Dear Michael's

I would just like to protest over your sales. Why were all your picture frames on sale last week for 40% off, but then they were all 50-55% off this week? I bought a frame last week, for a beautiful wedding picture, thinking it was a good deal. Then this week, you're on sale for more! And do you think I can find my receipt? No, of course not! I can find receipts from items purchased two months ago, but nothing from last week. Why do you tempt me with sales, only to put it on for sale for more the next week? Are you mean? Do you enjoy subjecting me to cruel and unusual punishment? Why would you do such a thing?

And while we're on the subject of sales, your "Michael's only" brand frames are made by someone else. Of course they are. I know it, you know it, and many of your customers know it. Just like Kenmore (Sears's "own" brand) is in fact made by other manufacturers, so too are your pictures frames. For example, the picture frames I love are made by Uniek (as one can discover by reading the price tag code). Beautiful frames. The 5x7" of my favourite frame costs $25.99. At 40% off, that cost me $15.60 plus taxes. Now at half off, I'd have saved another $2.60. That's not a lot of money, but it is another coffee.

And another thing. The exact same frames I like, made by Uniek, are sold at Walmart under the Uniek brand name for $12.50. Meaning that, even compared to Michael's 50% off, Walmart is still cheaper, which I hate to admit because, well, Walmart doesn't have the best business practices when it comes to purchasing from suppliers. [Although their health & safety measures for local workers are phenomenal, so that kind of makes up for it.]

So, buying another copy of the same frame I like from Walmart saved me another $0.50. Again, not much, but it's the principle. Those 40% off and 50% off sales and/or coupons aren't looking so appealing when the regular price at Walmart is better than your best price.

And I'm not even going to get into the scrapbooking supplies! Walmart now carries all the same companies you carry (K&Company, Martha Stewart, Jolie's, etc), at cheaper. The only downside is Walmart is filled with Walmart shoppers. But I can put up with the crazies for their better prices.

So, Michael's, in summary, as much as I love you (and I do) I just wanted to let you know that sometimes you're a bum. (And I mean it in the nicest way possible.) I will still shop at you. But, unfortunately, I will never again look at you with puppy dog eyes, eager to please and smitten with love. We'll still be friends, but our relationship will never be the same again.

Sincerley,

A loving customer
who has literally spend thousands of dollars at your fine establishment