Big 5 Sporting Goods — Local services in Apple Valley

I had a horrible visit and interaction this time around. I am a disabled senior and because of my disability, I need new boots just about every other month. Though not so much since I retired a few years ago. I went in to purchase another couple pairs of boots and a pair of tennis shoes. I was first approached by a female employee who said if I needed help she would be able to do that. Turns out, she couldn't nor wouldn't help me. I told her I wanted a pair of boots exactly like the ones I was wearing. She replied by saying, "well sir I don't know what kind they are". I lifted up my plant leg so she could get a clear view of my boots. I told her I bought them from her store and the name of the boots. She replied again with, "sir, I don't know what they are, but if you see a pair in the wall that you like, I'd be happy to get them for you". I repeated to her that I wanted a pair like the ones I was wearing. I asked her if there was more information on the shoe that she needed to find the same boots. She replied again with, "sir if there's a pair in the wall that you like, I can get them for you". I say down and took my boot off to retrieve any additional information that could help her find the pair I was wearing. Once again she repeated the same statement. I told her at that point to go away, she wasn't helping me and asked for another employee to help me. She got the young man who was standing near by to help me, which he obliged. She then asked if she could help me with anything else. I told her obviously not cause she couldn't and wouldn't help for what I was there for and told her to go away and that she was annoying me. She tells me, "no, I'm not going anywhere". I asked for the manager, well crap, she was the manager! Then I asked for their corporate number, which she seemed very happy to do. Well after all this, guess what? The young man who replaced her to help me, comes out of the backroom with the exact same pair of boots I was wearing!! This manager was inept, unversed in the knowledge of her merchandise and refused to go any further in finding out what boots I wanted/ needed. She needs to be retrained in customer service and knowledge of her merchandise. The young man who helped me out should be the manager, not her. His professionalism and knowledge superceded hers by far. This manager's name is "Roelin". She not only lost a customer, but a bigger sale that day. I've worked in PR my whole life, one on one with customers, and I never treated a customer as she did me that day. FYI, I did call corporate customer service and lodged a formal complaint that same day. I'm only giving 2 stars for the young man who saved the day and my sanity, I'm sorry I didn't...

I went to the store to return some soccer shoes I tried only once to see if it was to my liking. Before purchasing, I made sure to ask the salesperson if returns were allowed, and I was told there would be no problem. I was also informed I could return the shoes at any location. When I went to a different store to do the return, they refused outright, wouldn’t even offer store credit, and treated me terribly. The staff, who seemed to be a security guard and possibly a manager, were rude, dismissive, and completely unhelpful. This was a horrible experience, and I would not recommend this Big 5 location. The store clearly needs a complete overhaul in customer service—I'd strongly suggest they hire a new, more professional staff that actually knows how to treat customers. If you're looking for decent service, avoid this location and choose another or try a different city entirely. Do yourself a favor and stay far away...

It's one thing to price match, but you should at least price match within your own company. When your stores are about five miles apart. The customer service at Big Five is in the toilet. It seemed like they could care less if you shop there or not. Which is surprising when you have so many options, for sporting goods. I stopped by the one by the mall and then went to the one in Jess Ranch. To look at my options, the item I was searching for was fifteen dollars less by the mall. Jess Ranch would not even price match their own company, Which was still about ten dollars higher than their competitors. Save yourself a trip and just go to Dick's, Bass Pro shop, or even walmart. As far...