a strip that was not dyed properly and knots mid-skein in all the skeins. This is poor quality production. Knots should not occur in a skein of yarn. Knitters knot at the end of rows. Also an undyed or misdyed portion should be caught by quality control.
I do really like this yarn. However, I won't shop Hobby Lobby yarns if I experience this again. I'm assuming that this feedback will be useful to you going forward; that is the way I meant it. Your stores are all uniformly very well organized and spotlessly clean - kudos for that!

Sarah McHaffie
Lexington, KY
[protected]@yahoo.com

12/31/16
I came into store in Brooksville Florida to return door handles that I had purchased that did work for me and I no longer wanted. I had the receipt and the items and went to return register. The cashier counted the items and got a total. She then said she had to have a manager override because the amount was over $100. I waited while one manager came over looked at register and asked if anything was wrong with items. He then motioned for another manager who came over and just nodded. Both the managers had no customer service abilities and treated me like I was a criminal. They were rude and not friendly and acted like they were CIA agents doing some secret mission. I was very put out and was insulted by their attitudes and lack of professionalism. It was New Years Eve and neither of them even could manage a half hearted attempt for any pleasantries. The only thing I would like to resolve this is for them to get some kind of training or get wrote up. They should not be working around paying customers and I will not be visiting that store again due to their behavior and attitude.

Today on the date of 12/19/2016 I visited the Raleigh Hobby Lobby. I came in looking for an art set for my son. I had seen the art set online and was hoping to find it in store. I was directed towards the back of the store by a sweet young lady at a register. Once I got to the back of the store I noticed a women who was on an ipad. I asked her for assistance, my first problem was when she rolled her eyes before helping me. I told her what I was looking for and she took all of 2 minutes "looking" for it than she told be it would be down a certain lane if they had it and continued to do what she was doing. Overall I was beyond taken back with the lack of effort and decided to just leave. I hope this is something that does not happen often.

In December 12 I purchased 2 bar stools. I had carried on in a buggy at checkout so the representative could get the needed barcodes
I explained to the clerk that i didn't have room in my car for the stools. Candice the employee that was asked told me I could leave and could pick them up later that night. I called back to the store and spoke with Candice on the next morning. The weather was bad and it was raining. She told me no problem that I had 30 days to pick the stools up. I came to the store tonight with my receipt. The man brought out two stools and I was told I had taken the other one with me when I left. I asked could they not pull the item number in their computer and see that they should only have one left in stock when there was two on the shelf. I was left waiting for 45 minutes while the manager disappeared to review the security tapes. I was treated like a common thief.
For the record I spent another 122$$ plus my daughter spent $60 right before I requested the stools. I have never been so humiliated in my entire life...all this over a 60$ stool! Really? I would love to know how many items were shoplifted while the manager was reviewing security tapes! Worst customer experience ever!

Employees are not given adequate lunch breaks when the store is busy. The supervisor does not cover for the employee (cash register employees)to make sure they get their break causing the employee to only get a shorter lunch and being told to get back to work! This is against the law.
Furthermore, the supervisor Tim has reprimanded the employees in front of others causing the employees to be embarrassed and humiliated. He has taken the word of the older employees and not given the younger employees space to explain their side of a situation making the younger employees to feel attacked and unsafe as an employee.